Uploads from maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013, with geodata

Yesterday - Sunset

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:05:07 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Beyond the Sunset

1. Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Saviour, Heav'n is begun.
Earth's toiling ended, O glorious dawning;
Beyond the sunset, When day is done.

2. Beyond the sunset, No clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, No fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending,
Beyond the sunset, Eternal Joy.

3. Beyond the sunset, A hand will guide me
To God, the Father, Whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion, On that fair shore.

4. Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones, Who've gone before;
In that fair homeland, We'll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset, For evermore!

One of the best-known and widely-used songs in the entire field of gospel hymnody is
“Beyond the Sunset.” Mr. Brock has left the following account of its writing: This song was
born during a conversation at the dinner table, one evening in 1936, after watching a very
unusual sunset at Winona Lake Indiana, with a blind guest—my cousin Horace Burr—
and his wife Grace. A large area of the water appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet
there were threatening storm clouds gathering overhead. Returning into our home, we went
to the dinner table still talking about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind
guest excitedly remarked the he had never seen a more beautiful sunset. “People are always
amazed when you talk about seeing,” I told him. “I can see,” Horace replied. “I see through
other peoples eyes, and think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.” The phrase
“beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began
singing the first few measures. “That’s beautiful!” his wife interrupted, “Please go to the
piano and sing it. We went to the piano nearby and completed the first verse. “You should
have a verse about the storm clouds,” our guest urged, and the words for this verse came
quickly as well. Recalling how closely our guest had walked hand in hand together for so
many years due to his blindness, the third verse was soon added. Before the evening meal
was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.

Enjoy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=blwjNbrJi6U
(Take a peek at it on black if you have time.)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:07:20 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Congratulations to my brother and his new bride...
may you be blessed with a lifetime of happiness together!!!
We are so very happy for both of you... I know God has
wonderful things in store for you!!! Luv y'all... big hugs!!!

Stranger #37 - James & wife, Edna

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:00:05 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

My Stranger #37, James, along with his wife Edna, and friend Bill, all from
Leesburg, Virginia were here in Texas for the VMCCA 67th Revival AAA
Glidden Tour ( newsroom.aaa.com/glidden-auto-tour/ that took place
from Sunday, October 21, 2012 until Friday, October 26, 2012.
Better known as "The Great Texas Trail Drive" with a base location of Brenham,
Texas. The Glidden antique auto road rally never allows cars later than 1942 to
participate. James was driving his 1925 Ford Model T with Edna, his lovely wife,
as his navigator and their friend Bill as back seat driver.. ha ha. I was on route
from Houston to Yoakum, Texas to visit a friend traveling a backroad (of course)
when all of a sudden I started noticing every car on the road I was traveling was
an "oldie but goodie". That's when I pulled over in Pattison and started taking
photos of all the amazing antique cars as they passed me. Then I traveled a
little farther and noticed some had stopped for fuel so I pulled into the gasoline
station and met James as he was refueling his Model T which has the fuel entry
port inside on the passenger's side. James was very much enjoying his tour of Texas
driving his antique car and were sadly almost to the last day. This day had taken them
from Brenham to Brookshire with a stop at the wonderful Brookwood Community, www.brookwoodcommunity.org/shop-eat/the-cafe-at-brookwood/ .
Edna is sporting a cowboy hat presented to her by their host for the rally. James,
Edna, and Bill, had enjoyed the lovely weather in our beloved Texas very much
and this day was no exception with amazing blue skies and moderate temps.
Thanks so much James for wanting to be on of my 100 Flickr Strangers and I am
so glad y'all had a wonderful time touring in your vintage vehicle around Texas!!!
Find out more about the Flickr 100 Stranger project and see pictures
taken by other photographers at: www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

Old Brown County Jail - Brown County History Museum

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:54:42 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

