Jan
17
Aloha to USA’s 50th Star State – Hawaii
On Jan. 17, 1893, the ruler of then independent Hawaii, Queen Lili`uokalani was overthrown by U.S. Marines who arrested her at gunpoint.
Why do we have President William McKinley in this post? Because ultimately, on June 16 1897, he signed and forwarded the Treaty of Annexation of Hawaii to the United States, to the U.S. Senate for ratification.
It would take another year until President William McKinley signed it into law in July 1898 as it required a joint resolution of Congress authorizing the annexation.
The few voices that objected the morality of the annexation were drowned by the drums of conquest. At that time, our nation was caught in the fever of the war with Spain. The three months war put United States in control of Guam, Puerto Rico, Wake Island, Philippines and Cuba. So Hawaii just went with the flow.
Nov
24
Dan Cooper’s Thanksgiving flight of fancy
On November 24, 1971, Dan Cooper a.k.a. D. B. Cooper purchased a one way ticket from Portland, Oregon to Seattle. This name was actually just a cover as part of this enterprising gentleman’s plan for an unusually memorable Thanksgiving for himself.
1972 F.B.I. composite drawing of D. B. Cooper
No strict security screenings existed at the airports 41 years ago. Passengers and their carry-on baggage screening only began in 1973. Thus, Cooper had no difficulty in bringing on board a bag containing a contraption with wires and cylinders that looked like or could have been an explosive device. [Read more…]
Feb
27
Redeployed review by Greg Drobny of Ranger Up
Introducing, guest reviewer, Greg Drobny who posts and writes reviews ’round the net’ under the name: Mr. Twisted. He is a writer for Ranger Up and Rhino Den. His concerns revolve around giving a public voice to Veterans who’ve returned from combat and are suffering–either mentally or physically or both. PTSD has many tentacles, including a high rate of suicide among returning military veterans. These daily deaths are just one reminder of the challenges of re-integration and transition that face warriors returning to every day civilian lives, families and jobs.
“Mr. Twisted” counts these at the top of the list that he feels need the military community and general public’s attention.
From my own civilian point of view, I see “warriors” coming back with all manner of skills. Most, my peers and I might never think to master. Nor would we consider ourselves capable of performing at such a physically fit level. We could not even claim control by virtue of the discipline instilled along with determination in our nations’ warriors.
Some of these are awesome powers and we wonder, us non-hero accredited folks, how does it feel to come home with that kind of mindset and bodily energy to a civilian, smaller and limited playing field?
The book, Redeployed, has been embraced by Greg and his colleagues, because it reflects their and other warriors’ experiences. Speaking as a civilian, looking into the ‘ring’ of sport and competition that some veterans enter, we see a memory bank of intensive muscle and mind training. We wonder how they will channel all that energy and experience from the battle ground into the mixed match set up of every day life. We hope that they are equipped and know ‘what to do with themselves’ in such ordinary, yet challenging circumstances. (HK for MilSuccessNet)
The MilSuccessNet team met Greg Drobny on a rare occasion – in that its unusual for all three of us to be in the same country, same city and in this case, one Writers’ Conference. The event, Sangria Summit , held in Denver, Colorado was designed for aspiring and experienced Mil Writers. Others will be featured in coming posts. (SUBSCRIBE NOW and be alerted to your battle buddy’s debut)
Now to Mr. Twisted’s review of “Redeployed”, in his own words….. [Read more…]
Jul
08
Portugal Slays Dragons for Dominance
Vasco_da_Gama as elder and Viceroy of India
Vasco da Gama sailed into history on July 8, 1497.
With a fleet of four caravels, he became the first European to reach India by sea. He made use of the prevailing winds by sailing south in a zigzag pattern away from the African coast then veering off to the east past the Cape.
The Portuguese navigator reached the Indian coast, at Calicut in May 1498.
This voyage established one of the most lucrative trade routes at the time, controlled entirely by the tiny nation of Portugal. [Read more…]
Jul
02
Return to Civilian Life Helped By Mindset
Military Success Network guest author Phyllis Zimbler Miller
Military life develops many life and operational skills. The transition from military to fulltime civilian family life combined with potential new occupations and daily community participation brings with it opportunities and challenges. Awareness, preparation and specific supports help military men and women return to civilian life. For starters, it requires an open mindset.
Military Success Network begins the guest posts from “people who have been there” and done and learned “that”. Posts and articles will cover the process and the people and resources to boost success for those in transitions. What’s YOUR story? Do you see your self in this one? [Read more…]
Jun
29
“Bird of Paradise” Pilots Make Aviation History
Lester_J._Maitland_and_Albert_F._Hegenberger
Five weeks after the much celebrated Charles Lindbergh flight from New York to Paris, two plucky American pilots took a two ton Atlantic-Fokker C-2 trimotor airplane on a 2500 mile transpacific flight from California to Hawaii.
On June 29, 1927, they landed in the Pacific archipelago. The achievement was impressive and they received the Mackay Trophy. [Read more…]
Jun
28
Finding Forever on the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal Purchase Act enacted on June 28, 1902, authorized United States Government to purchase the rights, privileges, franchises, concessions, grants of land, right of way, unfinished work, plants, and other property, real, personal, and mixed, of every name and nature in a Panama project.
All this “from the French New Panama Canal Company at a cost not exceeding $40 million.”
Jun
26
Lives and Deaths of Conquistadors
Not even Shakespeare could concoct such a story.
Francisco Pizarro Gonzalez died on June 26 1541. The daring conqueror of Incas reaped what he sowed.
The illiterate bastard son of a Spanish soldier, Pizarro looked across the Atlantic for opportunity. Inspired by the success of Hernando Cortes, in Mexico, he set his focus on the Incan Empire. [Read more…]
Jun
11
June 11: Cadre rotation, Soviet style
On June 11 1937, the NKVD (old style KGB) executed eight Soviet high ranking officers (one Red Army Marshal included). A military court found them guilty of anti-Soviet conspiracy.
In order to keep the purge productive and secret, most members of the court later died of pneumonia caused by cold bullets. [Read more…]