Opps!

The comment under the picture said, "What's this button do?"

An Evolved Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is currently underway conducting operations off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White/Released)

The USS George Washington - isn't she beautiful!

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departs Busan, Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea and the United States are scheduled to conduct the combined alliance maritime and air readiness exercise "Invincible Spirit" in the seas east of the Korean peninsula from July 25-28, 2010. This is the first in a series of joint military exercises that will occur over the coming months in the East and West Seas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam K. Thomas/Released)


Please pray for all our service men and women involved in this operation.


RG Bud Phelps

Gibbon's Secrets - Chapter 42

From December 7th 1941 'till September 2nd 1945, which is just short of four years, the United States had been involved int World War II.

Highlights of that last year of World War II 1945:

February 19th 1945 - the US Marines land on Iwo Jima

February 23rd 1945 - the US Marines plant the US Flag on Mount Suribachi (Iwo Jima).

March 16th 1945 - "The Battle of Iwo Jima" finally came to an end.

April 12th 1945 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt died

April 30th 1945 - Adolf Hitler commits suicide.

May 7th 1945 - Germany signs the unconditional surrender at Rheims, France.

May 18th 1945 - VE Day (Victory over Europe) is celebrated

August 6th 1945 - 1st Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan (66,000 killed & 69,000 wounded)

August 9th 1945 - 2nd Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan (39,000 killed & 25,000 wounded)

August 14th 1945 - Emperor Hirohito announces defeat & Japan's unconditional surrender.

August 15th 1945 - VJ Day (Victory over Japan) is celebrated

September 2nd 1945 - The instrument of surrender signed by Japan aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan.

Individual families that experienced World War II in their home towns will remember the sacrifices they went through, and their many contributions toward the war effort.  They will remember the ordinary patriots.

A repeat of an earlier posting for July 1944 battles

Chapter 40 - "Gibbon's Secrets"


Reg's Scrapbook - World War II Time Line - 1944


July 3rd - Soviet forces recapture Minsk.

July 9th - U.S. Army and Marines capture Saipan in the Marianas.  Nearly the whole Japanese Army of occupation fall, about 3,000 Japanese wounded commit suicides; Admiral Nagoemo commits hara-kiri.  The Japanese have lost about 27,000 men; the Americans lost more than 3,000 men.

July 12th - Theodore Roosevelt Jr. falls in Normandy.

July 18th - British forces break-out at Caen in France.

July 19th - The entire government of Japan resigns, Emperor Hirohito asks General Kuniaka Koiso to form a new government.

July 20th - Adolf Hitler is wounded in a morder attempt at his headquarters "Wolfschanze" in Rastenburg in East Prussia.  This was a failed attempt by German conservatives to over throw the Nazi government and kill Hitler.

July 27th - Reichsmarshal Hermann Goering is named as Germany's Mobilization Director, "to adapt in every respect the entire public life to the necessities of total warfare".

MSRuntheUS - Ashley M. Kumlien thanks Lincoln & Omaha

Ashley Kumlien sent along thanks to Lincoln & Omaha for the support shown her through people inviting her to their homes for dinner or deserts, individuals running with her, and all of the supporters attending her theater presentations.  This remarkable young lady has used her running skills as a platform to identify the strength shown by her mother who has been dealing with MS for years.

You too can support Ashley in her cause by going to her facebook or twitter.

twitter.com/MSRuntheUS

Facebook.com/MSRuntheUS

MSRuntheUS.bravejournal.com

Ashley M. Kumlien - MSRuntheUS

This weekend our family had the opportunity (thanks to Shauna) to meet Ashley Kumlien and her family.  This remarkable young lady is running across the US to support MS as her Mother, Jill, has been plagued with the disease for 28 years.  You can find out more about her and her cause at the following; MSRuntheUS by going to; her web site @ www.MSRuntheUS.com , her facebook @ facebook.com/MSRuntheUS, or her twitter @ twitter.com/MSRuntheUS.

In addition to Ashley we had the opportunity to meet her mom and dad (Keith and Jill), her sister Dawn, and her fiancée Andrew.  Her dad Keith and I talked about a lot of things with one of them a bit of the story of his dad in the "Battle of the Bulge".  Her mom Jill and my daughter Wendy had their heads together while we were outside watching our grandson Andrew shoot off some of his fireworks.  Ashley and Andrew were in a cluster with Shauna, Mike G, Pat and Mike O - just a gathering of family and friends watching 4th of July weekend USA unfold.

Earlier we all enjoyed of an ice-cream cake, supplied by Shauna, and joined in many conversations around the table.  I took the opportunity to talk with Ashley's sister Dawn, and listening to her was really no different than listening to our girls while they were growing up, or our granddaughters Kalyn & Kelly - I like being around girls and it's a good thing because I always have been.  After the ice-cream cake everyone just enjoyed themselves around the table with multiple conversations going on at the same time.  I tried to take some pictures with my new phone but only one of them can be considered for display here - it is of Ashly doodling with the frosting from the ice-cream cake, you get the feeling that she was just relaxed and enjoying her idle time from running every day.  I called the picture "Ashley's Art".

"Ashley's Art"

If you have the opportunity to either run with Ashley as she makes her was across the country she would both enjoy and appreciate it.  If you don't run with her you can support her cause through donations to MSRuntheUS or direct to the MS foundation in her name.  Ashley is a sweetheart and has taken up this task because of her mother Jill's strength & belief in God, God Bless Her and protect her for the balance of her MSRuntheUS.

Thanks Shauna, you helped make this 4th of July holiday weekend special - having the opportunity to meet this very special family and including them as a part of our family.

God Bless, and sending my wishes that all of you had something special happen on this 2010 July 4th Holiday Weekend.

Sioux Falls Park - Sioux Falls SD

The above pictures were taken on our visit to Sioux Falls Park June 22nd 2010