Friday, May 25, 2018
Remembering Our Brothers
Mohawkers Finally Come Home
Bob Nopp and his infant son Scott at their home in Salem in 1966
Bob Colby sent this article to me this morning and I thought it would be appropriate to post it on The 225th Observer this Memorial Day weekend of 2018. Please take a few minutes and read the whole article about our brother LTC Robert (Bob) Nopp and his observer PFC Marshall F. Kipinaof the 131st Surveillance Airplane Company who have finally come home after being MIA since 1966.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
A Truly Wonderful Memorial!
There is a wonderful exhibit at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Denver. Please click on the link https://lestweforgetsculpture.org/ to see what our friend George Drago sent to me this last weekend.
Madam President
It has been my policy not to share my political beliefs on this blog. So……it was refreshing, in this era of generally snarky political humor, to receive an email from our friend George Drago about the not-so-far-fetched possibility of a future president of the fairer sex. Please continue reading, I think it will bring a smile to your faces it did mine…..
The year is 2024 and the United States has just elected the first woman president.
A few days after the election the president-elect, whose name is Debra, calls her father and says, "So, Dad, I assume you will be coming to my inauguration?”
"I don't think so. It's a 10 hour drive.”
"Don 't worry about it Dad, I'll send Air Force One. And a limousine will pick you up at your door.”
"I don't know. Everybody will be so fancy. What would your mother wear?"
"Oh Dad," replies Debra, 'I'll make sure she has a wonderful gown custom-made by the best designer in Washington.”
"Honey," Dad complains, "you know I can't eat those rich foods you eat.” The President-to-be responds, "Don't worry Dad. The entire affair will be handled by the best caterer in Washington; I'll ensure your meals are salt free. You and mom just have to be there.”
So Dad reluctantly agrees, and on January 20, 2025, Debra is being sworn in as President of the United States. In the front row sits the new president's dad and mom. Dad, noticing the senator sitting next to him, leans over and whispers, "You see that woman over there with her hand on the Bible, becoming President of the United States?”
The Senator whispers back, "You bet I do.”
Dad says proudly, "Her brother is a Army Aviator.”
Monday, May 7, 2018
Joining the United States Air Force!
As I was waiting for my friend Howard Stott to have coffee at the Lake Forest Park shopping mall early in April, I was standing in line to get my cup and a man behind me called out “Gordy.” I turned around and the man said he saw my name on my cap. (My 225th comrade Miguel Anza gave me a nifty 1st Aviation Brigade had with “Gordy” embroidered on it when we were in DC for our annual reunion a couple of years ago.)
Anyway, he introduced himself as Bruce Erdos and we got to talking. Seems Bruce is a fellow Army veteran and, if I remember correctly, managed to not go to Vietnam but served honorably in the Army nevertheless. Bruce’s dad served in Korea and then as a firefighter flying airplanes dropping water on forest fires. Bruce invited me to meet with him and six or seven USAF vets at a Denny’s near McChord Field next to Fort Lewis (now both part of Joint Base Lewis McChord).
On April 21st I drove down to McChord and had a delightful time with these Air Force vets. I’m sure most of these guys are a little older than me, but we all have a common love for airplanes and flying! It’s never too late to meet new people and share our our often shared experiences in the service to this wonderful country we call the United States!
Seattle's Museum of Flight
In March of 2017 my grandson Jacob and I visited the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. We had a great time looking at their very large collection in several galleries. Jake might be a budding photographer because he spent lots of time taking pictures inside the Great Gallery and new Aviation Pavilion. There is a replica of the Wright Flyer, examples of restored early Boeing aircraft including the Model 80-A Tri-motor and replica of the Boeing B&W, even a Lockheed M-21 Blackbird with a D-21B Drone. In the Aviation Pavilion the original 747 prototype (named the City of Everett), VC-137B used as Air Force One when the President was aboard, a British Airways Concorde, a B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-29 Superfortress , and a WB-47E Stratojet, plus several jetliners, are all available to walk around. Some the aircraft are open to walk through, also.
Seattle is one of the birthplaces of commercial aviation in United States, and in the suburban cities of Renton and Everett still manufactures every 737 and 747 that is flying. We were at the museum several hours and still didn’t see everything because it holds one of the largest air and space collections in the US.
Jake and I had a wonderful time and plan on visiting again! If you are ever in Seattle, it is well worth the time to visit this amazing museum.
(Pictured above is Jake taking pictures of two of the great aircraft on display at the Museum of Flight at BFI in Seattle.)
Returning to Seattle Children's Hospital
Today I had the privilege of attending a retirement celebration for a former colleague at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Barb Michieli, a retired US Army major in the Medical Service Corps, celebrated her last day after 16 years as Children’s Radiation and Laser Safety Officer with a reception attended by colleagues, friends and former employees.
I first met Barb when I was recruited to be on the Children’s Emergency Response Team (CERT) in 2002 after the September 11th attacks. We both served several years on the CERT Team, participating in trainings and drills.
I had not been back to Seattle Children’s since my retirement 2 years ago and it was wonderful seeing so many of my former coworkers! Happy retirement Barb!
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