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Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Chips N Dust and 4 others reacted to Cal for a topic
I am late, but other stuff has kept me off for a bit. I was in the USAF from 1970-1974. Joined right out of high school so that I could get the GI Bill when I finished my enlistment. I was a weather man, after basic training and 4-5 months specialized training I was sent to Warner Robins, Georgia. My next assignment was a joint USAF-Navy outfit on Guam called the Joint Typhoon Warning Center at the Naval Headquarters. That assignment was doing weather research on tropical storm systems (typhoons in the western pacific & hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern pacific). It was good duty, and I (mostly) enjoyed my time - especially my time in Guam. When my tour was up, I did get out and used the GI Bill. Got 4 years of schooling. Let me say this - that was probably some of the best money your tax dollars have been spent on. In my last few years working I paid more in taxes each year than those 4 years of GI Bill cost!!! Cal5 points -
Thanks, everyone. Yes, Christmas is THAT close once again! The owners of the store do drop in once in a while and sometimes comment on our decorations, but they (husband and wife) are much too busy with the wholesale side of the business. We (retail) are a very small part of the whole thing. Our manager is a personal friend, and it is she that I work for. My wife is the "plant manager", she does all the ordering for garden plants every spring. Our wholesale division has about 15 acres of greenhouses, and raises bedding plants, hanging baskets, and poinsettias by the hundred thousands every year. Our annual open house is this Saturday, when we have two guided tours through the whole compound. Some pictures from previous Christmases... John5 points
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It's been a busy few days
HARO50 and 3 others reacted to Steve Krumanaker for a topic
I posted some picture a couple weeks ago of some walnut I'd scored. I spent the last few days working it into some bowl blanks. Basically I made a big mess in the back yard. I've still got three more little crotch pieces to cut into blanks but almost done. Did these this morning, some of them are near 20" diameter and may end up as platters, still haven't convinced myself a 20" bowl is a good idea. So far I've gotten just over 20 blanks, almost all of them crotch areas and I can tell there is going to be some really nice grain in them. Got my work cut out for me over the next few weeks though. It will give me a chance to practice with my coring system. I've still got two more huge sections of walnut to get home. They are big enough, I'll have to work them down before I can even load them in my truck. Figure there is another 20 blanks or so still to be had. Steve4 points -
Bad day at the office?
steven newman and 2 others reacted to HandyDan for a topic
This one? Laurel & Hardy3 points -
Since my brother and his wife retired, they are spending more time experimenting with various cuisines. I though I'd get them a micro-plane/grater for the kitchen. Rather than just buy the completed item, I ordered the planer/grater and made the handle. In the past, I sent them various kitchen/serving utensils so this handle would reflect the previous designs. The biggest disappointment, with this particular grater, was that the handle was designed to be permanently attached to the grater using epoxy. In my opinion, handles should be detachable so that the metal portions can be adequately cleaned without damaging the handle. Fortunately, the threads on the grater were standard 3/8 x 16 so creating a better solution was pretty easy. I started with a piece of maple, squared into a turning blank. Then drilled the end of the blank to accept a 3/8 x 16 brass threaded insert- this will allow the grater to removed and placed into the dish washer. The insert was installed on the drill press using a shop made bottle stopper mandrel. The insert can be seen in this photo- The handle blank was then prepared to receive contrasting walnut inserts. The insert slots were cut on the table saw using a simple angle jig to hold the blank in the proper orientation. The blank is cut four times, using a single pass thru the blade. The depth of the cut is arbitrary but between 1/4 and 1/3 the thickness of the blank produces a nice pattern. The inserts are glued into the saw kerfs. the inserts are 1/8" thick and just long enough to extend past the end of the kerfs at either end. Once the glue dries, the inserts are trimmed to be flush with the blank sides. I trimmed these on the band saw. They don't have to be perfect. Trimming just makes the turning process a little easier. Now it's just a matter of turning the handle. I used the bottle stopper mandrel and a Jacobs chuck to mount the blank in the head stock. The inserts create a "twist" pattern as the blank is rounded Shaped the blank Finished with a bunch of layers of wipe on poly And the grater screwed into the handle Now I need to make something for my Mom.2 points
