Chapter 29 - "Gibbon's Secrets" - Kearney Army Air Base - February 1943

     The Kearney Army air base started to be fully functional at the start of 1943.  Major V.B. Trevellyan, who had been assigned earlier to be the first commanding officer of the base, was gathering his command for a jump-start of the 1943 operations.  Major Trevellyan called for a meeting of his new command on January 11th, the second Monday of this New Year.  "Gentlemen, today we will put in place the plans for our training command.  This will bring flight crews together for complete training, with their assigned planes, before being sent overseas. Obviously this will be a very important task for us to accomplish, and I am relying on you to make it happen.  Training units will begin arriving in Kearney toward the end of this month on troop-trains.The first planes are scheduled to arrive February 4th.
     Major Trevellyan continued, "Now Gentlemen, are there any questions we need to address at this time?"  Lt. John Olson said, "Sir, since gate and fence security is may responsibility, I'm requesting additional meetings with the Nebraska State Patrol representative assigned to us."  Permission granted.  I believe you will be taking with Lt. Jack Shaunesey.  Is that correct?"  "That is correct, sir.  He  been has really helpful so far.,and at the present time has an individual under tight surveillance who is suspected of spying on our base.  Jack will be making a report to his troop commander next week, and has assured me that I will be copied with the details relative Kearney Army Air Base."  "Copy me on the report, Lt. Olson."  "Yes sir:"  Major Trevellyan closed the meeting by saying, "Well, if there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.  Let's continue our preparations for our training task ahead.

This listing below was the timetable for the development of the Kearney Army Air Base.
September 5th, 1942 - construction had started of the Kearney Army Air Base east of Kearney NE
October 6th,1943 - paving operations were initiated tor the Kearney Army Air Base run, with Reg Phelps hauling the first load of gravel for the paving mix.
November 24th, paving operations for the runwasys at the Kearney Army Base were completed.

Chapter 22 - "Gibbon's Secrets" - January 1942

 January 1942
 
     World War II is now so much a part of everyone's life Bud just wanted to be around his 'Five Friends Forever' for strength and support.  He headed for Donny's house to start gathering his friends.  His breath puffed out visibly as he hurried through the snow.  There was a strange peacefulness on this cold, Saturday morning, which made it more difficult for him to understand the violence of the war in Europe, and now in the Pacific.
     Reaching Donny's house, he knocked on the door.  "Well, hi there, Bud.  How are you today?"
"I'm okay, I guess, but all of this war news is causing me to be down in the dumps."  Mrs. Hawk gently looked at Bud, and reached out to give him a hug.  "Come on in, I'll go get Donny.  Maybe I can rustle up some hot chocolate to warm you guys up."  "I'd like that, Mrs. Hawk!"
     Donny ran into the room.  "Hi Bud, I'm really glad you came over.  Friends need to stick together during these tough times."  "I will always be your friend, Donny; let's gather up the rest of the guys today, and share our thoughts about this war."  Donny said, "Let's do!  Maybe we could go over to Mr. Ross's barn.  It always seems to be nice and warm up there in the haymow."
     Mrs. Hawk brought them their hot chocolate and said, "I included a small plate of sugar cookies for you boys."  Bud quickly responded, "Thank you Mrs. Hawk, this is great."  "Thanks Mom, this really hits the spot."  The two boys sat close together at the kitchen table, but neither knew how best to start this important talk.  For the longest time they both just sat there quietly thinking, and enjoying their hot chocolate and cookies.
     Finally, Bud said, "You know, this is probably the very worst feeling that I have ever had.  There is an ache in the pit of my stomach that just won't go away."  "I agree with you, Bud, I feel the same way.  It makes you feel sick."  The feeling of loss was hanging over the two boy's heads, and they both knew they just had to do something about it.  "Donny, let's go round-up the rest of our buddies.  We'll go over to the barn, and just talk this out."  "You are so right, when we get together as a group we can solve about anything!"  They quickly finished their hot chocolate and cookies, thanked Mrs. Hawk, and headed over to the other guys' houses.
     After gathering everyone, they immediately went over to the big red barn to get out of the cold.  Arriving at the barn, they walked into the lower area, quickly feeling the warmth from the big horses in their stalls as steam drifted up from their backs.  The boys stopped at each stall, and said good morning to the big horses.  Then they noticed Mr. Ross milking one of his cows.  Bud said, "Hi Mr. Ross, it sure is nice and warm here in your barn."  Mr. Ross said, "Good morning boys.  How are you today?"  Bud said, "We are kind-of down in the dumps, Mr. Ross."  "What's the problem, boys?"  They all started to talk at once.  "Hold on guys, one at a time, how about you Bud."  "Well, Mr. Ross, tell us why you think the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor?"
     Mr. Ross, being a very wise man, wanted to explain the brutality of this new war on a level the boys could understand.  "You know boys; sometimes it is difficult to understand why one country would choose to attack another country.  I have my own feelings though.  I think that Japan decided to attack other countries because they were running out of room in their country, and just needed more land for their people."  He went on to say, "They made some very bad choices, in their attempt to solve their need for land.  They attacked a very large country, China, and several other small countries.  When the United States protested about their aggressive actions, they got mad and attacked us at Pearl Harbor.  That was a very bad mistake, because the United States hadn't threatened them with war."