The Brown County Jail, constructed in 1902-1903, is a three-story, stone masonry
structure built over a partial basement. The castle-like structure is superior to most
late l9th-and early 20th-century American jails. As a strong statement of the consequences
of breaking the law and the certainty of subsequent incarceration, the Brown County
Jail is a significant public building because of the clarity of its architectural style (and
stylistic origins), as well as the integration of load bearing stone masonry construction
with an evolving jail hardware. The building is built of native sandstone, cement, sand
and steel. The sandstone was dug from the rock hills surrounding Brownwood. Lumber
was used on the first floor, none upstairs (to prevent an inmate setting it afire.) The walls
on the inside are 18 inches thick, made of stone, sand and cement.
See some very interesting info here: www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM16F3_The_Old_Brown_County_J...
The Brown County Jail is located diagonally across from the Brown County Courthouse,
in central Brownwood. Neighboring buildings are generally older commercial structures,
some of which retain their turn-of-the-century character intact.
The plan of the castle-like stone jail is that of a rectangle, with the addition of a central,
projecting, front section with turret. The ground floor had the sheriff's office on the east
and jailer's quarters on the west, while the upper stories feature cells of varied sizes.
The Brown County Jail is richly textured and strongly detailed. It is constructed of rock-faced,
coursed ashlar, local brown sandstone of coarse grain, laid in 101/2-inch horizontal
courses with 3/8-inch extruded mortar joints. The stone is closely fitted and the pitch-faced
stonework s in sharp contrast to the 5 inch, scored horizontal bands which extend
continuously around the building at each floor level and at transition points between
architectural elements. The side walls below the gables have capped stepped parapets,
and projecting corbelled turrets occur at the southwest and southeast corners of the building,
as well as on the southwest corner of the tower which rises along the south facade of the jail.
Parapets at the eaves and around the tower are crenelated, and project out over rusticated
and dentiled horizontal cornice bands. The tower rises above the roof line and has a
crenelated parapet and large corner turret. An observation room at the top of the tower
projects over a bracketed arch frieze. The walls of the observation room are billeted on all
four sides, and above them window openings contain smooth-shaft, tapered columns
with modified Ionic capitals. See: www.historictexas.net/brown/history/brown-co-jail.htm

Brown County Museum of History - The Brown County Museum of History, Inc.,
has the primary role of preserving the tangible evidence of our heritage and to
educate the public through exhibition and interpretation of artifacts. The museum
was organized in 1983 by the Historical Society to showcase the history of this county.
The museum is located in the old four story Brown County Jail, built in 1902, and
located at 212 North Broadway across the street from the Courthouse in downtown
Brownwood. The Museum also has an "Annex" located just across the street from
the jail at 209 North Broadway. There is no entrance fee but donations are accepted.
It is open on Saturdays from 10 am until 4 pm.
See: www.heritageassociationofbrowncounty.org/index.html

The Firearms Museum of Texas is located inside The Brown County Museum
of History in Brownwood, Texas. See: www.tfmt.org/index.html

Strangers #35 - Rudy & #36 - Gary

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:56:32 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

On San Jacinto Day here in Texas I attended a commemorance ceremony
at the San Jacinto Monument and Battlegrounds. My Flickr Strangers Rudy,
from Humble and Gary, from Mont Belvieu, were there as Texian soldiers a
part of a re-enactment group that reenacts the Texas Battle of San Jacinto
that took place on April 21, 1836 where Texas won her independence from
Mexico becoming the Republic of Texas then later joining the United States.
The actual San Jacinto Celebration was yesterday as was the reenactment
but some of the Texian Army soldiers returned today to be part of the San
Jacinto Day Ceremony. Rudy on the left and Gary on the right are my Flickr
Strangers 35 and 36 respectively. They are officially part of the Texas Army,
6th Infantry group. See: www.texasarmy.org/events/san-jacinto-day-battle-reenactme...
Thank you so much for agreeing to be Flickr strangers for me and
for your wonderful participation in the San Jacinto Day Ceremony.
Find out more about the Flickr 100 Stranger project and see pictures
taken by other photographers at: www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

Ruby Red and Red Double Poppies

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:02:40 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

