Sam’s Corner / Remembering
A Day of Remembrance by LT Samantha Davies, USAF
I was in 6th grade. My teachers kept trying to compare what had happened to the Oklahoma City bombing, which I was too young to remember. Classmates kept getting pulled out of class and all I could think of was when is my mom going to leave. When school finally ended that day, I walked out and my mom ran up to me and gave me a big hug. At the time I thought nothing of it. She explained to me what had happened that day and she was waiting to hear when she would be tasked.
I went back to school the next day, unlike a quarter of my classmates. As I was sitting in home room a friend came up to me and said, “I saw your mom run up and hug you yesterday. I just wanted to let you know how lucky you are and how I wish my mom would do that.” It took me a minute to fully comprehend what she had just said and I had no response for her. A few years later, that same girl came up to me in the middle of the school’s 9-11 ceremony and told me that my mom’s display of love and my not caring that she was hugging me at school was her memory of 9-11.
Every year on this day I remember that conversation. I am so appreciative of the family I was raised in and that we have no fear of showing our love for each other. Today we need to lose that fear and hug those we care about a little tighter.
The way we triumph over evil is through love and showing that love. I urge you all to go out and ensure those you care about know they are important to you. I also urge you to make someone you don’t know have a little better day, even if it’s just a smile or “Have a good day”.
(Sam’s mother retired as a Major from the United States Air Force. She was the EEO Officer for 512th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, DE at the time of her retirement. The retired Major is presently a Doctor of Nursing Practice working in the Health Care industry.)
Thank you both for your service.
http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks
The Flying Nun – Blogging 101 #5
I spent the first 18 years of my life in this King of States.
Two future Themes for my page I may incorporate are:
1- dandelion
2 – revolution
This post exists entirely as part of an online class, Blogging 101. If you wandered here by accident give WordPress a look see and join the crowd. God Bless you all, and God Bless America.
Blogging 101, Day 4 / A Father travels, and his Daughter reflects, Each a One Percenter
Where in the World?
As we read this account of Jeff’s whereabouts, he is either in flight towards the west coast of Africa and specifically the country of Nigeria, or he’s already there. This being a four-post stop, it will be a lengthy one. At least the beer will be flowing in Frankfurt when he gets there. Jeff will make stops in Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria.
Check out the State Departments Web Sites for info on our role in Nigeria, Frankfurt and Moscow, his stops along the way.
http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/ni/
http://frankfurt.usconsulate.go
Did you know that Nigeria was Africa’s most populous Country? Do you know how many countries there are in Africa? Check it out @: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African_countries_by_population
Sam’s Corner
A Toast – To a fallen graduate
It is a sad and beautiful thing to watch news pass between graduates in sync or even before the news. In a world where we are all connected and yet apart, it gives us a space to grieve with others in a unique way. People take shots and post the pictures of empty glasses and the rest of us understand.
This week, August 25, 2015, a 2010 graduate from my school was killed in a Green on Blue attack in Afghanistan. Just typing that is shocking to myself. When you go to a military school or when you even just join the military, they always talk about the “ultimate sacrifice” but it always feels more like a myth for some of us than a reality. And it is true, we have far less deaths in war now than in past wars, and in the Air Force in particular we tend to be less directly in harm’s way than our Army/Marine brothers but it does not make it any less real when it does happen.
Too often I have seen my Facebook page littered with the status updates “a toast” – a way to honor the fallen. Whether it is from a training accident, a suicide, or combat, it is always shocking and saddening to me. I believe the last name placed on the USAFA Graduate Memorial Wall – a wall that contains names of all graduates killed as a result of hostile action during a state of military conflict – was Capt David Lyon, Class of ’08, killed near Kabul, Afghanistan by an IED in December 2013. I know our fellow West Point graduates have far more recent names than us.
I have yet to have anyone close to me pass in these manners but these names are not lost on me either. These are men and women I went to school with, a relatively small school, where even if you didn’t know someone, you probably knew of them – especially in the classes directly above and below you. I didn’t know Matthew, but I know many people who did. I feel for him and his family right now, as does everyone in the Long Blue Line.
One of the most memorable formations at the Academy was the one we had every year for the graduates that have passed that year. The next time they have this formation, among the names of the graduates dating all the way back to our first graduating class who have passed, they will call for Capt Matthew Roland. And they will respond “Absent, Sir.” I can only hope that each cadet will dwell just a second longer on that name, and what that means for each of them as they graduate.
