Let's get on with it.

Listen, the ugly election is finally over. No more annoying political phone calls at dinner time, and junk mail. No more hearing the candidates rip each other about their faults, or past events. IT'S OVER !!! You don't have to do your victory dance or cry about the election. Someone won and someone lost. Live with it. Make the best of the election and let's just go on with it. Whether your candidate won or lost, don't be a baby and push it into peoples' faces, or protest, or cry about it. If you voted, you are over 18 years old. and an adult. so act like one. You may be happy or sad about who was elected, or what proposition was passed or not, but voting is a privilege all citizens have. Not one group of people have the ultimate decision. JUST LIVE WITH IT. Now it the time we ALL have to pull together, shoulder to shoulder, and work to get our country back on top again. It was a rough 18 months and I hope we never see another election like this one again. After all, I believe we have the best country in the world, don't you?

Busy, busy, busy

Is it March already? WOW! Nancy and I have to schedule time together, it seems because of our commitments to other things, not to mention family functions. Nancy is hiking like crazy, about 200 miles a week, plus quilting, plus working for Tina's practice, plus watching the G-kids, plus helping her mother convert to non-driving and maybe moving to a care facility. Me? Well, since the Final Tribute Caisson has been finished, we have had five funerals and another today, looking for parts, working on cars and selling a couple, being more involved in the foundation business end, being sucked back into the fire department on committees and boards, and maybe watching some golf, after the Super Bowl.

Oh, then there are Guy's Night out and Girl's lunches and a basketball games here and there, G-kid's games, people visiting and showing them around Arizona. Did I mention occasionally I will sit down and watch some golf? We are suppose to be retired and relax in our GOLDEN YEARS. HA! HA! NO WAY! 70 is the new 50, at least that is what folks tell me. To all the folks we have not stayed in touch with, we're really sorry. Time has just gotten away from us. We do have a few trips planned. ARV trip to New Mexico to visit with some friends in the first part of April. We are flying to South Carolina at the end of April to celebrate our 40th anniversary. In June, Emily goes on her 10 year old trip with Nancy to Florida and in August a long RV trip into Canada and Baniff National Canadian park. There MAY BE a trip to Cincinnati somewhere in there. Who know. So that's why I have not posted anything for a while. Forgive me. Hope to see you all soon.

The year long Caisson Project is DONE!

As you may recall, while RVing through Washington State and Idaho last year, Nancy and I bought a 1978 American LaFrance fire truck. Who does that on their vacation? Some crazy firefighter no doubt. Well, we had it transported back to Phoenix, I sent a letter out to our retirees for volunteers to come help build it into a Caisson. Fast forward a year later, I got 10 to 12 amazing, enthusiastic retired firefighters to help, after a LOT of sanding, waiting on craftsmen to do work we could not do, pounding on doors (not really pounding) for donations, and donating the truck to a non-profit organization, we finally present the truck as finished. Last weekend we transported a New York FD retiree to his final resting place. Our first. The family was very thankful for our service, but it is OUR honor to pay a final tribute to any retired firefighter. I present to you, THE FINAL TRIBUTE CAISSON.

