A cup of joe

I love coffee. Been drinking it way more than I can remember. I've run so much of the stuff through me I'm immune to the "can't sleep after drinking it," problem. I've been reading in bed, drinking coffee and after closing my book I've finished my coffee, turned out the light and gone immediately into a deep sleep. More than a few times, on a long drive, I've needed the "stay awake" effect of caffeine. Just won't happen.

On active duty I put a 32 cup West Bend in my work area. I only drank about 10 cups, but I found the thing empty at the end of every work day. Word got around about my coffee "pot."

Some legs of my Guard unit's overseas flights would be about 10 hours. At each stop it was part of my job to get 2 gallon stainless jugs of coffee. The flights would have a crew of 6 to 8. I always got an extra jug. Haggling was usually involved, but I made sure we got 3 of those babies.

What I'm finally getting around to is...  G.I.'s like coffee! Lots and lots of coffee.

There's a website where you can help make sure some guy or gal in uniform gets a cup. Or two. The program is called, "Cup of Joe for a Joe."

Happy G.I.s - the best kind of G.I.

You can buy a card good for coffee at military facilities around the world. I've bought cards. I've gotten e-mails from troops that received them. It's a nice feeling. I like the program. I recommend it.

There are homecomings and then there are HOMECOMINGS!

If this clip doesn't do something to your eyeballs, I don't have a clue what will.

This is from the YouTube site: "The Faile family from Kershaw, South Carolina, was the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Military Family of the Game, set to be recognized on the field. Their first surprise was a message to them from their dad/husband, Sergeant First Class Scott Faile, playing on the video board, followed by an even bigger surprise.

The Gamecocks would go on to beat Georgia, 35-7, just as Sgt. Faile predicted."

The Military has an opinion

And it can only be expressed one way. The Ballot Box.

I'm sure you're aware of attempts in parts of the country to make it extremely difficult for military personnel to absentee vote. There's a lot of speculation about the who and why of the problem. Maybe a story I just read has something to do with it.

I don't know the answer and I'm not speculating. I'm voicing my P.O.-edness about anybody causing problems for men and women serving their country who wish to exercise one of their Rights.

These men and women take an oath when they enlist to "support and defend the Constitution." That Oath is taken extremely seriously by all (except for the rarest of lowlifes) who voice it. With that Oath is an understanding that they may one day be in a situation that will call for them to make the ultimate sacrifice.

If you read the story, you might be surprised at the opinions they'd like to express.