Bocce Balletin: Our Team 12 beat Team 6 today - 12-10.
SALERNO.
Thursday, September 9, 1943. Tunis, North Africa.
I will quote from my Diary:
Briefing at 0450 this morning. This is my 45th mission today - my second after returning from a week’s R&R in Cairo. Our target area was Cantello, Italy - north of Naples. The specific target was a bridge to cut off the retreat of the German army. We were without any fighter escort. I flew with Capt. Kutschera, leading the squadron in #773 - “Scrubby Ole Goat”.
We had to turn back 100 miles out over the Mediterranean. Our No. 4 engine threw a cylinder head through the ring cowling. Then, the No.3 engine started acting up, So I salvoed the twelve 500 pound bombs into the water, to lighten our weight.
So, I missed seeing the invasion of Italy at Salerno.
Friday, September 10, 1943. 46th mission. Vinchiaturo, Italy - a rairoad bridge. Briefing at 0550 this morning, and then off to the land of olives, grapes, spaghetti and Jerries. I led the Squadron, and the second wave, with the Major piloting. We experienced bad weather al the way to Italy. Then, we lost an engine just off the coast of Italy. We turned back after we lost our wing squadron in the overcast. We started losing altitude, so I got rid of the bombs over the water. Our new Colonel led the Group for the first time today. Time of mission 06:30.
Major “Pappy” Haynes finished his 50th mission today, and “buzzed”
the field upon his return.
Wednesday, September 15, 1943. My 47th mission was to Battapaglie, Italy. The specific target was a highway that the Germans were using.
I was at a Group bombardiers meeting, when they announced a “Briefing” in 20 minutes - at 1430. I hurried back to my tent for my equipment, and on to “Briefing”, which was brief. Intelligence just had a map of the target area.
We got over the target at 6pm. Visibility was very poor - very hazy this time of day. I didn’t pick up the target until we were on top of it. We continued the bomb run for a few minutes, and then did a 180 degree turn, and headed back west in the oposite direction. Visability was even worse flying into the sun. I set up the bombsight to drop them on a road, but I missed the target. Four Me-109’s hopped us , but no damage done to our
B-17.
I saw some flak as we were leaving the target area, but it turned out to our warships firing on German dive bombing of our ships in the Gulf of Salerno. There was quite a bit of activity in the Gulf and on the beach.Our 5th Army is desparate, and the situation is critical
I flew with Moe and the Major in “096”. I led the Squadron, I am about the only “original” bombardier left. At 8,000 feet, on our return trip, I saw a most beautiful sunset behind the clouds. It was dark when we landed (our first night landing in combat.) and the traffic pattern was a rat race!
Mission time 05:00.
Redbird and Wolf finished their 50 missions today
September 16, 1943. My 48th mission - Target- Caserta, Italy. Rail marshalling yard. Briefing was at 0930 this morning. I led the Squadron in “096”, with the Major and Mac. The weather was good and our bombing was quite good. I didn’t see any fighters, but we encountered some accurate flak as we left the target area. We bombed the marshalling yard and some bridges.
Mac turned back about a half hour from the Italian coast. Their No. 4 engine as feathered and I saw him salvo his bombs. The crew is still unaccounted. Fred O. and Bob J. finished their tour of duty today.
We carried 16 300 pound bombs. Mission time 06:00.
49th Mission. Saturday, September 18, 1943.
We hit the airdrome with thirty eight 100# frag and incendiary bombs, and did a pretty good job. There was supposed to have been 200 planes in the field and dispersal areas - mostly HE-111’s, according to the aerial photo taken a couple of days previously.
The weather and visibility were fairly good. The flak was moderately heavy and quite accurate, although we didn’t receive any holes in the plane. I didn’t see any German fighters. Mission time - 06:30.
ALLIES INVADE Italy.
“”1943: Turning the Tide “(cont.)
On September 9, 1943, Gen. Mark Clark’s Fifth army invaded Italy with a landing at Solano - near Naples. Our 2nd Bomb Group bombed the area before - during - and after the landing.
I will paraphrase from the book listed above.
The beachhead was deadly. The U.S. troops faced a surprise crossfire from the German gun crews.
Four days later, the Germans fought back with a tank-led counterattack. This German strategy drove the allies back to the Mediterranean, where they started.
The Allied offensive drew 13 Nazi Divisions away from the Russian Front. The Italian Campaign might have proceded faster except for political problems. After Sicily fell to the Allies, the Italian Fascist regime arrested Mussolini, then, they asked for peacre terms. The Allies insisted on “unconditional surrender”. This stalled any agreement for 39 days. In the meantime, German reinforcements swarmed into Italy.
RCL = 6/15/09.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
RUTHERFORD
RUTHERFORD.
Today is Wednesday, June 10, 2009. We are off to Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, at 10;15. Our mini-bus is full - eight residents plus two volunteers, Tony (our skilled chauffer), and Kelli, our Activities Director - just back from Maternity Leave.
While this is a repetitive trip to the Valley, it is not a negative. The Napa Valley is such an inviting, and beautiful place, I never tire of it. You can live in far worse places!
As we pulled out of the parking lot, Kelli told Tony that his gas-tank cover, on his red pick-up, was “open”. Tony said that someone siphoned gas from his tank the night before, and apparently, they got spooked when the dog barked. At least they didn’t steal all of his gas, as he didn’t run out on his way to work this morning. will be a big problem now, that gasoline prices are climbing every day - (they have increased 20 % since the first of the year!) I don’t know the “start to siphon price”, but we probably have reached it, at around $70.00 a barrel for crude. Today, the local Shell station lists gas at $2.98, Chevron at $3.00 and Arco at $2.86! (Why would anyone go next door to Chevron? - only an employee of Chevron!)
