Nobody names their kids in initials anymore, but maybe they would become greater people if they did. F.R. was papa hans to me. A truly remarkable person that I wish I would have known today. A self made guy who overcame the odds to become who he was. If ever a definition of the pauper becomes the prince, he defines it. Although, technically it's the pauper and the prince, but papa hans describes both. My grandfather had amazing stories and altruistic american tales. Born poor, he rose to the occasion through many adversities, many unknown to everyone. I hate the term "The greatest generation" as it was coined by a baby boomer, Tom Brokaw. Is that a fair statement, or did that era just exemplify what we all are deep down. That generation, and my grandfather, managed a better way to show their incredible sacrifices, and they seem extraordinary to us. Although we all should look up to our own Papa Hans, we also need to understand that our own generations and sacrifices should not be forgotton. History is trivia, but in no way should our history be any less trivial than one generation or another. Just because I have never had a victory garden, or gone through a Vietnam protest, shouldn't mean that 9/11 and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan should mean anything less to history. History is written currently, but understood and appreciated much later. F.R. Anderson was a great part of my history and what he did as a person, but who is to say there are not many more F.R.'s like him right now or between.
F.R. Anderson, I wish you were still here but you still serve a part of my history
Eric
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
The rap sheet
Love is free of all obstacles, right? I guess not. True.com is not true to its advertisements. True offers the chance at love, but respects the right to deny anyone based on their past record. Who would have thought that I am considered a bad guy by anyone, let alone a cheesy love, true, website. Evidently I don't pass the test for them. Very eHarmony like. Very selective. I had nearly forgotton about my criminal record until today. My criminal record 5 years ago was a clear indication that I am not compatible with anyone out there. Evidently no one who is worth a shit ever got arrested while attending college and getting a degree. I guess I'm a loser for that. After all I do have a b.s. degree. All along I thought thought that eHarmony was too selective in criteria, and now I find out about True.com's criteria. Do they know the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony, I doubt it. Do they ask the difference, or the charge, no. Is that True? no. It's interesting that they advertise love on the internet, yet love should have nothing to do with college hijinks. Pretty restrictive morals. I guess I won't know my True love after all. Oh well, I'm proud of who I am and where I have come from, even if I have had my fingers printed in a criminal database.
Eric,
PS Its not the end of the world, everyone should feel that sensation of being cuffed, because you won't want it again, just like I felt it. Once and only.
Eric,
PS Its not the end of the world, everyone should feel that sensation of being cuffed, because you won't want it again, just like I felt it. Once and only.
Friday, May 26, 2006
My own home?
I am embarking on a new adventure now, my own home ownership. Yes, I bought a house now. I'm afraid now of this house. It is totally mine and no one else to bail me out, yet no one to tell me how things should be. I'm excited but nervous. I love the freedom of me, but afraid of the undermined. It's my place, whow, how exciting. Can I say whow again. I'm not sure I can say that without misspelling it. That is the American dream. And hopefully I represent America,
Eric,
the excited mispeller, if that is a word
Eric,
the excited mispeller, if that is a word
Saturday, May 20, 2006
War
When I was growing up I always wanted to be in the military. The glorification of war to me was my calling. When I got to 18, I found that my calling was college, and the marines or army were a four year delay to my plans. War is glorified to me in movies, and I still feel the glory at this age of mine. I see movies, and want to be that person at times, the hero. Yet the heroes that I know hate their wars, and wish it didn't happen their way. I still have that itch of the 18 year old with posters on the wall. It might have been different at the time, had I known of the forthcoming events. Although I regret the military heroism, and that I was never a part of it, I don't regret the sacrifices that they are forced to make. If they would accept me right now, I would still probably jump at the chance, to understand what me and many other people have idolized for years. The opportunity to be a part of history. Not just local history, but to be a part of national history. I don't want to guess what they go through anymore, I want to have a deep understanding of it. Take that as you will.
Eric
Eric
Monday, May 15, 2006
Social Security
So the social security statement came in the mail today. To me this is very ironic. The most important part of the statement shows what I will be eligible for in benefits in 40 years. I seem to feel halfway thrilled at the idea that they are actually paying attention to what I am spending on my taxes, and trying to prove that they haven't forgotten me. And that is the high point. I know that I won't expect the government to dole out a dime when I reach 67 ( wow how old), but for them to flat out tell me that in the comments section is gratifying. For once a government agency doesn't tell a lie. They pretty much reaffirm all that everyone thinks about social security. It is a non-beneficial tax to my generation. They admit it's underfunded, mainly because of baby boomers and my statement should be treated like a credit card solicitation, and promptly filed in the garbage. I feel I'm somewhat smart, and started a retirement plan a few years ago. As of now I don't think that the government can take that savings away. But give it a few years and they may rewrite the tax laws. My point is, if I have one, that the government should send out the names of local stock brokers and retirement account agents, along with the fictious government retirement statement. At least this would give gen X, Y, Z or whatever nickname that the "greatest generation" or the "baby boomers" call us now, a hope for the future.
