A Joke

My new favorite cartoon.

Noah is in the background with his ark and all of the animals, boarding two-by-two.
Male and female dinosaurs are in the foreground. One dinosaur says to the other,

"Shoot! Was that today?"

hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah

Hong Kong Outing

Today was my day to explore Hong Kong. It didn't start out that way, but by the time I got off the bus at Jardine House (the place will all the circles) tracked down a bathroom, got lost, located the Star Ferry Pier, got something to drink, crossed on the ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui, discovered the really, really, really fancy* mall, found a bathroom, got back on the ferry, bought something to eat, purchased a People magazine, and then hiked, climbed, crossed and walked** to Exchange Square, indeed it became an excursion. I managed to locate the No. 6 bus to Stanley, a beach town and tourist attraction with swimming beaches, scores of shops and the internationally famous, world renowned Hong Kong Maritime Museum. I felt right at home when I saw that Keesal, Young & Logan was a donor (that's us, six down, two from the right) and Chrystal Sponsor. I also stumbled upon statues of Scott and Terry, evidently before one of their boat trips.

It's the last day of my vacation. Tonight I start the journey back to KAF. So bummed.

*expensive
**Hong Kong has these really cool skyways on the major streets so that you can walk and cross in safety. It's great for pedestrians and traffic; the street-side shop and restaurant propietors probably don't like them so much.

Ramp Ceremonies

When a service member from KAF dies, the military conducts a “Ramp Ceremony” to repatriate the body. In the first 72 hours I was here I attended two Ramp Ceremonies. Although it’s not necessary for all of us to be present every time, we do want someone from the USO to show our support at every Ramp Ceremony.

The observance takes place as soon as a flight is available. Since the goal is to have the service member’s remains heading home within 24 hours, the Ceremony can occur any time of the day or night. When the service member dies, the flags are lowered to half-staff; they stay that way until the plane leaves with the remains.

The Ceremony, which takes 15-20 minutes, begins as the C-17 arrives. Immediately the engines stop, cargo from the plane is emptied and the interior swept out. At the Ceremonies I attended the remains arrived on MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected [armored] vehicles) and were escorted to the back of a C-17 through a corridor of troops, with a color guard, pallbearers and an honor guard. The chaplain says a few words and a prayer, bagpipes play Amazing Grace, the Marine Hymn (or something similar) and a bugle honors with Taps.

Although the first two Ceremonies I attended were for Americans, there were several hundred ISAF troops attending in formation. The USO representatives stand at the back of the officers and VIPs.

Of course I cried during this somber and moving Ceremony. Although my wish is that there would never be another, I’m sure we’ll have many more Ramp Ceremonies to attend. I always will weep.

29 April, 0230: Thomas E. Rivers, Jr., US Marine, age 22
30 April, 1030: Salvadore S. Corma; US Army, age 24
3 May, early PM: Mark W. Coleman, US Army, age
5 May, early AM: Douglas Craig Blake, Canadian Navy, age 37
5 May, 1730: Brandon A. Barrett, US Marine, age 27
6 May, 1750: Wade A. Slack, US Army, age 21,
7 May, 0400: Richard R. Penny, US Marine, age 21
7 May, 1230: Christopher Rangel, US Marine, age 22
8 May, 2020: Joshua Davis, US Marine, age 19
11 May, 0000: Kurt S. Shea, US Marine, age 21
12 May, 1520: Jeffrey W. Johnson, US Marine, age 21
12 May, 1520: Kenneth B. May, Jr., US Marine, age 26
13 May, 0415: Joshua D. Desforges, US Marine, age 23
13 May, 0415: Donald J. Lamar II, US Marine, age 23
14 May, 0700: Valerica Sandu Leu, Romanian Army, age 31
14 May, 1035: Kevin McKay, Canadian Army, age 24
16 May, 2315: Nicholas D. Paradarodriguez, US Marine, age 29
17 May, 2320: Zarian Wood, US Marine, age 29
18 May, 1715: Adam Perkins, US Marine, age 27
18 May, 1715: Billy G. Anderson, US Army, age 20
19 May, 0745: Patrick Xavier, Jr., US Marine, age 24
19 May, 1445: Philip P. Clark, US Marine, age 19
19 May, 1445: Shane S. Barnard, US Army, age 38
20 May, 0930: Geoff Parker, Canadian Army, age 42
23 May: None: Jason Fingar, US Army, age 24 (no RC by order of FP)
26 May: 0700: Larry John Zuidema Rudd, Canadian Army, age 26
28 May: 1100: Jacob C. Leight, US Marine, age 24
30 May: ????: Jake W. Suter, US Marine, age 18
31 May: 0410: Anthony A. Dilisio, US Marine, age 20
2 June: 0525: Jonathan K. Peney, US Army Ranger, age 22
5 June: 0005: Joseph J. Thienert, US Army, age 24
7 June: 1320: Brandon C. Bury, US Marine (NH), age 26
7 June: 1320: Derek Hernandez, US Marine (NH), age 20
7 June: 1320: Donald M. Marler, US Marine (NH), age 22
7 June: 1320: Michael E. McGahan, US Army, age 23
8 June: 0215: Martin Goudreault, Canadian Army, age 35
8 June: 0800: Brendan P. Neenan, US Army, age 21
8 June: 0800: John K. Rankel, US Marine, age 23
9 June: 1630: Zachary J. Walters, US Marine, age 24
9 June: 1630: Derek L. Shanfield, US Marine, age 22
10 June: 2015: Michael P. Flores, US Air Force, age 31(closed)
10 June: 2015: Joel C. Gentz, US Air Force, age 25(closed)
10 June: 2015: David C. Smith, US Air Force, age 26(closed)
10 June: 2015: Benjamin D. White, US Air Force, age 24(closed)
10 June: 2015: Michael G. Plank, US Marine, age 25
11 June: 1435: Gavin R. Brummund, US Marine, age 22
12 June: 2030: Robert Fike, US Army National Guard, age 38
12 June: 2030: Bryan Hoover, US Army National Guard, age 29
12 June: 2030: Christian M. Adams, US Army, (NH/S) age 26
17 June: 0035: Jeffrey R. Standfest, US Marine, age 23
17 June: 0940: Michael C. Bailey, US Marine, age 29
FLAGS WERE DOWN WHEN I LEFT KAF AT 1700 ON 18 JUNE.