As a child in Decatur, Texas where we lived for a year when I was in the 3rd grade I
remember on my walk to school in the Spring passing a lovely poppy in bloom on
the side of the road like the ones above. It was so lovely and each day I couldn't wait
to see it again on my way to school. They also were seen when visiting old country
gardens of family and friends and seeing the poppies growing haphazardly among
the other flowers and landscape plants. They seemed to be lost wandering about
the place and popping up (pardon the pun) wherever they pleased.
Poppies are the perfect cottage garden plant as they definitely understand the old
advice of "bloom where you are planted," or in their case, where you plant yourself!
They are less common in tidy formal gardens although some smaller statured types
are making an appearance in more intensive landscape color rotations these days.
These jazzy cool season flowers herald the arrival of Spring with a range of colors
unlike almost any other group of flowers including deep crimson red, coral orange,
peach, bright yellow, soft pink, lavender, cream and more in between.
Flower form ranges from single blooms to semi double types with deeply cut fringed
petals to shaggy full bloom heads similar to peonies. Some have crinkled petals with
a crepe paper texture. Some make good cut flowers. Even the pods can be ornamental.
Poppies have the interesting habit of starting their blooms as a nodding bud. The long
slender stalks bend over like a shepherd's crook and right before blooming lift their
heads to open the blooms toward the sky.
See: www.texasgardener.com/pastissues/sepoct07/Poppies.html

Happy San Jacinto Day!!!

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:55:30 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

We lost at the Alamo but won ultimately at San Jacinto...
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WaomyLzrBw
San Jacinto Day is a day of state pride for many Texans in the United States
on April 21 each year. It commemorates a battle between the Texas Army and
Mexican forces about 25 miles from downtown Houston, Texas, on April 21, 1836.
This became known as the Battle of San Jacinto and where Texas won their
independence from Mexico. The Battle of San Jacinto occurred on April 21 in 1836
and was won by Texan forces. The battle lasted a total of 18 minutes and only nine
Texan soldiers were killed and 26 wounded. However, hundreds of Mexicans were
killed, injured or captured and General Santa Anna was captured in the aftermath of
the battle. This event led to Texas becoming fully independent from Mexico.
The site of the battle is now known as the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site,
which is close to the Houston Ship Channel and the cities of La Porte and Baytown.
The Historic Site is home to the San Jacinto Monument, which is 570 feet high
(or about 174 meters) and the world's tallest masonry tower. The monument is
crowned by a massive stone star that represents the state of Texas.
See: www.lsjunction.com/events/jacinto.htm
Celebration is going on today Saturday the 20th of April from 10a to 6p:
See: www.sanjacinto-museum.org/About_Us/News_and_Events/SJ_Fes...

April 20: San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
View the Festival entertainment schedule, and see the Festival map.

April 21: Commemorative Ceremony of the Battle of San Jacinto, 2 p.m.

Our Prayers & Hearts Go Out to the People in the Little Texas Town of West!!!

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:24:44 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Tragedy struck in the tiny Texas town of West yesterday and our prayers and hearts go
out to the entire community.... having been there many times for their delicious kolaches
and their wonderful Westfest celebration around Labor Day each year we know it well.
We are so very sorry for what you are going through but know we are praying for you that
God will see you through this very sad time!!! Prayers & Hugs from Houston/Pinehurst!!!
See: www.kvue.com/news/Explosion-at-fertilizer-plant-in-West-2...
and www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/04/18/how-to-help-texas-fer...

West is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the
city population was 2,807. It is named after T.M. West, the first postmaster of the city.
West is located not in West Texas but in the north-central part of the state.
See: www.facebook.com/WestFirefighters

See: www.theblaze.com/the-wire/19361786/nelson-to-hold-benefit...

More info on West, Texas: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West,_Texas
and www.west-tx.com/

1. West, Texas - Historical Marker, 2. Panoramic Sunset View near West, TX, 3. Old Glory Still Waves At West, Texas, 4. Flower Bed - West, TX, 5. Antique Machinery - West, TX, 6. Sun Setting Near West, Texas, 7. Folk Dancer Weathervane - West, TX, 8. Gazebo and Historical Marker - West, Texas, 9. Katy Depot - West, TX, 10. Green MKT Caboose - West, TX, 11. Red Caboose - West, TX, 12. Highway at Sunset Near West, Texas, 13. West, Texas - Sunset, Sign, and the Star & Stripes, 14. flickr.com/photos/16489083@N05/8661798748/, 15. Little town of West, Texas Sunset and Silhouettes, 16. L.J. Snokhous - Blacksmith - West, TX, 17. Gazebo & Weathervane - West, TX, 18. First Presbyterian Church - West, TX, 19. Stained Glass Windows - West, TX, 20. West, TX Church Historical Marker, 21. West, Texas Community, 22. Old Glory Still Waves At West, Texas, 23. West, Texas - Historical Marker, 24. West, TX Steeple in the Sunset, 25. Church Steeple in West, TX
Created with fd's Flickr Toys

