The Wandering Minstrel

Light Cruiser USS Brooklyn

Posted by Minstrel on 13 Feb 2009

This is the USS Brooklyn, CL-40 with Palisades Park in the background, as she cruises along the Hudson River near New York City. My Dad was an Electricians Mate, First Class, on this vessel.

The Brooklyn departed from Norfolk for the Mediterranean on 24 October 1942. My 18 month old brother, Billy, and Mom were in Norfolk to give Dad a send-off. Mom and Billy then took the train back to California, where I was born about 9 months, or so, afterward. Dad never met me until I was 18 months old, since he and the Brooklyn were engaging the Axis in the Med. Rommel was there, Montgomery was there, Patton was there and the USS Brooklyn’s 5 and 6 inch guns were there helping the Allies to victory.

Gun Art - Rolling Thunder 1911

Posted by Minstrel on 07 Feb 2009

The major function of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is to publicize POW-MIA issues: To educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. They also act as a shield from loony left wing demonstrations that try to interfere with and discredit burials of American Military men and women.

I also admire their Smith & Wesson .45 caliber ACP Pistol . . .

Fire Hawk

Posted by Minstrel on 22 Nov 2008

This is the cockpit of a Sikorsky S-70 “Firehawk” helicopter (clickable image). This is the same airframe and powerplant as the UH-60 “Blackhawk” Army combat helicopter. Both ships are used in combat, each with very different missions.

This helicopter is owned by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It was used in fighting the recent firestorms in Southern California. In the picture below, the crew chief and pilot prepare for liftoff as the fire crews don their gear for the mission (off camera). The mission, of course, is to be a simulated one, staged for public awareness at a wildfire awareness expo held in the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula today.

I enjoyed seeing this display and meeting many of the brave men and women who face danger on a regular basis. We should all be proud of these firefighters as much as we have pride in our military.

Bless ‘em all.

Here’s to America’s Veterans

Posted by Minstrel on 11 Nov 2008

It’s been a long time since I served on active status in the USNR. In the early 1960’s, I served on a security force at the Point Mugu (California) Naval Air Station, and later as an avionics repairman and as an air crewman.

Some of those duties could be considered hazardous, but it was nothing compared to the hazards seen by those who served before me and by those who served after me. I may be a veteran, but this day is for all of them who ever served or will serve in harm’s way. Bless ‘em all, the long, the short and the tall.