Random Portland Shots

Uncle George getting a drink of fresh Portland H2O

Boden checking out Melissa

International Rose Garden in Portland

With the Familia de Queens NYC

Off to Portland...

Off to Portland for the wedding of Melissa's brother Jordon to the beautiful Alice

Only A Few More Days...

Melissa only has a few more days to wait till our monumental 2nd wedding anniversary. Two down and many, many, many more to come.

The Fountains of Philly

Swann Memorial Fountain

This was a great shot my friend Jay took of my wife & her cousin while we attempted the five fountain walking expedition.

Favorite Picture in 2008 from Jose Juan's Blog

Jasper & Ave ... or ... Jose Juan & Ben????

After seeing all the incredible pictures of Jasper holding his new sister I could not help but think of this picture acquired from the treasure trove of Joe Jones. This was taken right before I pile-drived Jose Juan off the chair...

Missing Jasper...

One of my favorite pics with my Godson Jasper. It appears Jose Juan went down for the count as Jasper became my best friend... I still believe Mom's cheesecake & fresh strawberries had nothing to do with the fact Jasper never left my side all morning.

Paella Cooking Class

While on a recent trip to Mexico I had to give Don Julio (in chef jacket behind the Paella) some pointers. Kyle & I then proceeded to take the entire beach side kitchen over. We later heard that it was the first meal in Mexico that day where not one person caught Montezuma’s Revenge.

USS New Jersey - BB-62

The awe inspiring impression a few 16-inch/50-inch caliber Mark 7 guns can do to the water when 1.35 ton armor piercing shells are projected out of their turrets at 792 miles per second.

These 1.35-ton armor-piercing shells have the ability to reach out and touch someone at 24 miles. Just an incredible picture.

Heroic Haditha Marine Acquitted

1st Lt Andrew Grayson

A friend, brother in arms, old Lejeune roommate & been to hell and back with honor.

Memorial Day

It was a great honor to carry the Stars & Strips in the Memorial Day parade through Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Here are some of the wonderful pictures my beautiful wife took.

Something to think about this weekend...

Anyone who is unsure why Veterans Day should be held with more regard needs to watch this short video.

Discipline Personified

Discipline shown with no words or commands...



If anyone is ever In Washington DC a must stop is at "8th & I". Marine Barracks Washington, also known as "8th & I," is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. Located on the corners of 8th & I streets in southeast Washington, D.C., the Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation's capitol.

The selection of the location of Marine Barracks Washington was of national and strategic interest. President Thomas Jefferson accompanied by the second commandant of the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Colonel William Ward Burrows, searched for a suitable location to station the Marines within proximity to the Washington Navy Yard and within "an easy marching distance of the Capitol."

http://www.mbw.usmc.mil/

To experience the history of Marine Barracks Washington, tours are available on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., or by special appointment. To schedule a tour please contact the public affairs office at (202) 433-4173.

Portland Landscape Views

Free time has finally been not a stranger this weekend and put together these picture landscapes...

View looking at landscape of the future wedding location of Melissa's brother

Another view of the Portland landscape showing a great man made rock formation

Going out on a limb...

Well I have decided to start to put some of my thoughts out there and hope I will be able to... well I do not think I could say it any better:

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944)