I'm sharing this start of 1942 with you from my book, "Gibbon's Secrets", as it was a very important part of these young boys lives.  Times were different then, maybe simpler, but a wise older man was sharing with these young boys a possible reason why the Japanese choose to attack Pearl Harbor.  How young ten and twelve year olds would react today may be a whole lot different but hopefully there would be a wise older man there to tell them - why. 
    

Port au Prince Haiti - 1954 & January 2010

In 1954 I was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge, and we were on a Caribbean Cruse called Operation Blackjack.  Our detachment was the VC-4 Squadron and this particular cruse was one of seven that I took during 1954-55.  Our Corsairs F4U's were equipped with electronic gear used to detect submarines in the area.  One of the stops that we made was Port au Prince in Haiti.  We were anchored in the bay that leads into the city of Port au Prince and dugout canoes would paddle out to the carrier requesting anything of trade value for their hand crafted mahogany boxes.  The individuals in the dugouts were exceedingly poor and you could tell that their need was very great.  Many of the sailors aboard the "Valley" made exchanges of food and clothing for the little mahogany boxes - I saw one of my buddies trade his "watch cap" for one of the boxes (the watch cap was a dark navy wool cap that fit tight to your head) and I was puzzled as to why the individual would find a use for it in this hot Ecuator climate.

We went ashore for liberty and our liberty launch landed in an area right in front of the Port au Prince's open market.  I was a young sailor from Nebraska, in the middle of the US, and wasn't accustomed to see such open poverty.  The market was steaming with people, many of whom you could tell were looking for a way to earn or trade something for their next meal - and they really looked like that could use a meal or just something to tide them over.  My commander was between 6'4'' & 6'6" tall and looked like a giant as he walked through the market place.  I was with about six of my buddies from the squadron and we were walking just a bit behind Commander Shaw when we saw him stop to talk with a hungry looking boy with his donkey.  The boy was leading the donkey with a rope halter and Commander Shaw offered him $10 for his donkey.  The boy was all smiles when he handed Commander Shaw the rope halter and pocketed the $10.  Commander Shaw saw me walking up with buddies and waved for me to come over to him.  I was the squadron's storekeeper and even though I was just a Petty Officer the commander was always good and fair with me.  He said, "Phelps, when you get back to the carrier dig out the Bureau of Agriculture's manual and order me some feed for my donkey."  I laughed and said, "Yes sir, I'll take care of it as soon as I get back to the carrier."

The commander was really a site to see when he got on that little donkey - his feet were close to dragging the ground as he rode along.  We noticed that the little boy continued to follow the commander as he traversed across the square.  When the commander reached the other side of the square he called the little boy over to him and said, "Here young man, I really don't think an aircraft carrier is anyplace for such a fine donkey so I'm giving him back to you, along with another $10 so you can buy him some feed."  You could tell that the little boy was grateful to have his donkey back and elated that he had made more money this morning than his dad probably made for a month.  The little boy said, (in pretty good English) "Thank you kind sir, I will give the money to my mother to buy food for our family."  Us young sailors just looked at this situation and were thankful that our commander had shown such a caring heart for that little boy.  That day in the market square of Port au Prince, six young sailors observed a poverty level they were unaccustomed to, a definite life lesson.