BACK ON 16 JULY 2010. MISSED RAMP CEREMONIES FOR 26 US SERVICE PEOPLE WHILE AWAY.

4 August 2010. I haven't listed Ramp Ceremonies since I've been back from PTO. Deaths of American and NATO troops in Afghanistan have risen dramatically and there is at least one RC every day. Sometimes we show up for the RC but are not able to attend because Force Protection does not want too many people on the tarmac. For the horrific list of updated casualties check out http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx.

KYL HK

Since I had to fly from Xi'an to Beijing to catch my flight to Hong Kong (see previous post), the wake-up call for my last day in China was at 0500. Yeah, that 0500. The cab driver took a route to the airport that I had not previously travelled, where we passed through neighborhoods that were not officially authorized to be seen by foreign visitors.

I was upgraded to Business Class on the flight from Beijing to Hong Kong which I thought was a stroke of good luck until I realized I was sitting in a row with a woman wearing a head scarf and her three sons, ages (I'm guessing) 11, 9 and 4. The boys were running all over the plane, standing, squirming, complaining and screaming the entire flight. Obviously the lady didn't realize there were other passengers on the airplane. It wasn't so bad that I didn't enjoy the extra leg room, wider seat, better meal and more solicitous service. I was also surprised to find that a trip that takes 3.5 hours in Economy Class takes only 2.25 hours in Business Class. I don't know how they do that, but it's true.

Jon Zinke, our partner in Hong Kong, had arranged for a car and driver to greet me at the airport. He took me to Jon and Ellen's flat, where I made myself comfortable in the gorgeous surroundings with spectacular view until Jon and Ellen arrived home from work.

Hong Kong is one hoppin' city. It's beautiful, clean, organized, has great public transportation, lots and lots of brand new high rise office and residential buildings, very little corruption, wonderful shopping and almost everyone speaks English. I visited the office where Betty showed me the new 40th anniversary KY&L watches. Alas, I wasn't there ten minutes before they put me to work.

The last evening Jon, Ellen, Betty, her husband, Kinmon(sp?) and I had drinks, watched the nightly light show and ate an amazing dinner at the Royal Yacht Club.

Jon and Ellen are spectacular and gracious hosts who have showered me with gifts and are treating me like visiting royalty. They are fun, kind and generous . . . and they have indoor plumbing!

Army of Clay

It’s difficult to believe that the Terracotta Warriors were just discovered in 1974. They have definitely earned their place as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Sunday in the Park

Before heading to the Terracotta Warriors we stopped in the park to join the local citizens dancing, exercising, walking their birds, congregating, knitting, playing, singing, strumming, strolling and having a lovely day hanging out, communing with nature and interacting with their friends and members of their community.

Xi'an

After catching a flight from Beijing to Xi'an we stopped at the Shaanxi History Museum. That evening we had an “American Style” dinner (no lazy Susan) and watched a professional music and dance performance before heading to bed, exhausted.

The Other Kotel

The Great Wall . . .was. The weather was cool, so hiking up a gate or two was not a problem, although it reminded me how much my body and I miss Signal Hill. The best part was that I became a legend following a deal I made with an adorable salesman for a pair of jade earrings (the "Shoppers' Hero").

After visiting the wall we headed through drizzle to the Main Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs and stopped in the pouring rain to take pictures of the Birds’ Nest, the 2008 Olympic Stadium. (Brandon took pictures with my camera; I stayed dry and warm in the bus.)

The Kids are Alright

Chinese kids love to have their picture taken. The parents are always cooperative and everyone thanks me profusely after I’ve taken the photograph. (I know the boy with the noodles is a repeat, but I just love that picture.) For your information, they think we all look alike.