I’m not sure why I felt compelled to write this. In a way, I feel like I can humanize this for others. People may see articles “2 Killed in Afghanistan” and skim them, pass over them, or not really be affected by them. Maybe they will read this instead and pause for a moment instead and think of my fellow classmate.
LT Samantha Berthiaume – Davies is a 2012 graduate of the USAFA on active duty and a 01%’ER. She is also our traveler in Nigeria’s daughter and my granddaughter. – There is a good article over on Blogspot, my old home I might add. The Blog is by Sgt. Eric Williams, a Military blogger. Check out the following if interested. http://theonepercenters.blogspot.com/
Day 3, Blogging by the river
This is my desk for writing today. I share this space with a cat that comes out and terrorizes me from time to time.
Where in the world?
I’m guessing El Jefe, that would be Jeff for those that don’t try to inject Spanish, is in Frankfort Germany on a Lay-Over in route to Nigeria. He’ll pop back to Frankfort for a short stop on his way to Moscow later this month. Now I’m only guessing this and I could never for the life of me feel this way but: Does this short maintenance thing actually smell like Leveraging a couple of days in a Biergarten for Oktoberfest? I’ve been this mans father in-law for 26 years and trust me when I say, “He is a Leverager.” Have one for me buddy.
Yesterday I get a text from Jeff, he’s at IAD. He sends me a picture of someone I’ve known since 1971. There, but for the Grace of God and Facebook did they meet. The person he met is Jim Dick who grew up right around the corner from our old home in Connecticut. Jim, like Jeff also works for the government and travels around the world frequently like Jeff. Jim recognized Jeff from Facebook and introduced himself. Just recently I mentioned to Jim that sometimes their paths must cross. It’s a small world. Jim is on his way to Poland and then back to Octoberfest. Now he claims he does not schedule the meetings, Obviously he took Leveraging lessons from Jeff.
photo by: chrisandlindsey.wordpress.com
I’m thinking Jeff should start an online company, he could call it Leveragingtrips.com, I just bet he’d make a buck or two.
The First day of School
This is my grandson Thomas , who I got the privilege of driving to school yesterday. Tommy is a Junior at ‘The Salisbury School.”
LtoR – Patrick, Peter, Mark, and Tommy Palmer. Uncle Mike and Aunt Debbie Wessels with the hats. A great, before it’s Back to School Event at Green Hill CC.
This, That and Other Things.
A wise man once said: “Stop following your dreams. You’ll never catch up. Instead, write what you know and you might find that you and your dreams end up in the same place anyway.” (Mitch Hedberg)
What is really deja vous about that quote is that my wife, Mary Agnes, has been saying that to me for ever. Perhaps I better listen.
If it Shouts interest, Take a Peek
http://comedywire.com/profile/Pappiness
I’ll close today’s post from ‘The Rooster” with this:
Blogging 101, Day Two: Take Control of Your Title and Tagline Inbox
Good morning everyone from the Eastern Shore. Once again I’m at my daughters working on day two of Blogging 101. I’m out on her balcony which overlooks the Port of Salisbury, MD. If you have to write, this is a nice place to do it.
I’m hoping these photos shows up in my blog this time. the two images I inserted at the end of yesterday’s blog missed the boat somehow.
Yesterday I was having an issue understanding tags, I’m feeling I kind of got it now.
My Blog, “As the Rooster Crows,” got it’s name due to the fact We’ve had a backyard flock of chickens for over 15 years. Since 2008 I’ve blogged on Blogspot at http:\\thefidd.blogspot.com. Please feel free to travel there and see a little of this that and other things. That blog is titled “As the Rooster Crows in Eden” Eden is actually a Zip Code, 21822 and actually encompasses 3 counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the Delmarva Peninsula. Those counties are Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester. If you like history and like to read pick up “Chesapeake” by James Michner.
My name and IRL information. Way back in the day, late 1950’s my nickname was Fidel. For those that don’t know Fidel Castro was up in the mountains of Cuba starting a revolution against Juan Batista the leader of Cuba. Some folks started calling me elfidd and I have just kind of hung onto it. thus we have, http:\\elfidd.com and it will lead you here to this site. Just look at this history lesson your getting out there in blogging land. Thanks WordPress for the new motivation.
