R.I.P David Beautiful Bald Eagle Jr

Sometimes kids play and dream of the great things they will be when they grow up. Things like being a War Hero, appearing on the silver screen in a hit movie, maybe a cowboy in a rodeo or an Indian Chief. (Native American Chief, kids weren't always politically correct.)

Then most kids grow up and live far more ordinary lives. However, I found out Chief David Beautiful Bald Eagle Jr passed away after 97 years of a Beautiful Life. I'm sure he had his struggles after all he was human.

In World War II he fought in Normandy where he was injured. I think that covers the War Hero part. He appeared in "Dances with Wolves." The movie won an Oscar and was pretty successful.

He was a Rodeo Cowboy and he became Chief. I guess you could say he lived a life of dreams.

I think after 97 years he deserves to rest in peace!

Farewell Gator!

I never had the chance to meet William Earl "Gator" Farrington. He was a businessman, a veteran, and a hero. He passed away the Sunday before New Year's. He was 88 years old and lived a long full life. I knew of Gator through his restaurant. I would have enjoyed a chance to hear the stories he would have had to share.



I know of Mr. Farrington from Gator's Seafood which my wife pointed out to me on one of our trips to Navarre. The name grabbed me and the sign said see live gators. When I lived in Florida my first time in my formidable kid years between 6 and 12 I had a fascination with alligators. My parents probably thought this was unhealthy and may have contributed to us moving to Maine. I know my Mom chewed out my brother's teacher for giving him detention once. Something about me walking home five blocks taking several hours since I had to say hi to my reptilian friends. I could imitate their calls and literally call them to shore. A good skill to have when visitors come to town and to worry parents. My voice has since changed and I have since lost that skill. (The picture is William Earl "Gator" Farrington from his obituary in the Pensacola News Journal.)

I thought the establishment might have alligators in captivity and the place was named after the alligators. I was wrong on both accounts. The alligators were wild and free. Gator's Seafood was named after Gator who founded the restaurant with his wife. The restaurant is open on weekends during the summer and is located outside Milton, Florida. Picture on the right is a sign by the door at Gator's Seafood photo by me.



Above an alligator swims in the lake behind Gator's Seafood (picture by me.)

The story of how Mr. Farrington earned his nickname can be read inside the menu of Gator's Seafood. He earned his nickname by killing an alligator at the age of 13 and dragging the five foot critter out of the lake by it's tail. Witnesses to this feat called him "Gator" and the name stuck!

He served his country in World War II and the Korean War serving in the United States Navy. I assume he would have had some great tales to tell from the wars. He also loved serving his community.

He will be missed by his patrons, family, neighbors, country and people like me who never got the chance to meet the man.

Pearl Harbor Day

If you are looking for the resilts of the Battle of the Bands contest I will have a post up on that tonight or tomorrow. Today is Pearl Harbor Day so I wanted to blog about that. It is a day that should be remembered. Over 2400 people died in that attack.

Here Veterans, survivors of that attack ring a bell to remember thise who did not survive..

Footage from the actual attack...

Aerial view of the base from last year..

To those who served in World War II thank you. May we always remember this day and hopefully lessons learned from that war.

R.I.P. Yogi Berra

Yogi Berra one of the best catchers in baseball history passed away yesterday at the age of 90. Among his quotable quotes he once said "It ain't over 'til it's over" well today it is over.

A mini biography of the New York Yankee great..

The Hall of Fame catcher was a World War II veteran. So even without his incredible baseball career his passing would be worth a moment to reflect on.

He was involved in 21 World Series as a player, coach or manager during his career and wound up on the winning side 13 times. In addition to being inducted into the Hall of Fame he was also selected for the All-Century team in 1999.

Celebration of his 90th birthday earlier this year..

His jersey number retired by the New York Yankees. He was a three time American League MVP and an All-Star selection 18 times.

His wit will be missed, gratitude for his military services always extended, and his place in baseball history unmatched. I hope he rests in peace and I am glad he enjoyed a long life.

Remembering Bob Hope on his Birthday

Today is the 112th anniversary of Bob Hope's birthday. He passed away in 2003.

Here is opening monologue from the 1975 Oscars....

Here his is roasted by Don Rickles..

Bob Hope entertaining the troops in Vietnam..

He will always be remembered in my book for the shows he did to support our troops. He did that even in World War II...

With Memorial Day recently passing it is a perfect time to reflect on the legacy left behind by Bob Hope. 

December 7: "a date which will live in infamy."

On this date in 1941 Japan conducted an air raid on Pearl Harbor.

The results included 2300 Americans killed, 12 ships sank or beached, 9 others left needing repairs, 160 destroyed aircraft, and 150 left needing repairs.

President Roosevelt stated today is "a date which will live in infamy."