Scattered Thoughts . . .

As most everyone who follows this blog knows, we recently traveled across the country by rail.  While we were in San Francisco, we stayed on an old Army post named The Presidio where I felt more at home than I have since retiring (more on that later in another blog entry) .  There were many interesting sites to see on this old post including many spectacular and scenic views.  On our last day residing on this beautiful, scenic, historic and memorable property, we spent a good portion of the day visiting the National Cemetery which is located within The Presidio grounds.  As anyone would imagine, anytime we visit a veteran's cemetery or National Cemetery, I'm vividly reminded of my Air Force Honor Guard days.  As a team chief, I managed and conducted more than 300 funerals during my three year tour.  I could write a book solely on my experiences with this outstanding team of men and women and many of these colorful yet somber memories flashed through my mind while strolling th

I've been meaning to write about this topic for approximately four or five years now. Somehow other topics pushed this topic to the side time and time again. I've mentioned this topic a few times in other blog entries so I really need to make an effort to put something together to add to my blog... so here I am. As a teacher, as a supervisor, as a leader, I have been in close contact with many adolescents and young adults over the decades and followed them through early adulthood. In order to teach them and guide them effectively, I listened carefully. Over the decades, I was a teacher of music, aerospace, leadership, and various other specialties. It didn't matter which subject I was teaching but providing accurate information about those particular subjects was my primary concern, however, as a teacher and someone who was in a position to guide them, I would listen to their views on anything and everything. It was my job as a teacher and leader to get them thinking log

I can't begin to tell you how much I despise that question no matter how innocently and friendly it may be asked... "Are you a cop?" Especially when it comes as a complete surprise from left field. It is a question which gets me so angry that I cringe, get frustrated, get angry and have to use all my willpower to restrain from unleashing a torrent of expletives, drill sergeant style, on the clearly unobservant and ignorant inquisitor.  Whenever I travel to other states in the United States, everyone...  and I mean  everyone... seems to pick up on the fact that I am either active duty military or a veteran... everyone. I get comments and questions about my military status and experience everywhere we go outside of Vermont. I even get handshakes and thanks for my service from complete strangers. Nobody outside of Vermont ever walks up to me and asks, out of the blue, such an absurd question like, "Are you a cop?" Within the borders of Vermont, however, I