Chicken or Ham?

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Quartermaster John McGowan (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 24, 1862, on board the U.S.S. Varuna. His citation reads:

McGowan occupied one of the most responsible positions on the U.S.S. Varuna during the attacks on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and in action against the rebel ship Morgan on 24 April 1862. Although guns were raking the decks from behind him, McGowan remained steadfast at the wheel throughout the thickest of the fight, continuing at his station and rendering service with the greatest courage and skill until his ship, repeatedly holed and twice rammed by the enemy, was beached and sunk.

Captain Hugh J. McGrath (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 26, 1899, at Calamba, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads:

Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and drove him from his entrenchments.

Private First Class Francis X. McGraw (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on November 19, 1944, near Schevenhutte, Germany. His citation reads:

He manned a heavy machinegun emplaced in a foxhole near Schevenhutte, Germany, on 19 November 1944, when the enemy launched a fierce counterattack. Braving an intense hour-long preparatory barrage, he maintained his stand and poured deadly accurate fire into the advancing foot troops until they faltered and came to a halt. The hostile forces brought up a machinegun in an effort to dislodge him but were frustrated when he lifted his gun to an exposed but advantageous position atop a log, courageously stood up in his foxhole and knocked out the enemy weapon. A rocket blasted his gun from position, but he retrieved it and continued firing. He silenced a second machinegun and then made repeated trips over fire-swept terrain to replenish his ammunition supply. Wounded painfully in this dangerous task, he disregarded his injury and hurried back to his post, where his weapon was showered with mud when another rocket barely missed him. In the midst of the battle, with enemy troops taking advantage of his predicament to press forward, he calmly cleaned his gun, put it back into action and drove off the attackers. He continued to fire until his ammunition was expended, when, with a fierce desire to close with the enemy, he picked up a carbine, killed 1 enemy soldier, wounded another and engaged in a desperate firefight with a third until he was mortally wounded by a burst from a machine pistol. The extraordinary heroism and intrepidity displayed by Pvt. McGraw inspired his comrades to great efforts and was a major factor in repulsing the enemy attack.


From my conversation with Susie the other night (I was back in my room reading when she came back there):

Susie: “Daddy”.

I look at her

Susie: “Daddy”.

After realizing just looking at her isn’t enough  Me: “Yes baby?”

Susie: “Daddy… Umm… Do you want chicken or ham in your lunch tomorrow?”

Me (excited): “Are you making my lunch for me?!”

Susie (smiling, but otherwise calm): “I’m helping Mommy. Do you want chicken or ham in your lunch tomorrow?”

Me (still trying to sell being excited): “Oh I’m so happy. My lunch tastes so much better when you make it for me”.

Susie: “Well, Daddy… I’m helping Mommy make your lunch. Do you want chicken or ham?”

Me: “It’s just I can tell when you help Mommy because it tastes like it was made with love”.

Susie: “Chicken or ham?”

Me: “Chicken”


Flashback Friday

Chandler, The Real Jane, Teresa Lynn, Brent and me the night before a wedding

The babies with their babies

My guess is I said something funny right as this picture was being taken... I say this based on the way The Wife is cutting her eyes at me (I'm next to my brother-in-law Brent).

I'm not sure where or when this was taken... But I see my Labor Day Uncle Paul, Teresa Lynn and Dad