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Another Wednesday and another day subbing in the Electronics Technology program. One of these days I'm going to get back into the shop and finish up all of those Christmas presents. In the mean time, I came across videos by two of my favorite turners- Carl Jacobson and Tim Yoder. Both videos show turning boxes for the charity called Beads Of Courage. You can read more about this charity here- http://www.beadsofcourage.org/pages/woodturners.html. Mr. Jacobson's video- And Mr. Yoder's video- With Christmas approaching, here's a video from demonstrating how to turn a crush grind pepper grinder- always a great gift! Even though it was a busy week, I did get a chance to spend an hour or so in the shop over the weekend. Finished up two seam rippers (Thanks @Charles Nicholls for the idea). We Patriot Woodworkers want to help make Christmas a little nicer for one special Wounded Warrior family- the Akin Family from Grass Valley, California. Donations to this cause will enter you in a raffle for prizes provided by our awesome sponsors. Here's a link to the information- http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/topic/18404-operation-ward-57-adopt-a-wounded-warrior-family-for-the-holidays-2016-raffle-is-on/ . Help us make this Christmas one these little ones will never forget! Safe Turning2 points
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Competition range case
John Moody and one other reacted to Joeb41 for a topic
I made some progress on my range pistol box this weekend. The carcase is made from 1/4" and 1/2" Baltic birch. The finish is clear lacquer on the inside and Rustoleum hammer finish on the outside. The UHMW strips are for the gun tray to slide into. The cover will be attached with piano hinge. I made the box as a solid box then cut the lid away. These are the fingers that will lock the guns into place for transport. They slide on the two runners and a 1/4" threaded rod will act as the clamp. The tray is complete. The dado in the side will slide onto the UHMW strips in the box, very smooth. I had thought of using mechanical slides but I am trying to keep the weight down. I hope to have it completed by Thursday and will post some photo of the finished box. Thanks for looking.2 points -
Speaking of Christmas presents
Grandpadave52 and one other reacted to Dadio for a topic
Just left them dry,they punched quite easily and clean too. I didn't do more than one at a time, didn't want to risk damaging the punch unit. After they are bound there is not that much force on each hole, they seemed to hold up good. these are black walnut veneer. I had the daughter of a friend who is an artist do the lettering for me for the one I gave my sister. I have one I tape the grand childrens photos into and had a lot of compliments2 points -
Tool help
Chips N Dust and one other reacted to John Morris for a topic
Thanks for dropping in Jay! And thank you for your service! I am out in the field right now, when I get in tonight I'll be at my desktop PC, I'll do a little research. Thanks sir! Meanwhile please drop me an email at johnmorris@thepatriotwoodworker.com and if you will, in the email I'd like to read more about the type of disability, cause, how, branch of service, and any other information you would like to disclose. I look forward to hearing from you Jay!2 points -
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All old(to us) hand tools. Film was from 1933 according the title. He was getting some nice shavings off the plane before he tore through the trousers.2 points
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And now for something completely different....
Harry Brink and one other reacted to HARO50 for a topic
I work part-time at a local garden center, and am often asked to make something for a store display. These items have to be reasonably cheap, look good, and last at least for the length of time the display is up. IF they survive a year in storage, they may be re-used next year. This time it was a fireplace for the Christmas season. A few knotty pine boards, some left-over flooring from our kitchen, and a couple of pieces of plywood, and we have this! The structure around it was a project from about six years ago, and is a permanent fixture. John2 points -
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/alaska-airlines-just-flew-across-the-country-using-wood-chips/ar-AAkkvbF?OCID=ansmsnnews112 points
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And now for something completely different....
