This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Author: Hondo

  • Ah, Jonn . . . We Hardly Knew Ye

    10:45PM EDT

    I’ve been on the road or otherwise tied up most of the day. So this article is, unfortunately, a bit late.

    I got the news of Jonn’s passing this morning. I nearly missed it; it was only happenstance that I saw Dave Hardin’s reply to a comment telling me I needed to check my email. (Many thanks, Dave; I owe you one.)

    The news came as somewhat of a shock. Jonn seemed to be doing well when I visited him last month. But none of us ever know how much time the Almighty has allotted us – or our friends.

    TSO’s article/eulogy for Jonn of earlier today says most things that need to be said. His article is eloquent, heartfelt, and excellent. It’s a fitting goodbye for Jonn.

    Still, I’d like to add my own small bit.

    I didn’t know Jonn as well as TSO, and I won’t pretend otherwise. Still, I think I knew him well enough to say the following:

    – he loved his country, serving it for decades;

    – he loved and took care of his family;

    – he loved truth, and detested lies; and

    – he was willing to stand by his convictions, come what may.

    In short, Jonn was a man of honor – and of courage. Hell, seeing how he handled the nasty curve life threw him with ALS aptly proved the latter.

    I’m proud to have known Jonn. And I’d have been honored to have served alongside him, in peace or in war.

    I’m proud to have considered Jonn a friend. I’ll miss him.

    Longtime TAH readers know of my liking for music, especially of that by the late Warren Zevon. I’m going to take the liberty of using one of Warren’s tunes as a final musical tribute. Jonn wouldn’t have asked for this – but I’ll do it on his behalf anyway.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjRLq4uF4A

    Adios, mi amigo. Vaya con Dios.

    Lo recordaremos.

  • Four More Return

    DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.

    From World War II

    None

    From Korea

    CPL Francisco Ramos-Rivera, US Army, assigned to H Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, was lost in South Korea on 20 July 1950. He was accounted for on 12 July 2018.

    CPL Albert E. Mills, US Army, assigned to F 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was lost in South Korea on 25 July 1950. He was accounted for on 17 July 2018.

    PVT Delbert J. Holliday, US Army, assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was lost in North Korea on 30 November 1950. He was accounted for on 13 July 2018.

    MSG Leonard K. Chinn, US Army, assigned to D Company, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on 30 April 1951. He was accounted for on 16 July 2018.

    From Southeast Asia

    None

    Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.

    You’re home now. Rest easy.

    . . .

    Over 72,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,600 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; over 1,500 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA); 126 remain unaccounted for from the Cold War; 5 remain unaccounted for from the Gulf Wars; and 1 individual remains unaccounted for from Operation Eldorado Canyon. Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered, or which may be recovered in the future.

    On their web site’s “Contact Us” page, DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and can be viewed in DPAA’s FAQs.

    If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.

    Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.

  • Yer Saturday Chuckle, Part 2: “Thank you for picking Uranus!”

    Several months ago, I wrote a short article about a rather, er, “unique” place I passed while traveling: the Uranus Fudge Factory in Uranus, MO. My schedule didn’t permit me to stop then; but on a subsequent trip, I had a schedule that allowed a stop.

    Yeah, it was worth stopping. The place was a hoot – a bit juvenile, but a hoot nonetheless.

    The title of this article is what you hear from the sales staff on entering the place – spoken loudly and proudly. (smile) You’re also greeted by this . . . guy(?) holding a sign to the same effect:
     


     
    But if you’re observant, besides the place’s name you get another clue about the place before you even enter. There’s a sign that tips you off posted outside the building. You can see it from the parking lot as you approach the building to enter (be sure to read the fine print):
     

     
    Here’s a close-up of the sign:
     

     
    The place was a bit crowded inside. But it seems they have plans for expansion:
     

     
    If you have to make a latrine call (I’d been on the road for a few hours by then, so yeah – I did), depending on your gender you might see this sign:
     

     
    One disappointment: I got there in time for lunch, and was planning on trying the wings at the saloon and party bar next door. Unfortunately, that business doesn’t open until 4PM. Should you decide to go and also plan to eat, you might want to take that into account. You won’t be able get anything to eat there except snack-type stuff before 4PM, and there’s not much else in the immediate vicinity.

    No, I didn’t get anyone We KnOw AnD “lOvE” a union T-shirt during the stop. Their T-shirts were kinda pricey; ol’ purple-tiger-striped Blunder Chicken simply isn’t worth what I’d have had to spend.

    And no – I didn’t try the fudge, either. (smile)

  • Meanwhile, in that “Socialist Paradise” Called Venezuela . . . .

    It’s old news that Venezuela is having a bit of economic difficulty these days. Well, everyone who’s not part of the Venezuelan Communist leadership ruling elite is having economic difficulties; the Communist leadership ruling elite is doing OK.

