Awkward Family Photos

This is from an article on Yahoo News sent to me by a friend this morning and it is titled Awkward Family Photos.

 See the full article HERE

Thank you Atlantis!

Today, we said goodbye to an achievement beyond comparison, a machine so far ahead of it’s time when it first arrived, and a vehicle that to this day, inspires awe in all who see it.

We draw the final curtain on a conveyance that carried more than 355 people from 16 nations from our planet into the great unknown, and all but twice returned them safely back home.

We say goodbye to the Space Shuttle programme, as Atlantis landed safely for the final time, after one final orbit around our small, blue planet.

“The Future doesn’t belong to the faint-hearted, it belongs to the brave.” - President Ronald Reagan

Buy some nifty greeting cards like the one above by clicking HERE

July 2011 Newsletter

Here is my July 2011 personal newsletter for your perusal! Click HERE to read it!

Happy birthday Madiba!

Have you ever met a leader who is truly inspirational? Someone who can light a fire under people and spark them to action?

Today is Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday. It is also recognized by the United Nations as Mandela Day: a global call to volunteer for good causes for 67 minutes—representing each year of Mandela’s life in active politics. This day honors an iconic figure that stands for freedom, equality and human dignity, and charity.

On top of everything else, Nelson Mandela sees the benefit Mercy Ships brings to the forgotten poor in Africa.

“I was happy to learn about an extraordinary group of people from around the world who exemplify a unique expression of compassion and service to humankind. These people set an unusual standard. Unlike the norm, they pay to work. Sponsored by others they leave home to serve the extreme poor in Africa and around the world.” - Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

So, I urge you to go out today and do something nice for someone today and pay mercy forward!

Tag-Team Mercy

Lambodi is a farmer in West Africa. When his pastor asked him to escort a young burn victim to our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, he quickly agreed. He made the 370-mile journey and planned to stay with the little girl through the treatment. But when a violent storm hit their village, he needed to return home. But what was he going to do? Spare a minute, click on play below and listen to this message of mercy.

Satchita

I am proud to share this original Song Around the World, that takes you on a musical journey from Brazil to India. Get ready to smile, dance, and feel the love of the world uniting through the power of music.

Satchita is featured on Playing for Change's new CD/DVD, PFC 2. Please share this video with everyone you know, and together we will change the world one song and one heart at a time!!

If you cannot see the video below, watch it HERE!

American Cultural Observation 501: Wings over Tyler Airshow

It is the 4th of July weekend and I was fortunate enough to hang with some friends and attend Tyler's first airshow. It was fun, HOT, but fun, even with weather in the triple digits. According to local media over 20,000 people Tylerites were in attendance.

For me the most exciting part were the Pearl Harbor re-enactment, TORA TORA TORA. It is a re-creation of the December 7th 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. It involved six Japanese fighters and bombers simulating the Pearl Harbor attack. In addition, TORA provides breathtaking smoke, fire and explosions from the pyrotechnics team. 

There sure were some hooting and hollering from the crowd when a lone American Curtiss P40 started chasing them off!

Also quite intriguing was a Twin Beech 18 flown by Matt Younkin. The Beech 18 Matt performs (serial number 4383) in was built in 1943 by the Beechcraft Corporation at Wichita, KS.

A big pressence at the air show was the CAF or the Commemorative Air Force. Collecting aircraft for nearly a half a century, the CAF now ranks as one of the largest (and private) air forces in the world. Today the CAF has approximately 9,000 members and a fleet of almost 160 airplanes representing more than 60 different types—including planes from several foreign countries and other military conflicts since World War II.

Some of the other planes flying were the CAF's B-25 named the Devil Dog.  The Devil Dog represents a PBJ, the Marine Corps version of a B-25.

The MIG-17F, made famous by the Vietnam War, the MiG-17F wa s the primary enemy aircraft engaged in the skies over Vietnam by U.S. planes. During that war and up until the F-16 entered service, it was the tightest-turning fighter in the world.When production started in the 1950s, its VK-1F engine made it one of the first production jet fighters in the world with an afterburner.

A BD-5 Microjet, which is a high performance, aerobatic, single seat, low-wing, all metal, jet-powered aircraft built from an amateur homebuilder kit. The design was originally developed in the 1970's by Jim Bede of Bede Aircraft, Inc. and designated as the BD-5. It was dubbed "The World's Smallest Jet" and quickly earned a reputation as James Bond's jet when it was featured in the movie "Octopussy." Through the years, a few airshow teams have captivated fans all over the world but today, very few flying BD-5's still exist.

Another favorite was some Smoke-Ring Aerobatics by Herb & Ditto (yep, the plane is named Ditto). Ditto, a former NAVY aircraft carrier trainer debuted in the air show business in 1998 after Herb and his crew completed a detailed 4-year restoration that won the Best T-28 Award at Oshkosh in 1996. Taking a “basket case” T-28 and making her better than new was the challenge Herb and his crew took on to make her one of the five best T-28 restorations in the country. That challenge included disassembling every nut and bolt, cleaning, inspecting, repairing and overhauling every component, fabricating and installing completely new wiring and electronics harness, new hydraulic lines, incorporating modern solid-state electronics and other improvements; all the while keeping the original look! The custom wing-tip smoke system that Herb designed and installed in 2004 to enhance his performance has created much more fan excitement than he ever anticipated.

All in all, even though sunburned... there were some jet fuel pumping through my veins and I LOVED it!

Some more photos I took on the day...



Japanese Zero





B-25




F-16's (I think)




C-130





Mig 17F





Remember the good old time when people used cameras...



Sources: facts and photo varied