Jasper Journal

I love reading the morning newspaper because I find little gems throughout that I otherwise would never have known about. Yesterday was no exception.

The first article that caught my eye was a story about the Russians successfully drilling down to a subglacial lake in the Antarctic. They reached the lake water at a depth of 12,366 ft. It was kept from freezing by the over two miles of ice on top of it, and they think it will contain living organisms that have been trapped there for 20 million years.

My immediate thought was a 1950′s,  black and white episode of Superman with George Reeves. It was called Superman and the Mole Men. The Mole Men  were little creatures who lived inside the earth and came to the surface after a deep well was dug. Clark and Lois were there reporting, but only Superman could save the Mole Men from  the  townspeople  who wanted to kill them because they were different. I hope the Russians are prepared for things to rise up from their drilling; but  somehow I dont think they got Superman during the cold war. We will have to warn them.

There was another article about the good people of North Dakota not giving up on saving the University of North Dakota’s nickname ” The Fighting Sioux.”  The NCAA is putting pressure on the school with  bans and restrictions  until they change what they claim is an insulting name. Sounds like an out of control bureaucracy if you ask me.  After I read this, I saw an interview with a native American on TV. He asked  how would we feel if there were school nicknames like the  ”Fighting Jews, ” or the “Fighting Negro’s.” I actually thought that wasn’t a bad idea?  He must have forgotten that little school in Indiana’s  nickname… what is it .. oh yes,  the Fighting Irish!

Finally, in a post Super Bowl prank, a company called Pawngo.com dumped 900 pounds of Butterfingers candy bars in the middle of  Copley Square in Boston. This was meant to mock Patriot players for dropping the ball in the Superbowl’s Fourth quarter. The company was fined, and apologized. My only surprise was that this wasn’t done by Giselle Bundchen!

Keep smiling, and have a great weekend! See you Monday.

Two years ago we posted this veterans day article by one of our regular readers and contributors. It was written in 2006 to his children following a trip to Normandy.  It was subsequently printed in the St Petersburg Times. I thought it appropriate to post it again for our newer readers. I never made it to Normandy, but can  imagine the images it conveys.

In spite of the many changes being considered for  the  armed forces today , we should never forget that in the end, it comes down to individuals.  Individuals like those who stormed the beaches at Normandy, or scaled the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc, or who patrol every day in Afghanistan and Iraq. God bless  the US fighting men and women  and thank you from a grateful nation.  Also, special thanks to Bob for sharing his letter.

A GIFT FOR YOU FROM OUR JOURNEY

Dear Linda, David, Daniel and Kelly,

Whenever we go traveling, I think of coming home with gifts . . . just simple things as a remembrance.

I send each of you a very special gift from this journey. It cost me nothing but comes from a place where it cost Americans everything.

We drove all morning through driving rain and mistaken directions. We were lost at least three times and probably added one hour to a two-hour trip. We started in Monet country in France en route to Normandy and the scene of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Our specific quest was the American cemetery at Omaha Beach.

After many wrong turns, we finally arrived at our destination about noonon Monday, October 9^th. We entered the parking lot under overcast skies and could easily see that the gray day and the season made us two of only 50-100 visitors.

Signs directed us toward the entrance. We entered theOmahaBeachcemetery and immediately saw a place of meticulous care and beauty. The grass was brilliant green even under the overcast. A Visitor Center was apparent but we turned and entered the path to the cemetery denoted with a simple sign that said “Silence and Respect”.

We walked a short distance among beautiful trees with the only sound being birds chirping and wind in the trees.

And suddenly there it was. We both gasped with a sob in our throats. There before us in precise rows, diagonally, vertically and horizontally were the white limestone markers on the graves of 9,379 Americans who died here. It was one of the most seminal moments of our lives. The tears just came and came and came.

We walked slowly without any words. We went our own ways with our own thoughts. We saw graves of men fromNebraska,Maine,New Mexicoand every state. Most bore crosses but a few Stars of David were evident. War does not differentiate. I came upon the grave of one of the three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients buried there – Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. Yes, it is the grave of the son of a president, the highest ranking officer to be decorated with the Medal of Honor in WWII.

After our individual strolls and our individual thoughts, we met at a stone depiction of the D-Day scene poised on the edge of the 300’ cliffs that the Americans and British stormed. Nearby was a statue where sixth grade children from a school just across theEnglish Channelhad laid flowers that morning on a day trip.

We looked down the steeply inclined cliff and saw a paved path to the beach. Despite the difficulty of the return climb, we decided to go to the beach. I thought that our journey back to the top would be arduous but nothing compared to what our fellow Americans faced on D-Day.

We reached the beach with its copper-colored sand at high tide and could see remnants of 62 years ago still protruding from the sea. Stones tossed up by the surf  lay at the line between sand and sea grass. I thought of young men who saw the same thing in their last moments on earth. And once more we cried.

We looked west toward the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and east to Juno, Sword and Gold beaches. We both bent to pick up stones and just then at 1PM, the carillon tower high above us in the cemetery began to peel with “It’s A Grand Old Flag”. We could only stop and cry once more.

The climb back to the top was very difficult but we never ceased to remember how awful it must have been for those fine young men who did it so long ago.

And so I come to the conclusion of my recollections of Omaha Beach and send you this very special memento. Enclosed is your gift – - – a stone from Omaha Beach. Please keep it forever. It embodies sacrifice, courage, honor, and bravery. We are all free Americans because men like the fallen heroes at Omaha Beach paved the path to victory.

It was one of the most moving days of my life. God blessAmerica.

Love,

Dad

I love my adopted hometown of Colorado Springs for reasons that include the people, the setting, the  climate, the feel etc. Colorado Springs hosted the Men’s Senior Open several years ago, is the home of the US Olympic Committee,  NORAD and the US Air Force Academy,  Garden of the Gods, and don’t forget Pikes Peak .

 So it makes me happy when others can witness the beauty that I see everyday. That’s why I encourage you to tune in to ESPN2 today,  or NBC this weekend , and watch the US Women’s Open Golf Championship being played this week at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The event has been going on since Monday, however the first round began today.

I was there, and was thrilled to see some of the best  golfers in the world.  The crowds were large but the organization was superb. Get this: no charge for parking, free shuttles, ridiculously reasonable prices, and civility everywhere. Take that baseball, football, basketball and hockey!  The golfers are talented, poised, friendly and approachable. I could not believe how close you can get to them on their tee shots or on the green. This is one sport that I really think is worthwhile to see in person.

 This tournament was years in the planning, and it showed in the flawless execution. Actually, flawless except for mother nature who forced cancellation of today’s matches just as the afternoon session was starting. Oh well, just that much more for tomorrow. Now I write this not just as a  kudo to Colorado  Springs for hosting it so well, but as a note of encouragement to my golfing readers out there. These women are incredible! While physically many are small in stature and physique, they can hit a golf ball a mile. Even their bad shots are infinitely better than any good shot I ever made! Maybe we can do this after all?

They give me hope. They help perpetuate the dream that maybe someday I too can hit decent drives or approach shots… or even mediocre shots by their standards. Golf is the perpetual challenge that perhaps you can do better than the day before. And after all, isn’t that a great philosophy for life?

So as this holiday shortened week draws to a close, I wish you all a happy weekend. Enjoy yourselves and check out the Open… you will not be disappointed.