In Memoriam | The Bull Speaks!

A Lost One Found

My Dear Brother, gone beyond the Veil these many years: I have found your daughter – and your grand-daughter! Your child sounds as sweet as ever she did and your grand-daughter, I’m sure, is as beautiful as her mother.

Dan, Bull, and baby Jake. May 1995.

Another Yule is fast approaching and you know that there is but a hole where there should be a ‘Daddy’ and a ‘Grandpa’. Those are shoes I can not fill, Brother. But I can make certain that there is always an ‘Uncle’ and a ‘Great Uncle’.

Dan, this I promise: They will not be lost – or alone – again!

Rest quietly from your trials now. I will watch for you.

Your Loving Brother,

Bull

George Carlin 1937-2008

The Entertainment World, and fans of irreverent humor, mourn the loss today of one of the greatest of all time…

You will be missed George.

Bull, out.

One of the Best of Men: Charlton Heston

We have lost one of the best actors of our, or any other time. We have lost one of the last voices of Truth in this Nation. And, we have lost one of the finest voices for the protection of our Constitution we have ever known.

Charlton Heston

1924 – 2008
Rest in Peace

The Bull is saddened beyond belief at this news. We wish Peace and comfort to the family of this great man.

Bull, out.

Rest now, my sister.

I have the sad duty to announce the passing of my beloved sister, Lynda. She passed through the Veil yesterday afternoon at approximately 1700 Central Time at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, WI.

Of the five children of my father, Lynda was the eldest. Hers was a Life always lived with a smile. Never once in my near 46 years did I see my sister angry with anyone, nor did I ever catch her saying anything harsh. Seemed she lived by that old rule that if you can’t say something good about someone, the say nothing at all. Many of my earliest and fondest memories are of my older sisters, especially Lynda.

She is survived by her husband Ron, her son Chad, grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Rest, and be at Peace, my Sister.

Bull, out.

Buck, the Loyal.

There are some pains in Life that can not be avoided. The passing of a devoted, loyal, and loving pet is one of those Life-pains.

So it is here in The Pasture that we mourn the passing of a beloved and most loyal dog, Buck at 2215 on Wednesday, 30 Jan 2008. He was a sickly abandoned Lab puppy when Lady Beth first saw him some 13+ years ago. Covered in fleas and anemic from the hundreds of ticks bites on his tiny body there was some concern that he would not survive. Yet survive he did. Moreover, Buck thrived!

The Bull did not meet Buck until late in the dog’s life, some four plus years ago. Right away I knew there was something special about him. He seemed to always know when someone needed a little love, especially Lady Beth. She credits him with saving her sanity, (if not her life), when she endured the traumatic break up of her first marriage some years back. Her first ‘dog of her own’, she was 18 when Buck made his entrance into her heart. Here is what Lady Beth had to say on her MySpace page…

For those of you who know me, you know how big a part of my life Buck was.

Tony found him one night while he was delivering pizzas. We were only 18 years old, and he was a tiny, scared, flea covered puppy.

He has been with us through everything life threw at us for the past 13 years. He used to snuggle next to me under the covers in our first house, when we didn’t have any heat. He always came when you called him (well, eventually). He got lost once, but we found him. He could bark at perfectly timed 2 second intervals indefinitely. He never smelled bad, never had fleas and never had accidents in the house. He hated thunderstorms and fireworks, but would be OK if he could snuggle with someone. He loved his collar, car rides, couches, pizza and us.

He was the best dog ever and we will all miss him.

Buck was indeed the finest dog I ever met – and I’ve known a lot of dogs in my lifetime! It is hard to add anything to what Lady Beth had to say, save for a couple of memories and observations of my own.

Buck could climb trees, especially when chasing a squirrel. (How many Labs do you know that can do that?)
He was the best at catching things in mid-air, especially when it was pizza crust.
Buck was the only dog I ever met that would actually get paranoid when he didn’t have his collar on.
No matter how long we were gone during the day we knew that Buck could be trusted in the house alone. He wouldn’t get into things and he would never have an ‘accident’. He’d rather explode than to go in the house.
Lady Beth was also correct about his scent. He was the only dog I’ve ever met that never once smelled bad. He always had a very pleasant, kinda spicy scent about him. No matter what the weather, or what he had been doing.
Buck was the most tolerant of creatures. He had to contend with many various beast being brought into our yard and home, from cats and dogs to snakes and ferrets, and he accepted them all without a fuss.
He loved the children – all children – and set the example for our Great Danes in that regard. He would watch of the kids as they played and loved nothing more than being included in their games.