Construction is still continuing on the North Texas overpass and “Off and On” ramps to I-80. This is really a big project. (I wonder if any federal -stimulus funds are involved?) Traffic is light on I-80, and the weather is overcast and cool.
As we drive along I-80 Westbound, I notice a blackened area of grass on the hillside, on the right side, near an overpass. Another carelessly tossed cigarette butt I would guess. We pass the local Buick Dealer. They have just as many cars on the lot as before GM declared bankruptcy. Auto Dealerships are a tough business to be in right now. But, when everyone’s cars start falling apart, a buyer will end up on a “waiting list” to replace it! We pass the Marriott Courtyard. This hotel used to be a Holiday Inn.
Tony is cruising at the 65 mph speed limit, and yet cars are passing us like we are standing still! (Where is the California Highway Patrol car, with the officer holding the radar gun?) The speeders must be, 1) Late for work; 2)- Racing, or 3) Suicide bent! We pass a truck hauling a K-Line Container back to the Port of Oakland. A ship must be in and waiting. The left two lanes have been resurfaced recently, giving us a smooth ride. But, there are the three right-hand lanes to be completed. Don’t go there. Recently, two nieces and a nephew visited Marie and I from Michigan. They were impressed with the great condition of our freeways. I would hate to drive in the /Detroit area!
We are passing through Jamison Canyon which is very picturesque. Heavy traffic moving Eastbound in the opposite direction. Most cars have their lights on - a good safety measure on a two-lane highway. A unique sight - two white horses - side by side - nibbling the grass. Horses and cows always seem to be eating! Visibility is quite good. I can see both Mt. Veeder and Mt. St. Helen in the distance.
We are on Highway 29 now, Northbound. We pass a monument landmark - a man working at a grape press. Then, over the high George f. Butler Bridge spanning the Napa River below. We pass The Meadows, a very nice retirement community. It started out about 25 years ago with a couple of buildings. Now, there are many, stretching from Jefferson Street over to bordering Highway 29. We drive under Trancas Street on a fairly new underpass. I can remember, not too long ago, when highway 29 and Trancas traffic was practically a gridlock. One could sit for two or three light changes to get through the intersection.
Highway 29 is not a freeway, because there are traffic signals along the way. The vineyards look healthy, and have grown since the last time I saw them. The vines are at about the midpoint of their growing cycle. We are approaching Yountville. The Veterans’ Home is off to our left, and on our right, is the Vintage 1870 shopping complex, I notice a bus similar to ours ahead of us. Tony said that it was a Merrill Gardens( also an assisted living facility) bus. I told him that it was probably going the same place that we are. About then, it turned into the Vintage 1870 complex.
The highway is necking down, from a two-lane to a single lane. We pass the Oakville Grocery store. It has been at this same location for as long as I can remember. They make good sandwiches there. On our right hand side, we pass four wineries close together - Cakebread Cellars; Sequoia Grove Vineyards; St. Supery Winery and the Peau Province Winery. We arrive at the Rutherford Grill at 11:10. There are no “junky” cars in this parking lot - new and top of the line! I guess this a clue as to the menu prices!
At 12:55, after a nice -leisurely lunch, we headed outside. The Beaulieu Vineyards is located just beyond the parking lot. The weather is about the same - overcast and cool.
We re-boarded the bus, and headed for the Rutherford Hill Winery on Silverado Trail. We started out on curvy -Rutherford Road, and it ran into Conn Creek Road, which intersected with Silverado Trail. A left turn onto the “Trail.”. It wasn’t far - just past Round Hill Vineyards - we turned in to the Rutherford Hill Winery, after climbing the hill. We arrived at the winery at 1:05. What a choice location! One can look South, down the Napa Valley, and get a tremendous view. Across the way, is the prestigious Auberge du Soleil restaurant and inn. I haven’t been to the restaurant in a long time. The last time was many years ago, when Anne and Rick hosted Marie and I to a very nice lunch - with a tremendous view of the valley, from the deck.
While we didn’t tour the winery, we did visit their tasting room and gift shop. Only one of our group did any tasting ($15 to taste four samples).
The winery is very proud of it’s California Merlot, a red wine, and claims that it is the best in the Valley. I am sure that it is. I was tempted to buy a bottle for $25. Occasionally, at our Happy Hour - Friday afternoons - I treat myself to a glass of Merlot. It comes from Mt. Pellier Vineyards in the San Joachim Valley. I am sure it is not as good as that from the Rutherford Hill Winery, but Quail Creek charges us only $3.45 a glass ($13.00 a bottle).
We leave the winery at 1:55, and head South on the Silverado Trail.
Kelli said that the Rutherford Hill winery is the one that we were looking for a few weeks back, after we visited the Black Stallion Winery. We are passing the Conn Creek Winery on the right. They are still building in the Valley. It figures. As they plant more and more grape vines on the hillsides, they need more crushing, holding tanks and bottling capacity. There are a lot of new vineyards going in. It didn’t used to be cost effective to plant on marginal land. But, with the current high wine prices, such growing is feasible.
Just after we pass Monticello Park, a very nice community, Tony turns on to Highway 121, returning the “back way’. We start a very curvy climb. The highway is following the dry- creek bed, so that it is curvy and winding. There are so many sharp curves that it reminds me of the “Road to Hana”, except that we are climbing. Tony pulls out to let a motor home go by. They pass, and the driver saluted him with a “thank you” honk.