Harry Brink and one other reacted to HARO50 for a topic
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Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Chips N Dust and one other reacted to Wichman3 for a topic
Regular Army 77-81 Inactive Reserve 81-83 Idaho Army National Guard 87 - 04 Retired Reserve 04-2019 (I can still be called, very, very unlikely, but still ) Since I can still be called up (however remotely) I won't add more until I reach the 60 year mark and can't be activated.2 points -
Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Chips N Dust and one other reacted to steven newman for a topic
There was a street in Quang Tre City.......best beer in town....at least in Christmastime in 71. Got assigned an old Master Sargent who always had a metal canteen with him.....well, it did LOOK like water.... Was trying to teach southern city boys how to kill their northern relatives.....about the same time as we were handing over the local Firebases to them... Many times..they simply called me "Tie-wee Steve" well, at least that how it sounded.... Them 122s that arrived in the middle of the night, were enough to bounce you right out of the rack.....2 points -
Tool help
Grandpadave52 gave a reaction for a topic
Hi im justin "jay" and im a disabled OIF veteran. I love working with my hands (aviation and automotive mechanic) before i had to stop working. In a tight pinch trying to live of VA disability while fighting the DOD and SS. Trying to find out if anyone knows where i may be able to apply for gifted woodworking tools or businesses that will allow use of thier facilities in the Tampa bay fl area. Thank you and god bless1 point -
Getting to know what's possible
John Morris reacted to Steve Krumanaker for a blog entry
While it may not seem so at first glance, a laser engraver is much like a table saw, a lathe, or even a router. Now that you have it, what can you do with it? Not much as it's a "core" tool. With a table saw, an add on might be a dado set, or molding heads. A special sled or jig. A lathe is very dependent on other tools to prep stock. Different operations on a lathe require different accessories. A hollow vessel requires completely different tools than a spindle. Of course, a router or shaper must have bit's or cutters to be functional at all. Not to mention a fence or sled. A laser engraver? Well, it must have graphics and/or documents to do what it does. That may seem a simple matter, after all, there are thousands of images just waiting to be downloaded. While this is true, many of them are copyrighted and water marked. What if a person can't find the "just right" image to download? What if someone has a special request, like a graphic of a specific scene or pet? How to add text to a picture? How to make the picture fit on what is to be engraved? What if only a part of the image is to be engraved? Let's address image size and making it fit the project first. It's fairly easy to enlarge or shrink an image. Windows paint can do it as can any number of programs. The problem is, enlarging or shrinking an image often results in loss of detail and crispness. This is an image called Odin's triangle, printed, or burned it will be about 3" tall and 3" wide. The lines that form the triangle are fairly crisp and sharp. This is what is called a "raster" image. That means it's made up of tiny dots of different color arranged in a pattern. What if I wanted the image to be bigger? Say, 3 times as big. You can see, the enlarged image isn't nearly as sharp as the original. This will happen with any raster image, that includes image files like bmp, gif, jpg, to name a few different types of raster images. The answer is to convert the picture to a "vector" image. A vector image is drawn according to a mathematical formula. No matter how big or small the image is, the formula remains the same. What that means is, the image always remains sharp and crisp. What if a person had a picture of a leaf they wanted to use? Easy enough to do, but what if only an outline is needed? What about using more than one leaf? What about overlapping them? That way it would look like one leaf laying on top of the other. That would be great for wood burning, painting, carving, etc. etc. So, let's use the leaf picture at the right, copy it and paste it to look like one leaf is on top of the other. It will look something like this. Hmmm, not exactly what we had in mind, is it? Why didn't it work? Well, because a bitmap, ie, jpeg, gif, bmp, can only have one layer and there has to be a back ground. Normally the background is white and on a white page you can't see it, it's still there and will make it's presence known at the worse times. Wouldn't this look much better? This isn't the best job of editing as I still have a little back ground showing but that is easily addressed. The programs that manipulate images like this are the tools or accessories a wood burner or a laser engraver needs to be much more flexible than it would be otherwise. These programs are also very useful to a wood carver or pyrographer. So, what are the programs that work this magic and how much do they cost? Probably the most well known is Adobe illustrator. To the best of my knowledge, illustrator can only be leased at this point. Licenses start at around $10.00 a month. Not a lot of money but for a now and then user not a good value either. Fortunately, there are completely free alternatives. The two programs I use are "Gimp" and "Inkscape" Both are open source and completely free for downloading, although I recommend only downloading from their official websites. https://www.gimp.org/ https://inkscape.org/en/ These are two powerful, full featured programs for manipulating images. Because they are so powerful, there is a steep learning curve associated with either of them. This section of the blog is not meant to be a tutorial on using these programs, but rather just to introduce them to someone who may not be aware they are available. While there is a steep learning curve with either, there are also dozens and dozens of tutorial videos on youtube about them.1 point -
Cherry Box of Squares, raising....
