Apollo 16: Losing the Dream

I was an astronaut in the 1960’s. Our launch facility in Western Pennsylvania was incredibly busy from 1963 to April 1972. We were cutting edge at the time. Not only did we have unlimited supplies of oxygen and “space” food, we journeyed well beyond the moon to find planets that even NASA had not discovered […]

How much is that doggie in the window?

Its only spring but it already seems like the dog days are upon us. Recent stories from both the right and left have made me doggone mad. I don’t mean to dog one side or another, but truthfully both sides need to remember that there are more dog lovers in this country that vote than […]

In war, truth is the first casualty. AESCHYLUS

Like many baby boomers, I was born in the shadow of the Greatest Generation and the last good war. I am not sure how anything that caused so much destruction could remotely be considered a “good” war other than the fact that hundreds of millions of people were temporarily freed from one set of tyrants, […]

Intolerable Acts

April 19 is a day which has so much meaning to Americans for reasons both good and tragically horrible. It is a lightning rod day all the things that represent the best and worst of our country. In the dark past of our colonial beginnings, it was the day that marked the first “Shot […]

3800 of the best and brightest

Yesterday was Pennsylvania’s annual FBLA conference. The three training sessions were great! The young people who attended were very engaged and challenged me on some very good points. The subject was leadership but covered three areas that I feel from my education and experience are important to developing yourself and others. Those three things are […]

FBLA: A brighter future for America

In about two hours, I will be leading the first of three training sessions for part of a group of 3800 students in Hershey PA. We are going to focus on communications and leadership. The title: “Leading is easy… getting them to follow you is the tough part.” Needless to say, even thought I served […]

One of the greatest men I ever knew… Uncle Jack

I am a traditionalist and still believe in the idea that you respect your elders. The elders I am referring to came from a different time (in my case most were of the World War 2 generation). Jack Stuart Patrick was no exception. Like all men, he had parts of his life that he lived […]

I’m sorry, so sorry, please accept my apology

Ah, Brenda Lee. That song about being “Sorry” goes back to the days of my childhood. From her Bio: “On March 28, 1960 Brenda recorded “I’m Sorry.” The song was released on May 30, 1960. The song hit # 1 during the summer of 1960 and stayed on the Top 100 for over 6 months. […]

Field Day ~ The Legends, the Myths, the Reality

When I was on submarines we would occasionally rewrite the words to songs to fit our purposes. Submarines on patrol are notorious for being either very exciting or incredibly boring. For that reason, the Executive Officer will hold a “Field Day” where all of the crewmembers are wakened and set to the task of cleaning. […]

Waiting

“And on the third day, he arose again from the dead.” This blog is for those of us who are believers in the Judeo-Christian stories of how we came to be where we are today. For those who came looking for something else, feel free to take the day off. I’ll wish you a Happy […]