Check the facts BEFORE you follow these lines

As I grow closer to 70, I have begun to see things in a different light. My life, relationships I have had, the world picture at present and our cultural trends. Lately, I do not like what I see. The upcoming presidential election is extremely scary. I really do not care for either candidate, but sometimes we are forced to choose the lesser of two evils, and I have chosen Hillary. You may not disagree with me for that, but it is my citizen right to choose who I wish. I do not like her, I did like her husband, but I cannot stand Donald Trump and what he is doing to our country. He has unleashed an anger in people who have held it in for a long time. And some of that anger is unwarranted. They want change and they THINK he will bring it. This anger that will rip this country apart and maybe put the world into another World War. His dislike for minorities, the handicap and other countries smacks of the person in Germany during the 30s and 40s called Hitler. He makes fun of disabled folks, he mocks Hispanic American judges, and he wants to deport all Mexicans and Muslims. What is next, sending Jews to gas chambers? Trump blames Obama for letting them all in this country. Did he not read what it says at the base of the Statue of Liberty? “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” We are a country made of immigrates, a melting pot of many countries. We are ALL from somewhere else. And I do not mean Cleveland or Iowa. This country was settled on a search for freedom of individual rights and freedom of religion without considering the persons color, creed, sex or religious beliefs. I really do not care which party you may represent, you must see the light. It is not about the party, it is about what is right for the people, and not egos or party lines. The words were written, “FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE”. People say Hillary is a liar. Yeah, she probably is, and so are most politicians. But Trump is more than a liar. He is a bigot, a thief and a very bad business man. All of his millions were made by his father, not him. He just rents his dad’s name to the properties. What did Hillary do? Use an unsecured email source? Maybe she caused some people to get killed? How many soldiers were killed in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan because, the president at the time, THOUGHT there was Weapons of Mass Destruction there? And what did they find? NOTHING!!! Wake up! Or was it a vendetta to complete the job his father president did not finish. The hate in the Middle East is because we have bullied our way through the Middle East as the self-proclaimed police. The terrorist did not crash into the World Trade Center because they wanted to take over the US. They did it because we came into their countries for no cause. We THINK they are a threat. Do you kill a bee because you THINK it may sting you? No. And Trump wants to make it worse by pissing off more people. Presidents can only do what the Congress and Senate allow them to do. If you REALLY care, limit terms on politicians and get rid of the rotten ones. Make them work for you. Cut the amount corporations can contribute and limit the monies campaigns have to promote their candidate. Millions and millions are spent campaigning for candidates, and much of that is contributed by really bias special interest entities and fake fronts. Quit blaming Obama for everything. He did get us into a recession; he got us out of it. He is the guy who got the Bin Laden killed for attacking the USA on 9-11. The Bush presidents got us into this mess with terrorists, not the Clintons and Obama. If anything, they have made things better for the middle class. I am not making this up, check the facts. We all must vote according to our beliefs. That is your citizen given right. All I ask is you to check the facts, do your homework; don’t vote for a candidate because your Dad or Mother voted only for the donkey or elephant. And don’t vote for someone who says they will build a wall or won’t liar. Look deeper than that. Check the facts. This election may change the world as we know it.

2016 Spring Southern States RV trip

Actually we started traveling in May, trying to miss the humidity, but got it anyway. We headed out going South through Tucson then El Paso TX, then through Fort Stockton TX. It was not all that hot then. Interesting town with a lot of western history. Then we continued across the widest part of Texas still heading Southeast to San Antonio, one of my favorite cites. The River Walk,the Alamo, the music and food is outstanding.

Then on to Beaumont TX, where we spent a day with a cousin I had not seen since we were small kids. Next stop was New Orleans. Another interesting city with its jazz, being below sea level and constant threat of floods and hurricanes. The food was hot (not as hot as Mexican) and spicy, the people are out going and friendly and the plantations are rich with history.

From there, we swung Northeast to my birth town of Cullman AL. I had not been there since my Mother passed away. Eating catfish and hush puppies, visiting with relatives and my Mother's grave. I also drove by the old farm my G-parents had when I was a child of 8. How things changed, but the memories never go away.The farm was overgrown and additions were made over the years. I still remember it as it was.

It was a good visit with all, and probably long overdue. I don't know when we'll be back. We turned around at this point and headed back Southwest to Vicksburg MS and the Civil War battle grounds. The Civil War has always amazed me and the struggle of the families involved. The park is littered with gorgeous huge monuments from States and Companies involved in the battle. Also on display is one of the first armored boats which was pulled up from the river after decades of sitting on the bottom.

Our next stop was not planned, but we great. We stopped just North of Dallas to visit some friends and go out to dinner. They are actually our daughter's friends from college, but ours too. They took us to a place I saw on TV. Recognize it?

Escaping from the traffic in Dallas early in the AM, we headed home with a few one-nighters. Back across the FULL width of Texas, a little of New Mexico and then back in Arizona. 4300+ miles and three weeks, I think we were both done for a while. It was a good trip, but not a great trip. I am glad we did it, but probably won't do it again...unless there is car I am getting. Next trip? Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovenia in August. Stay tuned.

