Hobo Jungle

[sarge]

Hey Sarge, do you have a side-gig modelling for Britains?

Healey

Oh no! Caught me out didja?

Well a pensioner has to make ends meet however he can.

[rogruth]

Sarge,

Is that an actual poster for kilt sales or what?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

More likely just Sarge and a few lads out getting a little ventilation action......

[healey36]

Big weekend for reflection:





For Corporal Oursler and all the others before and since, they are remembered.

Healey

[rex desilets]

Some things are more important than toy trains..

[Tramp]

[E7]

Mmmf, I learned something today; Poirot was Belgian, I had always thought that he was French. That just shows how much attention that I payed to the story.
Great read.

Maybe you were thinking of Inspector Clouseau, Mon Ami!

Interesting to note all the actors that portrayed the character apart from the late Peter Sellers.

Rich

[2railjon]

All gave some
Some gave all

[sarge]

I'm going to tell a story to make a point.

At 0515 this very Memorial Day, I lost an old friend.

George was a long-time O Scaler and more than just a member of our round-robin O Scalers club. He was a classically trained concert pianist, and played for his church as well as for just pure pleasure. We shared a love of music as well as a love of railroading, travelled together to meets, meetings, train-watching spots. We also shared a profession, for he was a mechanical engineer of more than just average ability. He had "the feel", and those of you who are engineers will know what that means and how rare that is.

Before that, though, he also shared my other profession. Many wouldn't guess in talking with this gentle soul, but he was a paratrooper. George was a grad of the "Benning School for Boys". He served in the 187th Airborne Brigade during Korea as a young infantry platoon leader and a company commander. At one point in his career he was the operations officer at the Airborne School in Fort Benning. Some of his offspring have followed in his footsteps of service, a son a General officer at NATO, a grandson last I heard was a Major in the Cavalry, both West Pointers I believe. To pick Memorial Day of all days to fold his tent was merely an appropriate choice at the end of what was a class act.

Needless to say, I'm not good company today, but I'm reminded of something of which we all should be reminded. Memorial Day has somehow become a second Veterans Day, complete with the artificial "Thanks for Your service" banality which has become fashionable to be uttered with all the sincerity of "Have a nice day". I stay indoors on Memorial Day and Veterans Day both, and I shouldn't.

Memorial Day has been somewhat confused and perverted. It isn't about those of us who "served" but about a country's thanks to those who have passed. The bikers have just now (and most timely to this thought) ridden by the house with their flags on their Harleys. They, like most anymore, don't get the difference between these two days, and they'll be back again in November, bless'm.

Let your mind drift back a little. Remember the parade through town to the cemetery, the color guard and firing party from the local Legion and VFW? How about putting your flag up in the morning to half-mast, then at noon raising it to full height? The morning was to reflect and remember those who precede us to Fiddler's Green, hence the name.

Today isn't about us and "thank you for your service"; that comes in November. It's about the Empty Chair and a Grateful Nation. This day belongs to them, the average citizen as he or she remembers (or is at least reminded of) those who gave of themselves for them. We really could stand to re-learn that difference and pass it on to our ignorant offspring so they can make this day what it was intended again.

So here's to you, George, and to all our Absent Friends, not from "Sarge" but from just another citizen.

[2railjon]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Sarge.
Fiddlers Green. Photographed by me at Taji, Irag 2010. Painted on a blast wall.

[2railjon]

Never Forget: Ronald Reagan's Memorial Day Tribute:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arSiv9PRo04

[webenda]

Sarge,

A fitting tribute to your friend George, and a reminder to all what "Memorial Day" means. Thank you.

[sarge]

Oh, Heeeeeeeeeealey!

Come out and play Heeeeeeeeeealey!

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Sarge, Considering the humorous Bacon "quote" and the very enjoyable flower photos you shared on another thread, I see you are perked-up and in a playful mood. It must be the Spring in all of us as we enjoy the better weather and temps. Have fun. Be safe.
Murph

[Tony-h]

Hey Murph!!! A couple weeks ago I was playing around with Google Earth and decided to look up good old Kennywood Park to see if I recognized anything from the 50's. Gosh, that place has changed!

Thinking about you, I scanned down to Miller Avenue. Got to wondering where on that street your old homestead was. Have you ever gone back to see the old house or are you afraid you might be recognized? What was your house number?

Planning another hit and run on Rough and Tumble this year? Missed your presence there last time even though I could only drive up and back for one day. Fixed the blown off radiator hose on the MH and it seems to be behaving itself again.

Tony