That's America though
Eric
from gen x or y, I'm not sure of the cutoff age
That's America though
Eric
from gen x or y, I'm not sure of the cutoff age
Thursday, May 11, 2006
The marriage thing
Why is it that everyone my age is expected to be married and have a love of their life. What's wrong with a single guy at this age enjoying life and doesn't even want the committment of a dog right now. Would I enjoy a steady woman right now, yes. But do I demand that, no. to be perfectly honest I could be a bachelor all my life. It is liberating and you don't have to make decisions based on someone else's thoughts. So I feel that however people pressure me into that I'll find the right woman eventually that will settle me down. But for now, I live my life as I see it on the daily basis. But maybe that isn't the American dream for most. But it is America for me.
Eric
Eric
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Old for being young
As a kid I always wanted to be older. 10 to be in the double digits. 13 to be a teenager. 14 for the learners permit. 16 for the freedom. 18 to be an adult. And 21 of course, to be a true adult. As I got older, I looked forward to other dates. 25 or 26, I'm not sure, being the age insurance drops. But now I wish I was 8 riding my big wheel again. At age 26, all of my good friends are married and that leaves me the left behind. After all, how do you convince your married friends to go out and look for women at a bar or club. It doesn't happen. At age 26, I have had 4 surgeries to fix injuries. At age 8, I got stitches and skinned my knees. I would still play ball the next day. I love the movie Big. It perfect for the person that thinks that their life should progress quicker than it is. When I was in my final college days, all I could think about was getting out and into a job. 6 months later, all I could think about was how easy it used to be. They ought to make a movie the opposite of Big. Called Little. Innocence is forgotten the older you get when reality of the world sets in.
Eric
Eric
Monday, May 01, 2006
The true American
I may want to be the america that everything thinks that they are, but today someone else deserves my respect as an American and hero. I will now commit plagiarism, as I will write word for word the story of a true American as said by the "Des Moines Register". and for those wondering about him think about the cover of "Time" magazine when the Iraq war started. Here goes, it will be long. Bear with the spelling errors I will be typing it along the way
" One of Gerald Kasal's final wishes was to live long enough to see his son receive th Navy Cross, one of the nation's highest awards.
He almost made it.
Kasal, 69, a retired Afton area farmer, died Sunday morning after a battle with liver cancer.
His condition had gradually deteriorated, making him too ill to travel to Camp Pendelton ,Calif., where his son, Brad will be decorated today for combat heroism in Iraq and promoted to sergeant major in the Marin Corps.
Volunteers had worked hard in recent days to set up a live hookup at Southwestern Community College in Creston, where the elder Kasal (pronounced castle) had hoped to gather with family and friends to watch the ceremony. Despite his death, the event is expected to go on as planned with participants paying their respects to Gerald Kasal while honoring his son.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Powers Funeral Home of Creston.
Ethe elder Kasal had sold his farm recently becaus of his failing health and had move to Creston. Graveside services are planned for 11:30 am Thursday at National Cemetary in Vining, IA.
Brad Kasal,39, joined the the Marines after graduating from East Union High School in 1984.
He was shot seven times on Nov. 13, 2004 while leading a mission to rescue three wonded Marines in an insurgent held hous in Fallujah, Iraq.
qMoments later, he suffered more than 40 shrapnel wonds after he bear-hugged a fellow Marine to protect him f4roma grenade explosion.
He Killed an insurgent inside the house in an exchange of gunfire at point blank range.
Reports had been circulating for the past year that the Iowan might be a candidate for thMedal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. Instead Kasal will be awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest ranking medal for Marines. he is one of only 10 Marines awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in Iraq or Afghanistan, military officials said.
"It is a great honor. I am very humbled by it," Kasal said in an interview last week. "Just the fact that I would be considered for it is humbling"
In a sense, he said, it was a relief not to win thMedal of Honor because such an award would have brought even mor attention to him.
His heroics in Iraq gained Kasal near legendary status agter a phot of him, bloodied and holding a 9 mm hand gun as he was helped by two gellow Marines, was circulated on dozens of Internet sites..
He was honored inFebruary by the Iowa House andSenate, which gave him standing ovations, after unanimously passing resolutions in each chamber citing him for patriotic and courageous service.
Both his ailing father-who was in a wheelchair- and his mother, Myrna Kasal, were at his side during the salutes.
