Witness

I’ve seen Neil Armstrong stroll one day,
I’ve witnessed shocks of grain.
I’ve seen the mighty eagles fly,
I’ve curried horses mane.

An abacus I use for math,
It’s circles I would send.
Witnessed powerful computers
My mind can’t comprehend.

I love to see Old Glory fly
And still do to this day.
I thank God this has never changed
And for showing us the way.

I still believe in simple things,
They’re forever on my mind.
Time is moving far too fast,
It’s leaving me behind.

His words of promise still so strong
Console my heart and mind...
"I’ll be with you all the days,
Even to the end of time."

The only constants I have left,
My family and my God,
Will keep my soul in lasting peace
When they cover me with sod.

My 18th Grandchild!

Thomas Harold was born on Feb. 24th (my 40th wedding anniversary!). He is the sixth child of my oldest (daughter Laura) child. Here I am holding him for the first time with his big brother, Niklaus (my buddy).

The Great Generations

I was fingering a map of Europe the other day, looking for the town of Foy. I knew it was liberated by Company E of the 101st Airborne at the Battle of the Bulge. Oh, the richness of so many of the stories of that great war. Both in Europe and in the Pacific. So many great books tell the story of our fathers and grandfathers serving our country throughout the world in that great conflagration.



Recently, there's been a renewed interest in America's involvement in WWII brought on by movies such as Saving Private Ryan and the series "Band of Brothers". One of the books that got quite a bit of mention was the book by Tom Brokaw entitled: "The Greatest Generation". The accolades showered on our WWII vets were well deserved but, as an army veteran myself, I was a bit upset over this title. I thought of those brave, barely fed, and underpaid young boys who braved it out at Valley Forge one cold winter so long ago. They, who froze in the Delaware river, but won a battle where the outcome determined whether we would become the United States of America! Those young men are barely even given a second thought now. The same could be said of the brave men that suffered and died in our civil war, those who served in WWI in the muddy trenches of Normandy, and what of the wonderful, young soldiers who froze while fighting and dying on the Korean Pennensula? What of the men of my generation who were sent on a search and destroy mission in Vietnam?



Now, I look at the young men and women of today. Those in high school or just graduating who grew up in these pampered times. These are the "computer game" times. These are "Ipod" times. Today, there is no draft, no pressure about getting a "high number". We have a major war going on. The War on Terror. These fine young men and women today are all volunteers. They put their lives on the line every day. They wonder if a roadside IED will take a limb from them, disfigure them for life, or even kill them. They do this because it is their duty. They are protecting us because they know it's their turn to carry the sword of freedom.



I'm an old man, but I'm so proud of these new defenders of freedom. This new generation, this greatest generation!

Papa the Bard

Here is a poem written by Papa and transcribed by Laura (any and all mistakes are Laura's responsibility!):

Once more the cause of honor reigns,
afoot in western lands.

"Fear not to speak of old crusades!",
the cause of virtue now demands.

Cordova witnessed martyrdom
for speaking what was right.

The imams came on pounding hooves
like thunder in the night.

The west, once filled with churches
to please the One True God...

Minarettes have taken over.
The cry is now "Jihad!".

Follow, oh Christian soldier,
the cross that Jesus bore.

If Islam wants it bad enough
let us give them holy war!

The innocent had died for naught,
if imams are now to reign.

We must stand up for those of us
whom jihad so recently has slain.

"Come kneel before our idols!",
said Caesar to Christ’s flock.

But faith was much more powerful
than flail and chopping block.

We need now faith so similar,
and to carry shield and sword.

Put on the cross of virtue
and vanquish Allah’s hoard!

Some Thoughts About Patriotism and the Second Amendment

I was just reading an article in the American Rifle Magazine about giving William B Ruger his due regarding a patent on his transfer bar.

Looking at all these beautiful guns and thinking of the Americans who make them, makes me proud to be a member of the NRA!

This all points to the valiant word "patriotism". Let the Europeans be smug in their socialism. I'm over 60 years old, was in the army, and I have 18, wonderful grandchildren. They are taught by solid patriots (their parents), and every grandchild will tell you (when they start to talk!) that the two main things they are taught by their parents are the love of God and patriotism.

1. I will always love my God.
2. I will always have my guns.
3. I will always be a patriot.
4. I will always be an AMERICAN!

Papa

Papa's Walking Stick

Well, I finished it! I made a walking cane for myself. I've been making canes and walking sticks since I was a young man of 28. I made one for my beautiful dad years ago. He died in 1986. Then Julie's dad suffered a severe stroke in 1976. I made him a wonderful cane, then went to a German engraver who put a rosebud and the name "Bud" on a gold plate that I fixed to the cane. I've made a lot of walking sticks for whomever wanted them, but my special one was made for my dear, twin sister (she's a SSND).
On Thursday, while I was putting those scary faces on trees with two of Laura's dollies. My knee went out again and I fell headfirst on to the lawn! Julie and the kids helped me get up. Last week, my big son (6'4", 274 lbs) took me fishing. He had to help me in the boat, but my knee gave out and I fell again. Last fall, while hunting deer on Nick's land, I saw two sticks that were perfect to make in to walking sticks. I brought them home but left them in my suburban. After these three falling incidents, I knew it was time to make a walking stick for myself. Well, I did.
I guess I'm officially an old man.

A Bit About Papa

I was a young, strong farmboy born in the 40's and worked hard on our big farm. I played football and basketball in high school, did my time in the army (tanker), then went to the U of M to get a degree in history.