Harry Brink reacted to steven newman for a topic
Well, managed to sneak back to the shop for a bit. Finished those dovetails. Remembered to make the pins first, this time. Needed to clamp all four sides up, as if they were glued up.. Yep,almost square, too. Needed this to size the panel.. Width was ok, it was the length I needed to be set. Trimmed the excess off the end, and started to lay out some lines.... 1" in from the edge. And another line.. 1/4" up from the underside. Paul Sellers uses this method to make a raised panel. While he' d leave the panel like this, I don't. Easier to lay it flat on the bench. We do use about the same tool to do the job.. A Stanley #4. I go at the diagonal to the end grain, until both lines are gone. Makes a nice bevel. I then repeat for the other end grain... This way, any tear out will get planed off during the next step. Repeat with the marks, this time along the edges. I can go along the grain on these. When there is a nice diagonal line at the corners, where the bevels meet, I should be about done.. This needs a little more done to the end grain side. I can stand the panel up in the vise, and use just a block plane to finesse the corners. I also add a hint of back bevel from the bottom. Laid the panel on the frame, again.. Not the prettiest gal at the dance? I was checking to make sure I had enough to fit into a groove I need to mill next. I set up a plane for that job.. Stanley #45, again. Set up for a 1/4" x 1/4" groove. Need to bring my drill/driver down to the shop, and build a jig, first. Maybe tomorrow? Been a rather busy day. Panel will set down about 1/4" or so, below the edge of the top. . Stay tuned to this "Batty Channel" Same Bat-time......1 point -
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Cherry Box of Squares, raising....
steven newman reacted to Chips N Dust for a topic
That is pretty slick!1 point -
Bad day at the office?
Fred W. Hargis Jr reacted to steven newman for a topic
Have no idea how to post this video......Laurel & Hardy short called "Busy Bodies" And you think YOU had a bad day at work? Try having a shave done, with a block plane.....1 point -
The seats could be made from pallets and used if a situation arose where the fuel was running low.1 point
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That is really nice Lew. Thanks for posting the "how-to". Cal1 point
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Nice work John. The store owner has to be thrilled.1 point
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that's better than good...1 point
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Great job on both!!1 point
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Great gun box. Hurry up. We want to see it completed and full.1 point
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Something I mentioned some time ago
HARO50 reacted to Smallpatch for a topic
And once they try something, that's it. They are stuck with that product and brag on it and never even think there might be something out there better, but no, their mind is made up.... This is the last drift I got from the old timers. Well, someone not a turner, is trying to change our minds, heavens to murg- a- -troids I don't hardly ever turn, except substantially in bed, but when I do I don't like to see cracks that might screw up a good piece of wood I cut down then what ever I dabbed on the ends of the logs that didn't do the job it was put there to do. So stick your ear up here close and listen while I write down Aleene's tacky original glue, in the brown bottle I might add. It will only cost you numbskulls about two bucks to check me out...... I cut down this plumb tree some time ago, maybe four years ago ,maybe longer, and I can still stick a finger nail into this glue for it is still pliable. Aleene's was originally built for this reason, no it was not, it was originally built for craft making. This is probably the reason for the reasonable price tag. If it was included in you know whoses woodworking supplies we would see quite an increase in funds to get some to our garages... I just yesterday cut off some limbs and was out of the Aleene's glue so I thought I better dab something on the stubs for this hunk of wood might sit in the lathe for a month or two before I get around to it. I know, limbs , don't normally crack as does the ends. I heard that from a turner..1 point -
Cherry Box of Squares,lid work
HARO50 reacted to steven newman for a topic
Did a little bit this morning, before errands get ran... I usually don't like to do tails first, because when I then do the pins... I forget which side of the lines to saw on, leading to something like this.. Not really that bad. Second corner, I remembered which side to run the saw on.....tighter joints.. I can fill those gaps with sawdust and glue. Second corner is mallet driven together. Went to Lunch, will leave the other two joints for when I come back after errands are ran. Will do pins first on those corners. Need to get these done, and dry fitted up...THEN I can size the raised panel and start on it. Need to dig out the Stanley45 and set up for 1/4" x 1/4" grooves. Panel will need some place to sit, after all....1 point -
