PV2 Andrew

A lot has happened since my last post so it will take me awhile to catch up. When so many things going on it is hard to keep up with a blog. The first thing I want to post and get caught up with is the fact that my son has joined the Army.

It was a real surprise to me when he decided to join the military. He never really talked about it and I didn't push it too much. A decision like this is a big one and I feel you have to want to do it yourself. It is not a decision to be taken lightly.

When he told me he wanted to join the military I did what any good Army NCO would do...I took him to see an Air Force Recruiter. I love the Army and would do it all over again but it's little harder then the Air Force and you always want something a little better for your kids. Anyway he tested very good and could pretty much pick whatever job he wanted. He was looking at being a Security Policeman and I thought that was the route he was going.

Well I was a work when my wife calls and says Andrew is at the Army Recruiting Office. I called to talk to him and he said that since the Army gave a $20,000 bonus that was where he was going. I said okay but let me get someone to help you. I have a friend of mine who is a Recruiter and I called her to take care of Andrew.

We all got together and I wanted him to go Military Intelligence but he ended up selecting PSYOPS. I can't really tell you what they do because I really don't know much myself. I think they don't even know what they do.

I'm really proud that he selected the Army. I will Retire April 1st so I think it is kinda cool that we will overlap some. The picture is one of my son and son-in-law who also is in the Army. I guess we've pretty much kept it in the family.

Gecko

Today I buried by Little Buddy. He was an outside cat that we brought with us when we came back from Guam. He lived the outdoors and would only come in to eat during the nice weather. In the winter he would spend most of his time in the house sitting on the back of the couch looking out the window.

Last night it got cold and was raining. I looked for him before I went to bed and looked for him again in the morning before I went to the gym. I came home and got ready for work. On the way to work I saw a gray animal on the side of the road that was below our house. I was hoping it wasn't him but when I turned around for another look, I saw the flea collar that we had just bought him.

He was stiffed and there wasn't much a mark on him other then some blood coming out of his mouth. I put him in the car and went back home. I woke up the wife and told her. We got a computer box that has some foam padding in it and I put him in there. The kids got up and we buried him under the bird feeder in the back yard. He loved to sit under the tree and watch the birds as they ate.

I have had a lot of cats but he was a different one. Every time before he would come in the house he would want me to give him a stretch. This consisted of me placing him on his back on my shoulder with his feet and head hanging off my back. He would then want me to rub his tummy. Then he would put his feet behind my neck and have me carry him like that.

He didn't like to be petted much but would purr anytime you touched him. He would usually bit my nose and then lick it. He was a hell of a hunter and killed many animals to include geckos, ground squirrels, birds and many mice. He will really be missed.

Retirement

I have made the decision to finally retire from the Army. After 25 years it is time to call it quits. It's has been a great career and I've had a lot of good experiences. During those years I've been fortunate enough to have been stationed in places like, Turkey, Italy, Germany, and Guam. Places that I would not have been able to go to otherwise.

The only reason that I'm retiring now is that I've found a home here in Pittsburgh. I really love the city and I don't want to move. I've been here on station now for almost six years. The Army rarely allows anyone to stay in one place this long. I know I'm due for a move and I don't want to, so my only other option is to retire.

It's a scary move and now I have to start over with a new job. The pension that I will be receiving is not enough to live on. This has me worried. I know how the Army works and I'm comfortable with it. Working in a civilian job will take some adjusting.

Hazel

I had to change my travel plans. On Saturday, I received a call from my brother that my Grandmother had died. I immediately left for Galax, VA. I travelled on HWY 460 to Lynchburg and then south on I81. It was an uneventuful trip and I arrived after about six and a half hours of travel.

My Grandmother was 92 and was a great woman. I have many fond memories of her.

Pittsburgh to Richmond on a Bike

We are having a conference in Richmond so I thought that instead of flying or driving a government car, I would take the opportunity to ride my bike down. After all Uncle Sam is paying. I also figured that coming back, since I would be leaving late on Sunday - that I would take my time and take two days to get home.

Seneca Rocks WV was one place that I wanted to spend time at every since I first saw it on another drive home from Richmond. That time I didn't have time to do anything other then to stop and look at the rock raising up from the ground. I didn't even have my camera. This time would be different. I not only brought my camera but camping gear also. Can't wait to do some camping and some hiking.

I left the house yesterday morning about 0730 and headed south on I79. I planned on catching I70 in Washington but a couple of things changed my mind. One was that I forgot the EZ Pass for when I70 merged with the PA Turnpike and two There were signs warning of delays on I70. That made my decision to go on down to Morgantown WV and catch I68.

There were a lot of traffic on I79 but once I got on I68 traffic was very light. The Vulcan 500 did very well and easily cruised at 75 to 80 mph and still had some left to make passes when necessary. I debated on wither to follow I70 to DC and then follow I95 south to Richmond or to take US522. The didn't care for the thought of DC traffic so took 522 and then Highway 33 to Richmond. It turned out to be a good decision. The ride was very nice but very long. It ended up taking me 9 hours to travel 400 miles. I made a few stops and took my time but by the end of my journey I was ready for the hotel and a cold beer.

One of the stops that I made was at Blue Ridge Grocery about 20 miles north of Culpeper. I passed it but turned around and went back to it. I was glad that I did. As I took off my helmet and jacket an Animal Control Officer drove up and informed me that the store was only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but that he would go ahead and open it for me. Turns out he lives right behind the store and he's the owner/operator. I told him that I would take a pack of nabs and a bottle of pop. It was just like being at home to have someone who knew what nabs and pop is. He went around and came back with the goods but refused to accept any money. He was a very friendly guy. I highly recommend stopping by if you are ever in that parts on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Oh, and before I forget. I used 6.65 gallons of gas to travel 400 miles for a MPG average of 59.9. Not bad but still costed $29.06. Gas prices really suck.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Once again July 16th rolls around. Every year is comes quicker then the last. July 16th is a very special day for me. Not only is it mine and my daughters birthday but it is also my wedding anniversary. Today, I turned 42, my daughter 20, and I now have 21 years of marriage. Since I left home at 18, my wife has been with me longer then anyone else. It has been a really great 21 years and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I love my wife now more then ever. She has been a great wife and mother - more then I could ever have wished for. Here's to her for giving up 21 years of her life to spend it with me.

Wedding

Well, today my one and only daughter got married. Her fiance had a four day pass from Sheppard AFB in Texas where he is taking his Advance Individual Training. He came in Friday afternoon but they had to wait until Monday to get married because of the fourth.

Monday morning they went downtown Pittsburgh to get the license. Normally there is a 3 day wait but because he is in the Army and had to report back on Tuesday morning, they gave it to them the same day.

They then came up to the local magistrates office (whom they had both appear to before)and had him perform the wedding. In attendance was Sam's mother, sister, and nephew. On my daughter's side, there was her mother, brother, and myself.

There were married around 1145 and then we all went out to lunch at the Red Lobster. The poor newlyweds only had a few hours together before Sam had to fly out at 1900 to report back to Texas.