2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Veterans Day 2009

See the rest of this cartoon on Jeff Bacon’s Broadside blog and don’t forget to donate to Valour-IT!!

Hey, I just realized – Today, 29 years ago, I started my first day of Navy bootcamp at RTC Orlando. Dang, time flies.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Broadside for Valour-IT!

As Neptunus Lex puts it, “Now, besides the warm glow of knowing that you’ve helped a wounded troop reconnect with his family, friends and the world, you can also receive a tangible reminder of your munificence…”

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

The Valour-IT Auction

The fund started with $2215.62, and to date it is up to $3513.66 – so far we are up to $129.80! You can track the amount daily on the side bar. Don’t worry, bad days won’t effect the total, the amount will only go up!

Ready to pledge a like amount in the name of Team Navy? Click on the Valour-IT widget in the sidebar, what a great way to start your holiday season!

“Project Valour IT”, of Soldier’s Angels, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries. Soldiers Angel’s has been designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity by the IRS, so direct donations to Soldiers’ Angels are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

2009 Project Valour-IT

Well, we can check off installing the hardwood floors from the list – job completed (with help from my neighbor, Joe, the flooring expert – Thanks Joe!!). Some pictures;

Using Bruce Ponderosa Maple 5 inch planks

The floor is in, time to put the furniture back!

Blury picture but trust me, the room looks better

The job took about a day and a half to complete. Now I get to go play golf before I finish the tinting – arched windows are a PAIN!

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Just So Ya Know

Place: “The Center” on Highland at Park Ave in Memphis. Across from the hair school. Can’t miss it.

Time: 5pm-12am on Thursday April 9, 2009, there is a small cover charge of $7 (ladies are free until 7pm). There is a dress code that will be enforced, no jogging suits or ball caps! Oh, you must be 21 or over to enter. There is a kitchen and it is a BYOB event so start chillin the Jagermeister and prepare to get JAZZED!

Jazz bands, musicians and poets who wish to participate, or you just have questions, feel free to contact the host for additional information, call (901)486-6073

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

How About Some Jazz Music In Memphis!

2009 NavyCS NCAA Basketball Tourney

Disappointed the Gators didn’t make it again this year. Having a son graduating from Memphis, I may also attend in the fall, I’ll be rooting for them – just don’t think this is their year. Next year however – Memphis will win it all. You heard it here first!

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

My 2009 NCAA Bracket

Give the gift of life.

No matter what your blood type may be, there is a need. Here in the Memphis area O negative blood is always at dangerously low levels. “Life Blood” and other organizations have to fly in blood from other regions to meet the need. The need in Memphis comes from the two famous children hospitals, St Jude and Lebohner, and the regional hospitals like The Med.

The children hospitals here in Memphis have patients come from all over the world, who knows, your donation may just end up here and could help save a child’s life. Point is, somebody needs it! So, take a minute and look at your schedule and plan some time to donate.

You can just walk in or to save yourself some time call for appointment!
In the Mid-South call 1-888-Lifeblood (1-888-543-3256).
For the Red Cross locations call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

What are you waiting for?? CALL!!

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Donate Blood!

Six Frigates
A Most Fortunate Ship
Two Ocean War

UPDATE: All three books have been sold. Thank you for your participation in this worthy event!

Happy Holidays!

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Great Christmas Gifts

We called ahead to make reservations and were able to get a site that was actually right on the fast moving river. Having only been trout fishing once in my life prior to this trip I was looking forward to the adventure.

Back in 1951 the dam was completed, prior to that the only trout even near this part of the river was one that may have been served in a local eating establishment. Trout are not indigenous to this part of the Ozarks. The fish that used to frequent these waters before the damn were your garden variety bass, catfish and blue gill – staples of any self respecting southern fisherman.

You can still catch those southern fish but you need to be on the lake side of the dam were the water is warmer – you see, below the dam the water is darn right cold. The water is drawn to turn the generators from the deepest part of the lake, about 180 feet deep, its cold down there! Since bass, and other regular southern fish can’t handle the cold the trout were brought in, and they thrive in it!

There are four types introduced to this part of the river, the rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and the rarest of them all, the brook trout.

Once we arrived to the park, I must say the drive was beautiful, we put up the tent and immediately went to the trout dock and bought me a fishing license with a trout stamp. Once I over came my “hate to ask for directions” moment I asked the guy behind counter what was the best bait to catch a trophy fish. Well, after about ten 10 minutes into his tale of the best methods and bait to use (it was then I recalled why men don’t like to ask for any type of directions), I interrupted him and just grabbed the closest item that looked like it might work, paid and left – it was getting dark and I needed to get some fishin in!

For the first day and a half I perfected my casting. Lost about 5 hooks and sinkers – scared the crap outta some kid when I yelled after losing the sixth. Then it happened.

It must have been what felt like my millionth cast. BAM, FISH ON! It hit the bait like nothing I have felt in quite sometime. Most fisherman on the river were in small john boats, floating down to a point and driving back up only to repeat. I spent most of my day watching the same people drift then drive by and yes, they were catching fish.

Well, now this was my turn and everyone knew it. My pole was bent over and I was yelling for my wife to get the net. Oh, the excitement! Everyone’s eyes were looking my way – for a moment I had ultimate power, I had the worlds attention.

After what must have been a full 45 second struggle I landed my first (and only) trout of the trip – only those who were close enough to make out that is was really a fish snickered – I think the people in the boats were too far away… thank goodness.

2009 Military Pay Chart
2010 Military Pay Chart

Fish On!