Something that never ceases to amaze me is the level of photographic talent shown by our military combat photographers, particularly those serving or who have recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Besides giving us a first hand, front line look at what our fighting men and women do and see, some of their work has to be be described as fine art.

During two tours in Iraq, one of the best was Staff Sergeant Russell Lee Klika (he goes by “Klika” - gotta love that name). In 2004, he accompanied the 278th Regimental Combat Team of the Tennessee Army National Guard, serving as a member of the public affairs staff. In 2006, he returned, this time with the 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment of the Tennessee Army National Guard. During that second tour he worked with the 101st Airborne’s 3rd Division Rakkasans, a unit in which his 21-year-old son, Zachary, now serves. He occasionally sent photos of what he saw and I posted them on my old AFP website and later reposted them here.

Klika believes military photographers should not only document wars and battles, but also preserve and humanize historical events. So in capturing images in war-torn regions, he endured the same hardships and experienced the same risks as the warriors he photographed.

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Another ‘toon from James…

James sent this ‘toon. It reflects the current air travel environment with beleaguered airlines employing tactics used successfully by telephone and utility companies to bolster their bottom lines — add-on fees. The strategy is to remove all perks and comforts, then gradually reintroduce them as part of an à la carte menu of fee based options. Baggage fees were first, presumably to test the water, and now there’s talk of charging a premium for aisle and window seats.

Where will it end? It won’t, not unless passengers decide not to fly at all. Vacation train travel, or simply staying home, seem more attractive options every day.

Of course, business travelers are stuck between a rock and a hard place, and the airlines will likely continue to stick it to them. But even business travelers will cry uncle at some point. Or will they? More likely, corporate America will simply pass on the additional costs of doing business to consumers.

Some of you know that Dawn and I live in a nice area between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, much of it undeveloped and unspoiled. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the tri-counties, yet local government and developers have managed to set aside a generous amount of land as natural habitat. For example, our home backs up to a natural creek, part of a protected strip of land that runs from high in the hills to the valley below providing refuge for a variety of wildlife. So it’s not unusual for us to see foxes, raccoons, wild turkeys, owls and an occasional coyote or deer in our yard. It’s what attracted us to the area — nice neighborhoods close to the city, yet still part of nature.

But every once in a while, nature interrupts our regular routine and last week was a perfect example. From our upstairs bedroom window, we’d been hearing “sounds” late at night and in the pre-dawn hours in our back yard, sounds we couldn’t identify. One night we thought we heard an animal attack and quickly dispose of another, not unusual in nature but something we weren’t used to hearing in our yard. Then, Saturday before last, while moving a deck chair from the garage to the back yard, Dawn heard something she hadn’t heard before — a sort of “growl”! She dropped the chair and raced into the house, but caught a glimpse of a dog-sized animal jumping from a tree near the creek at the rear edge of our property. I mistakenly assumed it had been a fox and dismissed it.

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The political landscape is changing now that the interminable Obama-Clinton pissing contest (“I’m for change…” “No, I”M for change…”) has finally ended with Obama demonstrating only slightly greater distance. Expect a different kind of tourney between McCain and Obama between now and November which will include its share of clever…

…and satirical…

…videos on YouTube. All I can say is that McCain’s campaign staff better learn to harness the power of viral videos if they want him to appeal to young “MTV Generation” voters.

Sometimes knowing what’s going to happen and not letting on is almost impossible. I’m sure Noah can attest to that; he’d planned to propose to long-time girl friend, Jamie, when they reached the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome and shared his plan with Michael and me over back yard cigars a few weeks ago. I thought, “How perfectly romantic!”

So when they began the hike earlier this week, I was anxious to learn how it had gone. Of course, she said, “Yes”. And cool guy that he is, Noah captured the moment on video! So world, I give you the just engaged couple, Jamie and Noah!

Congratulations to you both! You’re a wonderful couple and Dawn and I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

I read and listened to John McCain’s March 31 speech delivered in Meridian, Mississippi on the first day of his Service To America Tour. I’d wanted to learn something more about the former Naval aviator and Vietnam POW, about his character and core beliefs, how he reasons and what he’s made of. I found the speech a beginning, though I’ll need to delve much deeper if I’m to better understand the man who hopes to be our next Commander-in Chief. From the speech:

“…Like most people, when I reflect on the adventures and joys of youth, I feel a longing for what is lost and cannot be restored. But though the happy pursuits of the young prove ephemeral, something better can endure, and endure until our last moment of life. And that is the honor we earn and the love we give when we work and sacrifice with others for a cause greater than our self-interest. For me that cause has long been our country. I am a lucky, lucky man to have found it, and am forever grateful to those who showed me the way. What they gave me was much more valuable and lasting than the tribute I once paid to vanity.

I am the son and grandson of admirals. My grandfather was an aviator; my father a submariner. They were my first heroes, and their respect for me has been one of the most lasting ambitions of my life. They gave their lives to their country, and taught me lessons about honor, courage, duty, perseverance and leadership that I didn’t fully grasp until later in life, but remembered when I needed them most. I have been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I am their son, and they showed me how to love my country, and that has made all the difference for me, my friends, all the difference in the world.”

