muskybob

The Vet They soar in jets above the land, They sail beyond the seas. They march across the desert, They crawl between the trees. No matter what the role they play Each chooses to protect The lives of all Americans. For this we owe a debt. Today, and every single day 'Til each returns safe and sound, Please say a little prayer with me For the troops: air, sea, and ground. God Please... Grant them courage, When times seem bleak. Grant them strength, When they feel weak. Grant them comfort, When they feel all alone, And most of all, God, Please bring them all home. Author Unknown

Armed Forces Birthdays Q: What are the official birthdays of the armed services? A: U.S. Army - 14 June 1775 U.S. Navy- 13 Oct 1775 U.S. Marines- 10 Nov 1775 U.S. Coast Guard- 28 Jan 1915 (Its predecessor U.S. Revenue Cutter Service was established on 14 Aug 1790.) U.S. Air Force- 18 Sept 1947 http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/FAQs.htm#Army_FAQs

The Soldier He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, For it is so many times That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, Went to battle, but we know, It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier-- His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end. He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simply headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY." Author Unknown

Copy/Paste some of your tidbits & Veteran email Story behind Taps We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. If anyone can be said to have composed 'Taps,' it was Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. Dissatisfied with the customary firing of three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle and also needing a method of ceremonially imparting meaning to the end of a soldier's day, he likely altered an older piece known as "Tattoo," a French bugle call used to signal "lights out," into the call we now know as 'Taps.' (Alternatively, he wrote the whole thing from scratch, a possibility not at all supported by his lack of musical background and ability.) Whether he wrote it straight from the cuff or improvised something new by rearranging an older work, Butterfield brought 'Taps' into being. With the help of his bugler, Oliver W. Norton of Chicago, the concept was transformed into its present form. "Taps" was quickly taken up by both sides of the conflict, and within months was being sounded by buglers in both Union and Confederate forces. Then as now, 'Taps' serves as a vital component in ceremonies honoring military dead. It is also understood by American servicemen as an end-of-day 'lights out' signal. When "Taps" is played at a military funeral, it is customary to salute if in uniform, or place your hand over your heart if not. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... . The words are ... Day is done ... Gone the sun ... From the lakes ... From the hills ... From the sky ... All is well ... Safely rest ... God is nigh ... Fading light ... Dims the sight ... And a star ... Gems the sky ... Gleaming bright ... From afar ... Drawing nigh ... Falls the night ... Thanks and praise ... For our days ... Neath the sun ... Neath the stars,.. Neath the sky ... As we go ... This we know ... God is nigh ...

My condolences and sympathy goes out to his family. God bless him.

Tag, I've been running straight 30 for 4 yrs now with no problems at all. Used mainly for trolling though with very little pleasure cruising. (over 1 hr)

Nah, I don't like to wear my hat backwards. I'm more of a crooner & a swooner. I'll let you young pups dig that rap stuff.

Thought you guys would get a kick out of Chad's pike fishing adventure.

LOL, good one Stan

DANG, at $900 a pop it oughta come with Pete's $200 Asian girl Kidding aside, they probably are a nice reel if ya can afford them.

Have a Happy Birthday there youngster

Have a Happy Birthday Keith.

What we make from the Nation, the State taketh away.

Being new to that type of fishing for them, you might consider one of the lighter lures such as the LARGE bucktail spinners as part of your arsenal. I'm sure they're arms will get tired pretty quick chucking out big cranks. Just a thought.

Great pics, thanks

We've been carrying downstate long enough.

Only you Pete

How true, May God Help Us.

I didn't give 2 years of my life to stick my head in the sand now. I am America and I vote.

Hey big guy, Happy Birthday.

WOW, glad it had a happy ending. Nice guy whoever it was.

OOOOOOOOO, me like, nice job.

Nasty? HARUMPH

I've never fished off one, but honda cat on GLA has a LOT of good to say about them. Of course he sells them too

Happy Birthday Pete. Wish we were in Oswego to give ya a proper red & white salute. Hope your day is a good one.