Family and Friends

As this weekend comes to an end, I still have a smile on my face. While it may be raining and boy, it continues to rain, I am so thrilled. I figured the weekend was going to be a blast, but little did I know it was going to be this good.

Friday, I spent the evening with my brothers from the seminary, saw several for this time since 1985. Bird Solis! Wow! I am glad that Selva and I were able to get up there in the foul weather. Selva's vehicle broke down, in the shadow of Dodger Stadium, not far from my place of employment - Broadway and 19th! AAA picked us up and after that, three hours later, we then drove north - I should have taken my vehicle, like I suggested, Selva! Great seeing Ignacio, Will, Francisco, Hipolito, Jerry, Bird, Albert and of course, Anthony.

On Saturday morning, not two hours after I got home, we premiered a brand-new sports program - "The Professionals". Lenny Melnick, Tim McLeod and Sonny Clark, joined me and the Big Dog! "The Sports Reporters" had better watch out!

Later that evening, we were visited by my wife's side of the family and we BBQ'd! We had our very own Tommy's burgers. You can buy the chili and take it home! We did and Maggie worked her magic! Thanks Jose, Lizette, Damian, Sergio, Sandra, Stephanie and Stacey for spending a great evening with us! I'll get the money back, Sergio! Playing Texas Hold 'em was lots of fun. Finished real late too.

Sunday morning, I cooked breakfast - I do so once a year and my brave seminary family comes to visit. We met early in the morning and went well into the afternoon. I love you guys! Tony, Stacey, Nate, Jorge, Peter and Crusher! We had a blast and the morning passed so quickly, that we just couldn't believe it by the time one o-clock rolled around.

I thank Maggie, Ariel and Giselle for doing all that they did. I love you guys, too!

Oh, good think the Raiders won. I didn't watch the game, but I am soooooooo happy they pulled it out.

Now, I can't wait to visit with Albert, his family and the brothers that show on January 2, at his house. Disneyland will have to wait for a while.

Thanks guys, I had a blast. I will not, soon, forget this weekend.

Veterans Day

Being a student of history, the events of those past are the ones that always come alive on a day like this. As many know, I am an avid reader and I do so only to learn about that and those that came before me - to understand why things happened and to appreciate where we are now.

Places such as Iron Bottom Bay, Bloody Nose Ridge, Mt. Suribachi, Leyte, Midway, Wake, The Marianna's Turkey Shoot, The Battle of the Java Sea, Taranto and The Slot come alive when I read about those that enlisted to take part in events that were greater then themselves.

Ships with names such as: San Francisco, Enterprise, West Virginia, Dace, Darter, Indianapolis, Hornet, Yorktown, Ranger, Mississippi, Fanshaw Bay, Gambier Bay, St. Lo, Johnston, Hoel, Hobart and many more live in my waking moments to honor those that came before me so that I could live a free and worthy life.

I read about 'em and honor them by reading about their exploits. Where they went, what they did. In some cases, where they now rest. I for one, appreciate what has been done for me and what is being done today. I hold the responsibility of knowing that it will be done for me tomorrow as well.

If you wish to know just a little more about me and what I feel on this day, I ask you to read this review that I wrote a few years past:

http://www.noriega.biz/Novels/last_stand_of_the_tin_can_sailor_09122004.htm

Those that served, showed greater love than all others, for they readily served, for it was a responsibility that they took upon themselves, made it their own and I, we, enjoy the fruits of their exploits.

On a day such as this, I revel in history, for the deeds of men named: Frank Jack Fletcher, William Halsey, Dan O'Callaghan, The Sullivan Brothers - come alive and they live again.

They live as long as we remember them. I remember 'em and I ask you to visit with them and share the memory of them. They didn't ask to do what they did, but by reading about them and remembering, their glorious lives live in the light of their accomplishments.

I did not take the opportunity to serve, but my service is in keeping the memory of their exploits alive.