It is slow going, but well worth it. This is a very pretty drive. I heard a lady behind me say, “I could look at this country-side forever”. I felt the same way. What beauty! As many times as I have been in the Napa area, I never tire of the beautiful scenery and atmosphere.
The sun is breaking through the overcast. It must be because we have climbed closer to heaven! I look to my right, and am rewarded with a tremendous view of the Suisun Valley! We are near the summit now, and there are “Call Boxes” along side.
As we leave the top of the grade, there is a sign - pointing ahead - “Lake Berryessa;
Winters 40.”
We turn right on to Suisun Valley Road, and start our descent into the Suisun Valley. We pass a line in the road with “Napa County” on the near side, and “Solano County” on the far side. We approach an old one-way bridge, with signage “15 MPH”. I wouldn’t want to meet another car head-on, even at this slow speed. We are now riding in Suisun Valley. This is one of the most fertile- agricultural areas around. Besides many vineyards, there are fruit orchards and fields of vegetables cultivated. We pass a thick row of beautiful roses bordering a vineyard. There is a reason why they plant roses bordering the grape vineyards, but I can’t recall why. There is more building going on here, too. We pass the Vetzer Winery and on to Mankas Corner. Tony turns left on to Mankas Corner Road, which feeds into Waterman Boulevard.
We pass the Waterman Village shopping center, on to Air Base Parkway - leading to Travis Air Force Base. We arrive back at Quail Creek at 3:05. Our great outing, covered 92 miles, and I am tired. But, as my Mother used to say, “A good tired”.
RCL - 6/10/09.
Today is Wednesday, June 10, 2009. We are off to Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, at 10;15. Our mini-bus is full - eight residents plus two volunteers, Tony (our skilled chauffer), and Kelli, our Activities Director - just back from Maternity Leave.
While this is a repetitive trip to the Valley, it is not a negative. The Napa Valley is such an inviting, and beautiful place, I never tire of it. You can live in far worse places!
As we pulled out of the parking lot, Kelli told Tony that his gas-tank cover, on his red pick-up, was “open”. Tony said that someone siphoned gas from his tank the night before, and apparently, they got spooked when the dog barked. At least they didn’t steal all of his gas, as he didn’t run out on his way to work this morning. will be a big problem now, that gasoline prices are climbing every day - (they have increased 20 % since the first of the year!) I don’t know the “start to siphon price”, but we probably have reached it, at around $70.00 a barrel for crude. Today, the local Shell station lists gas at $2.98, Chevron at $3.00 and Arco at $2.86! (Why would anyone go next door to Chevron? - only an employee of Chevron!)
Construction is still continuing on the North Texas overpass and “Off and On” ramps to I-80. This is really a big project. (I wonder if any federal -stimulus funds are involved?) Traffic is light on I-80, and the weather is overcast and cool.
As we drive along I-80 Westbound, I notice a blackened area of grass on the hillside, on the right side, near an overpass. Another carelessly tossed cigarette butt I would guess. We pass the local Buick Dealer. They have just as many cars on the lot as before GM declared bankruptcy. Auto Dealerships are a tough business to be in right now. But, when everyone’s cars start falling apart, a buyer will end up on a “waiting list” to replace it! We pass the Marriott Courtyard. This hotel used to be a Holiday Inn.
Tony is cruising at the 65 mph speed limit, and yet cars are passing us like we are standing still! (Where is the California Highway Patrol car, with the officer holding the radar gun?) The speeders must be, 1) Late for work; 2)- Racing, or 3) Suicide bent! We pass a truck hauling a K-Line Container back to the Port of Oakland. A ship must be in and waiting. The left two lanes have been resurfaced recently, giving us a smooth ride. But, there are the three right-hand lanes to be completed. Don’t go there. Recently, two nieces and a nephew visited Marie and I from Michigan. They were impressed with the great condition of our freeways. I would hate to drive in the /Detroit area!
We are passing through Jamison Canyon which is very picturesque. Heavy traffic moving Eastbound in the opposite direction. Most cars have their lights on - a good safety measure on a two-lane highway. A unique sight - two white horses - side by side - nibbling the grass. Horses and cows always seem to be eating! Visibility is quite good. I can see both Mt. Veeder and Mt. St. Helen in the distance.
We are on Highway 29 now, Northbound. We pass a monument landmark - a man working at a grape press. Then, over the high George f. Butler Bridge spanning the Napa River below. We pass The Meadows, a very nice retirement community. It started out about 25 years ago with a couple of buildings. Now, there are many, stretching from Jefferson Street over to bordering Highway 29. We drive under Trancas Street on a fairly new underpass. I can remember, not too long ago, when highway 29 and Trancas traffic was practically a gridlock. One could sit for two or three light changes to get through the intersection.
Highway 29 is not a freeway, because there are traffic signals along the way. The vineyards look healthy, and have grown since the last time I saw them. The vines are at about the midpoint of their growing cycle. We are approaching Yountville. The Veterans’ Home is off to our left, and on our right, is the Vintage 1870 shopping complex, I notice a bus similar to ours ahead of us. Tony said that it was a Merrill Gardens( also an assisted living facility) bus. I told him that it was probably going the same place that we are. About then, it turned into the Vintage 1870 complex.
The highway is necking down, from a two-lane to a single lane. We pass the Oakville Grocery store. It has been at this same location for as long as I can remember. They make good sandwiches there. On our right hand side, we pass four wineries close together - Cakebread Cellars; Sequoia Grove Vineyards; St. Supery Winery and the Peau Province Winery. We arrive at the Rutherford Grill at 11:10. There are no “junky” cars in this parking lot - new and top of the line! I guess this a clue as to the menu prices!