Claro Walnut Rocker Front Leg Seat Joints
Dadio reacted to Grandpadave52 for a topic
Looks like the new H-F RA grinder works quite well in a craftsman's hands. My H-F RA must be defective...it doesn't turn out work like this... Fantastic job of control and blending. Just curious, what grit disc/ paper do you use for this type of work? Thanks for the current chapter of PIP John...you've got us all hooked on this best seller1 point -
Claro Walnut Rocker Front Leg Seat Joints
Dadio reacted to John Morris for a topic
Well thanks folks for the kind comments, challenges are to behold, what do they say, signs of a good worker is how well you can cover up your mistakes? Well dang, I must be a genius by now!!! Everything I make has mistakes!1 point -
Some things that might not be readily known... Of the 2.5 Million Vietnam Vets, only 850,000 were alive as of 2014 with 390 dying each day. Average age of entry into the military was 19...in 1967, every male who turned 19yrs 3 mos in June/July/August were drafted and sent to South Vietnam or Southeast Asia...Estimates of the total number of American citizens who moved to Canada due to their opposition to the war range from 50,000 to 125,000...these were pardoned in 1977 with about 1/2 remaining in Canada...(CBC, 2004)... Canada had a number of excellent reasons for not entering the war and some hard criteria for getting into it... Yes, Vietnam was a controversial war...but the men and women that served during that era were as dedicated to their service as in any other era of our military history. The Vietnam Veterans of America's founding slogan is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another"... "Ancestry" sees it so beneficial and important to capture that era that they even prepared questionnaires for interviewers, families and friends of Veterans...this because there is not as much publicly available information about the Vietnam era as for other wars...go figure... (some of the above obtained from Ancestry.com) Don't just know a Vet...know the era they served in...it will help to understand them better without seeming to pry...1 point
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I salute you for your service, and all the veterans, for all who don't know what DUSTOFF is:http://chuckandlorene.com/ The Vietnam war was just starting when I got out. I applied for Helicopter school, but couldn't meet the physical requirements. Herb1 point
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Retired Army (24 years) Served 2 tours in Vietnam as a DUSTOFF pilot, the most satisfying accomplishment of my career. Thanks to all who served and sacrificed. Jerry1 point
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Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Cal reacted to Travis Brown for a topic
Joined the USAF 1968, delayed active duty until April, 1969 which allowed me to finish graduate school thesis and avoid being drafted into the Army. Attended officer training at Medina, Lackland AFB, TX and then training at Lowry AFB, Denver. Vietnam 1970-71 at DaNang, RVN as weapons loading and aircraft release systems officer, F-4D&E. Returned to CONUS and trained at Indian Head, MD in EOD, both conventional and nuclear weapons. Served Hill AFB, UT until 1973. Honorably discharged as Captain. During my tours I met many fine people and shared some tense moments, all without physical injury. Began woodworking while at Hill AFB, though only developed reasonable skills while residing at my present residence in Centennial, CO and through membership and participation in local woodworkers guild. My greeting and thanks to all who served, whether in combat or not. Veterans donated their time from their lives and contributed to the strength of the USA, I offer my thanks, particularly today, for your service and commitment.1 point -
Joined US Army--10-4 54. Trained as heavy weapons hump---spent 16 months in Korea- worked as 2nd eschelon mechanic-- fixed trucks, jeeps, 4x4 Dodge powerwagons---outdoors mostly---saw no combat. My experience with North Dakota winters on the farm--add the Korea experience--now you can understand why, when I finally got my shop---60 degrees is the minimum temp allowed.1 point
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Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Cal reacted to Chips N Dust for a topic
As Dave said - A HUGE Thank YOU - to all of you here at TPW and to ALL OTHERS who have served to protect the rest of us and this country, THE UNITED States of America. I also did not serve, Gulf War 1 broke out as I was finishing my senior year. I was ready to enlist and my parents talked me into finishing college first, then join. No one had any idea that it would be so short. I am still bothered that I did not join. There have been so many that have done and given so much more than I have,1 point -