Done with the Veteran's Administration

I have tried for over six years to get a VA ID card, so I can get 10% off my purchases at Home Depot and other places. I got the word VETERAN put on my driver's license, but Home Depot says, that don't count. Even showing my DD214 does not help. Today, I went to the VA Regional offices here in the Valley. And I have even gone to the one in Prescott to talk to them. Four times total they have said NOPE. I asked WHY? "You are over the salary cap for your Zip Code", they say. I tell them, I don't care about the medical care, I just want the ID card. Sorry, they say, the card goes with the medical care. Then I hear about a House Bill that was passed in 2015 saying ALL Veterans can go to the VA or any military installation and get an ID Card. So I called Luke Air Force Base. They tell me that the government has not released the funds to print the cards, so the base can not do the cards. I asked the VA the same question and they said the VA does not think it is a good idea to get cards out to ALL veterans and they are not doing it. Are the bills law when passed? So can the VA say no the House and Senate when they are TOLD to do something? How would it go if I told the government I was not going to pay my taxes? Would they let me slide? HELL NO! So Bill H.R. 91 is useless? Three years in the making and it's useless? And my time in the military (6 years total) was useless too? No, I don't believe that, but DAMN IT, give me a stinking ID card. I'll pay for it. It's not the card. It's not the recognition. It's not the medical care. It's the principal that the government can not pay the vets their due for sacrificing their years of time, their separation from family, and sometime their lives. And when they do, there are SO many hurdles to jump over, under, and crawl through, to get that small bit they get and more than deserve. And I will guarantee if Trump gets elected, the Vets will get even a bigger shaft than they do now. My Shell family ancestors served this wonderful nation in every war and/or conflict since the Revolutionary War through every male generation, except one, and we are DAMN proud of it. So now, because I make too much money, the government will not give me a $2 ID card proving I am a Vet, and that I did my time. That's OK, I'll pay that 10% at Home Depot and maybe, just maybe, I'll send the VA a bill at the end of the year for the discounts I DID NOT get because they did not think I deserve to be officially recognized as a Vet. Stuff it VA!

The "Caisson Project" story

As many of you probably already know, I bought a fire truck last August while we were in Idaho on a RV trip. I have wanted one for many years, just for fun. But after attended so many retired firefighter funerals, I began to think, it would be great if we as a brotherhood could pay a final tribute to our brothers. A truck dedicated as a firefighters' hearse. A Caisson. Well then the work started. I sent the word out to other retirees, and told them of my idea. The requests to help came flowing in. I then stopped by stores and booths at car shows telling the same thing. They seemed to all want to be a part of the project. Some people actually started to weeping when I explained the project. I went to get my teeth cleaned, and the dentist asked what I had been doing. When I told him, he went into his office and came out with a check for $100. The donations have been overwhelming at times. It makes me reverse my thoughts about the human race and people's attitudes, especially about firefighters. Now, nearly 7 months later, and hundreds of man-hours, we are getting so close to painting the truck. We have sound deadened and insulated the cab, insulated the turbo, upgraded the fuel system, done a complete tune-up, replaced all the fluids and filters, replaced broken glass, pulled out the water tank, re-fabricated the entire hose bed to accommodate caskets and urns, built bench seating in back for pallbearers or honor guard personnel, rewired the truck, repaired air leaks and SO much more. Now, don't think I come up with this idea. Well, sort of, for the Valley I did. There are many other community departments who have done the same thing. And the trend is growing since 9-11. Tucson Arizona has a beautiful old Mack for their Caisson. Their "Last Alarm Foundation" and us, made an agreement to cover the state of Arizona for ALL firefighters if requested. I donated the truck to the Phoenix Fire Foundation because they are a 501 3-C non-profit organization which I help establish back in 1986. With the Foundation having ownership of the truck, it is easier to get donations from corporations for services and goods. The foundation in return, put me on the board as a member, and made me the Chairperson of the Caisson Project. The Team Fishel construction company donated the use of a huge spray booth for our final preparations on the truck for paint. Pittsburgh Paint donated the paint, a local upholsterer donated his time and materials to re-do the interior and the list goes on. But the real credit goes to the retirees who have come to my shop and to the spray booth spending HUNDREDS of hours working on this project. I am proud to be a part of this project and to associated with these retirees. And lastly, thanks to all who sent their gratitude for our labors. The final photo is the truck we are modeling our after.