So I, Lee Fiddler, am “The Rooster,” elfidd.com, and your host on this blog. Our Rooster at home is “Casper,” like the friendly ghost.
Casper, ever so noble and gentle and loves his five red hens. You will know when first light appears each day as this rooster crows in my backyard.
Blogging 101, 1st Assignment
I’m currently a student in Blogging 101 at WordPress. This is my first assignment, feedback is welcomed.
My name is Lee Fiddler and I’m from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I’ve been blogging on and off since 1988. Originally I used, and still am using Google, to get my blog out. Actually I put one out yesterday at http://thefidd.blogspot.com/
I’ve been with WordPress for a few years and never really got the hang of it. My thought by coming here to Blogging U, I just may learn to do a better job. I’ve moved over to a Mac recently and I’ve been told by other bloggers that WordPress is just a better way to go. I also like the looks of a WordPress blog. I’m sure I will get the upgraded version at some point.
So here I am and Blogging U gets to teach an old dog, a new trick.
In answer to todays questions:
- Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
- What topics do you think you’ll write about?
- Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
- If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
I keep a daily journal, and on 9/11/2015 it will be one year without a miss. I currently have 79 folks on my mailing list and I announce my blog posts on FB and Twitter (Fiddelstix). I blog to communicate and share.
My general rule for posting falls under the below categories:
Around the Neighborhood, (MD, Eastern Shore, Wicomico County, Allen, Trinity & Eden)
Missives and News from Contributors around town
Where in the World? (This is about my son in-law’s travels. He works for the Dept. of State and goes everywhere and sees and experiences some neat things.)
Sam’s Corner (Davies, OK, OR & Military) (This is my granddaughter, an Air Force 1st LT, a 2012 graduate of the USAFA, with her husband, a pilot of an E-3 AWACS is stationed in OKC. They have 2 girls Mia and Anna.
We, Me and and the kids (Just a roll of the dice about my wife Mary Agnes and I and our three children. There’s a son in CT and two daughters here on the Eastern Shore of MD, sometimes referred to as the Delmarva peninsula. That’s Delaware, Maryland and Virginia for those not familiar with the geography.)
A Bit of This, That and Other Things (What ever else I choose to throw in. I try not to be political or controversial.)
Back on February 9’th 2009 there was something going on Facebook that requested you post 25 things about yourself. I just thought I’d put it out there again so the readership would know a bit about me. (With a few updated revisions)
1. 66 years ago on March 26 I was born. 72 years ago now.
2. I asked my wife to marry me on my front porch while sitting on a swing in Audubon, NJ.
3. I have three of the greatest children anyone could wish for. They are Kathryn, Sarah and Matthew.
4. My wife is the reason for the great children.
5. I was never home when the children were growing up, ask Matt.
6. 21810 was a compromise between 34101 and 04609 when I retired.
7. Three of my most honored duties were performed for J.F.K, Herbert Hoover and General MacArthur’s funerals. Performing a wedding ceremony for my granddaughter Samantha Davies and niece Lindsay Valasquez can now be added.
8. My favorite saying is Semper Fi, and clearing my throat according to my daughters.
9. My first dogs name was Lady, my last was Troop. Gotta add Maggie to that now.
10. I once had a Police Dog named Ping, at least Matt thought it was a Police Dog.
11. I am done with winter, summer at this writing.
12. My favorite vacation trip was to Key West, FL with Bobby and Barbara, and Tommy and Elva. She’s a Hoot by the way.
13. I do not like heights.
14. I love Navy Football.
15. I love the Air Force except when they compete against Navy.
16. I support The Salisbury School, Go Dragons. Must add Mississippi State University now.
17. I have eight grandchildren and a special Angel. Three Great grandchildren added now.
18. I’ve got to get my Pontoon Boat back in the water this year. It’s for sale, want a good deal., call me.
19. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Still is, plus, Aunt Barb’s Christmas Party ranks right up there also.
20. My favorite meat is Pork. To all my Muslim friends, I will not invite you that night.
21. My favorite beer is Guinness in winter, Shock Top in summer.
22. My favorite meal is breakfast out, with Mary Agnes of course.
23. My favorite daughter in-law lives in CT.
24. I secretly admire another women, her name is Belle. Gotta share that with Maggie now.
25. I am proud to be an American. Go Navy beat Army!
I close my blogs with the below signature. Thanks for reading.
As The Rooster Crows 