Christmas 2007

Well another Christmas has come and gone. Not sure how many of them I have left in my life but I hate seeing them go now more than when I was a kid. Now I know I'm on the downside of life so I cherish every one even more.

Started the day by sleeping in until 10:30 then got up and exchanged gifts with Lori and Hunter. I was amazed at how well Cheese could open gifts. He used both his paws and nose to tear open the gifts and then would parade around the living room with his prize.

The highlight of my gifts was the F-18A Hornet in Blue Angels colors (in the picture) that Lori got me. As you know I'm a nut for military aircraft and especially Navy aircraft. I wasted no time putting it together today and look forward to flying it. As I get more pictures I will share them with you here.

I got Lori several items she wanted including new cook ware. She's needed it for a while and it brought a smile to my face that she was so excited about it. While I would have chose other things, she really wanted it so I guess it's a great gift.

We went to mom and dads at 4 pm. Me and Lori along with Mike, Jackie, Collin and Todd were there. We had ham, cheese potatoes and sausage that Mike made. It was really good as usual.

After dinner we exchanged gifts and watched some TV. We went home around 7 pm and we watched some TV. Survivor man was running a marathon all day on Discovery so we watched that. Lori went to bed around 10 pm and I finished working on the plane.

Just wanted to let Toni, Carl and the kids know me and Lori thought of them all day and was wondering how their Christmas went. We also mentioned that we look forward to the next time we get together. So for now I just want to say that I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you enjoy this holiday week. I'll post again later this week to wish everyone a happy new year.

Merry Christmas

As I sit here writing this, it's now 10:35 and we're an hour and twenty five minutes from Christmas Eve.

At 44 years old I still get excited about the Holiday as when I was 10. Though it's not about the gifts any more, but just the feeling of Christmas and those Christmas of my past.

Gone are the days of sleepless nights waiting for Santa to arrive. The anxiety of hoping Santa did not miss our house. The anticipation of being the first one up and looking down the hall to see the gifts beneath the tree. The running to wake up my bother, sisters and mom and dad.

How ever the memories are as vivid as though it was only yesterday. During the holiday season I revisit those memories often while staring at the Christmas tree late at night when I'm alone. I often wonder what it must have been like for Lori on Christmas morning. I imagine much the same as mine.

As we eat Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow I'll think of all the meals at that table from Christmas past. I'll also be thinking of my sister Toni and her husband Carl along with their four wonderful children. While my heart will be heavy that they can not be there, I rest easy knowing they are building a foundation of memories for their children that some day they can reflect upon with fond memories. I'll also remember how great it was seeing them this past week and being thankful that we got to spend some quality time with them this holiday season.

As you can see in the picture, I now have 100 lbs of cheese to treat to Christmas. He already knows there are presents for him and lays by the door where they are stashed. In much the same we were as kids at Christmas, Hunter is now. He already has opened his gifts from Uncle Carl, Aunt Toni and the kids. He has not missed a night playing with them yet.

So as you read this, I hope your having a wonderful Christmas. I'll be thinking of all this Christmas and I'm comforted knowing we are all healthy and happy this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Managed to get out and fly today

Finally found a day where I could get out and fly. The temperature was cold but the wind was only at about 3 mph. So I figured I may not get another chance this year to fly, so to EC I went.

It did not start out good as while I was puting the battery in the Spitfire the radio started chirping indicating the batteries were low. I guess it was better then than in the air. So ground the Spitfire and bring out the Mustang.(pictured).

The Mustang took to the skies with no problems. It did seem a little more sluggish in the cold weather but still performed well. I drew quite the crowd while flying it. This seemed unusual as I fly there allot in the summer and draw little attention. My only guess is the Mustang is a real eye catcher and I never fly it there. I always fly the Mustang at LCCC.

One of the spectators was a guy named George. He flew a few times with me this summer and is still learning. His problem is he buys planes that really do not perform well. He also buys planes out of his skill level. He would always tell me they were for his grandson Tommy, but I only saw Tommy there once. My guess is grandpa like flying more than grandson. For what he's spent in planes and rebuilding them after crashes he could have a real nice trainer plane. But what do I know. Now he sees the Mustang and insist he has to have one. I explained it's probably one of the hardest planes to fly and recommended others. Well that flew right over his head so I'm sure I'll see a mustang in pieces up there this spring.

After he left I switched batteries in the remotes and took the Spitfire up. Most say that the Spitfire is the most beautiful fighter to ever grace the skies. I have to admit that it does look quite majestic flying around. While not as flashy and fast as the Mustang, the rounded wings and smooth lines really look impressive. So after about 12 minutes of flying and dreaming what it would have been like to have flown one in WWII, the battery was getting low so I brought it in for a perfect landing. I still want to fly it in the country one day so I can see what it may have looked like back then flying above the French country side. Oh well there's always next summer.

