The Coast Guard Started The Courtesy Motoboat Examination Program

In 1936 as Commandant, Admiral Waesche moved to solve the Coast Guard’s problems one by one. In doing so, he turned to the solution of using recreational yachtsmen to assist the Coast Guard in solving the ever-growing recreational boating safety problem. In 1938 the Coast Guard provided assistance to over 14,000 cases of recreational boaters in distress. The majority of which were caused by the boaters lack of knowledge of boating fundamentals, equipment, and laws. So the Auxiliary was formed to assist the Coast Guard″To promote efficiency in the operation of motorboats... Read more »

A Brief Overview Of The History Of Cyprus

The island of Cyprus has a rich history that is steeped with mythological gods and demi-gods. It is said that on this island that the gods mingled with humans. No one can really say for certain when Cyprus was founded. This beautiful island can be dated as far back as 6,000 B.C. Many ancient historical events took place on the island of Cyprus. Alexander the Great fought the bloody battle, which freed Cyprus from Persian rule in 333. After his death, the beautiful Island fell under Roman rule, becoming the first country to be ruled by Christian missionaries such as Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas. Around the 1st century B.C. a series of earthquakes destroyed everything on the island of Cyprus and it was... Read more »

The Need For The Navy Reserve To Mobilize Sailors

The Navy Reserve expects to mobilize sailors in the near future, according to briefing documents obtained by Navy Times and confirmed by Vice Adm. John G. Cotton, chief of the Navy Reserve. That figure means that nearly one in three available reservists, not counting those who have already been mobilized and and those listed as not deployable for medical, dental, or other administrative reasons, will mobilize during the next year for deployments ranging from six months to more than one year. Cotton said he does not believe the rate of mobilizations will... Read more »

World War II Names Still In Our Vocabulary - The U-Boat 505

During the days I travelled here and there as a systems consultant, one of my favorite cities to visit was Chicago. I always made time to see a performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, especially if Brahms was on the playbill. Being an irrepressible train watcher, I was in seventh heaven visiting the greatest rail center in the United States. The steaks were mouth watering, plentiful, and great. Doing the bar scene on Rush Street was a nightly misadventure and I tried my best to stay out of perilous situations. On one of my trips to the Windy City, I thought I’d return to one of my old haunts. This was the Museum of Science and Industry. This turned out to be a great experience. Fully enclosed in a new wing of the building was the German U-Boat U-505. Building... Read more »

World War II Names Still In Our Vocabulary Part Four - The Bloody Iwo Jima Memorial

The Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia is the reproduction of the Joe Rosenthal photograph taken after the capture of Mount Suribachi. This was the highest point of land on Iwo Jima. The flag raising symbolized the capture of the volcanic ash island. This flag raising was the second of two such symbolic capture photographs. The first one was scarcely noticable, so the Marine commanders sent a second detail of troops up to the Suribachi summit to re-enact the first flag raising. Although the flag was unfurled on Mount Suribachi, there would be a month’s more fighting before the island was... Read more »

World War II Names Still In Our Vocabulary -Part One - The Lenin Mausoleum

Almost seventy years have elapsed since the beginning of World War II. This was the bloodiest conflict our global world has ever endured. Almost every country throughout the world lost millions upon millions of its population. There has never been a war fought on such a massive scale as the Second World War. It is doubtful if such a war will ever be fought again. If it ever happens, it will mean the total destruction of our world. The Lenin Mausoleum is the first of a series of articles that document some of the names, places, catch words, and other items that are now lodged permanently in our vocabulary, History was made some 68 years ago. We dare not forget. The Lenin Mausoleum Lenin’s... Read more »

A History Of The Battle Dress Uniform

I signed my first Army contract in 1985, and over that time, one of the things I was most used to was the BDU, or Battle Dress Uniform. This is the uniform with a hunter style camouflage that most can close their eyes and envision when they think of the US Army. This uniform was adopted in 1981, with a four-color pattern with two green shades, brown and black. It came in two weights, temperate and winter, and saw minor changes in the color, waist tabs and stitching over the years. There were more specialized uniforms available as well. The DBDU was a desert uniform often called... Read more »

World War II Names Still In Our Vocabulary - Part Three - The Blitz

This is the third of a series of articles that document some of the names, places, catch words, and other items that are now lodged permanently in our vocabulary, History was made some 68 years ago. We dare not forget. From July to February, the name of the game is football. It starts with the exhibition season and ends with the Super Bowl extravaganza. Out of World War II has come a term about which which we all know. It is called The Blitz. The blitz is a team defensive move in which the defense sends more players than the offense can block. When the defense is running the blitz, it sends linebackers or even defensive safeties in order to try to tackle the quarterback or disrupt his pass... Read more »

Top 10 Signs Your Addicted to eBay

There are literally millions of people that are striving each and everyday to make an easy buck online. The idea of making money online and especially, making money on eBay, is not new. In fact, the eBay market is a little too saturated if you ask me. With all the nail-biting, finger-clawing, head to head competition for bids on eBay, I thought it would be nice to take a step back and poke some fun at the eBay rush. Below is a list of the top 10 signs that your addicted to eBay. Anyone that uses, or has used eBay will be able to appreciate the truth behind... Read more »

Chateau D’Annecy: The Little Castle That Could

In the 13th century, having been forced from their comfortable homes at Lake Leman, the Counts of Geneva fled from a hostile situation into the town of Annecy, France. As early as the 12th century, Annecy had been privilege to a small measure of fortifications, however with the arrival of the Counts - who took over the fortifications as their new home - several new towers and wings were built onto the fortifications, creating what is known today as Le Chateau... Read more »