    For most Venezuelans, though, even TP can be difficult to find; ditto many foodstuffs. The same is reportedly true of many if not most common household items.

    Predictably, this has led to a substantial increase in crime. But conditions in Venezuela have now become truly grave.

    Literally. In Venezuela today, even grave markers are being targeted by thieves.

    I’m not joking.

    But obviously, this must be America’s fault. The fact that Venezuela’s Communist dictators ruling elite are trying to involuntarily impose – by dictat – an economic system that’s failed everywhere it’s been tried has nothing to do with Venezuela’s current economic problems.

    In fact, I seem to remember someone who would be happy to come here and tell us – using that inane “superior” Leftist Poodle Logic – why Venezuela’s problems are all America’s fault. He also could tell us why Socialism will soon fix all of Venezuela’s economic and social ills.

    Well, he could if Jonn hadn’t gotten fed up with him and dropped the ban-hammer.

  • Another Three Return

    DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.

    From World War II

    PVT Donald E. Brown, US Army, assigned to A Company, 745th Tank Battalion, was lost in France on 28 July 1944. He was accounted for on 29 June 2018.

    PFC Willard Jenkins, US Army, assigned to C Company, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion (307th AEB), 82nd Airborne Division, was lost in The Netherlands on 20 September 1944. He was accounted for on 5 July 2018.

    From Korea

    PFC Joe S. Elmore, US Army, assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on 2 December 1950. He was accounted for on 5 July 2018.

    From Southeast Asia

    None

    Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.

    Rest easy. You’re home now.

    . . .

    Over 72,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,600 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; over 1,500 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA); 126 remain unaccounted for from the Cold War; 5 remain unaccounted for from the Gulf Wars; and 1 individual remains unaccounted for from Operation Eldorado Canyon. Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered, or which may be recovered in the future.

    On their web site’s “Contact Us” page, DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and can be viewed in DPAA’s FAQs.

    If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.

    Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.

  • Another Four Return

    DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.

    From World War II

    FM1c Raymond R. Camery, US Navy, assigned to the crew of the USS Oklahoma, was lost at Pearl Harbor, HI, on 7 December 1941. He was accounted for on 28 June 2018.

    FM1c Walter F. Schleiter, US Navy, assigned to the crew of the USS Oklahoma, was lost at Pearl Harbor, HI, on 7 December 1941. He was accounted for on 21 June 2018.

    S1c Daniel L. Guisinger, Jr., US Navy, assigned to the crew of the USS Oklahoma, was lost at Pearl Harbor, HI, on 7 December 1941. He was accounted for on 21 June 2018.

    From Korea

    Pfc Roger Gonzales, USMC Reserve, assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, was lost in North Korea on 29 November 1950. He was accounted for on 26 June 2018.

    From Southeast Asia

    None

    Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.

    Rest easy. You’re home now.

    . . .

    Over 72,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,600 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; over 1,500 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA); 126 remain unaccounted for from the Cold War; 5 remain unaccounted for from the Gulf Wars; and 1 individual remains unaccounted for from Operation El Dorado Canyon. Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered, or which may be recovered in the future.

    On their web site’s “Contact Us” page, DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and can be viewed in DPAA’s FAQs.

    If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.

    Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.

  • Another Two Are Home

    DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.

    From World War II

    2nd Lt. Robert R. Keown, US Army, assigned to 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, US Army Air Forces, was lost in Papua New Guinea on 16 April 1944. He was accounted for on 28 November 2017; Jonn noted his burial last week in this article. Regrettably, I missed the original announcement of his accounting.

    SGT James K. Park, US Army, assigned to I Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, was lost in Germany on 23 November 1944. He was accounted for on 21 June 2018.

    From Korea

    None

    From Southeast Asia

    None

    Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.

    Rest easy. You’re home now.

    . . .

    Over 73,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,800 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; and over 1,600 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA). Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered, or which may be recovered in the future.

    On their web site’s “Contact Us” page, DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and can be viewed in DPAA’s FAQs.

    If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.

    Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.

  • Three More Return

    DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.

    From World War II

    FM1c Lewis F. Tindall, US Navy Reserve, assigned to the crew of the USS Oklahoma, was lost at Pearl Harbor, HI, on 7 December 1941. He was accounted for on 6 June 2018.

    Pfc Paull D. Gilman, USMC Reserve, assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, was lost on Tarawa Atoll on 20 November 1943. He was accounted for on 5 June 2018.

    From Korea

    CPL Morris Meshulam, US Army, assigned to D Battery, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on 1 December 1950. He was accounted for on 5 June 2018.

    From Southeast Asia

    None

    Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.

    Rest easy. You’re home now.

    . . .

    Over 73,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,800 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; and over 1,600 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA). Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered, or which may be recovered in the future.

    On their web site’s “Contact Us” page, DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and can be viewed in DPAA’s FAQs.

    If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.

    Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.