USAF 1970 to 1994. Basic training at Lackland AFB, tech school Lowery AFB, then to Ubon RTAFB Thailand, Eglin in Florida, back to Thailand, Bentwaters in England, where I met my wife. She's American, her dad was stationed there. From Bentwaters, I went to Luke AFB, AZ, then to Kadena AB in Okinawa. From there, Homestead, and on to McConnell in KS, where I eventually retired. AFSC was 321X2P, which was fire control radar on F4 C/D. Saw no combat, and I am humbled have the highest respect for those who did. Retired as a SMSgt with 30 percent disability for hearing, back and knees. Couldn't make CMSgt, my mouth always got me in trouble. None of you ever experienced that, did you?1 point
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Like Steve, I joined the Navy to have some control of my future- less likely to get shot. Left for boot camp 2 weeks before I was 18 (1963). Boot camp was at Great Lakes, IL. After that I was sent to NAS Memphis for Aviation Electronics and Aviation Fire Control Technician (AQF). After 9 months there it was on to NAS Oceana, VA (Virginia Beach) into VA-65. We just got the new A-6 Intruder, which at that time was the most sophisticated electronics weapons delivery system in the Navy. We were assigned to the USS Constellation (CVA-64) and sent to Vietnam. Got out in 1966 on my 21st birthday.1 point
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Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Cal reacted to FlGatorwood for a topic
I joined the U.S.Navy to avoid the green uniforms. I took the oath on Friday, May 13, 1968 in Cleveland, OH. Did my basic training at Great Lakes, sent to Memphis, TN for Aviation Prep School, sent to NAS Lemoore, CA to squadron 122 for plane captain training. Plane captain is the man in the seat when the plane is moved or being towed. Then sent to Philippines to catch an oiler to be high lined to the U. S. S. Ranger, an aircraft carrier. Finished that tour in Viet Nam in June 1969, was assigned to Aviation Storekeeper (now Logistics Specialist), swapped our old A-7 A/B for A-7E. We took them into combat and to sea first the whole year of 1970 except for our carrier (U. S. S. America) qualification in Cuba. We sailed completely around the world and it is not square. LOL We started in Norfolk, VA, passed through the U. S. Virgin Islands, Rio de Janero, Brazil, across the Atlantic around the Cape of South Africa, eight days across the Indian Ocean to the Philippines to catch our planes and take on food rations. Then onto the combat line until November 1970. We sailed across the International date line and had Thanksgiving for 2 days. We stopped in Sydney, Australia for 4 days, through the straits of New Zealand, across the Pacific and around the tip of South America, along the Falkland Islands, back to Rio, then into Norfolk. My unit was an attack squadron 147. Purchased my self a new green Pinto with the money I saved on that cruise, had to make payments, of course. Was sent to Pensacola, FL where I met my wife, got a job making decals for reworked aircraft, then being logistical again until I was assigned as logistics system analyst. Finished my last 10 years making customized databases. So, spent about two years in the war zone, but came home whole and no service connected disabilities. Loved working supply. Thank all you for serving. It was an honor to serve with you. Steve1 point -
Veterans Day November 11th, 2016
Cal reacted to Ron Dudelston for a topic
I served United States Air Force from 1970-1973. My AFSC was 46250 which translates to Nuclear Weapons Specialist. My duty stations were Lackland AFB, Lowrey AFB, Ramey AFB Puerto Rico, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Andersen AFB Guam and Utapao AFB Thailand. My military claim to fame was loading the mines that mined Haiphong Harbor North Vietnam in 1972, To my fellow vets, thank you for your service. To my fellow Vietnam vets, welcome home.1 point -
US Army '83 - '94 Military Police / Corrections Officer USAG HQ, Ft. Buchanan, Puerto Rico 502nd MP Company, 2nd Armored Division, Ft. Hood, TX 218th MP Company, 793 MP Battalion, Augsburg, Germany Navy Brig, Philadelphia, PA Army Correction Facility, Ft. Carson, CO Saw no combat1 point
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USAF '59 - 65. Acft mech. 8th Air Force Basic at Lackland AFB, TX Tech school at Chanute AFB, IL1 point
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Ergonomic crochet hook replacemetn
HARO50 reacted to Ron Altier for a topic
The design actually does reduces stress, it is easy to hold on to with a bulb there rather than to grip a small metal shaft. I first made up a couple made of pine that I kept altering to fit her small hands. When she felt good about the design, I made a good one1 point