Music Monday

Don't ask me what they're talking about. It was the 60's, they were most likely trippin' balls when they wrote it.

Cream - Tales Of Brave Ulysses (Live)

MIA Vietnam War Soldier Identified

Army Capt. James M. Johnstone, of Baton Rouge, La., will be buried Dec. 12 in Arlington National Cemetery. On Nov. 19, 1966, Johnstone was the pilot of an OV-1A Mohawk aircraft that crashed while conducting a daytime reconnaissance mission over Attapu Province, Laos. Nearby U.S. aircrews reported seeing the wing of Johnstone's aircraft hit a tree during a climb to avoid a nearby ridgeline. No parachutes were seen exiting the aircraft. Heavy enemy presence in the area prevented recovery efforts. From 1993 to 2009 joint U.S.-Lao People's Democratic Republic (L.P.D.R.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), interviewed multiple witnesses, and conducted several investigations and excavations of the crash site in Attapu Province. The teams located human remains, military equipment, an identification card bearing Johnstone's name, and aircraft wreckage of an OV-1A, which correlated with the last known location of Johnstone's aircraft. To identify the remains, scientists from JPAC analyzed circumstantial evidence and used forensic identification tools, such as dental comparisons.

Chag Chanukah Sameach

I want to wish you a very joyous holiday and continued blessings in the new year.

December 7, 1941

71 years ago today over 2,000 people lost their lives in the attack at Pearl Harbor. As the attack was happening a reporter was assigned to cover it. The story she wrote was deemed to graphic to print and was rejected. 71 years later her report has finally been released.
h/t to Cindy for sending this to me.

Missing Vietnam War Soldier Identified

Army Sgt. John R. Jones, of Louisville, Ky., was buried Dec. 6 in Arlington National Cemetery. On June 4, 1971, Jones was part of a U.S. team working with indigenous commandos to defend a radio-relay base, known as Hickory Hill, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. When enemy forces attacked the site, Jones and another serviceman took up a defensive position in a nearby bunker. The following morning, Jones was reportedly killed by enemy fire and the other soldier was captured and held as a POW until 1973. From 1993 to 2010, joint U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted several investigations, surveyed the site and interviewed multiple witnesses, including those involved in the battle.

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Wednesday Hero

Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Vargas


Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Vargas, disaster preparedness officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast, dressed in authentic Choctaw clothing, plays a Choctaw flute during a luncheon. The Native American Heritage celebration was hosted by Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 Detachment Jacksonville.

Photo courtesy U.S. Navy taken by Matt Simons

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

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Music Monday

I know it's become somewhat of a cliche, TSO in December, but I love their music. With one band I get my Christmas, Classical and Metal fixes. What's not to like?


Trans-Siberian Orchestra - A Star To Follow