The roads are now packed with Christmas shoppers and driving is not fun to say the least. Every blue hair in Lorain county is at the malls backing into each other. Kids are running through them with pants down to their knees and soccer moms are driving their mini vans like they own the highway cutting everyone in sight off. Oh the joys of the season.

Through all that and work I still have the holiday spirit. I look forward to seeing Toni, Carl and the kids next week. For now it's time to go feed chocolate cheese and watch some history channel.

December 7, 1941 A Timeline Of Events

The following is a timeline of events which took place the morning of December 7, 1941. Please observe 1 minute of silence this Friday in remembrance of those who gave their lives that dreadful day.

03:42 Minesweeper CONDOR sights periscope off Honolulu Harbor ...notifies patrol destroyer WARD to investigate.

04:58 Minesweeper Crossbill and Condor enter Pearl Harbor... defective submarine net remains open.

06:00 - 200 miles south of Oahu carrier ENTERPRISE launches 18 aircraft to scout ahead...then to land at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor...ETA 0800.

06:30 Destroyer WARD again notified of submarine sighting this time by supply ship ANTARES off Pearl Harbor entrance...Navy patrol plane (PBY) dispatched to the scene.

06:45 WARD opens fire on target hitting conning tower...as she closes in drops depth charges..air attack by PBY follows.

06:53 WARD'S commander Captain Outerbridge sends message to Commandant 14th Naval District: "We have attacked, fired upon and dropped depth charges upon submarine operating in defensive sea area".

07:00 Commander Fuchida flying towards Oahu directs his pilots to home in on local radio station. 0702 Private's Lockhard and Elliott of Opana Radar Station pick up what appears to be a flight of unidentified aircraft bearing in 132 miles north of Oahu...discussion follows.

07:06 Private Elliott phones switchboard operator Joseph McDonald at Information Center, Ft. Shafter, telling of a large formation of aircraft approaching the Island.

07:15 Capt. Outerbridge's attack message, delayed in decoding is delivered to duty officer, 14th Naval District, and to Admiral Kimmel's duty officer...Japanese launch 2nd wave of 168 assault aircraft.

07:20 Joseph McDonald finding Lt. Tyler in Information Center, calls Opana and patches Lt. Tyler thru to Private Lockard who describes the large flight picked up on radar and is told, "Well don't worry about it." ( see Pvt.Joseph McDonald's account under the Survivor Remembrances "An Army Private is one of the 1st to know of the coming attack)"

07:33 Important message from Gen Marshall from Washington to Short received via RCA in Honolulu...cablegram has no indication of priority...messenger Tadao Fuchikami proceeds on normal route.

07:35 Reconnaissance plane from cruiser CHIKUMA reports main fleet in Pearl Harbor.

07:39 Opana Station loses aircraft on radar 20 miles off coast of Oahu due to "dead zone" caused by surrounding hills.

07:40 1st wave sights North Shore of Oahu...deployment for attack begins.

07:49 Commander Fuchida orders attack...all pilots to begin assault on military bases on Oahu.

07:53 Fuchida radios code to entire Japanese Navy "TORA TORA TORA" indicating success...maximum strategic surprise...Pearl Harbor caught unaware.

07:55 Island wide attack begins...Japanese dive bombers to strike airfields Kaneohe, Ford Island, Hickam, Bellows, Wheeler, Ewa...Aerial torpedo planes begin their run on ships in Pearl Harbor

08:00 B-17's from the mainland reach Oahu after 14 hour flight...Aircraft from carrier ENTERPRISE arrive Ford Island...both caught between enemy and friendly fire.

08:02 Machine guns on battleship NEVADA open fire on torpedo planes approaching her port beam...two planes hit...however one missile tears huge hole in ship's port bow.

08:05 Repair ship VESTAL moored outboard of battleship ARIZONA opens fire...Admiral Kimmel arrives CINCPAC headquarters..Battleship CALIFORNIA receives second torpedo "portside at frame 110"... prompt action directed by Ensign Edgar M. Fain prevents ship from capsizing...High level bombers begin their run "on both bows" of battleship row.

08:08 KGMB radio interrupts music calling for: "All Army, Navy, and Marine personnel to report to duty"... High level bombers unleash armour piercing, delayed action bombs from altitude of 10,000 feet scoring hits on battleships.

08:10 Forward magazines on battleship ARIZONA suddenly ignite resulting in a tremendous explosion and huge fireball sinking the battleship within nine minutes...concussion of explosion blows men off repair ship VESTAL.

