Outside My Windows II - A Feel Good Gathering

[Richard S]

One of my Agency friends just forwarded to me the following message which I thought would be appropriate for this extraordinary thread:

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN,
who salutes the Flag,

It is the VETERAN
who serves under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

[theirishguard]

thanks, we all need to remember.
Tom

[CaptBW]

By request...

[CaptBW]

How is this Bill?

[CaptBW]

Okay, one more...

[R9SCarry]

Oh my - oh my - how this thread grows and grows.

Capt - lovely snow pics but - keep it there will ya LOL!

Richard - wonderful post and tho I have seen the ''wheelchair standing'' pic before that first one of the vet with dog and flag, is outstanding - truly outstanding - evokes feelings similar to ''the wall''  Thx so much for those.

FB - Your pics also - superb!!!!  I do hope you will not object if I maybe let others over time see that superlative rainbow pic - it is exceptional and rare to get such intensity.

Thx to all for this great panoply of interest.

[Michigunner]

CaptBW,

I love that snow.  Thank you.  Thank you.

The winter stuff is just as wonderful as summer.  Great pictures.  You are a blessed man.

Bill

[theirishguard]

All you picture takers are wonderful and the pics are just super.
Tom

[Richard S]

CaptBW:

Those are beautiful photographs of your lake front under a blanket of snow!

As I was sitting here gazing at your photos, my mind wandered back to a Saturday in February some 35 years ago when I and three SCUBA-diving buddies of mine -- all of us suffering what could only be described as temporary insanity brought about by an attempt to impress certain members of the opposite sex -- donned wet suits and went SCUBA diving in a snow-and-ice storm on the Chesapeake Bay.  Even with the wet suits, we lasted only about 15 minutes.  I remember that the water was as clear as gin, but what I remember most of all was learning the true meaning of hypothermia.  

(Just thinking about it makes me want to head to the kitchen and mix a strong mug of hot grog.)

[MountainMan]

I really enjoyed the posts (and pictures) over the last day.  After a hard day they put a smile on my face.

Thanks Guys!

Dave

[R9SCarry]

Well folks - remember the Concealed Carry Mag' cover last August - with my step daughter on front cover?

She turned 21 today and thought I'd take a pic or two quickly before sun went down.  We went out to get giant wings and enjoy (well she and Bonnie did) a Bacardi (or two) and Pepsi :wink:

Poor thing still looks so young she knows she'll be carded for years to come but hey - she'll like that one day!  Soon be getting her her own and first pistola (she has shot plenty of mine already) - and also get the CCW fixed up.  I have her in my next Basic Pistol course too in May - all go, go, go :smilez:

On the assumption everyone likes a pretty face - here are a coupla pics for you.

[MountainMan]

I would say Chris that she has, and will, break many hearts.

To be so young and have so much life ahead of you.

[Michigunner]

She is a fine looking young woman, Chris.  I would be very proud.

Bill

[R9SCarry]

I sure am proud and love her to bits - just wish I could claim the genetic input - that said my own blood daughter is a beautiful lady too (natural paternal bias of course!).  

See pic below with her, my SIL and wonderful grandson Matt - this was late last year.  It's a proof copy BTW.

Like many of us older folks - I look at this new generation coming up - and wonder what is in store - but wish them all that is good and feel ever so mortal!!

How does one describe a father's love??  Not sure that we can - but it goes deep - real deep.

[Rocnerd]

CaptBW:


As I was sitting here gazing at your photos, my mind wandered back to a Saturday in February some 35 years ago when I and three SCUBA-diving buddies of mine -- all of us suffering what could only be described as temporary insanity brought about by an attempt to impress certain members of the opposite sex -- donned wet suits and went SCUBA diving in a snow-and-ice storm on the Chesapeake Bay.  Even with the wet suits, we lasted only about 15 minutes.  I remember that the water was as clear as gin, but what I remember most of all was learning the true meaning of hypothermia.  

(Just thinking about it makes me want to head to the kitchen and mix a strong mug of hot grog.)

I hear the temporary insanity and scuba diving thing.  I belonged to a diving club up in NJ that had a tradition of going down to this railroad bridge in Point Pleasant on New Year's Day.  Well, one year we went in, I think the wanter temp was right around 30, salt water, and there was ice floating around.  Even with a dry suit it didn't take long for my feet to become ice cubes.  Now that I am in Florida if the water is colder than 78 I am not going in.    Spoiled rotten.