At 12:55, after a nice -leisurely lunch, we headed outside. The Beaulieu Vineyards is located just beyond the parking lot. The weather is about the same - overcast and cool.
We re-boarded the bus, and headed for the Rutherford Hill Winery on Silverado Trail. We started out on curvy -Rutherford Road, and it ran into Conn Creek Road, which intersected with Silverado Trail. A left turn onto the “Trail.”. It wasn’t far - just past Round Hill Vineyards - we turned in to the Rutherford Hill Winery, after climbing the hill. We arrived at the winery at 1:05. What a choice location! One can look South, down the Napa Valley, and get a tremendous view. Across the way, is the prestigious Auberge du Soleil restaurant and inn. I haven’t been to the restaurant in a long time. The last time was many years ago, when Anne and Rick hosted Marie and I to a very nice lunch - with a tremendous view of the valley, from the deck.
While we didn’t tour the winery, we did visit their tasting room and gift shop. Only one of our group did any tasting ($15 to taste four samples).
The winery is very proud of it’s California Merlot, a red wine, and claims that it is the best in the Valley. I am sure that it is. I was tempted to buy a bottle for $25. Occasionally, at our Happy Hour - Friday afternoons - I treat myself to a glass of Merlot. It comes from Mt. Pellier Vineyards in the San Joachim Valley. I am sure it is not as good as that from the Rutherford Hill Winery, but Quail Creek charges us only $3.45 a glass ($13.00 a bottle).
We leave the winery at 1:55, and head South on the Silverado Trail.
Kelli said that the Rutherford Hill winery is the one that we were looking for a few weeks back, after we visited the Black Stallion Winery. We are passing the Conn Creek Winery on the right. They are still building in the Valley. It figures. As they plant more and more grape vines on the hillsides, they need more crushing, holding tanks and bottling capacity. There are a lot of new vineyards going in. It didn’t used to be cost effective to plant on marginal land. But, with the current high wine prices, such growing is feasible.
Just after we pass Monticello Park, a very nice community, Tony turns on to Highway 121, returning the “back way’. We start a very curvy climb. The highway is following the dry- creek bed, so that it is curvy and winding. There are so many sharp curves that it reminds me of the “Road to Hana”, except that we are climbing. Tony pulls out to let a motor home go by. They pass, and the driver saluted him with a “thank you” honk.
It is slow going, but well worth it. This is a very pretty drive. I heard a lady behind me say, “I could look at this country-side forever”. I felt the same way. What beauty! As many times as I have been in the Napa area, I never tire of the beautiful scenery and atmosphere.
The sun is breaking through the overcast. It must be because we have climbed closer to heaven! I look to my right, and am rewarded with a tremendous view of the Suisun Valley! We are near the summit now, and there are “Call Boxes” along side.
As we leave the top of the grade, there is a sign - pointing ahead - “Lake Berryessa;
Winters 40.”
We turn right on to Suisun Valley Road, and start our descent into the Suisun Valley. We pass a line in the road with “Napa County” on the near side, and “Solano County” on the far side. We approach an old one-way bridge, with signage “15 MPH”. I wouldn’t want to meet another car head-on, even at this slow speed. We are now riding in Suisun Valley. This is one of the most fertile- agricultural areas around. Besides many vineyards, there are fruit orchards and fields of vegetables cultivated. We pass a thick row of beautiful roses bordering a vineyard. There is a reason why they plant roses bordering the grape vineyards, but I can’t recall why. There is more building going on here, too. We pass the Vetzer Winery and on to Mankas Corner. Tony turns left on to Mankas Corner Road, which feeds into Waterman Boulevard.
We pass the Waterman Village shopping center, on to Air Base Parkway - leading to Travis Air Force Base. We arrive back at Quail Creek at 3:05. Our great outing, covered 92 miles, and I am tired. But, as my Mother used to say, “A good tired”.
RCL - 6/10/09.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
1943: TURNING the TIDE.
Bocce Ball Bulletin.
Our Team 12 lost to Team 16 this morning by the same score that we won by last week - 12 to 9. I didn’t play very well. I was rolling long. I didn’t adjust the ball speed to allow for the tailwind. Oh well, there’s next weeks game.
After my return from the court, I ran into my “mentor”. I told her that we lost. She smiled - patted me on both cheeks - and said, “Poor Baby”.
1943: TURNING THE TIDE (cont.)
I flew eight missions as a B-17 bombardier, prior to, and during the invasion of Sicily on July 9, 1943.
Gerbini Airdrome (3 Missions.)
Biscari Airdrome.
Catania Railroad Marshalling Yard.
Messina Railway Bridges and Marshalling yards.(2 Missions.)
Milo Airdrome.
Our B-17 Group was part of Jimmy Doolittle’s 12 Air Force. We were based in North Africa. Our average time for each round- trip mission from Africa to Sicily was about seven hours. We flew our bombing runs at an average of 22,000 feet.
From my plexi-glass perch in the nose of the plane, I had a tremendous view of the invasion of Sicily. The Mediterranean, off-shore from Catania, was one huge parking lot for our Naval ships. I didn’t think that there were that many naval vessels in the world. They looked very peaceful floating there, from four miles high.
In browsing through the above subject-book, recently, I came across the following memo, that I had written the first time that I read it.
My strongest memory of the Invasion of Sicily is a very sad one.
