On The Fly

Memories or is it traditions that make the holidays special? If it’s memories, today I experienced a flood of them. How you ask? Well, today, for the first time in years, as I entered Joes Hardware in Fallbrook, California I was surprised to see front and center a W. R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. knife display. This took me back . . .  Christmas shopping at Marshall’s TrueValue Hardware store in Cuba, Illinois. You see, when you walked in the front door, just to your left was a special display of Case knives. I had to stop and look at the wide selection thinking someday I’ll be old enough to buy myself one . Why Case? Because that’s what Dad always used. You see, my Dad was a traditional outdoorsman. A hunter. He loved to hunt; rabbits, squirrels, quail, pheasant, raccoons (coons), whatever was in season. His spare time was spent in the woods hunting or on a river fishing with his children. No, not for sport. It supplemented his income. As a boy it was my job to hold the ...

Try Social Media! The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation would like to invite each of our valued members and supporters to follow us on social media. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube , are the best way to stay updated on events at the Museum and with the Foundation’s activities. Social media is fun and is, generally, quite easy to use. People can communicate with their friends, family and former squadron mates worldwide on a variety of devices. A cellphone, laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, or even a television connected to your home WiFi network. Social media, via the internet, provides a much broader range of options. In today’s world, thousands communicate daily from a visit to a museum, a video segment from an airshow, or to post a compelling story shared with a veteran. For our patrons , it all begins at the Foundation’s website . This is the launch point for all our public activities, educational outreach, military events...

  Twas’ a month before Christmas, with bargains galore. Customers were scurrying, expecting to score, Load-n-Go’s, combo kits, and holiday yard decor. Santa was visiting, with kiddies, at that. Little did they know, the most fun they would have, was to visit Tool Rental, to Pressure Wash their Cat ® . We start the morning, with contractors my friend, Vince pounding the computer, it has no end. The register, it’s finicky, let's not pretend. Call I.T. help? “No, call Jim instead.” The alarm goes off, oh - what a racket, a contractor barks out, “I need that bracket.” A line starts to form, patience is nill’. “I want a jackhammer, that suits the bill.” “Rent me a Hilti. Serve me first, I'll do more than blabber. Your VOC score will fall off the ladder.” Bob slips in, and checks repairs. Get them done early, and no annoying errors. With Amber and Jeff all dressed in red, Joe customer enters with a cap on his head. “I have a repair,” th...

There’s a special tie to Baseball history that continues to thrill fans of the game, especially in October. This year I’m torn. Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros? If you’ve been watching the 2017 MLB playoffs it’s been a treat so far. Readers of this blog know by now I’m a dedicated Cubs fan, however . . .  First of all, there’s Jose Altuve, the Astros 5′ 6″, 165 lb. sensation, what a joy to watch. He plays the game with reckless abandonment. Will he hit a home run, steal a base to manufacture a run, or simply fly around the bases from first to score the winning run? He’s currently batting .466 in the playoffs and has captured the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. Don’t believe me, just tune into any ALCS game this season and listen to the broadcasters revel in his accomplishments. In complete contrast is the Yankee Rookie sensation Aaron Judge, 6′ 7″, 282 lbs., built for power and speed. With an unassuming smile, and calm demeanor he goes about his business professi...

My reading friend, as you enjoy my Sierra blog posts, by now I’m sure you get the impression that I’m obsessed with age. And maybe I am. Now that I’m on the north side of 60 honestly, I find it difficult to do what seemed so effortless just 10 years ago. Committing to an annual Wilderness Mountain Adventure is my way of reminding myself that daily activity, regular exercise, stretching your imagination, proper diet, and a positive approach to living are what allow me to live life to the fullest.  As Zig Ziglar would say, “You don’t pay the price for good health, you enjoy the benefits of good heath.” So, when I see someone older than me, (older than me, you understand, is 10-15 years my senior) engaged in the same challenging activities it gives me hope that you and I will be exploring life’s mysteries well into our 80s and beyond, God willing. So, let’s get to Part Two of this years adventure. We left our heroes kicked back gazing into a starlit black velvet sky watch...