There is only one small point I’d have to disagree on with my beloved wife: Buck’s ‘I want back in’ bark was “not perfectly timed 2 second intervals“. It was high-pitched, chopped-off barks at precisely one second intervals and could make you skin crawl right off your body in less that a minute. I miss that bark already.

Yes, Buck was the best of dogs. He has left a hole in each of our hearts that will never be filled, and with thousands of great memories that will last a lifetime.

Our loyal friend was buried today here at The Pasture – outside of the fence. If you knew Buck then you’d know how important that detail really is…

Buck

July 15, 1995 – January 30, 2008

Rest now, our faithful friend.

Bull, out.

Dec. 7, 1941, A Date Which Will Live In Infamy.

At 11:55 today, (Central Time), it will be sixty-six years since the attack on Pearl Harbor began.

Even after all of these decades, and in this time of war, this December 7th, 2007, let us not forget that horrid day sixty-six years ago that still lives in infamy.

Should you, for some reason, need reminding of the horror of that day just look carefully at the following photos…

Pearl Harbor Dec. 7th, 1941
This photo is a view of Pearl Harbor looking southwesterly from the hills to the northward. Taken during the Japanese raid, with anti-aircraft shell bursts overhead.
Large column of smoke in lower center is from USS Arizona (BB-39). Smaller smoke columns further to the left are from the destroyers Shaw (DD-373), Cassin (DD-372) and Downes (DD-375), in drydocks at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona is the final resting place for many of the ship’s 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor. The 184-foot-long Memorial structure spanning the mid-portion of the sunken battleship consists of three main sections: the entry and assembly rooms; a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved on the marble wall.

Arizona was the most heavily damaged of all the vessels in Battleship Row, suffering three near-misses and four direct-hits from 800-kg bombs dropped by high-altitude Kates. The last bomb to strike her penetrated her deck starboard of turret two and detonated within a 14-inch powder magazine. The resulting massive explosion broke the ship in two forward of turret one, collapsed her forecastle decks, and created such a cavity that her forward turrets and conning tower fell thirty feet into her hull. The names of the 1,177 souls, both sailors and Marines, interred in her hull are listed here.

Everyday that passes we lose more of those brave souls that recall this attack as a part – often a defining part – of their Life Experience. So it was with my father who was aboard the USS Wasp (CV-7) in the Atlantic on that day. The next few years of his life were certainly defined by that war, as were his dreams for the rest of his life.

So it will be for our brave men and women, sons and daughters, serving now in the War on Terror. Let us not forget them either.

Bull, out.

On Eternal Patrol: USS Grunion (SS-216)

The mysterious loss of a fine boat is now nearly solved. Story from Fox News. Photos from the Grunion web page.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska â€??? The mangled remains of a vessel found in the Bering Sea are likely those of a World War II submarine that disappeared with a crew of 70 off the Aleutian Island of Kiska.

The discovery of the USS Grunion (SS-216), (A Gato class boat, built at Electric Boat – Groton, CT and launched 22 Dec 1941. ~Bull), on Wednesday night culminates a five-year search led by the sons of its commander, Mannert Abele, and may finally shine a light on the mysterious last moments of the doomed vessel.

“Obviously, this is a very big thing,” the oldest son, Bruce Abele, said Thursday from his home inNewton, Mass. “I told my wife about it when she was still in bed and she practically went up to the ceiling.”

A remotely operated vehicle snapped pictures and captured three hours of video footage of Grunion on a rocky underwater slope north of the volcanic island, according to another brother, John Abele, who was in Kiska Harbor with the search team on Thursday. The submarine lies 1,000 feet below the surface and had been crushed by water pressure, said Abele. He is director and co-founder of the medical equipment company Boston Scientific Corp. and the youngest of the three brothers.