They were big snafus on someone’s part and a fiasco. It’s a wonder that we ever won WWII! We lost some gliders and men aboard, when the C-47’s that were towing them made a big mistake. They cut the gliders loose at the wrong time - the wrong release point.
Other C-47’s turned East- rather than West - off the East coast of Sicily. That mistake put them over the Mediterranean Sea, rather than over Sicilian dry land! British destroyers thought that they were enemy aircraft and shot some of them down, over the water.
Such basic mistakes by trained people are hard to believe. But, I put myself in their shoes, and I can relate to the errors, as devastating as they were. In the heat of battle, you can become confused and make critical mistakes through very faulty decisions.
Two of our roughest missions - both from flak and fighters - was Messina and Palermo - the Capital of Sicily. The only positive thing was a great view of Mt. Etna, as we approached from the South.
RCL 6/9/09.
.
Our Team 12 lost to Team 16 this morning by the same score that we won by last week - 12 to 9. I didn’t play very well. I was rolling long. I didn’t adjust the ball speed to allow for the tailwind. Oh well, there’s next weeks game.
After my return from the court, I ran into my “mentor”. I told her that we lost. She smiled - patted me on both cheeks - and said, “Poor Baby”.
1943: TURNING THE TIDE (cont.)
I flew eight missions as a B-17 bombardier, prior to, and during the invasion of Sicily on July 9, 1943.
Gerbini Airdrome (3 Missions.)
Biscari Airdrome.
Catania Railroad Marshalling Yard.
Messina Railway Bridges and Marshalling yards.(2 Missions.)
Milo Airdrome.
Our B-17 Group was part of Jimmy Doolittle’s 12 Air Force. We were based in North Africa. Our average time for each round- trip mission from Africa to Sicily was about seven hours. We flew our bombing runs at an average of 22,000 feet.
From my plexi-glass perch in the nose of the plane, I had a tremendous view of the invasion of Sicily. The Mediterranean, off-shore from Catania, was one huge parking lot for our Naval ships. I didn’t think that there were that many naval vessels in the world. They looked very peaceful floating there, from four miles high.
In browsing through the above subject-book, recently, I came across the following memo, that I had written the first time that I read it.
My strongest memory of the Invasion of Sicily is a very sad one.
They were big snafus on someone’s part and a fiasco. It’s a wonder that we ever won WWII! We lost some gliders and men aboard, when the C-47’s that were towing them made a big mistake. They cut the gliders loose at the wrong time - the wrong release point.
Other C-47’s turned East- rather than West - off the East coast of Sicily. That mistake put them over the Mediterranean Sea, rather than over Sicilian dry land! British destroyers thought that they were enemy aircraft and shot some of them down, over the water.
Such basic mistakes by trained people are hard to believe. But, I put myself in their shoes, and I can relate to the errors, as devastating as they were. In the heat of battle, you can become confused and make critical mistakes through very faulty decisions.
Two of our roughest missions - both from flak and fighters - was Messina and Palermo - the Capital of Sicily. The only positive thing was a great view of Mt. Etna, as we approached from the South.
RCL 6/9/09.
.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Graduation
GRADUATION
Saturday, June 6, 2009, I went to Marie’s and my last grandchild’s graduation. Kaitlyn Chilson graduated from Fairfield (CA) High School. She was one of 344 graduates! Reading each of these names over the P.A. system took about an hour! The program was well planned and went off without a hitch - until the post graduation activity. A school official announced that the grads should meet their families in the parking lot, rather on the football field. Apparently they didn’t want to damage the artificial turf. (?) The Home and Visitor bleachers ran between the 20 yard lines. They must have held nearly 3,000 people! Most of these people and many cars didn’t mix too well in the parking lot. It presented a dangerous and hazardous condition.
When I watched the many excited and happy seniors receive the “acknowledgement” of their graduation (they would exchange them for their diplomas later), my mind wandered. I agree that they should show such emotion. It is only natural to be relieved, and happy, after all of their difficult effort. I am sure that most of them were glad to be finished with high school. But, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future would hold for them. It will be difficult! They will be climbing up hill! They will be entering the real world - whether it will be further schooling, job hunting or just “chilling”. They are naive. Many will wish that they were back in high school ,where life was easy. The economic recession is a lousy time for them to be looking for work. The bad news is that many will not be able to find a job (short of Fast Food places). The good news is that some of these recent high school graduates will decide to continue their education until the economy perks up, while others will complete their college, or trade, education.
The current recession has hit this graduating group the hardest. The current rate of unemployment for workers older than 25, who haven’t gone beyond high school, is 10% - double that of a year ago! The unemployment rate for workers who didn’t complete high school is about 16% - also double that of a year ago! However, there are more job opportunities for women than there are for men, usually in the health and education fields.
Then, how about all those “Drop Outs”? This cohort is a national disgrace and a problem. They wonder why they can’t get a job - or at least a good one. They don’t seem to have a clue about the relationship of education and a good job! I tried to put a number on “Dropouts”, by asking a few graduates how many students transferred, or dropped out, since the beginning of their freshman year? They had no idea. Back when I graduated 73 years ago, I knew, or I could have figured it out - it wasn’t many. But, in all fairness - we only had 83 in our Class of ’36, and our graduation took place in the auditorium at Berea (OH) High School - not 344 seniors in a football stadium. In some inner -city high schools, today, this drop-out rate reaches as high as 50%.
And so, all of you newly graduated seniors “Good Luck and God Speed”.
