tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post3084531409959334982..comments2024-03-28T06:44:27.729-04:00Comments on The Feral Irishman: When America was strong, fun, and prosperousIrishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09772405362867585844noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-20319851212579649072023-04-01T22:19:13.446-04:002023-04-01T22:19:13.446-04:00I was at that Air show in Montreal, only 6 years o...I was at that Air show in Montreal, only 6 years old but that was one of the few trips of my childhood with just my parents and brother, all three were Irish immigrants to Toronto in1960. Great memory.I recall the mono rail train into the Buckminster Fuller geodisic Dome that’s still there in Montreal, and the massive wall of TVs with one large picture, precursor to smart TVs today.Also, we always watched the Air show at the Exhibition in Toronto as well. We lived in Parkdale, downtown west Toronto, and could see the show from our front steps. Planes took off and landed at The a Island Airport, now called a Billy BishopAirport, after a Toronto born WW 1 Flying Air Ace withmore Air victories than anyone else, over 70if memory serves. Thanks for that lovely story, Jimmy Stewart in Liberty Valance with John Wayne the greatest John Ford movie and top 3 Western for me.High Noon and any Eastwood western tops for me.<br />MacCos in CanadaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-63425424254174048812023-04-01T22:02:58.261-04:002023-04-01T22:02:58.261-04:00A great story. Jimmy Stewart was a great American ...A great story. Jimmy Stewart was a great American and a class act!Mike aka Proofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08931553845065187278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-4409560311047206242023-04-01T14:58:35.271-04:002023-04-01T14:58:35.271-04:00Nice, thanks.Nice, thanks.mobiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10582872757769683429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-34515533735426623752023-04-01T13:13:02.506-04:002023-04-01T13:13:02.506-04:00Me too, Brother.Me too, Brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-66510921885101334132023-04-01T03:27:13.528-04:002023-04-01T03:27:13.528-04:00What a great story and nice links for some good vi...What a great story and nice links for some good videos.<br />Back in the 70's my wife worked at the local airport and had the on call for the fuel pumps one weekend. She got a call so we headed to the airport. There sat a P-51 looking so nice. The pilot did the fueling himself while chatting with us and with a little prompting did a fly by as he was leaving. It looked like the prop was going to hit the asphalt as he flew by. I got a great picture of the Mustang with the background blurred. I was very lucky that year to get a ride in a Stearman and a B-25 along with many different airplanes. We were partners in a Cessna 182 but due to an injury and missing work we had to drop out. Years later I ended up flying ultralights when flying regular aircraft was becoming less fun due to all the regulations. I still have fond memories of those times now in my old age but at least I have videos. <br />jackjackjrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17997558718430894141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-20604983041645866202023-03-31T19:17:41.636-04:002023-03-31T19:17:41.636-04:00First, thank you to all here that have served our ...First, thank you to all here that have served our country in the military. I have to say that the planes of WWII were more elegant machines of a more genteel time. <br />I live in Muskegon, MI, where we used to have a huge airshow, and are bringing it back again this year. One year upon leaving work, right on the shores of Lake Michigan, a Stealth Fighter buzzed overhead, after coming in from Lake Michigan, at less than 500 feet. It scared me half to death, no knowing what it was, and just hearing it and then seeing it, for the first time. I truly thought it was an alien craft come from outer space. It really looked that strange and unlike any airplane that I had ever seen. Truly a testament to the abilities of America's technological prowess.