The FReeper Foxhole Remembers "Little Friends" - USAAF Fighter Escorts - Dec. 11th, 2002

http://www.cebudanderson.com/europe.htm ^ | Scott Richardson

[Jen]

Good to see you. I hope your hubby enjoys the thread too.

[top of the world ma]

My pleasure, sir. Thanks for including me.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Clinton bombed innocent people in countries around the world to avert attention from political problems. He eliminated the military budget which in turn delayed progress in weapons development. Soldiers vacated their positions for many reasons leaving America in a laughable comparison to where we were prior to 1992.

1. How do today's veterans compare America's military focus to that of 40 years ago?
2. How has it changed over the last year?
3. How many of our previous administration's mistakes are/were recognized by the general public?
4. How do you feel about the manner in which the Leftists are defending Iraq's rights and how do you think the nation is reacting?
5. How did the nation, media, congress react 40 years ago?

[Jen]

Great! I'm glad you enjoy the threads. You'll get a daily ping from me to help you navigate to our Foxhole for the day. ;-)

[Jen]

Nerves frayed from lack of coffee? Uh oh, do you know what that means?????

YOU KNOW YOU DRINK TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN....

Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.

You speed walk in your sleep.

You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.

You have to watch videos in fast-forward.

The only time you're standing still is during an earthquake.

You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer.

You chew on other people's fingernails.

The nurse needs a scientific calculator to take your pulse.

Cocaine is a downer.

All your kids are named "Joe."

Your only source of nutrition comes from "Sweet & Low."

You don't sweat, you percolate.

You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.

You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it's not plugged in.

You've built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.

People get dizzy just watching you.

Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.

Your taste buds are so numb you could drink your lava lamp.

Your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil.

You go to sleep just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.

Your Thermos is on wheels.

Your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position.

You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.

You can outlast the Energizer bunny.

You short out motion detectors.

You don't tan, you roast.

You introduce your spouse as your "Coffeemate."

You think CPR stands for "Coffee Provides Resuscitation."

When someone asks, "How are you?", you reply: "Good to the last drop."

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Sure you qualify, Cap'n! ;-)

Thanks, but I think not! However, if it counts at all, I HAVE played gigs at Great Lakes, Fort Lewis (WA), Camp McCoy (WI) and a few other places. I'll leave the foxholes to you guys though, since you know what you're doing. : )

[Jen]

Did you write this joke? hahahaha ;-)

***********

One night at McChord Air Force Base in Washington, I was dispatched to check out the security fence where an alarm had gone off. The fence was at the end of the base runway. When I got to the scene, I found that a raccoon was the culprit, so I ran around and flapped my arms to scare off the animal.

Suddenly an air-traffic controller came over the public-address system and announces loudly, "Attention to the airman at the end of the runway. You are cleared for takeoff."

[Deguello]

"are you talking about Bud Anderson?"

Neil Anderson. Kind of a grumpy old guy 'cause he was passed up for the Space Program during the 60's. Went on to Edwards for testing. Gets frequently invited to the Paris Show by the Russians to fly their new stuff.

[TigersEye]

Did someone say coffee? Mmmmmmmmmm!

It's nice to have FRiends! ; )

For more "Too Much Coffee Man" click here. Have a great day FReepers, Vets and Servicemen/women!

[SAMWolf]

ROTFLMAO!!

Reminds me of the time we drove a Deuce and a half down the runway at Phouc Vinh to take a "Short Cut". The Air Force was not amused. (It was night so we weren't interferring with air traffic)

[ODC-GIRL]

I served 21 years in the Air National Guard. I was proud to serve in the Reagan/Bush years. We had an important job, Air Defense. After winning the Cold War, the traditional military mistakes were made again, including cutting way back on the Air Defense mission.

The disgusting Clinton years made it very easy for me to decide to retire, which I did in August 2001. I was the supervisor in our unit's Command Post. I was called back to help on 9-11 and am in the process of "unretiring". We are performing our Air Defense mission again (shutting the barn door after the horses escaped).

I am once again proud to be serving my country and having an important mission, one which should never have been cut in the first place. While we who are conducting this nation's Homeland Defense don't get much notice, we are dedicated to ensuring that what happened on 9-11 never happens again. The people I work with have left their civilian jobs for over a year now. We have gone from one weekend a month to covering a 24/7 operation with 12 hours shifts. We face the very real possiblity of deploying as well. We are ready, if not eager.

How have things changed in the last year? Everything has changed for us. Things I trained for, for 21 years, we do for real on a regular basis. Many have discovered, for the first time, the true nature of our "business". We are prepared to stick it out as long as necessary.

I have been lurking on Free Republic for several weeks now and so I know that the people here appreciate what we do. We appreciate having a President who stands for something and means what he says.

[SAMWolf]

Excellent post. Thank you and your fellow Airmen for their service to our defense.

[MistyCA]

LOL! How I are????? duh..... lol!

[Aura Of The Blade]

Jen - I had no idea, but according to the history channel there was over 30 million huey/slick missions flown in the RVN? I know it's not WWII related, but what the heck :)

Thank you to all U.S. and allied WWII pilots. Some of those escort fighters look pretty sharp considering the technology back then.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

How have things changed in the last year? Everything has changed for us. Things I trained for, for 21 years, we do for real on a regular basis. Many have discovered, for the first time, the true nature of our "business". We are prepared to stick it out as long as necessary.

Good to be back?

Compare your new focus with that of the Leftists who don't yet seem to recognize 9/11.

[Jaidyn]

Like you, my son is in the ANG and I know how hard he works and how proud he still is after ten years with them. He is a Loadmaster for the C-130s and is very skilled at what he does, as are his fellow military. I know how he felt under Clinton and had Gore won, he was debating leaving. I can only imagine where we would be today with Al at the helm. Instead, many more are enlisting and re-inlisting. I hope you post more often. And thank you for being there for us.

[txzman]

Great thread. Reminds me of the story told by one 8th AF pilot who didn't like the P47 at first, having flown other planes, inlcuding the Mustang. That all changed one day when a 20mm shell hit right into his cowling - lodging there - killing 2 cylinders but the darn engine kept on flying. He made it back to his base in France. From that day forward the "Jug" was his only plane.

[MistyCA]

ROFLMAO! That is too funny Jen!

[MistyCA]

LOL! I bet they loved you guys!

[MistyCA]

Thank you for your service, and thanks for going back! :)