After Graduation, Sue and Tom had about 40 people over for a barbecue lunch. It was very nice, and I enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres and the great lunch. It was also nice seeing people that I hadn’t seen for quite a while. Mary and Greg picked up Marie, at Laurel Creek, and brought her to the party. Of course, I enjoyed seeing her, even though I visit her twice a day. She enjoyed seeing everyone, and I am sure that they enjoyed seeing her. She added a lot to Kaitlyn’s graduation.
RCL - 6/7/09.
Saturday, June 6, 2009, I went to Marie’s and my last grandchild’s graduation. Kaitlyn Chilson graduated from Fairfield (CA) High School. She was one of 344 graduates! Reading each of these names over the P.A. system took about an hour! The program was well planned and went off without a hitch - until the post graduation activity. A school official announced that the grads should meet their families in the parking lot, rather on the football field. Apparently they didn’t want to damage the artificial turf. (?) The Home and Visitor bleachers ran between the 20 yard lines. They must have held nearly 3,000 people! Most of these people and many cars didn’t mix too well in the parking lot. It presented a dangerous and hazardous condition.
When I watched the many excited and happy seniors receive the “acknowledgement” of their graduation (they would exchange them for their diplomas later), my mind wandered. I agree that they should show such emotion. It is only natural to be relieved, and happy, after all of their difficult effort. I am sure that most of them were glad to be finished with high school. But, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future would hold for them. It will be difficult! They will be climbing up hill! They will be entering the real world - whether it will be further schooling, job hunting or just “chilling”. They are naive. Many will wish that they were back in high school ,where life was easy. The economic recession is a lousy time for them to be looking for work. The bad news is that many will not be able to find a job (short of Fast Food places). The good news is that some of these recent high school graduates will decide to continue their education until the economy perks up, while others will complete their college, or trade, education.
The current recession has hit this graduating group the hardest. The current rate of unemployment for workers older than 25, who haven’t gone beyond high school, is 10% - double that of a year ago! The unemployment rate for workers who didn’t complete high school is about 16% - also double that of a year ago! However, there are more job opportunities for women than there are for men, usually in the health and education fields.
Then, how about all those “Drop Outs”? This cohort is a national disgrace and a problem. They wonder why they can’t get a job - or at least a good one. They don’t seem to have a clue about the relationship of education and a good job! I tried to put a number on “Dropouts”, by asking a few graduates how many students transferred, or dropped out, since the beginning of their freshman year? They had no idea. Back when I graduated 73 years ago, I knew, or I could have figured it out - it wasn’t many. But, in all fairness - we only had 83 in our Class of ’36, and our graduation took place in the auditorium at Berea (OH) High School - not 344 seniors in a football stadium. In some inner -city high schools, today, this drop-out rate reaches as high as 50%.
And so, all of you newly graduated seniors “Good Luck and God Speed”.
After Graduation, Sue and Tom had about 40 people over for a barbecue lunch. It was very nice, and I enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres and the great lunch. It was also nice seeing people that I hadn’t seen for quite a while. Mary and Greg picked up Marie, at Laurel Creek, and brought her to the party. Of course, I enjoyed seeing her, even though I visit her twice a day. She enjoyed seeing everyone, and I am sure that they enjoyed seeing her. She added a lot to Kaitlyn’s graduation.
RCL - 6/7/09.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
BOCCE BALL
BOCCE BALL.
A resident mentioned that she was playing bocce ball across the street. I told her that I had never seen a game, even though it is popular in the area. She offered to escort me over to the court, and I could watch them play. A couple of days later, we checked it out. I hadn’t been home long, before the phone rang. It was Pete, the head of the local Bocce Ball League calling to tell me that I had been assigned to Team #12, and I would be hearing from the team captain shortly.
Another phone call, and it was Ernie Heuer, my team captain. He suggested that we get together to meet each other. I agreed to meet him in the Community Center the next morning. I told him that I had never played, but this didn’t seem to phase him. He suggested that I practice. So he checked out the small cart of 16 balls - 8 red & 8 green - along with two measuring tapes, and the little white pallino ball. He let me pull the cart! I figured that it was part of the initiation rite. After walking quite a distance, I asked Ernie why they didn’t store the equipment near the court. He said that they used to, but someone walked off with the storage cabinet. I pursued his answer by asking him - “In a gated -community of elderly retirees, who would do this?” Ernie said that he didn’t know. While the replacement cost was probably about $100, it is the mystery of the theft that intrigues.
Ernie suggested that I toss the eight balls at the white pallino to get the feel. The idea is to throw the boccia, underhand, to come as close to the pallino as possible, without touching it. My first throw hit the little white ball! I thought to myself, that the game was pretty simple. Ernie probably thought that I was a ringer. But throwing the other balls proved me wrong. The official rules state that a player can throw, lob or roll the boccio. Apparently, our league has settled on rolling the ball - except for a few who have trouble genuflecting, and they bounce the ball. The ball weighs two or three pounds. The game looks much easier than it is - especially if you use all the strategies involved.
My first game was Friday, May 29. I called Ernie to excuse myself because Marie and I had two nieces and a nephew visiting us from Michigan. He wasn’t upset, and excused me. He probably figured that I had thought better of the idea.
So, my first game was last Friday, June 5. We played Team #9 - two men and two women. We beat them 12-8. It was Team 12’s first win of the season! A game consists of how many frames it takes to reach a count of 12. A point is awarded for each ball - of each team - closer than the opponents to the pallino. I would like to think that the win resulted from my contribution, but Ernie was the biggest scorer. Our prize was that we didn’t have to drag the oyster shell court after the game. But, I did volunteer to haul the cart back to the Community Center.
