Friday, November 15, 2013

Christmas name

I found a list on Facebook, the new authority for all things cool, of Santa names.  So, from now until Christmas, I will only answer to my Christmas name:   BoBunny Crazy-Pants.

Baylor


The first football game I ever saw in person, above a high school level, was the Texas Tech-Baylor game in 1974.  A doctor who had a hunting lease at the ranch had box seats season tickets and gave them to us.  It was not my dad’s thing but he and I drove up to see the game because I wanted to come.  And boy oh boy I was impressed.  The stadium, the 50 yard line (only time ever I think), the game, the spirit, the band.  It all sealed my Texas Tech future.  Oh, yeah, there was the school part…!    I remember it was Veterans day weekend and the band did a patriotic show and I thought it was great!  I don’t remember who won…

This weekend I am headed for Arlington to see the same game.  Now someone above my level has decided that Tech never again gets to go to Waco and Baylor isn’t coming here…now it’s a Dallas shootout.  It’s all about money of course but it also gets me a road trip so I guess it’s good.  I don’t like losing home games and Lubbock revenue to Dallas but I obviously don’t hate it too much.  This time I will meet my friend Holly from my college days and her daughter Lindsey and we are wearing our “our coach is hotter than your coach” shirts like triplets and we will be at Cowboys Stadium instead of the Jones.  And we will eat somewhere fun and stay in a cool hotel.  I guess, technically, I have come up in the world.    And our hopes for a win are a wing and a prayer but a good time will be had by all. 

I guess I’ve come up in the world but that first game, with my daddy, will live in my heart forever.

 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Happy Veteran's Day 2013




ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Jeopardy Question:

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was:
"How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns" ----

All three contestants missed it! --

This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance.

Very fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps:

It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not? He
carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.

All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are:

President Taft,
Joe Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty..

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military
members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way,
Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that
guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be
afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and keep them.

I'd be very proud if this post reaches as many as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

God Bless America

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This was posted on Facebook and I am assuming it's true.  It's cool either way.