Savoy 6

Just imagine how much the International Math Olympics must burn them. I am a veteran and have been following this thread for awhile now. Just to start off, I am sooo not in favor of this idea. The reasons being, I now own the Purple Heart that my grandfather earned/received for injuries sustained while stationed in Thailand, and after seeing the picture of the ridiculous image of the one with Signal on it, I began to get a little upset about it. I know that my grandfather struggled with that event through-out the rest of his life, not only the fact that he was injured but, that he also lost a close friend during it. I know that some have stated that the military would probably find it, possibly humorous, but I say to that, why not go and ask them? Try visiting a Veteran's Hospital and seeing just what it takes to get a real Purple Heart and see if it sits well with you. As for the quote above, I say the same thing, Ask a Purple Heart recipient if he would rather have a Gold Medal from the Olympics or the use of his/her extremities due to the fact that he/she was trying to defend the Right to your Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Speech is essential to our society. You will always find someone upset by an idea. The dialogue has been interesting.There are Medals of Valor and actually some give medals of honor given in the civilian world everyday. Of course the CMH is protected by law as well as other laws regarding wearing MILITARY medals or ribbons not earned. Of course you can use the word "won", because no one "wins" a Purple Heart" or Medal of Honor, they earned them. Some may remember the "controversy" when the Army Chief of Staff issued a black beret to all troops. It removed the black beret from the Rangers and replaced it with a sand beret just like the SAS. Those of us who earned a beret, vs. issued, were concerned, I laughed about it. The SAS didn't like their beret being diluted. The rangers were upset, even those that never wore the beret. Thus you may ruffle feathers anyway you go. I don't believe it cheapens or demeans the Order of the Purple Heart. I think though this is flogging a dead horse. That includes my reply.

I requested mine. Father, Sister and Grandmother on mom's side all diabetic. Every meal and pound are a possible life altering action. I work hard to watch weight, diet and excersise, sometimes not too hard. Family medical history is train wreck. One of the few conditions I can work against to keep at bay Great Idea, good cause.

Marshall Tucker - Searching for a rainbow. May have to ask your grandparents!

Having been a Bureau-cat for 21 years, I advise go slow and have 1, count 'em, 1 person as the selected spokesman. Be careful whom you select. If the meeting room is small don't swarm. Keep it small and professional. Dress for the oocasion. The "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression", is very true. Dress for success. Also, county officials for the most part are regular people. Know your audience. I don't know your county, but I've dealt with many who range from pig farmers to bankers, retired genrals, and housewives. Respect the position of an elected official. I don't mean the person, but the office they hold. Also keep personal feelings toward a person aside. Get a neutral spokesman if it can't be kept impersonal. unfortunately they are the chain of command for the county. The media may work for you or it could blow up in your face. Don't embarrass the officials. Bringing in "the state" will surely piss them off. They like their autonomy and don't like outside meddling, especially at the state level. Good or bad that's reality. Trust me, suits from the capital will put the officials on the defensive. Too many meetings in rural Missouri defending my job and our position before any action is addressed. Many times I've heard, 'we don't need this pup from the state running our business". That was one of the nice comments. Careful too not to embarrass the state people, if they are you only hope keep them on your side. They may be your "public servant", but not your slave. Choose your battles and what hills you'd want to die on. As far as donuts with sprinkles, i myself like cinammon crunch bagels

My 2 sense): I carry a Treo 650, in my pack, in a Pelican Case and keep bluetooth earpiece in pocket. I paid too much for my gizmos to ruin them without protection, wrap that rascal! If need be my oldest boy can use cell and give coordinates to dispatch to haul my old butt out. Never had too but as age increases, so do my chances of getting hurt or sick. I have experienced gravity in the passive, in the woods. Also aggressive gravity, while drinking it grabs you and jerks you to the earth. Many times it holdsyou until the next morning. Mountain bikers have known the rule for years, same as cited above, those who have falllen and those who will fall.