Bocce ball is a new experience in my life, spanning nine decades. I enjoyed the competition, the exercise and meeting new old-oldsters. I look forward to my next game on Tuesday
RCL - 6/7/09.
A resident mentioned that she was playing bocce ball across the street. I told her that I had never seen a game, even though it is popular in the area. She offered to escort me over to the court, and I could watch them play. A couple of days later, we checked it out. I hadn’t been home long, before the phone rang. It was Pete, the head of the local Bocce Ball League calling to tell me that I had been assigned to Team #12, and I would be hearing from the team captain shortly.
Another phone call, and it was Ernie Heuer, my team captain. He suggested that we get together to meet each other. I agreed to meet him in the Community Center the next morning. I told him that I had never played, but this didn’t seem to phase him. He suggested that I practice. So he checked out the small cart of 16 balls - 8 red & 8 green - along with two measuring tapes, and the little white pallino ball. He let me pull the cart! I figured that it was part of the initiation rite. After walking quite a distance, I asked Ernie why they didn’t store the equipment near the court. He said that they used to, but someone walked off with the storage cabinet. I pursued his answer by asking him - “In a gated -community of elderly retirees, who would do this?” Ernie said that he didn’t know. While the replacement cost was probably about $100, it is the mystery of the theft that intrigues.
Ernie suggested that I toss the eight balls at the white pallino to get the feel. The idea is to throw the boccia, underhand, to come as close to the pallino as possible, without touching it. My first throw hit the little white ball! I thought to myself, that the game was pretty simple. Ernie probably thought that I was a ringer. But throwing the other balls proved me wrong. The official rules state that a player can throw, lob or roll the boccio. Apparently, our league has settled on rolling the ball - except for a few who have trouble genuflecting, and they bounce the ball. The ball weighs two or three pounds. The game looks much easier than it is - especially if you use all the strategies involved.
My first game was Friday, May 29. I called Ernie to excuse myself because Marie and I had two nieces and a nephew visiting us from Michigan. He wasn’t upset, and excused me. He probably figured that I had thought better of the idea.
So, my first game was last Friday, June 5. We played Team #9 - two men and two women. We beat them 12-8. It was Team 12’s first win of the season! A game consists of how many frames it takes to reach a count of 12. A point is awarded for each ball - of each team - closer than the opponents to the pallino. I would like to think that the win resulted from my contribution, but Ernie was the biggest scorer. Our prize was that we didn’t have to drag the oyster shell court after the game. But, I did volunteer to haul the cart back to the Community Center.
Bocce ball is a new experience in my life, spanning nine decades. I enjoyed the competition, the exercise and meeting new old-oldsters. I look forward to my next game on Tuesday
RCL - 6/7/09.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
SUMMER
SUMMER
One of the activities provided by Quail Creek - an Assisted Living facility in Fairfield (CA), is a monthly appearance of Steve Barkhurst. He plays a Yamaha keyboard, and sings, songs of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He is very good at it. Occasionally, on familiar songs, he will ask the residents to join him in song.
Music is quite soothing, and therapeutic for older people. We are all familiar with the songs, and the music. They brings up happy memories of when we listened to the same tunes 50 years ago.
At each session, Steve plays music that relates to the current month, or season. Today, he featured summer songs, one of which was Frank Sinatra’s popular recording of “The Summer Wind”. The song was written in 1965, with music by Henry Mayer, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. A million copies of the single recording were sold. Next month (July), Steve will feature patriotic songs. As a tribute for Fathers’ Day, on Sunday,
June 21st, Steve sang “Oh My Pa-Pa”. This was the theme song of Eddie Fisher. Steve said that Eddie is 96, and living in a retirement home in the L.A. area. Steve also said that “Eddie was married five times, and he is probably cruising the halls with his walker, looking for
number six!”
In addition to his playing and singing, Steve recaps some of the dedicated “Special” days during the month. You wouldn’t believe some of the weird and trivial subjects, such as:
June 6 - National Yo Yo Day.
June 8 - National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day
June 25 - National Catfish Day.
Steve also reads from a list of celebrities celebrating birthdays during the month. Then, he asks who among us are celebrating a birthday during the month. This is kind of funky, but all of the celebrants appreciate our singing “Happy Birthday” to them.
RCL - 6/4/09.
One of the activities provided by Quail Creek - an Assisted Living facility in Fairfield (CA), is a monthly appearance of Steve Barkhurst. He plays a Yamaha keyboard, and sings, songs of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He is very good at it. Occasionally, on familiar songs, he will ask the residents to join him in song.
Music is quite soothing, and therapeutic for older people. We are all familiar with the songs, and the music. They brings up happy memories of when we listened to the same tunes 50 years ago.
At each session, Steve plays music that relates to the current month, or season. Today, he featured summer songs, one of which was Frank Sinatra’s popular recording of “The Summer Wind”. The song was written in 1965, with music by Henry Mayer, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. A million copies of the single recording were sold. Next month (July), Steve will feature patriotic songs. As a tribute for Fathers’ Day, on Sunday,
June 21st, Steve sang “Oh My Pa-Pa”. This was the theme song of Eddie Fisher. Steve said that Eddie is 96, and living in a retirement home in the L.A. area. Steve also said that “Eddie was married five times, and he is probably cruising the halls with his walker, looking for
number six!”
In addition to his playing and singing, Steve recaps some of the dedicated “Special” days during the month. You wouldn’t believe some of the weird and trivial subjects, such as:
June 6 - National Yo Yo Day.
June 8 - National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day
June 25 - National Catfish Day.
