HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBECCA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private Jerry Wall (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His citation reads:

Capture of flag.

Second Lieutenant George W. Wallace (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on March 4, 1900, at Tinuba, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads:

With another officer and a native Filipino, was shot at from an ambush, the other officer falling severely wounded. 2d Lt. Wallace fired in the direction of the enemy, put them to rout, removed the wounded officer from the path, returned to the town, a mile distant, and summoned assistance from his command.

Private First Class Herman C. Wallace (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on February 27, 1945, near Prumzurley, Germany. His citation reads:

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. While helping clear enemy mines from a road, he stepped on a well-concealed S-type antipersonnel mine. Hearing the characteristic noise indicating that the mine had been activated and, if he stepped aside, would be thrown upward to explode above ground and spray the area with fragments, surely killing 2 comrades directly behind him and endangering other members of his squad, he deliberately placed his other foot on the mine even though his best chance for survival was to fall prone. Pvt. Wallace was killed when the charge detonated, but his supreme heroism at the cost of his life confined the blast to the ground and his own body and saved his fellow soldiers from death or injury.


While she does not read my life’s work (this blog), I would still like to wish my good friend Rebecca (wife of my better friend Jeremy) a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Truth is, she is a great friend and a greater person… which is why she is Mary Ruth, Susie and Daniel’s godmother. Maybe, as a birthday present, I will let her godchildren spend the weekend over at her house. What a GREAT idea (for me and The Wife)! Anyway, I hope Jeremy and the boys make it a great birthday!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAVIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Private John Walker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on September 23, 1869, at Red Creek, Arizona. His citation reads:

Gallantry in action with Indians.

Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on January 5, 1943, at Rabaul, New Britain. His citation reads:

For conspicuous leadership above and beyond the call of duty involving personal valor and intrepidity at an extreme hazard to life. As commander of the 5th Bomber Command during the period from 5 September 1942, to 5 January 1943, Brig. Gen. Walker repeatedly accompanied his units on bombing missions deep into enemy-held territory. From the lessons personally gained under combat conditions, he developed a highly efficient technique for bombing when opposed by enemy fighter airplanes and by antiaircraft fire. On 5 January 1943, in the face of extremely heavy antiaircraft fire and determined opposition by enemy fighters, he led an effective daylight bombing attack against shipping in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain, which resulted in direct hits on 9 enemy vessels. During this action his airplane was disabled and forced down by the attack of an overwhelming number of enemy fighters.

Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian) Dr. Mary E. Walker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on July 21, 1861, at Battle of Bull Run. His citation reads:

Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Patent Office Hospital, Washington, D.C., October 1861; Chattanooga, Tenn., following Battle of Chickomauga, September 1863; Prisoner of War, April 10, 1864-August 12, 1864, Richmond, Va.; Battle of Atlanta, September 1864 Whereas it appears from official reports that Dr. Mary E. Walker, a graduate of medicine, "has rendered valuable service to the Government, and her efforts have been earnest and untiring in a variety of ways," and that she was assigned to duty and served as an assistant surgeon in charge of female prisoners at Louisville, Ky., upon the recommendation of Major-Generals Sherman and Thomas, and faithfully served as contract surgeon in the service of the United States, and has devoted herself with much patriotic zeal to the sick and wounded soldiers, both in the field and hospitals, to the detriment of her own health, and has also endured hardships as a prisoner of war four months in a Southern prison while acting as contract surgeon; and Whereas by reason of her not being a commissioned officer in the military service, a brevet or honorary rank cannot, under existing laws, be conferred upon her; and Whereas in the opinion of the President an honorable recognition of her services and sufferings should be made: It is ordered, That a testimonial thereof shall be hereby made and given to the said Dr. Mary E. Walker, and that the usual medal of honor for meritorious services be given her. Given under my hand in the city of Washington, D.C., this 11th day of November, A.D. 1865. Andrew Johnson, President (Medal rescinded 1917 along with 910 others, restored by President Carter 10 June 1977.)


I’d like to take a minute today to wish my buddy Travis a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! We hope Minde and the girls make it a nice birthday.


If you are looking for a good book on Henry Kissinger (and why wouldn’t you be), I recommend Kissinger: A Biography, by Walter Isaacson. It’s a touch under 900 pages, but it’s worth the time. It’s a very interesting book.


Well, it looks like the I’m just sayin… offices are going to be moving soon. We will have a temporary location while we build our new permanent office. If you have any boxes at your home or work that you would like to get rid of, I will gladly take them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT YVONNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Sergeant Edward Alexander Walker (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions from June 20 – July 16, 1900, at Peking, China. His citation reads:

In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, China, 20 June to 16 July 1900. Throughout this period, Walker distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

Private Frank O. Walker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on January 18, 1900, near Taal, Luzon, Philippine Islands. His citation reads:

Under heavy fire of the enemy he rescued a dying comrade who was sinking beneath the water.

Private James C. Walker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on November 25, 1863, at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee. His citation reads:

After 2 color bearers had fallen, seized the flag and carried it forward, assisting in the capture of a battery. Shortly thereafter he captured the flag of the 41st Alabama and the color bearer.


I would like to wish my Aunt Yvonne a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope she has a GREAT day! As you know, I am her favorite child and this was proven a few years ago when she made me a blanket of many colors (my 4 favorite colors, to be exact). Growing up, we (Mom and I) would go over to Mt. Pleasant for a haircut and then head down the road to visit Aunt Yvonne and Louis (and Susan, Alan and Uncle George if he was home). Those visits, along with the many times I spent the night at their house, are some of the best memories I have from my childhood.


For those of you who have been asking how my weight loss is going… I started at 249 and ended the month of January at 232. So far, so good… but I still have a long way to go.