...you take your son out at 7am to cache before the 8 am visiting hours at the hospital to see wife/mom ... you time caches by number found or the hours you can take two boys bickering--3 hours or 3 caches whichevever comes first ...you come home after 3 hours caching with your son when you are told you left to go to the store for milk and bread ...it's 5am and you are writng a reply oblivious to the fact rugrats is on the TV next to your computer, yikes!

I'm 50, my assistants (sons)are 7 and 14. "I'm gowing older, but not up"

Well, I signed the log on the cache that Scammer's dog, Blanco, found for me. I, having the opposable thumbs to accomplish that feat, considered it a find. Blanco could neither open the ammo can, nor sign the log himself. I consider it a TEAM effort. Ike, my St. Bernard/Shepard found several caches. he got out of the truck and made a bee-line for them. No need for my GPS. Some hadn't been looged for quite awhile. I don't know if it was scent of humans or tupperware.(I used tupperware bowls to scoop my dogs food for them) Was a hoot watching him. It was like he knew he found something special. I wanted to let him log it, but he's so modest and didn't want to. he did get a treat on the spot and a trip to Mcdonalds! Pardon the pun, but long live dog-cachers!

What ever happened to plain ol' fun and a challenge? I deal with laws and regulations daily, caching is my time to relax, get exercise, spend time with the kids... FTF??? I've been caching not even 2 years, had to stop for work and other causes. I don't get the FTF chance. To me, it ain't a thang! I guess, for some, caching is a place for people to get "power" in their meager lives that they can't get other ways. To Cache police- Lighten up Francis! To Team Desert Eagle- You keep on being you. Life's too short for this.

Here at home we have several around the area of our state capital building. I've mentioned this before, it's a fascinating building. the first floor is a two wing museum. A couple of blocks in either direction you'll find several caches in historic locations. In the capital itself, there are virtual caches, great in Missouri winter and for kids. Plus we have some that are local history oriented. Being a history buff, these serve my own interests, plus I can keep the boys educated to their own city's history. We have civil war history, Lewis and Clark, Frank and jesse james related history. If ever in the area stop in, you'll be surprised what you'll find.

Probably the most famous Pogo quotation is "we have met the enemy and he is us."

That Chuck, what a guy. Whenever I cache, I'm number 1, numero uno. I may not have found many(gotta life and job) but we have fun My father once told me that at work I wasn't fast or slow, I was, as he said, "half-fast".

Depending on the age of the children; strollers and puppies attract women. Not a bad thing. I do like the vest and clipboard idea. I have one with "Department of Health" on it. If nothing else, orange DOH vest, clipboard, GPSR, tha park will become mine and mine alone!

50 on the 1st of June. "growing older, but not up"

For paper, what else. A map case. I got one from Ranger Joe's 8 years ago. Fold and seals with velcro,. Opens up and maps/cachee info are visible in plastic, slots for pen, and map protractors, or small swag items, can be carried around neck with cord, or I have my man servant carry it for me(my oldest son). Tough material, quality case. For paperless, a Treo 65o smartphone. Lo tech to high tech in 60 seconds!

HHHMM? Taped a note to the Church door. Not a Lutheran are you? It was a note not a thesis I hope. I hope we are talking about historically relevant caches. I'm a bit sensitive having just bought some land in a cemetary. I KNOW we cachers are respectful of those resting in peace. I'd be a bit miffed if someone was not. But, hey that's just me. Like isaid I'm a wee bit sensitive these days regarding this issue. Not to the point of a jerk, but as the man said, "let's be careful out there". Are you O.K. with a lawnmower running over your grave once a week? BTW. The cache I placed was an offset cache taking the real hide to a unused/unplotted portion of the cemetery. The first stage is obvious from 50 feet away so I doubt that any graves were disturbed. Why sure I am. But that is a little different than caching in it or around them. it's not my grave though BTW. And see you were respectful of the graves, exactly what i was talking about, SEE!! we have many historic graves where I live. Capitol city, civil war sites, outlaws, inlaws... I can see them more as a virtual cache. Using a date or letters or quotes. We have several of this type in the actual capital building's museum. Plus we have Thomas Hart Benton murals galore. Great winter spot. Come to MO, we got history comin' out our ears. Just wanting folks to be respectful and maintain the sanctity of the ground.

