Boog

I just hope this does not screw up Asian port calls like that of Singapore for future Sailors and Marines. I have been to 62 countries so far and rank Singapore as number 1. And that is not for the sexy girls though they are quite nice too. I simply love the culture and how clean that city is. Food is great and cheap. The zoo, the musical fountain, botanical gardens and everything else is wonderful to see and experience. Scandals like these pop up from time to time and many so-called 'good' people go down. Such is the human condition...

The weekend is over but the memories remain, each day of the year. I rode in Rolling Thunder once more this year and find it up-lifting to be around so many others who believe in the same cause. My local buddies put on a big memorial celebration each year where we do drink lots and eat BBQ, but none of us forget why the day is set aside, for those who have gone before us to protect our Nation. Monday, I went to Quantico National cemetery to say hi to a few buddies who couldn't make it to the celebration. Seeing the flags set up at thousands of headstone cause me to break down every time. I am grateful to be an American and will never for get their sacrifice.

I flew into Vegas and rolled out promptly to the middle of the state. Got back in time to watch a hockey game, drink a few beers and fly out early the next morning. Beautiful weather, best I have ever seen there that time of year. I'll be back next May as we have a scheduled event every year there. Maybe next time I will take some leave for some relaxation. I think my team is going to fly into Reno next time though as it is about the same distance and much easier to negotiate the airport there. @shepp I am sure it was as I do not think the hole was there last year at all. This old bird has been sitting in the desert as long as it flew I think...

i thought a death pool was to bet on who is next, not just a tally of who has gone. I think either Bret Michaels (heart problems/stroke) or Michael J Fox (Parkinson's) are coming up on the list. I think Michael will go first. Not wishing for it mind you, just a pool...

@planeflyer21 sent me here...

So, I was casually walking through the desert last week on a work trip when I found this Huey sitting patiently and collecting dust. It is missing almost everything that makes it a helicopter except its fuselage. What it is not missing is a finger sized hole in the right seat pilot's field of view. My best guess is a 308 sized round passed through here; could be bigger I suppose. I found the exit hole in the back of the cabin and it makes me think 308 still. Looks like the shot came from a level shooter.

@shepp exactly. Good quotes and good men who made them.

Being a sailor myself, we make fun of the Marines on a wholesale basis; except in a firefight. Then more power to them! I am sure that the Marines in Iraq have plenty of ammo this time. I have a few friends north of there and know they have plenty of ammo, but not enough hard hitters to fix that issue. Not even sure it could be called a band-aid. I wished more leaders had their priorities aligned with my own...

I love to hear success stories, there are too many of the other kind out there. @Robocop1051, I was between 175-180 for the four years I was a Rescue Swimmer instructor in my mid 20s. I ate between 11,000 and 13,000 calories a day back then but all we did in those days was swim, run and calisthenics... Oh to be in that shape again. At this point I hope I can at least get down to 200 pounds by the end of the year. My gastro told me I needed to eat 6 ounces of beef 4-5 times a week. He said stick to sirloin and filet. I cut those tators way back and no bananas, one of my all time favorites. But like I wrote above, apples are the number one good food for diabetes as are berries and stone fruits. Veggies have never hurt my feelings and I eat plenty of them. Thanks guys

@blue109Doesn't that just boil the blood. I saw thing like written in the article and what you're talking about in the Navy as well.

I read this awhile back and saw it pop up in social media again today. I think it is worth a read if you have a few minutes without interruption. Read it, let it soak in. The author makes several points that need to be considered right now in our history. http://havokjournal.com/culture/recon-marine-wasting-warrior-culture/