West, Texas Community

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:19:49 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

West is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census,
the city population was 2,807. It is named after T.M. West, the first postmaster of
the city. Despite the city's name, it is not located in West Texas (and at times is
confused with that region of the state) but is in fact located in the north-central
part of the state, approximately 70 miles south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
and 20 miles north of Waco. The first settlers in this area of northern McLennan
County arrived in the 1840s. They were farm and ranch families drawn from the
East by the rich lands made available by the government sale of land to build
schools in Texas. Along with those from the East came Czech and German
immigrants who found the fertile land to be similar to the land they were familiar
with in their homeland. The area farmers cultivated the land and grew cotton, wheat,
and grain sorghum, and raised cattle. The farming community centered around
a freshwater spring that became known as Bold Springs. In 1860, Bold Springs had
a population of about 300 and provided services such as a blacksmith, churches,
and a post office. The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad was laid between Hillsboro
and Waco in the fall of 1881. The path of the railroad passed through land owned by
Thomas West, who had moved to the area in 1859. He farmed land that he had
purchased and served as postmaster of Bold Springs. A train depot was built on the
land he sold to the railroad company and the land running beside the tracks was
divided into small sections and sold to people wanting to start businesses. The new
depot included a post office, and from that time forward it was known as the West
Post Office. Mr. West served as postmaster and opened the first general store.
The surrounding farms still produce an abundance of wheat, maize, corn, & cotton.
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West,_Texas and
www.west-tx.com/

First Presbyterian Church/First United Church - West, TX

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:11:39 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

First United Church
310 W Pine St.
West, TX 76691-1431
Phone: (254) 826-3115

Staff:
Gene Kotrla, Pastor
Worship Times:
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 am
Handicap accessible
Our Mission: The mission of First United is to enable us all to love God
and neighbor more fully by faithfully following Jesus Christ.

Through its ministry of worshipping God, studying the Good News of Jesus Christ,
and providing assistance in living daily by his teachings, First United seeks to be
faithful to God and to further advance God's Realm (Kingdom). Although a small
congregation, our church continues to reach out in love as a caring community of
faith. Easy to locate, take IH 35 exit 353 to stop sign, go east 4 blocks turning right
on Davis St. and go one block to First United.

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey, and
whatever understanding of faith you have, you are invited
and welcome.

See: www.uccwebsites.net/firstunitedwesttx.html

St.Mary's School Historical Marker - West, TX

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:19:51 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

St. Mary's Catholic School in West, Texas, is a private school for grades K-8.
West is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census,
the city population was 2,807. It is named after T.M. West, the first postmaster of
the city. Despite the city's name, it is not located in West Texas (and at times is
confused with that region of the state) but is in fact located in the north-central
part of the state, approximately 70 miles south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
and 20 miles north of Waco. The first settlers in this area of northern McLennan
County arrived in the 1840s. They were farm and ranch families drawn from the
East by the rich lands made available by the government sale of land to build
schools in Texas. Along with those from the East came Czech and German
immigrants who found the fertile land to be similar to the land they were familiar
with in their homeland. The area farmers cultivated the land and grew cotton, wheat,
and grain sorghum, and raised cattle. The farming community centered around
a freshwater spring that became known as Bold Springs. In 1860, Bold Springs had
a population of about 300 and provided services such as a blacksmith, churches,
and a post office. The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad was laid between Hillsboro
and Waco in the fall of 1881. The path of the railroad passed through land owned by
Thomas West, who had moved to the area in 1859. He farmed land that he had
purchased and served as postmaster of Bold Springs. A train depot was built on the
land he sold to the railroad company and the land running beside the tracks was
divided into small sections and sold to people wanting to start businesses. The new
depot included a post office, and from that time forward it was known as the West
Post Office. Mr. West served as postmaster and opened the first general store.
The surrounding farms still produce an abundance of wheat, maize, corn, & cotton.
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West,_Texas and
www.west-tx.com/

B-17 - WWII Airplane

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:54:25 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

