A Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine got into an argument as to which service was "the best." The arguing became so intense, the four servicemen failed to see an oncoming truck. They were struck and killed instantly.

Soon the servicemen found themselves at the Pearly Gates where they met St. Peter. They decided only he could be the ultimate source of truth and honesty. So, the four asked him, "St. Peter, which branch of the United States Armed Forces is the best?" After a few moments he replied that he could not answer that and would have to kick it up to God for an answer the next time he saw Him. Meanwhile, thank you for your service on earth and welcome to Heaven.

Some time later the four see St. Peter and remind him of the question they had asked when first entering Heaven. Suddenly a sparkling white dove lands on St. Peter's shoulder. There is a note, glistening with gold dust, in the dove's beak. "This must be the answer from the Boss, let's see what it says." He opens the note, trumpets blare, gold dust drifts into the air, harps play crescendos, and St. Peter reads aloud to the servicemen.

MEMORANDUM: FROM THE DESK OF THE ALMIGHTY

TO: Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines

SUBJ: WHICH MILITARY SERVICE IS BEST

Gentlemen, all branches of the United States Armed Forces are honorable and noble. Each serves America well and with distinction. Being servicemen in the United States Military represents a special calling warranting special respect, tribute and dedication. Be proud of that.

Sincerely,

God

MCPO      USN (Ret)

A few of folks I read often have posted their scores on the OkCupid Politics Test, so I thought I'd join them, albeit begrudgingly since I tend not to follow blog memes.

That being said, I was a little surprised by the results. I've always considered myself to be conservative (at least in my adult life), but when I think about it, I do tend to have quite a few (little-l) libertarian positions.

You are a Social Liberal (68% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (76% permissive) You are best described as a: Libertarian Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

It's also worth noting that it's tough to draw these kinds of judgments on a relatively small question pool. I've never considered myself much of a social liberal, but on the questions that were presented, I guess I would fall into that camp. Other questions, I suspect, would have placed me in a different location.

An oooooold friend of mine (not that he's old, since he's the same age as your handsome, virile host here at Texas Native) sent me a link to a web site commemorating a TV show we watched as kids. If you couldn't get KTVT (Channel 11) out of Fort Worth, TX, from the late 50s through the early 70s, you never had the opportunity to see Slam Bang Theater with Icky Twerp.

If you never saw it, I'm not sure if the loss is yours or mine. Anyway, it was a fixture of my youth.

I got back this afternoon from visiting my son upon his return from Iraq. Also, it was great seeing my daughter-in-law, Missy, my granddaughters Kiara and Aubrey, and my son Sean and daughter Kristin. It was also good to see the kids' mother, Melissa, and Missy's parents, Christie and Joe.

As you might understand, I spent much more time just being with everyone instead of taking photos and videos. In fact, all I took was videos. This means I'll have to go through the video and pick out frames to post as photos. This is going to take a while.

But in the meantime, here's a photo of the Garrett family war hero in the Iraqi desert:

Despite the fact that North Carolina directly abuts the southern border of Virginia, it's still 385 miles from here to Camp Lejeune.

But I don't mind driving for a few hours, especially when the reward at the destination is seeing my grandaughters, as well as my daughter-in-law. And then later my son and daughter driving in from Tennessee. And then, on Saturday, to greet Boyd Jr on his return from his six month pleasure cruise to Iraq and back, financed by his rich uncle, Sam.

So I'm only just back from my haitus, and I'm gone for a few days. Somehow, I think you'll survive. Both of you.

This if for those of my readers who are licensed Amateur Radio operators (I guess that limits it to you, Kevin).

Today I received the Buddipole I ordered last week. This evening, I went out on the deck and set it up, connected to my FT-897D. I managed to hear a fellow in Eugene, Oregon (I'm in Virginia, don't forget) talk to a buncha folks, but the coast-to-coast propagation on 40 meters (7227 MHz, specifically) made him an attractive target, and I couldn't break through the pile-up.

But I remain undaunted. I'll be setting up my portable station again soon (probably tomorrow) to see who I can talk to ("with whom I can talk" for the gramarians out there). I'm interested to see what this unique antenna can do for me.

Yesterday, I asked if anyone could name the seven uniformed services of the United States government. The first five were easy, of course, being the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, so I supplied them in the post. Angel came up with the Public Health Service.

So as not to spoil my illusion that anyone beyond a (very) few friends read my blog, I'm not going to let the question dangle any further. The seventh uniformed service is, believe it or not, NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or more specifically the NOAA Commissioned Corps, also called the NOAA Corps. According to the linked About page, Officers in the NOAA Corps, numbering less than 300, operate ships, fly aircraft, manage research projects, conduct diving operations, and serve in staff positions throughout NOAA. And being a uniformed service, they can be called upon to augment the military, much like the Coast Guard and PHS.

Interestingly, I found a couple of instances where they specifically refer to themselves as the "seventh uniformed service." With so few members, I guess they have to know their place at the end of the line.

Boyd — the King of Trivia Minutiae

Without getting into the debate of who has failed the most miserably in New Orleans, a post at Wizbang made me think of the following trivia question:

What are the seven federal uniformed services? I'll take care of the easy ones: the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines from DoD, and the Coast Guard, most often from DHS. But that's five of the seven. What are the other two?

Okay, posts have been non-existent 'round these parts for quite some time. Thanks to the folks who have expressed curiosity or concern, and I apologize for not even confirming I'm still alive. Life's a bitch sometimes.

My eldest, Boyd Jr, the Marine, is returning from a six month government-sponsored pleasure cruise, which included some stops in garden spots such as Bahrain (pretty damned expensive for a 21-year-old Lance Corporal (at the time — he's now a Corporal) and Kuwait (from whence he had a few side trips to places like Iraq. At any rate, I'll be heading down to Camp Lejeune this weekend to welcome him home (and to see my latest grandbaby, not to mention my first granddaughter (see the girls here) and my daughter-in-law). Also on the positive side of the ledger, my son and daughter who live in Tennessee will be there.

I'm taking both the digital still camera and the digital video camera, but I'm notoriously lousy at taking pics and stuff. I like to be involved too much. But I vow that I'll do my best to actually capture some bits for you.

Like you care.