Steve also reads from a list of celebrities celebrating birthdays during the month. Then, he asks who among us are celebrating a birthday during the month. This is kind of funky, but all of the celebrants appreciate our singing “Happy Birthday” to them.
RCL - 6/4/09.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
WORLD WAR II
When, we moved from Vallejo to Fairfield, a little over a year ago, Mary, Joan and Sue cleaned out our home and garage, and made managerial decisions on which of our “toys, souvenirs and keepsakes to “save”. They filled a public storage with beaucoup plastic bins. This was to be a short term solution - to avoid a tedious and time consuming chore of perusing and decision making - “keep - Goodwill - or “deep six”.
How time flies! I haven’t been to the storage facility, to interrupt my procrastination, until yesterday. Joan took me out to the storage place to start my “search and destroy” mission. Joan did all the heavy lifting, but I started to enjoy renewing memories of days and activities past - during the sorting process. This can really slow down the mission. It was warm (a bottle of water day), and the heat from the metal shed didn’t help. We did make a dent in the pile - not through making many disposal decisions, but what I wanted to keep. I brought some of that stuff back with me. We were probably there an hour and a half, before I ran out of gas.
One of the things I brought back, was a five book- set published by the Postal Service:
1941: A WORLD AT WAR
1942: INTO THE BATTLE
1943: TURNING THE TIDE
1944: ROAD TO VICTORY
1945: VICTORY AT LAST
I don’t remember looking through these books before, but when I started reading them tonight I found some notes that I made after reading the 1943 volume, which brought back recall! My first note was about the infamous air raid on the Ploesti (Romania) oil fields, as follows:
I lost many classmates from my Bombardier School in Victorville (CA)- (Class of 42-15) on this raid. I remember talking to a survivor, who said of the 200 B-24’s that set out to bomb the oil refinery on
August 1,1943 from North Africa - a very long mission, up and back, over the Mediterranean. We lost 50 planes, and 500 crewmen. That was an unacceptable 25 %! Loss ratio.
The refinery was in a hollow. On the rim above, the Germans had positioned 88mm guns. This was a very effective weapon. They used the guns as anti-tank weapons as well as anti-aircraft guns. They could be mounted on barges, or on land, as anti aircraft guns. When so used, the guns were not only radar controlled as to your course and speed, but the guns set the fuses to trigger an explosion at your altitude, if they didn’t strike a plane first.
During the Ploesti raid, the 88’s were firing “down hill“, as the B-24’s were flying below the gun batteries - about 50 feet off the deck. Many of the losses were due to the poor bomb run execution, rather than enemy fire. Some of the B-24’s flew the wrong routes in the target area. Their bombs had fuse delays so that the bomber had time to clear the area, before the bomb exploded. Then, when another wave of B-24’s flew over that same area (their correct course and target) on their bombing runs, they were blown up by the explosions of the previously erratically dropped bombs!
Other notes to follow.
RCL - 6-3-09.
When, we moved from Vallejo to Fairfield, a little over a year ago, Mary, Joan and Sue cleaned out our home and garage, and made managerial decisions on which of our “toys, souvenirs and keepsakes to “save”. They filled a public storage with beaucoup plastic bins. This was to be a short term solution - to avoid a tedious and time consuming chore of perusing and decision making - “keep - Goodwill - or “deep six”.
How time flies! I haven’t been to the storage facility, to interrupt my procrastination, until yesterday. Joan took me out to the storage place to start my “search and destroy” mission. Joan did all the heavy lifting, but I started to enjoy renewing memories of days and activities past - during the sorting process. This can really slow down the mission. It was warm (a bottle of water day), and the heat from the metal shed didn’t help. We did make a dent in the pile - not through making many disposal decisions, but what I wanted to keep. I brought some of that stuff back with me. We were probably there an hour and a half, before I ran out of gas.
One of the things I brought back, was a five book- set published by the Postal Service:
1941: A WORLD AT WAR
1942: INTO THE BATTLE
1943: TURNING THE TIDE
1944: ROAD TO VICTORY
1945: VICTORY AT LAST
I don’t remember looking through these books before, but when I started reading them tonight I found some notes that I made after reading the 1943 volume, which brought back recall! My first note was about the infamous air raid on the Ploesti (Romania) oil fields, as follows:
I lost many classmates from my Bombardier School in Victorville (CA)- (Class of 42-15) on this raid. I remember talking to a survivor, who said of the 200 B-24’s that set out to bomb the oil refinery on
August 1,1943 from North Africa - a very long mission, up and back, over the Mediterranean. We lost 50 planes, and 500 crewmen. That was an unacceptable 25 %! Loss ratio.
The refinery was in a hollow. On the rim above, the Germans had positioned 88mm guns. This was a very effective weapon. They used the guns as anti-tank weapons as well as anti-aircraft guns. They could be mounted on barges, or on land, as anti aircraft guns. When so used, the guns were not only radar controlled as to your course and speed, but the guns set the fuses to trigger an explosion at your altitude, if they didn’t strike a plane first.
During the Ploesti raid, the 88’s were firing “down hill“, as the B-24’s were flying below the gun batteries - about 50 feet off the deck. Many of the losses were due to the poor bomb run execution, rather than enemy fire. Some of the B-24’s flew the wrong routes in the target area. Their bombs had fuse delays so that the bomber had time to clear the area, before the bomb exploded. Then, when another wave of B-24’s flew over that same area (their correct course and target) on their bombing runs, they were blown up by the explosions of the previously erratically dropped bombs!
Other notes to follow.
RCL - 6-3-09.
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