Gotcha Day

It was 12 years ago today that Kristina and I were in Nanchang, China in quest for a baby girl. Our search ended when Kristina was handed a beautiful baby girl named Hong Xian Dong.  Kris, suddenly, became a very happy mother, and I a very proud grandfather! 

Khartoum

The Technical School photo posted July 12 of the neat group of enlisted men induced me to post this photo of eleven raunchy (officer and gentleman) pilots for comparison. It was taken while I was stationed at Khartoum in 1944.

I recently made a search on the Internet, trying to see what info I could find relating to the air base at Khartoum (Central Africa Division of the Air Transport Command) during WWII. There was practically no mention of it. Maybe it was because, in the scheme of things, it was too small to mention.. It was the home base for 24 of us pilots. There was seldom more than 6 or 7 of us there at any one time. The base was operated similar to a Wells Fargo stage line of the old West; a stop for fuel and crew change, moving passengers and cargo back and forth between the United States and China.

I’m glad that I have written and kept a few stories about the Khartoum air base. I don’t think any will ever be found in history books. By-the-way: In the photo, I am 3rd from the right, back row.

68 Years Ago on this Date

     I pulled out an old 5 year diary, given to me as a highschool graduation present. I noticed that on July 13, 1942 I had made an entry that related a little bit to the photo posted yesterday.
     After graduation from Armament School, I was sent to Craig Field, Alabama. There, besides being an aircraft armorer, I was also rated as first class air mechanic and squadron crew chief.
     The diary entry reads: “I have all my planes ready to go to Eglin Field, Florida tomorrow, for gunnery practice. I will go see Lomie tonight to tell her that I will be gone for the next three weeks.”

Mystery Photo

I do not recall ever seeing this photo before or remember it being taken. It is of me and my graduating class from Aircraft Armament School at Lowry Field, Colorado. I am 5th from the right in middle row. I received the photo yesterday by email from my brother-in-law, who had received it from one of my nephews. How my nephew happened to have it is a mystery that I am trying to unravel.

It brings back a lot of pleasant memories from the earliest days of my military service. The Technical School started off my Air Force career in good fashion. I had graduated top of the class. Far different from my C-average high school grades. I muddled through high school with indifference. However, anything relating to airplanes aroused my interest. I wanted to learn!

Lomie's Birthday

Today is Lomie’s 89th birthday. She prefers a watermelon on her birthday instead of a birthday cake. The photo shows her taking her first bite from this year’s birthday melon, but you can bet your bottom dollar that it will be all gone before the day is over. I don’t know who looks the sweetest; her or the melon..... I think I will take a bite of each.

Gone Again

Smokey has wandered off again.  He wasn't here all day yesterday and I haven't seen him today.  When I saw him Wednesday, I couldn't see that he had been harmed or misstreated in anyway, but he was very thin.  I know I shouldn't worry about him going hungry; he knows where to come when he is.  However, he sure isn't the fat old tom-cat that he was a month ago.

Home Again

Smokey, my old tom-cat, appeared again today for the first time in over a month. He was skin and bones, but otherwise seemed to be in good condition. He ate like he was starved to death, then laid down and let me give him a good combing. He has now had his second helping of food and seems to be contented sleeping at our front entrance. I still can’t help but wonder where he spends his time when he wanders off for extended periods of time. He certainly wasn’t fed well while he was away.

Writer's Block

I used to think clearly and type about 60 words per minute. Now I type a few words and then have to go back to correct a lot of the typos. That’s not all bad; I use it as an excuse for not having to admit that I have writer’s block. Instead, I pass it off as my new writing style, saying the pauses give me time to think about what to write next..

13th Birthday

Today is Adrian’s 13th birthday. She has been performing in the Hall of Fame Nationals (dance competition) at St. Charles, IL all week. She should be on the way home as I write this.

When I first held her in my arms, 12 years ago, in China. I really didn’t expect I would live long enough to see her grow up to be such a beautiful and talented teenager.