The number one good food for diabetics is an apple. Red delicious and granny Smith are the highest in anti-oxidants but any will do due to their fiber and the type of sugar they give us; I eat 1-2 a day. I also eat at least one cup full of berries, Black, Blue or Straw... The gastro doc said I need at least two helpings of fish a week; not to waste my money on fish oil pills, just eat the darn fish. I eat lots of veggies usually with either guacamole or humus. I eat lots of nuts and a table spoon of peanut butter 4-6 times a day. Basically, I eat 6 small meals a day. Lean beef and pork are a big part of this diet but I try to keep the portions down to 6-8 ounces each. I eat more chicken then any other meat. I have cut most bread out of my diet as well as rice. But to be honest, when one lives with a Filipino, that is harder than trying to breath water. I cut way back on my soda pop but will still have a Dr. Pepper once in a great while. I drink a beer or two but stay away from the girl beers. I mainly drink stouts, porters and ales that live in 7% alcohol range and above. (Okay, that doesn't help the situation at all but in an effort to fully disclose, I had to divulge it). A nice rum or a Scotch will sneak its way into my belly once in awhile too. Cutting out the bread, rice and soda and going to 6 meals a day helped more than I thought it would. The numbers don't lie; I have lost close to 25 pounds this way.

6.3 is a great number! Why? Because it is below 7. And why is that important? Because if one's blood sugar (A1C) is 7 or above, one is diabetic. My A1C is now 6.3. Back in Jan of 2015, I got sick, bad sick and they discovered by the end of the month that I was diabetic with an A1C of 13.6. By November 2015, I had it down to 7.6 with a diet change and this January, it was down to 7.3. Now that I have the swim for veterans as my quest and have been diligently working hard, I am now below the diabetic level. I am still on meds for now but if this keeps going the way it is, I will win this battle as well. Hoo-yah life!

Hello Fleth and welcome from Virginia. I too carry the 6.8 SPC in an XM15 frame.

I will attest that having an A-10 overhead when one conducting a Combat Rescue is a comforting thing.

Hello folks, Planeflyer21 introduced me to the forum a little while ago from a motorcycle forum we frequent. Some of you have read about my quest; bringing awareness to veteran suicide prevention programs through cross-country swims. I am raising funds for The Fitch Foundation (TFF) (http://thefitchfoundation.org/) and am one of their B-Bold adaptive athletes featured on their website. On July 16th, I will conduct the first of several long distance swims beginning in the Potomac River at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant in Dumfries, VA; swimming to Tim’s II in Fairview Beach, VA. This is a 17-mile swim. It starts with a party the night before at Tim’s in Dumfries and has a pier side sleep over for boaters followed by breakfast (something he usually is not open for); and then an after-swim party at Tim’s II. If you wish to support me in this cause, you can help in several ways. Donations can go to TFF listed above and will help all veterans in their programs. They are a 501(C)(3) charity and are open to all generations of veterans regardless of disability. One could also donate directly to help me at: gofund.me/yethwjuc. In addition, I have a public Facebook page set up where I only post about my progress and that of others in the B-Bold program (no politics): https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Boog-Powell-1691044154497140/. Please check it out, hit like and invite all your friends to like it as well. I take all help I can get to spread the word about the high number of suicides each day. Finally, I have attached a flyer suitable for printing out and placing where it is allowed. Thank you in advance for your help.

@Magwa, great haul on your fellow. I once worked on a wild game ranch in Texas for 3 years of high school. We had turkey feeders to keep them plump and would harvest 15-20 Toms each year for our various parties. @planeflyer21, I was thinking the guy in the video was going to take the bird barehanded at first. That would be a sight.

Did he stalk that beast in this manner?

Agreed, that is why I hope to get an SS before they too are discontinued...

I saw this on the news feed today and thought you'd enjoy it too: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/05/02/five-muscle-machines-that-broke-mold/?intcmp=hpff It doesn't mention the Marauder but some of the others...

A sweet combo Wolfgang. And the added square bottle makes it a party.

Love it!, Now then, lets bring the venerable Spad back too...

A kid down the street from me has one with the Cobra blower in it. He is in a local car club and touts it at local shows. I will say it does have a certain presence that most cars does not. He has some car club logo spread across the back window, but other than that, it is a nice car. I was going to buy a Pontiac G8 GPZ but they shut down just before it was released. Now my only option is the Chevy SS, at least it has a stick shift and can be built to high heaven...

Hello Judah and welcome from Virginia

Hello Larry and welcome from Virginia