It was a very amazing honor to see and photograph this awesome B-17 WWII vintage aircraft as it was in Tomball, Texas at the Hooks Airport for tours and giving rides. I met a Mr. Skelton who actually flew on one in WWII and he once again went up for a very nostalgic flight on this amazing airplane for one last sentimental ride. I will be posting Mr. Skelton as one of my Flickr 100 Strangers later on my photostream. My dad, J.D. Warren, also served in WWII as I mention below but flew mainly on the B-24 aircraft. My dad was highly decorated only to come back to the USA in 1944, marry my mom then they had me and my two brothers and he was tragically killed in a truck-train collision as he was crossing a railroad track driving his Humble Oil Tanker truck after making a drop in Satsuma, Texas in 1948. He survived the war but did not live to see his babies grow up.
For your information:
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both competitors and more than met the Air Corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the Air Corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that they ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances.
The B-17 was primarily employed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets. The United States Eighth Air Force based at many airfields in southern England. The B-17 began operations in World War II with the RAF in 1941 (but was not successful), and in the Southwest Pacific with the U.S. Army. The 19th Bombardment Group had deployed to Clark Field in the Philippines a few weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as the first of a planned heavy bomber buildup in the Pacific. Half of the group's B-17s were wiped out on 8 December 1941 when they were caught on the ground during refueling and rearming for a planned attack on Japanese airfields on Formosa. The small force of B-17s operated against the Japanese invasion force until they were withdrawn to Darwin, in Australia's Northern Territory. In early 1942, the 7th Bombardment Group began arriving in Java with a mixed force of B-17s and LB-30/B-24s. After the defeat in Java, the 19th withdrew to Australia where it continued in combat until it was sent back home by Gen. George C. Kenney when he arrived in Australia in mid-1942.[64] In July 1942, the first B-17s were sent to England to join Eighth Air Force. Later that year two groups moved to Algeria to join Twelfth Air Force for operations in North Africa. The B-17s were primarily involved in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign against German targets ranging from U-boat pens, docks, warehouses and airfields to industrial targets such as aircraft factories. In the campaign against German aircraft forces in preparation for the invasion of France, B-17 and B-24 raids were directed against German aircraft production while their presence drew the Luftwaffe fighters into battle with Allied fighters.
Early models proved to be unsuitable for combat use over Europe and it was the B-17E that was first successfully used by the USAAF. The defense expected from bombers operating in close formation alone did not prove effective and the bombers needed fighter escorts to operate successfully.
During World War II, the B-17 equipped 32 overseas combat groups, inventory peaking in August 1944 at 4,574 USAAF aircraft worldwide. B-17s dropped 640,036 short tons (580,631 metric tons) of bombs on European targets (compared to 452,508 short tons (410,508 metric tons) dropped by the Liberator and 463,544 short tons (420,520 metric tons) dropped by all other U.S. aircraft).[clarification needed] The British heavy bombers, the Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax, dropped 608,612 long tons (681,645 short tons) and 224,207 long tons (251,112 short tons) respectively.

My dad who served in WWII with the Mighty 8th Army Air Force was stationed in England with the 392nd & flew mainly on B-24 bomber aircraft. Listed below are only two of the missions he flew:

31 December 1943 Mission #21 Target: St. Jean D'Angely, France
On the last mission flown in 1943, the 14th Combat Wing accomplished an excellent bombing task. The target was an airfield southeast of St. Jean D'Angely, France. The Intelligence Annex to Field Order No. 173 stated that the target was "a continuation of the attack on the Luftwaffe only attacking it in its training stages rather than production or finished products."

