Happy Rainy Day

Happy Rainy Day in N. Va.....after a lovely Memorial Weekend. A trip to Arlington to see my folks and friends and to take pictures left me full of memories of them all, and good times spent in days of yore. Took pictures of some interesting graves and the general view of this our special place for honoring those who have served. I lucked out with a three hitch in the mid-60s sent to defend the beer and wurst of Germany while others of my generation gave so much more. It is sobering to remember them. The son of an Air Force Colonel who disliked our war in 'Nam intensely but like him, honoring those who did go and did their countries bidding. So mindful now of the sacrifice called for in our troops now and the horrible injuries resulting in the unique combat environment now. We must all, no matter what our views on the war (and those leaders responsible for starting it all), we have to be ready and willing to care for our sons and daughters who are serving today. My nephew Jeff is in second week of Ranger Basic at Benning. My Hat off to JEFF. MOST of us have not been called on to sacrifice for this duo war and we have barely begun to pay the costs.
Long after I am gone the troops will be needing VA help!

This weekend also gave me great joy in seeing the tremendous accomplishments of our astronauts in saving and renewing HUBBLE. Amazing effort...truly a landmark in the long process of the species to mold and manipulate our environment. What they did is unprecedented and will keep our eye on the bigger prize ....fuller appreciation and awareness of our small part in the vastness of the universe. These guys give us NEW EYES to see....back back in time....almost 14 BILLION YEARS. Son of Hubble coming soon....can't wait for James Webb Telescope. Our horizons are broadening so immensely, it is hard to contemplate. For those interested...do google NASA and hit on HUBBLE pics. The Eagle Nebulae is my favorite so far.
Oh those immense gaseous finger formations seen by us through Hubble from 42 Quadrillion miles away! Now our astronauts have seen to it that that will be a minor accomplishment!
The image of the ape in "2001 Space Odyssey" slamming down the femur on a pig skull and now we use a Hubble TOOL...remarkable string of human endeavor going back to fire, tools, seeds,
lever, and Galileo...geeze 400 years ago that Italian gave us proof of our MINOR place in the cosmos. Hmmmm...fun to contemplate his joy if alive today!