Great idea for a thread.

My father grew up 1 of 7 brothers and 1 sister share cropping in North Alabama along the south side of the Tennessee River.  Cotton was the crop and the stories that my grandpa would tell were something to hear.  My dad talked about “carrying your own row no matter what others were doing,” then going to see about others.  He was number 4 of the 8 kids and the first to graduate.  He joined the Air Force during Vietnam and retired from there 20 years later.  I was born to a cheating mother and my adoptive parents brought me home from the hospital when I was 11 days old.  I have never known anyone else. 
He set a great example for my brothers and I and, while we never had much, it was always enough.  He told me that when I was born he brought home 40 dollars every 2 weeks and my mom received more than he did because in those days the military sent the housing allowance and separate rations to the spouse directly. 
He and my mother were Christians and the prayers they sent up for me were needed and I am glad to say that I am a Christian also due to that example and influence in my life. 
I remember a day when I was about 6 that I walked with him to check the mail.  He saw a letter and wouldn’t talk for a minute then opened it and after reading started crying and wouldn’t say anything until we got to the house.  He shared it with my mother and of course she was crying too.  He told me that was the final letter from the adoption and they could never take me away from them.
We were always involved in Scouts with him taking a lead role and he was gardener and fisherman.  Until the day that he was no longer able he used to take me to some of his childhood fishing holes along the Tennessee and we would wear out the crappie just like the old days.  His time in the garden was his quiet time.  I learned both.
He coached little league and came to every football game that I played just like he did for my brothers if he wasn’t deployed.  When in middle school, I wanted to be in the band and he scraped up a little and bought my trumpet, which my son plays now, and told me that I had to play for at least 3 years or he would straighten it and bend it back around my neck for the remaining time.
 I am thankful that I got the chance before he passed to tell him Thanks for choosing me.  I could have been in some kind of home somewhere, but God put me there to get me where I am now.

Quote from: Atkinsmatt on May 29, 2015, 10:11:30 AM

Welcome.  I have been know to use the smoker but specialize in eating what it produces.

Typical soldier!

Sapper Sir.  Left out the part about crawling around in mine fields and rearranging things in an explosive manner.

Got a trailer for it.  It could potentially generate additional income. Like at my place.

Kinda like firing and persecuting a Chaplain for ministering according to his faith when, in order to be a Chaplain, you must be affiliated with a recognized a denomination.  Where have we heard that recently?

Thanks to all who went before us and God's blessing on them as well as the ones that didn't make it. There are so many fighting inside because of what they saw and had to do. I am praying for them' specially today.

And tracers work both ways.

The sweep of the safety and trigger finger discipline is the way to go.

Great AAR point.  If only today's NCA would learn this lesson that has repeatedly recently been demonstrated.

You can't miss fast enough to win.

  I think I heard Jerry Mischelek say that one.

NEVER get down wind.

Someone quoted accidently speaking the truth.  The entitlement mentality on full display.

That little saying means rest when you can because in combat, you don't know when you will get more.

Biscuits and sausage gravy.   Meet was a wild hog I killed this year.

I would recommend a large door to facilitate use for storage. They look great. I am thinking along the same lines.

Progress, no matter the size or speed, is still progress.  Thanks and keep it up.

Welcome.  In SE GA myself.

Glad the hubs are done.  Great build.

Went with the 40 as that is what my wife and I carry.  5.56 for the long gun for CQC/medium range work.  I have something else if I choose to engage a longer ranges.

I used Pella in my house.  I am a Super and Quality Control Manager for a CG doing Military Construction.  I will try to help if you have and questions.  Maintain presence on site and ensure that problems are caught and fixed early.  It will be cheaper to fix now and faster as well.  Can't cut it twice and make it longer.

M4 platform mainly due to familiarity brought on by use.

Great stuff seeing things improve all the time isn't it.

Exactly.  Sappers don't get spotted until it goes bang.

Congrats.  Let us know what you think about the diesel.

I will apologize as well for being stereotypical.  I agree it is the French gov't not those who answer the nations call.

Only thing good about them is the wine in their rations.  If you can take the whine that comes with it.