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Shipyard prepares for submarine's keel laying
NEWPORT NEWS -- They call it a ``keel laying.'' But the stealthy, sleek Texas -- the second in the Virginia class of submarines -- has no keel to lay. Its bottom is smooth, lacking the keel that runs the length of a traditional ship's underbelly to guide and steady it.
The Virginia class submarine boasts the most
sophisticated technology in U.S. submarine history,
designed with the flexibility to carry out multiple
missions. Artist rendering
Today the Texas appears in pieces, huge steel tubular sections and their elaborate innards, in the outfitting areas of Northrop Grumman Newport News and its partner shipyard, Electric Boat Corp., in Groton, Conn. One of those pieces, the 34-foot-wide steel stern, stands as a near-finished milestone in the seven-year construction of a sub that will be 377 feet long when it's delivered to the Navy in 2005. Continue
Saluting, LarryJohnson. Thank you for your service
It is the best of days, and the worst of days. Anyone familiar with Missouri weather knows it is the land of extremes. Wednesday was no different. After a long, hot, dry spell, thunderstorms have been popping up. This particular Wednesday, was classic.
The thing that sets Wednesday’s off is the weekly “Peace Vigil” aka, the peacniks getting in a few hits at America and her armed services. I am filled with anticipation, and my sign is ready. (Water-proof ink, no less.)
4:00 finally comes, and I am out the door. I love my University job, but holding the peaceniks accountable is more exciting than paperwork, today. Driving to my favorite parking space at Hardee’s, I park and grab my supplies. Being an old farm girl, I am pretty sure of what the weather has in store for the next hour or so. It does not disappoint.
Manning my post, ½ block ahead of the peaceniks, and before the University of Missouri traffic will encounter the peacenik intersection with their posters and protests, I stand. The owner of the little flower shop is accommodating. We have an agreement that I may stand outside his business. At first, he said it was a free country. Then, he saw my sign, and was a bit more than enthusiastic.
Prepared, I hold up my sign reading, “America, Love it or Lose it.” (This is pretty innocuous after holding signs that read “I Protest the Protesters” or “Whatever They are Against This Week, I am For.”) The traffic is passing, and mostly non-committal. It is fair-weather now, but it can all change quickly, and does.
Almost on cue, it starts to rain. Gently at first…just a nice large drop here and there. Then a bit more. I look at the corner with the peaceniks. They are getting antsy. Finally, Missouri lets her sky open up, and the rain pours, straight and strong. The peaceniks scatter in all directions.
Reaching out for a small, automatically inflating umbrella, it is raised over my sign. Love It, or Lose It. Looking at the intersection, I see the head peacenik looking my direction. In short shift, the peaceniks stop, and come back through the deluge.
Happy as hell, I remember years ago standing for hours on a roadway in the driving rain, 40 degrees, and soaked to the bone, an accident, someone needing help or dying. I was a police officer, and find no sacrifice all in a 70 degree spring rain…it is an easy trip. No problem.
It stops raining after about 45 minutes. I close my umbrella, put my sign under my arm and head for my truck. (I have to go to choir practice tonight, and really must go,) although the traffic is giving me the thumbs up, a lot in the rain. We have an understanding now. Honk for the peaceniks…quiet for America.
Turning right near the intersection, I spot some very wet folks…probably 20 or so very drippy peaceniks. My heart leapt, they were wet, but I am warm all over.
God Bless our Troops. If you hear reports of the massive protests by the peacenik types, remember, you will not hear of the only slightly wet patriot who stands with you. One is still laughing hysterically in Columbia.
Here is one of her signs:
bluesagewoman, I had a terrible problem saving this correctly. It's on my server, but nothing comes up. Everyone.....the sign says, AMERICA...LOVE IT OR LOSE IT
And here is Winifred. Winifred thinks Peaceniks are DOGS!!! This is the picture she blew up for a sign. LOL Isn't it great?
An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher:
"They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried. The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way."
A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." he says. "She got in the backseat by mistake."
Larry, thanks so much for your service to our country. You cut a fine dashing figure in your uniform, from sailor suit to chest full of ribbons. So nice to meet you!
People like you make me proud to say... 
Love, GG
