Bill vs. The Navy... (But First...)

But first of all, on a truly serious note... profound thanks to all those who served on the USCGC Inghram, presently decommissioned and maintained as an interactive public monument and museum by Bill Verge and the Southernmost Chief's Mess.

Mary and I had the distinct honor and privilege of visiting the Inghram and speaking to Mr. Verge and his fellow veterans last week. Not only did we take the tour... but that evening... we attended the Inghram's Sunset Happy Hour which is held every Friday and Saturday evening and is open to the public (in the know) for a mere $5 donation (which buys you your first drink) with drinks after that poured for a mere $3/$4/$5 donation depending upon what you're drinking!

Folks... FRIENDS... four links are provided up above. Right here, right now, I'm asking you to take a few moments to click on each one and explore... even if only for a few moments.

What you'll see is AMERICA. My America... your America... our fathers' and mothers' America... certainly our grandparent's America.

Most of my generation didn't serve. Depending upon how old we are - and how old our parents were - while many of us had parents who did serve... so too do many of us have parents who didn't serve.

Grandparents? Grandfathers? The odds are that they served. And our grandmothers? Whether in uniform or not... they - in one capacity or another - served as well.

I want each of you reading this to just stop for a moment and think... close your eyes... recall that photo or story which represented a loved one's service to our country.

Are you in the moment?

Are you feeling what I'm feeling... the gratitude... the pride...?

GREAT! NOW GRAB THAT CREDIT CARD AND MAKE A DONATION!

Yeah... yeah... yeah... I know... you already make more than your "fair share" of donation! Geezus... if you donated to every cause which asked you'd be living in a cardboard box!

I... get... it...

So... make an exception. No one says you have to donate $50. Nope. Donate $5.00! Or donate $10.00. Or, hell... donate $2.13 and pat yourself on the back for doing so! 

Using HAPPY HOURS to raise money? BRILLIANT! Get in the spirit and grab yourself a drink right this very moment and savor each sip as you DONATE a few bucks to this worthy cause! HELP these guys and gals - WW-2 vets... Korean War Vets... Vietnam War Vets and others - who are striving to save a remarkable piece of our nation's heritage!

PICTURE... YOUR... GRANDFATHER...

And picture your kids... and their kids (one day)... for whom we must maintain our nation's history - our nation's heritage.

Those of you with children... share the websites I've provided up above with your children. Share what America used to be with your children! Impart to your children what you - and they - can do to save not just a ship, but save a nation... save an ideal!

Anyway... I'm halt this post here... for the moment.

I know! I haven't yet even gotten to "Bill vs. The Navy." (Give me time!)