My first reaction to McCain had been that he was too much a maverick, his positions failing to follow a traditional path along “conservative” or “Republican” lines. But I’m learning that he possesses strong convictions and, unlike most politicians today, is unabashed about sticking to what he believes is best for the country with little or no regard for opinion polls or GOP orthodoxy. Generally, those are qualities I respect. So I’m reserving judgment until I can learn more about what makes the man tick. Perhaps there’s more to John McCain than I first thought.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. You may also enjoy visiting the other journeyers: Drumwaster, Larry at The Bastage, the folks at The Line Is Here and Shortbus from The Edge of Reason…

From Mike…

A bus full of politicians was cruising down a country road when it suddenly veered off course and crashed into an old farmer’s barn. The farmer got off his tractor and went to investigate.

When he saw what had happened, he towed the bus out of his barn, buried the politicians in the adjoining field, and returned to his tractor to finish plowing.

A few days later, the local sheriff came out, saw the crashed bus and asked the old farmer what had become of the politicians. The old farmer explained what had happened and that he’d buried them.

The sheriff removed his hat and asked in a somber voice, “You mean they was all dead?”

The old farmer shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Well, some of ‘em claimed they wasn’t, but you know how them politicians lie…”

I suppose it was only a matter of time. Philadelphians opened their newspapers Friday to ads trumpeting new airline Derrie-Air’s announced policy to charge passengers “by the pound” reasoning that “it takes more fuel to move heavier objects.”

Derrie-Air’s sample rates range from $1.40 per pound to fly from Philadelphia to Chicago, to $2.25 per pound to fly from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. Philadelphia Media Holdings spokesman Jay Devine said “there’s already buzz about the campaign…”

It’s a radical plan, but not surprising with fuel prices sky-rocketing and airlines scrambling to eek out a profit. Other airlines have announced plans to charge passengers for second checked bags, with one airline planning to charge for each checked bag.

Derrie-Air claims to be the world’s only carbon-neutral luxury airline, and it justifies its fare policy by pledging to plant trees to offset every pound of carbon its planes release into the atmosphere. That may help appease green travelers, but other passengers may not be as receptive.

You can read more at flyderrie-air.com and in this SFGate news story.

I’m a little surprised to hear msm buzz about the possibility of an Obama-Clinton ticket. I mean, a racist/Marxist paired with a shrill socialist? C’mon, people! Don’t drink the coolaid!

Anyway, someone sent this to me when Obama and Hill were still slamming each other to get the Democratic party’s nod, but I never got around to posting it. Now I’ve forgotten who sent it, but with at least a few sheeple (the ones who would take Hillary any way they can get her) pining for a destructive duo ticket, it seems even more appropriate.

…and keep reading Cosmo, buddy! You’ll figure her out eventually!

It’s Saturday and I’m sipping my first cup of Illy Italian coffee. I should be processing vacation photos, but I just can’t seem to get enthused about it on my crappy computer. Besides, it’s a beautiful day and I want to be out in it! So instead, I’ll momentarily indulge another interest: music.

Those who know me know I enjoy a wide variety, from classical to jazz to reggae to blues to country. Shortbus put me on to this group - Cross Canadian Ragweed - adding, “If you don’t like these guys, you ain’t right.”

I like ‘em! Give a listen!

Want more?

Today marks the 64th anniversary of the Normandy Landings known as D-Day. Code named Operation Neptune and Operation Overlord, they were the first operations of the Allied Powers’ invasion of Normandy during World War II. The operation was the largest single-day invasion of all time, with over 130,000 troops landing on June 6, 1944.

I had intended to post something worthy of the event and its historical significance but simply ran out of time. Not wanting to let such an important day in world history go by without remembering and honoring the heroes who fought and died there, I’ve provided a link to last year’s post. These champions climbed the cliffs, took the beaches, braved the machine gun nests, took out the gun batteries, did the unthinkable – the unimaginable. Their deeds that day define their valor and deserve our deepest gratitude and respect. They are the heroes we honor today.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. You may also enjoy visiting the other journeyers: Drumwaster, Larry at The Bastage, the folks at The Line Is Here and Shortbus from The Edge of Reason…

Cousin Mike sent the .wmv version of this, and if it doesn’t make you stand up and cheer, nothing will! It’s our National Anthem sung by five young girls — Andi, Baylee, Blaire, Madeline and Tatum — ages 8-13 at the time and known as “The Cactus Cuties” after the Cactus Theater in Lubbock, Texas. This performance was at the Texas Tech vs Texas basketball game, January 20, 2008, before a crowd of more than 11,000 spectators.

Having become something of a YouTube phenomenon, their studio recording of the National Anthem is available on iTunes. I don’t know about you, but whenever I see and hear something like this, my chest swells, my throat tightens and my faith in our future is renewed. And yes, sometimes I get a little teary-eyed.

This is a Patriot’s Journey post. You may also enjoy visiting the other journeyers: Drumwaster, Larry at The Bastage, the folks at The Line Is Here and Shortbus from The Edge of Reason…