“The most surprising thing was the damage,” he said. “It was much more than we or anyone else imagined. Initially it was very hard to recognize as a ship.” The hull had imploded so severely that the interior, including bunks and a dive wheel, were clearly visible, Abele said. No human remains were found.

The search team hired by the Abeles, Deep Sea Systems International, said no identifying markings or lettering could be seen, however, the location and appearance of the vessel indicate it is the missing sub. “There’s a 95 percent chance that this is the Grunion and a less than five percent chance that it’s not,” said Christopher J. Nicholson, general manager of the Cataumet, Mass.-based company. “The fact that they actually found this in an expanse of ocean is really pretty spectacular.”

The Grunion had a propeller guard, which was rare in subs of the day, Abele said. The vessel discovered yesterday also had the fence, which prevented docking lines from getting caught in the propeller.

The Grunion patrolled Alaska’s Aleutian Islands during the early months of World War II. Her last official radio message to the submarine base at Dutch Harbor came on July 30, 1942 and described heavy enemy activity at the Japanese seaplane base at Kiska Harbor.

Earlier that month, the USS Grunion had sunk two Japanese submarine chasers and heavily damaged a third near Kiska, one of two islands in the far west Aleutians captured by the Japanese. Until a few years ago, the clues to the Grunion’s disappearance were too fragmented to justify a search. After receiving more information from a model ship builder in Japan, the Abeles launched an initial expedition to Kiska in August 2006. Sonar images of a sub-shaped silhouette prompted a second journey this month.

As news of the search spread, several relatives of the Grunion’s crew banded together to locate others with ties to the lost men. To date, the relatives of 69 men are following the progress of the search, said Mary Bentz of Bethesda, Md., whose uncle died on the Grunion.

Bentz said the news is a relief after decades of not knowing what happened. Her father’s youngest brother, Carmine Anthony Parziale, of Weedville, Penn., was in his early 20s when he served as a torpedoman third class on Grunion. “I know when my dad would talk about him, his eyes would well up with tears,” said Bentz. “I was relieved to know that this is finally over, that now we can say, two and three generations later, that we know what happened.”

A forensic engineer and other experts will use the footage to piece together the Grunion’s final hours and figure out why it sank. The search crew of 17 plans to spend several more days looking for sunken Japanese ships in the area. “Actually seeing the burial site was touching and in a way rewarding,” John Abele said. “It provides a closing and hopefully an answer to the unknown.”

Further info on the search for the USS Grunion can be found at their website located HERE.

I think it is safe for The Bull to speak here for submariners everywhere in thanking the families and friends of the USS Grunion for the efforts in locating the final resting place of that fine boat and her brave crew now on Eternal Patrol.

The Crew of USS Grunion (SS-216):
Abele, M. L. LCDR

Alexander, F. E. SM3
Allen, D. E. SM3

Arvan, H. J. Matt2
Banes, P. E. CMOMM
Bedard, L. J. I. CMOMM
Blinston, W. H. RM3
Bonadies, N. R. F2
Boo, R. F. RM3
Bouvia, C. L. MM1
Caldwell, G. E. CEM
Carroll, R. H. S2
Clift, J. S. TM2
Collins, M. F. F2
Cooksey, L. D. MOMM1
Cullinane, D. MM1
Cuthbertson, W. H., Jr. ENS
Deaton, L. D. S2
DeStoop, A. E. CTM
Devaney, W. P., Jr. S2
Dighton, S. R., Jr. LTJG
Doell, L. H., Jr. RM2
Franck, L. H. S1
Graham, M. D. CTM
Hall, K. E. S2
Hellensmith, E. G. EM3
Henderson, H. B. MOMM2
Hutchinson, C. R. TM3
Kennedy, S. J., Jr. MOMM2
Knowles, E. E., Jr. S2
Kockler, L. R. TM1
Kornahrens, W. G. LT
Ledford, M. J. CY
Lehman, W. W. EM1
Loe, S. A. MOMM2
Lunsford, S., Jr. EM2
Lyon, J. W. F1
Martin, C. R. CMOMM
Martin, T. E. EM1
Mathison, R. EM1
McCutcheon, R. G. TM3
McMahon, J. M. LT
Miller, E. C. F2
Myers, D. O. F1
Nave, F. T. MOMM2
Newcomb, A. G. RM1
Nobles, J. W. MOMM1
Pancoast, J. E. MOMM2
Parziale, C. A. TM3
Paul, C., Jr. MATT2
Pickel, B. J. S1
Post, A. C. S2
Randall, W. H. RM2
Ryan, L., Jr. S2
Sanders, H. A. MOMM1
Schumann, E. T. CQM
Sullivan, P. P. PHM1
Surofchek, S. SC1
Swartwood, D. N. S2
Templeton, S. A. GM1
Thomas, M. W. LT
Traviss, B. A. S2
Ullmann, A. S1
VanWoggelum, M. F. F3
Walter, M. H. F3
Webster, R. E. EM2
Welch, D. F. FC2
Wells, J. H. TM2
Wilson, J. E., Jr. SC3
Youngman, R. J. F2