HHHMM? Taped a note to the Church door. Not a Lutheran are you? It was a note not a thesis I hope. I hope we are talking about historically relevant caches. I'm a bit sensitive having just bought some land in a cemetary. I KNOW we cachers are respectful of those resting in peace. I'd be a bit miffed if someone was not. But, hey that's just me. Like isaid I'm a wee bit sensitive these days regarding this issue. Not to the point of a jerk, but as the man said, "let's be careful out there".

Does my low sodium diet make me ex-salted?? Since I am divorced from Queen of She devils, am I a Prince of sorts??

ROFLOL, ahem, sorry, but that's indeed what it felt like. OH Yes, it's all fun and games until you get your Christmas GOOSE in May!!!!

I think it's been pointed out: that is the sign for lesbian. Really? Before I cached, as a paramedic, " back in the day" I thought that was the universal sign for "what am i going to do next?"

I found 4, I believe they are called "gosling". No momma around and they were struggling on a trail. After helping, naive dummy I am, to my horror and the amusement of my family , mom came back. I felt like a B-52 was on my tail. Her wingspan was ENORMOUS! I ran, she flew, i zigged, she zagged.. it was like an aerial dog fight. I'm running throught this field, she's after blood, and my wife and 3 kids are in tears. Not in fear, they are laughing their collective butts off. Finally tactics won out and I shook the "red baron" how, I don't know. But I've lived to fly another day!

I just use my honeymoon picture. Special Ops Medical Assoc meeting 1997. Yes, I honeymooned at a conference. Conference was already scheduled and I got married 3 days before. So I bought tickets for my wife, while I was in class, she was swimmming and all that stuff. (it's the best picture of just the two of us)

If my boots aren't already "waterproof" I don't spray. I've been using "Sno-Seal" since 1975. Works without any fumes. If you don't like goo on your hands, stay away.I've Only used on leather, don't think cloth would fair well, as Alway, I might be wrong/

I have 2 Pelican boxes. 2 sizes. GPS and Treo 650 fit in either.The smaller is a great travel humidor for cigars. Multipurpose for multi-tasking. hard cases, hinged lids, fit great in packs.

Backing in means I'm available?? Wow at church on Saturday nights, there's a lot of cruising. most of us with trucks back in to 'pull out quickly "! In '85 I was in a meeeting at a defunct hospital in Kansas City. It's next to the Liberty Memorial, a well known local cruising spot. Large tower, like Coit tower in SF. Well, I got caught in the traffic circle by construction driving 3 times in a circle. I'm not bragging, but i got plenty of attention. The school girls on the bus laughed, pointed and I think said something like my "tags" were something, couldn't understand them. As far as weapons, file the front sight down, it's easier when it's shoved somewhere else. Justify the use of force in that situation Just walk away. Like encountering wildlife, leave it alone. Foisting your beliefs on them is justt what you are accusing them of. I don't agree nor do I condone it. I'm not God and I don't judge. As far as explaining it to my kids, hey that's still my job as a parent. Just like explaining what two dogs are doing. (ok, I'm not comparing gays to dogs, pre-emptive correction) Also, homophobia is an "irrational fear", like all phobias. I don't fear them, nor should anyone else. There will be a time for judgement, and caching isn't the place. jeez, let's have fun. By the way, which version of the bible bans cruising?? Twelve years of Catholic school and I never heard, "Thou shalt not cruise". Must be in the Dead Sea scrolls, or i slept during that part.