George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
Here is a reminder on why we celebrate Thanksgiving. Do so in the spirit that George Washington commended to us. Transcript of President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation from October 3, 1789. By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Read more
Thanksgiving Conversation
As Thanksgiving approaches, so too the discussions that will occur around the dinner table. The health of a loved one. Catching up on family lore—both true and mythical—and contemporary news. The latter is dangerous territory, particularly when politics enters the discussion. Better to enjoy the tender meat Read more
It’s Just What Happened
Years ago, when I was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, we would conduct force-on-force training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. It’s a vast complex in a high desert environment where training was quite realistic. We would conduct maneuvers Read more
Faux Equivalence
This week, President Biden’s Administration drew a clear equivalence between antisemitism and islamophobia. His press secretary used both terms in the same sentence in contending—properly so—that neither is acceptable. Most people can agree that neither is a good thing. However, the Read more
Trips, Thoughts, and Understanding
A Trip to the Midwest Well, next week we’re off to the Midwest plains of America. I love them. My very first trip to the land of the “big sky”—to Fort Sill, Oklahoma—was in the summer of 1973. I had just finished airborne Read more
The Desert of Desolation
I try to be an optimist. Genuinely so. But with all that is going on in the world it’s harder these days. Like many of you, I want to live in peace with my family and I hope so much for a world Read more
Writer’s Block
With all that is swirling around us these days, is it possible to have writer’s block? That’s defined as “a usually temporary psychological condition in which a writer is unable to proceed with a piece of writing.” I’m torn searching for a Read more
Deferred Maintenance
I recently had my 10-year old car worked on and it was expensive. That’s what happens when you defer maintenance on something. The bill comes in big. And this was no different. A new fuel pump, plugs, drive belts, battery, oil change, and Read more