<br />Myself, I am a child of the Vietnam war, having been born in 1960, and so I grew up with "my war" being the war in South East Asia. By then the number of celebrities who were willing to volunteer and make the sacrifice to serve had been reduced, although they were still out there. Most of them didn't become celebrities until after their service days. While it has become popular to say that the Vietnam was a mistake, at the time, the men and women there on the ground did not know that, and were doing their duty, to serve America the best they could, trying to keep us safe here. For that I myself am eternally grateful. <br />I actually received word today that my aunt, who was married to my dad's younger brother passed away at the age of 86. This brother was a 23 year veteran of the U.S. Army, and served in both Korea and Vietnam. She lived in Junction City, Kansas, near Ft. Riley. She was the last of my dad's family, with my dad being the last of the blood line passing away around 8 years ago. It seems like every milestone like this just reinforces to me that I am lucky to have ancestors who were good people. I only hope that my kids can look back and say something similar about me.Pigpen51noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-15505448818357961612023-03-31T17:56:54.402-04:002023-03-31T17:56:54.402-04:00'Your durty little eye'! Such honesty! Act...'Your durty little eye'! Such honesty! Actually brought a tear to my nasty little eye. 🤣<br />Old warbirds do sing.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-73314215222083135732023-03-31T13:46:56.347-04:002023-03-31T13:46:56.347-04:00In many cases, it is the children of those that fo...In many cases, it is the children of those that fought for America that are giving it away.Lostokienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-21421491237769461822023-03-31T10:51:31.010-04:002023-03-31T10:51:31.010-04:00Thanks for that video RHT. I was born 40 years to ...Thanks for that video RHT. I was born 40 years to late.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-39456461218992596732023-03-31T10:34:32.529-04:002023-03-31T10:34:32.529-04:00ps One last story. I am an early riser. Years ago ...ps One last story. I am an early riser. Years ago camping on the Illinois river in NE Oklahoma was up early so went bank fishing as not to disturb my sleeping beauty family. Next thing I know I hear an engine coming down the valley. Looked like a hellcat but not sure waved my arms in a wing waggle and next thing you know he peels ballistic does a loop and continues to buzz me, got that woody, If only to be in the tent with my wife for the next hour could have been the next best thing. Oh that sound.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-25439886687994454262023-03-31T10:28:39.821-04:002023-03-31T10:28:39.821-04:00Alright brothers, this is the greatest nation in t...Alright brothers, this is the greatest nation in the history of mankind. It has been through the four turnings a couple a times. It will be good times again some day so don't lose hope. Wish I could hang around to see it, when the fun begins, and I mean fun, I hope I'm still around to add a little Samuel Whittmore to the festivities. Yes dusty in here again today.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-59682637620729010942023-03-31T10:23:21.291-04:002023-03-31T10:23:21.291-04:00Years ago out to lunch we quite often drove around...Years ago out to lunch we quite often drove around the airport. Bam, lo and behold a B 25 sitting on the tarmac by the non commercial hangers. We pulled in and my chicken shit coworkers would not get out of the car. I strolled in and inquired. It was having some of its final refurbishment done there. The guy took us inside for a tour, I was a little kid again.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-15963402905810463902023-03-31T10:18:36.797-04:002023-03-31T10:18:36.797-04:00That sound always gives me a woody.That sound always gives me a woody.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-91346857623810685242023-03-31T10:12:29.108-04:002023-03-31T10:12:29.108-04:00Been to Destin but Pensacola on my bucket list. Sa...Been to Destin but Pensacola on my bucket list. Saw a funny video where the pilot while training went ballistic from low level and blew the beach umbrella's to the four corners.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-17700254021814391412023-03-31T10:10:37.955-04:002023-03-31T10:10:37.955-04:00Seen it many times Ghost as well as most of the ot...Seen it many times Ghost as well as most of the other classics of that era.