08:12 General Short advises entire Pacific Fleet and Washington, "Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor"

08:15 KGMB interrupts music with 2nd call ordering all military personnel to report for duty.

08:17 USS HELM first of several destroyers to clear Pearl Harbor spots a midget submarine struggling to enter harbor...shots fired misses target...sub frees itself from reef and submerges.

08:25 Using a Browning Automatic Rifle Lt. Stephen Saltzman and Sgt. Lowell Klatt shot down enemy plane making strafing run on Schofield Barracks.

08:26 Honolulu Fire Department responds to call for assistance from Hickam Field...3 firemen killed...6 wounded.

08:30 3rd call out for military via local radio stations.

08:35 Tanker NEOSHO half loaded with high octane aviation fuel moves clear of Battleship Row and oil tanks on Ford Island... Damage reported in city...Police warn civilians to leave streets and return to their homes.

08:39 Seaplane tender CURTISS sights midget sub in harbor and commences to fire..Destroyer MONAGHAN heads for intruder at ramming speed.

08:40 Submarine surfaces after sustaining damage...MONAGHAN hits sub and drops depth charges as she passes...1st explanation over local radio stations. "A sporadic air attack...rising sun sighted on wing tips".

08:50 Lt. Commander Shimazaki orders deployment of 2nd wave over military bases on Oahu.

08:54 Attack run begins...54 high-level bombers hit Naval air stations, 78 dive bombers hit ships in Pearl, 36 fighters circle over harbor to maintain air control.

09:00 Crew of the Dutch liner JAGERSFONTEIN opens up with her guns, the first Allies to join the fight...Radios throughout the island crack out urgent messages "Get off roads and stay off.. Don't block traffic...Stay at home...This is the real McCoy".

09:30 Tremendous explosions rocks destroyer SHAW sending debris everywhere... bomb falls near Governor's home.

10:00 First wave arrives back on carriers, 190 miles north of Oahu.

10:05 Governor Poindexter calls local papers announcing state of emergency for entire territory of Hawaii

10:30 Mayor's Major Disaster Council meets at city hall...Reports from local hospitals pour in listing civilian casualties.

11:00 Commander Fuchida circles over Pearl Harbor...assesses damage then returns to carrier task force...All schools on Oahu ordered to close.

11:15 State of emergency announced over radio by Governor Poindexter.

11:42 As per orders by Army local stations go off the air...General short confers with Governor regarding martial law.

11:46 First report of many false sightings of enemy troops landing on Oahu.

12:10 American planes fly north in search for enemy with negative results.

12:30 Honolulu police raid Japanese embassy...find them burning documents...Blackout to begin at night ordered by Army.

12:40 Governor confers with President Roosevelt regarding martial law...both agree it necessary that the military take over the civilian government.

13:00 Commander Fuchida lands on board carrier AKAGI...discussion follows with Admiral Nagumo and staff concerning feasibility of launching 3rd wave.

13:30 Signal flags on carrier AKAGI orders Japanese task force to withdraw... Territorial director of civil defense orders blackout every night until further notice.

14:58 Tadao Fuchikami delivers message from Washington...message decoded and given to General Short regarding ultimatum from Japan to be given at 1300 Washington time..."Just what significance the hour set may have we do not know, but be on the alert accordingly".

16:25 Governor signs Proclamation...martial law put into effect.

This week Rember Pearl Harbor

Just a reminder to take a minute this Friday to stop and remember those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.

I'll try to do a post later in the week with my thoughts on that trajic day. Having served in the US Navy, I really have a place in my heart for those men.

I finished my six day 68 hour marathon at work yesterday. I can finally relax for three days and start enjoying the holiday season. The weather today definitely helps with the mood. Tonight Lori and I along with Hunter went for our second trip of the year to the Christmas walk. It was actually really nice. The wind was still blowing at 25 mph and the temperatures cold, but we were the only ones there. So we walked through once turned around and walked it in reverse order. Hunter was actually very well behaved and not acting like the village idiot as he usually does.

Spent some time this afternoon watching and feeding the birds in the back yard. All was well and beautiful until one of the local cooper hawks flew in and ate one of my nuthatches. Now I understand that it is nature, but the hawks have formed a street gang around here. I'm always looking for them to be wearing little blue or red head bands and flashing gang symbols from the tree tops. Perhaps if it continues to get worse, I'll enter the predator roll and start returning fire with the BB gun, just to let them know big brother is on neighborhood watch.

Besides winter kicking into full gear nothing really new is going on. I started a new blog on birds last night but forget the name. LOL. I did send the address to Toni and I'll post it here soon. Hope everyone is in the holiday spirit and good health.