The live video links today between Iowa and Camp Pendleton are being coordinated by Dick Bartlett, a Dyersvill native who now lives in Oceanside, Calif.
Bartlett is a volunteer for the Freedom Calls Foundation which was assisted in arranging the video hookups by community college officials, tthe Iowa Communications Network, Cox Business Services, and Marines.
Today's ceremony will be attended in Calif. by hundred of Kasal's fellow Marines. Maj. Gen Michael Lehner, commander of Marine Corps installations on the West Coast, will present the award.
Kasal suffered such serious injuries to his right leg in Iraq that doctors recommended months agterward that he unergo amputation. But the Marine stubbornly rejected that advice and has worked hard rehabilitation.
Kasal has received orders to be transferred later this month to Des Moines, wher he will be a key figure in Marine recruiting in a five state are. Eventually, he said, he hopes to return to combat status with a Marine unit."
This is an American. I am actually disappointed in this story because I believe if an American is deserving of the Medal of Honor, he is the one. For anyone not familiar with this man, Google Brad Kasal on the Images page and you will know a true American hero and be proud of what he is now struggling through, with the death of his father.
PS.
On May 1st of 2006 I know who America Is
" One of Gerald Kasal's final wishes was to live long enough to see his son receive th Navy Cross, one of the nation's highest awards.
He almost made it.
Kasal, 69, a retired Afton area farmer, died Sunday morning after a battle with liver cancer.
His condition had gradually deteriorated, making him too ill to travel to Camp Pendelton ,Calif., where his son, Brad will be decorated today for combat heroism in Iraq and promoted to sergeant major in the Marin Corps.
Volunteers had worked hard in recent days to set up a live hookup at Southwestern Community College in Creston, where the elder Kasal (pronounced castle) had hoped to gather with family and friends to watch the ceremony. Despite his death, the event is expected to go on as planned with participants paying their respects to Gerald Kasal while honoring his son.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Powers Funeral Home of Creston.
Ethe elder Kasal had sold his farm recently becaus of his failing health and had move to Creston. Graveside services are planned for 11:30 am Thursday at National Cemetary in Vining, IA.
Brad Kasal,39, joined the the Marines after graduating from East Union High School in 1984.
He was shot seven times on Nov. 13, 2004 while leading a mission to rescue three wonded Marines in an insurgent held hous in Fallujah, Iraq.
qMoments later, he suffered more than 40 shrapnel wonds after he bear-hugged a fellow Marine to protect him f4roma grenade explosion.
He Killed an insurgent inside the house in an exchange of gunfire at point blank range.
Reports had been circulating for the past year that the Iowan might be a candidate for thMedal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. Instead Kasal will be awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest ranking medal for Marines. he is one of only 10 Marines awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in Iraq or Afghanistan, military officials said.
"It is a great honor. I am very humbled by it," Kasal said in an interview last week. "Just the fact that I would be considered for it is humbling"
In a sense, he said, it was a relief not to win thMedal of Honor because such an award would have brought even mor attention to him.
His heroics in Iraq gained Kasal near legendary status agter a phot of him, bloodied and holding a 9 mm hand gun as he was helped by two gellow Marines, was circulated on dozens of Internet sites..
He was honored inFebruary by the Iowa House andSenate, which gave him standing ovations, after unanimously passing resolutions in each chamber citing him for patriotic and courageous service.
Both his ailing father-who was in a wheelchair- and his mother, Myrna Kasal, were at his side during the salutes.
The live video links today between Iowa and Camp Pendleton are being coordinated by Dick Bartlett, a Dyersvill native who now lives in Oceanside, Calif.
Bartlett is a volunteer for the Freedom Calls Foundation which was assisted in arranging the video hookups by community college officials, tthe Iowa Communications Network, Cox Business Services, and Marines.
Today's ceremony will be attended in Calif. by hundred of Kasal's fellow Marines. Maj. Gen Michael Lehner, commander of Marine Corps installations on the West Coast, will present the award.
Kasal suffered such serious injuries to his right leg in Iraq that doctors recommended months agterward that he unergo amputation. But the Marine stubbornly rejected that advice and has worked hard rehabilitation.
Kasal has received orders to be transferred later this month to Des Moines, wher he will be a key figure in Marine recruiting in a five state are. Eventually, he said, he hopes to return to combat status with a Marine unit."
This is an American. I am actually disappointed in this story because I believe if an American is deserving of the Medal of Honor, he is the one. For anyone not familiar with this man, Google Brad Kasal on the Images page and you will know a true American hero and be proud of what he is now struggling through, with the death of his father.
PS.
On May 1st of 2006 I know who America Is