May the Gods grant you Peace at last.

Bull, out.

Father’s Day 2007

Here we are on Father’s Day 2007.

I never dreamed I’d live long enough to see it. The real funny part is that I never seem to get used to the idea of being one of the ‘fathers’ that Father’s Day commemorates. That despite being the father of, (at least), six children. Strange, isn’t it?

I always think of the two Fathers and the one Grandpa that taught me so much. I also think of those grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and others that I never knew personally.

There was my bio-dad, Roy Clarence Jones who is much missed. More so every year I get older.

There is my step-father James Albert Middleton. Still there for any of us that need him, and always looking after Mom. Pop, I love you.

And I can’t fail to mention my ol’ Grandpa – Homer Davis Chappell. Oh! The things he taught me. I never even noticed I was being taught anything at all until I was in need and found myself using something Homer showed me. His little “Watch this…” sessions helped me get through some mighty sticky moments.

Well, to all the fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers out there, The Bull salutes you!

Memorial Day Weekend 2007

Welcome, my fellow Americans, to another Memorial Day Weekend.

Our extended family has plans to get together on Monday for eating and swimming. The ‘usual’. Of all the people that will attend – if my memory serves – there will be two Veterans. Myself, and my father-in-law, Tim Brazell. Tim is a US Navy Veteran also, (USS Lexington (CVT-16), as I recall.). Despite that relatively low number of Veterans in attendance, the family continues their patriotic tradition of honoring all of those that offered their service to our great Nation. ‘Tis a fine thing, this family tradition. I hope your family has something similar.

When this time of year rolls around The Bull’s thoughts are turned towards other Service members and Veterans that have been a part of my life. Some I’ve known well, some I only met once or twice. Yet each has left me changed by the strength of their personalities. Let me take a moment to name off a few…

My father, Roy C. Jones, USN, Veteran of WWII – USS Wasp (CV-7), and USS Lansdowne (DD-486).
My step-father, James A. Middleton, USN (Retired), Cold War Veteran – USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), and USS Thomas A. Edison (For a first hand story, see this page.).
My brother, Dan R. Jones, USA, Cold War Veteran, Germany.
Admiral Hyman Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy. I met him in 1981 at Dam Neck, VA. A strange little fellow, indeed, but what a mind! I swear, the guy even dreamed about new ways of securing this Nation in his sleep. He accomplished those dreams.
President Ronald Reagan, USA, 2nd lieutenant Officers’ Reserve Corps of the Cavalry, Troop B, 322nd Cavalry. I had the great honor of saluting, and then having the President offer me his hand, in Washington, D.C. in February 1981. To date in this writer’s life, the finest President yet. His eyes were so piercing as to cut right through to your soul.

I could go on for hours, but those are the recent ‘big ones’. Just in my own family tree I can list perhaps a hundred who have served from the Civil War forward. One was Col. William Bennett Jones, CSA, Co. B, 1st SC Troops.
Oh! The history!

Now we find ourselves in a new war. Not a war as we have seen before. No where as tragic as the epic proportions of the Civil War here on American soil, not as world-shattering as the events of WWII, yet even more in ’shades of gray’ than Vietnam. This war will likely be a Generational War, one in which even our children and grandchildren may be required to fight. Most importantly, this War on Terror is, like our Revolutionary War, a fight for our very existence. This is not the regurgitation of Hawkish propaganda, but the reasoning of one who has spent his lifetime studying the history of the World and this Nation in particular. May the Gods help our children! Pray that The Bull is wrong.