<br /><br /> I have to admit that on occasion I catch the black sheep squadron on over the air antenna and how corny it is but when I was a kid those corsairs sure seemed like they were simulating the real deal. <br /><br />Rarely missed an airshow in my AO, my bucket list is Oshkosh though. Drove through there on vacation not knowing it was going on one time, had I not had family headed home I would have stopped.Bear Claw Chris Lapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01190524236686025884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-36941438564113008172023-03-31T10:00:50.958-04:002023-03-31T10:00:50.958-04:00Back in 1969 I was working out on the runway at Pe...Back in 1969 I was working out on the runway at Pensacola NAS Forest Sherman Field, the home of the Blue Angels....I got to witness the takeoff and flight of the Blues in their F4 Phantoms....they didn't fly them for very long but what an impressive sight...nonncomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-54569946890980697642023-03-31T08:37:09.776-04:002023-03-31T08:37:09.776-04:00Nothing on this planet sounds like a Merlin powere...Nothing on this planet sounds like a Merlin powered Mustang moving at 50 ft. off the deck. It just makes you stop in your tracks. I have flagged these planes to a spot on the ramp and stood in front of that HUGE prop hoping they would stop. You cannot even see the pilot. I cannot even imagine what it felt like to sit behind that Merlin and push the throttle up. They must have all gone deaf. Wonderful story.drailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15638173107689759883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-42411722719292054722023-03-30T22:16:13.447-04:002023-03-30T22:16:13.447-04:00My most favorite high speed low pass...in a Spitfi...My most favorite high speed low pass...in a Spitfire. Love that V-12 sound<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iOoiEbtf2wAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-23754915799375418842023-03-30T19:19:36.372-04:002023-03-30T19:19:36.372-04:00A great plane, with a suitable pilot. Who the hel...A great plane, with a suitable pilot. Who the hell is cutting up onions on the internet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-33196786688366248272023-03-30T19:10:35.403-04:002023-03-30T19:10:35.403-04:00Chuck Yeager was one of my hero's. He was one...Chuck Yeager was one of my hero's. He was one of the reasons I joined the Air Force. I wanted to be a pilot and I tested for a chance to get into the cadet program. But, it wasn't to be. I could not pass the eye exam. I enlisted anyway and spent 28 years serving my Country. One image I can never forget is that of a P-51 Mustang making a low level pass and tipping its silvered wings in a salute to an admiring crowd. Mustangs are the things that fly in the dreams of future pilots!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-9949611309200878832023-03-30T18:45:43.763-04:002023-03-30T18:45:43.763-04:00Every time I see this story, I have to read it aga...Every time I see this story, I have to read it again. My dad was B-17 pilot and flew 35 combat missions over Europe with this group--<br /><br />http://www.447bg.com/<br /><br />Here's another outstanding video--<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy3nsRvhgSERHT447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-90655359383376862312023-03-30T18:15:04.912-04:002023-03-30T18:15:04.912-04:00From about that same era - also Canadian: Utube d...From about that same era - also Canadian: Utube dot com/watch?v=z4i3LmR0K74<br />Also: Utube dot com/watch?v=8t_qToyqiOU<br />My America - we'll never see her againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-87969282411728497282023-03-30T17:46:43.889-04:002023-03-30T17:46:43.889-04:00Irish, I had just seen that story go by on FB and ...Irish, I had just seen that story go by on FB and lost the thread 1/2 way through reading it because I had to Google P-51 videos just to get a feel for the sound she made, and didn't finish reading the story. You made my day. Now my eyes are wet. God Bless America!<br />phinster2076https://www.blogger.com/profile/11450719101793348327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-78390882823940841372023-03-30T16:54:35.700-04:002023-03-30T16:54:35.700-04:00As a contemporary of the person who wrote this I a...As a contemporary of the person who wrote this I agree that back then America was strong, fun and prosperous. Now, thanks to the American Communist Party nee Demonrats, America is dead. A zombie shuffling towards the grave. Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365858055267871677.post-70384874848119792472023-03-30T15:27:12.488-04:002023-03-30T15:27:12.488-04:00Off topic but trying to raise awareness. If you ha...Off topic but trying to raise awareness. If you haven't heard or seen Caitlin Clark, go to YT and watch some vids. Best BBall lady hooper ever, not even close. And the kicker, She's a woman not a tranny. Exactly what this country needs. <br />Her team, Iowa Hawkeyes, are in Final four and game Fri night. <br />We need to celebrate normality where we find it in clown worldPathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06492536986178776444noreply@blogger.com