Sunday November 10

Bud's Boys Post Election Review

Election news, Friday results, and my Veterans Day submission of 2024. Also a rumor of Jeff bringing chili tomorrow.

Election 2024

It was a long and sometime contentious process, but the election results are finally in. The people have spoken, and in large numbers. 

Leroy has been re-elected to another term as BB's Sergeant-at-Arms.

His brief post-election statement included getting the group back on track, getting even with his enemies, and endeavoring to bring down beer prices.

We all wish him good luck and assure him that he has our full support! 

Friday Results

Scott, Leroy, and John sweep the FBT and snare the Rabbit.

Scott wins another Medal with a double-jump +7. Leroy chips in a +4 and John a +2 for a total team effort.

Doc prevents the Royal Flush by earning his 10th CTP of the season.

Glen shoots a strong +5 in a losing effort.

Veterans Day 2024

As always, I express huge thanks to all veterans and am pleased to be friends with those in our group who served.

As mentioned in previous years, I have reasons to be fascinated by the incredible reach and impact of WWII. Every Veterans Day I, along with many others I suppose will watch some of the old classic movies or more recent series or documentaries. I also like to read some of the thousands of memoirs available.  Today I will give a brief look at the book I am currently involved with.

"Crossing the Line" by Alvin Kernan is the story of a 17-year-old who has just spent the winter of 40-41 by himself (his mother and stepfather were away looking for work) on a desolate ranch in southern Wyoming. Unable to raise money for college, he enlists in the Navy in the spring of 41.

He served on 3 Aircraft carriers.

He was on the U.S.S. Enterprise when it solemnly entered Pearl Harbor one day after the Japanese attack (The Enterprise was due back Dec. 6th but was delayed on its return from Wake Island due to bad weather), helped arm planes at Midway and witnessed the launch of the Doolittle raid from the adjoining U.S.S. Hornet.

He was on the Hornet when it was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz.

He had become a plane gunner assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington and was part of the last mission of Medal of Honor recipient Butch O'Hare (of which O'Hare airport is named) on the first night mission attack.

All this by the time he was 21. He even served alongside Richard Boone ('Paladin' to those our age).

All these experiences in such a short time at such a young age. I close with the entry that really touched me for whatever reason.

Alvin had graduated from his training in October of 41 and returned to Wyoming to see his family for 3 days before heading out to sea. He writes,

"That was the last time I saw my mother alive, and as I write this almost 50 years later, I am troubled by how little I can remember of her, barely able to see her worried face in the lamplight or hear her words of good advice as I left. The big snows held off, and in early November 1941 they drove me back to the train that took me to the bustle of San Diego and on to Pearl Harbor and the other side of the world."