If I could ask just one thing of every American this weekend it would be for each of you to take a moment and consider all of the Veterans that you have met in your life. Think of how they have sacrificed for you, taught you, and loved you. With little thought you will realize just how much America’s Veterans have given to this Nation. Not just during their military service, but even afterwards. Add to that list those in uniform today as they are the Veterans of Tomorrow.

Complain about the politics of war if you wish. Such is your Right as an American Citizen. However, no matter your political stripe, support our troops in the field towards the Victory we need and they deserve!

Patriotically yours,
Bull*

So Long Jerry.

LYNCHBURG, Va. â€??? The Rev. Jerry Falwell, the television evangelist who founded the Moral Majority and used it to mold the religious right into a political force, died Tuesday shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University. He was 73.

The passing of the Reverend Jerry Falwell is marked here at Bull’s Pasture with some sadness. In years past – more than I care to recall – Jerry and I were often found with our horns locked in near-mortal combat over matters of Faith and Freedom of Religion.

Now my old adversary is dead.

My condolences go out to Jerry’s family, the students of Liberty University, and the residents of Lynchburg, VA. The Bull knows he will be truly missed.

Blue Angel Lost to Earth

The following is from a dear friend of mine, Tim E. Ol’ Tim is a right fair hand with a camera. Go by his website and take a look.
Bull*

By now most of you have heard the news, at least I hope so, as it was the top story this morning on Fox, CNN and a few other networks. But if you have been camping in Siberia let me bring you up to date.

Saturday afternoon near the end of the performance of the US Navy Jet Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels, the number 6 aircraft was lost approximately 3 miles from show center. The pilot, Lieutenant Commander Kevin Davis was killed.

It was his first season as a demonstration pilot but LCDR Davis served as the narrator for the show last year. Investigations are under way as to the cause, but rest assured LCDR Davis was a very experienced and highly decorated pilot. He was serving in the position of opposing solo pilot. He will be missed by his family, shipmates, friends and the air show community.

This morning at the show opening the GEICO Skytypers demonstration team flew a missing man formation in honor of LCDR Davis while Taps was played on the PA. It was the most emotional event I have ever seen and rightly so. Below are a few of my shots from the weekend, please keep the family and friends in your prayers.

Feel free to pass this on to others.

Blue Skies Kevin…

April 22

Welcome to April 22nd, 2007!

The 112th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
The day in 1509 that Henry VIII ascended the throne of England.
The day in 1836 that Texas General Sam Houston capture Mexican General Antonio LÃ³pez de Santa Anna.
The day in 1864 that the U.S. Congress passes the Coinage Act which mandates that the inscription “In God We Trust” be placed on all coins minted as United States currency.
On this date in 1970 the First Earth Day was celebrated.
Earth Day 2007.

(Other neat facts about the esteemed date of April 22nd can be found on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)

April 22nd also happens to be the birthday of The Bull, (who turns 45 at high noon Eastern time), and it is the anniversary day of my marriage to Lady Beth. (This year marks our third year of wedded bliss.) As it turns out, it is a beautiful day here in Mobile, AL and the magnolias are just beginning to bloom. The air is tinged with their sweet scent. Given about three more days the air will be like a thick, sweet syrup with the smell of hundreds of thousands of those blooms. For today, however, it is better than any bottled perfume or air freshener. ‘Tis a day for relaxation, talk with friends and relatives, and of Love.
We’ll make the most of it.

Later.

More of Johnny Cash is now just Memory…

More sad news on the Johnny Cash front…

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. â€??? A quickly moving fire destroyed the lakeside home of the late country singer Johnny Cash on Tuesday, leaving little more than brick chimneys and the steel frame.

Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, lived at the home from the late 1960s until their deaths in 2003, and Barry Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, bought it in 2006.

It’s been what? Four years since we lost ‘The Voice’ of Americana and still it hurts me. That in itself is nuts because I have never been a huge fan of classic country music, save for just one man – Johnny Cash, American.

You are missed, Mr. Cash. Missed very much.

Bull, out.

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