When the earthquake hit in Port au Prince the other day, my flashback memory was our walk through the market square that day in 1954.  The little boy with the donkey would now be in his mid to late 60's and I wonder if he survived the quake.  I wonder also how many in his family were injured or killed in this terrible earthquake.  I remember how the structures looked then, very flimsy and very poorly constructed, what will be left after such a violent earthquake.  I remember seeing the very large Catholic church near the market square and wonder now if it was the same church that received all of the damage.  The death toll keeps rising and you wonder if they will be able to supply the survivors with enough food and shelter before its too late.

I will now end this trip down memory lane at Port au Prince in Haiti.   I do request that anyone reading this blog - please take time out to pray for the Haitian people.  Select a charity you feel will do the most good for the people of Haiti and send what you can to support the relief effort.  Thank you!

Let’s be like the eagle

I received this from a "Prayer Warrior" friend of mine, Mary Kollar, who received the following from Jonathan Maracle, a gifted Native American worship leader. If you’re like me, you’ve had some storms in your life this last year – weather, physical, family, economic, governmental, grief and loss – whatever it’s been. But you’ve made it! Most likely more storms will come. So ponder this.

When a great storm arises, it strikes fear among men and animals alike.  The animals will run to their dens, holes and caves, and man will seek shelter in his home or in a safe place.  But there is a natural instinct in eagles that causes them to do the complete opposite.  Instead of running, the eagle faces the storm.  He takes flight directly into the heart of the storm and challenges the ferocious winds and elements.  The very winds and turbulence that he faces give him lift to glide far above the storm.  We must do likewise with the storms of life...we must not run, but we must face them with dignity and courage. This is where we will gain the wisdom and strength to win in the journey of life.

Let’s be like the eagle and face the storms ahead straight on, gaining the wisdom and strength we need.


Prepare yourselves for a great 2010!

1st Full week of January 2010 - plus Lincoln SCORE Chapter Information

Temps summary January 4th-8th 2010
1st Full week of January 2010 is starting with a very cold night - with wind chill warnings out with our new forecast. To give you an idea of our glorious week: Tonight -1, Mon (H 12 L-4), Tue (H16 L9), Wed (H15 L-3), Thur (H 0 L-15). When you looking at a high of 16 on (Tue) for the week and a low of -15 for Thur you are not going to set any heat wave records.
  
     Tuesday morning we will have our 10:00am, 1st Tuesday of the month, Lincoln SCORE Chapter meeting.  This is our Executive Board Meeting where we set up the meeting for our General Meeting, resolving issues, reviewing reports, and planning the Regular Monthly Meeting along with any speakers we may have.  Even with the down turn in business we have been relatively busy helping both individuals just starting businesses as well as individuals with problems in the current businesses.  I enjoy working with the young entrepreneurs - they are usually so eager and feel that their new idea is so fresh and unique no one else has heard about it.  They are so excited that sometimes they don't want to tell you the whole program - fearing you might take their idea.   

     It seems that we have had a lot of requests in the latter part of 2009 from individuals wanting help to improve their accounting systems.  I spend time in explaining the need for developing with an understanding - the company's Chart of Accounts and accounting system.  I usually start by showing that simplicity in a name and numbering system that will allow them to develop a better management statement.  By showing them the reasons behind the details and logic needed in developing a Chart of Accounts they are gaining a better understanding what I mean - when I say management statements.  I utilize my book, "Cover Your Nut", as I have developed a logical sequence for this development.  

I will give you an example frame work I use for developing a 

Practical Accounting Chart of Accounts:- 

The Balance Sheet Keys Behind the Numbers

                 *100-109  Cash Accounts                                           *201-209 Accounts Payable

                 *110-119  Accounts Receivable                                 *210-219 Taxes Payable        
                 *120 -139  Inventory                                                   *220-239  Accruals & Payables        
                 *140-149   Prepaid Items  
                                                                                 
                   150-159 Fixes Assets                                                  240-249 Long Term Liabilities




                   160's   Incorporation Exp or Technical Papers         301-309 Equity Accounts 
                      Total Assets                                                             Total Liabilities & Capital  


   *Current Assets=100-149 (cash in one year)          *Current Liabilities=201-239 (paid in one year)

The Income Statement Keys Behind The Numbers

The 400's represent the Income Accounts

The 500;s represent the Cost Of Goods Accounts

The 600's represent the Operating Accounts

The 700's represent the Selling Accounts

The 800's represent the Administration Accounts

All of the about information, along with all of the supporting information is found in my book, "Cover Your Nut" - Practical Accounting in Plain English for the Real World

Chapter 1.2 Basic Accounting Principles