The 392nd led the 2nd Bomb Division with 27 ships taking off and 23 bombing the briefed target. They released 274 M64 500-pound General Purpose bombs. Per the 392nd's teletype to the 2nd Bombardment Division, "Returning crews described the bombing attack as excellent. Initial photographic interpretation reveals that at least 2 hangars and adjacent buildings blanketed. 10 to 12 airplanes which were seen on hangar aprons immediately before bomb bursts are no doubt destroyed. Some bombs were observed striking a small village about 1000 yards short of the MPI."
Fifteen mostly single engine enemy fighters were encountered, including 6 Me-109s, 7 FW-190s, and 3 JU-88s. #42-7605 exploded going into the target area due to this fighter action.
One a/c, 576th plane #42-7537, suffered a landing accident near RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk, England. 392nd BG crew chief Ernie Barber later recalled, "At one of our reunions here in the States I was talking to the Co-Pilot 2/Lt Robert M. Berger and he said that at the time of the landing as it was skidding towards the house everybody on board was hollering St-o-o-o-o-p and it came to a stop with the leading edge of the left wing right in front of the front door. All got out. One of them went up to the front door and knocked and an elderly lady came to the door where he told her he was sorry but he was so happy that they didn't harm her house and that they would send someone after the plane."
On 1 January 1944, the 392nd received this teletype: "The following message was received from the CG 2D Division; Quote Congratulations on the splendid performance today of the 14th Combat Wing. The record of the 44th 392 in putting 47 airplanes over the target out of 47 airborne is a glowing tribute to leadership and to the efficiency of combat and maintenance personnel. Also it gives me extreme satisfaction to tell you that your bombing today was the finest example of precision bombing yet accomplished by the Division. We are proud of all of you. Please pass this message to Fred Dent and Bull Rendle with my hearty if somewhat selfish wish for continued successes during the New Year. Signed General Hodges. Unquote. Needless to say, I am also proud of all of you. [signed] General Leon W. Johnson"

31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 489
CA Gilbert, L.G. Maj.
P Gonseth, F. 1st Lt.
CP Slipp, F.E. 1st Lt.
N Paddock, K.Q. Capt.
N Delach, J.J. 1st Lt.
B Colburn, R.F. 1st Lt.
E Jennings, H.C. T/Sgt.
R Kirkpatrick, H.L. T/Sgt.
AE Driver, D.M. S/Sgt.
AR Feller, N.L. S/Sgt.
AG Warren, J.D. S/Sgt.
G Whalen, J.S. S/Sgt.

CREW LOADING LIST FOR
13 FEBRUARY 1944
MISSION #37 Target: NoBall #22 & #62
13 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 505
P Johnston, J.V. 2nd Lt.
CP Kelleher, D.P. 2nd Lt.
N Leidl, B.E. 2nd Lt.
B Cihon, J.B. 2nd Lt.
E Rodowicz, N. T/Sgt.
R Hight, J.P. S/Sgt.
AE Haussmann, F.A. S/Sgt.
AR Kelley, T.M. S/Sgt.
AG Walla, M.A. S/Sgt.
G Warren, J.D. S/ Sgt.
See: www.b24.net/missions/MM021344.htm

Shorebird

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:04:58 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Please view on black if you have the time!!!
Taken Friday afternoon, April 12th, 2013, at Rollover Pass Flats
on Bolivar Peninsula in Chambers County Texas.
The Sanderling (Calidris alba, syn. Crocethia alba or Erolia alba) is a small shorebird wader.
8-inch shorebirds, black bills and legs, light grey on top and white below. The palest of our winter sandpipers. It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia. It is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches. It is somewhat unlike other sandpipers in appearance, which has led to the suggestion that it should be placed into a monotypic genus Crocethia. A more recent review (Thomas et al., 2004) indicates, however, that the sanderling is a fairly typical "stint" or small sandpiper and should be separated from the large knots with its closest relatives in a distinct genus. This bird is similar in size to a Dunlin, but stouter, with a thick bill. It shows a strong white wingbar in flight, and runs along the sandy beaches it prefers with a characteristic "bicycling" action, stopping frequently to pick small food items. In spring, the birds arrive on the High Arctic breeding grounds, where they lay 3–4 eggs in a ground scrape. On the nesting grounds, these birds mainly eat and some plant material. The Sanderling is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. These small, plump, pale shorebirds running back and forth with each wave of the beach are sanderlings, the stereotypical birds of the seashore. We almost never get to see the sanderling's rich rufous breeding plumage, worn only from May through August on its Arctic breeding grounds. The rest of the year the sanderling is pale gray above and bright white below, with black legs and bill. On sandy beaches along oceans and lakes, sanderlings will be found dashing to and fro like wind-up toys. Often found in large flocks during migration and in winter. Move northward March through June, with the main flight through the U.S. in May. Those migrating through as interior migrants appear in Texas in Late April and May.

Shorebird - Willet

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:10:33 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Taken Friday afternoon, April 12th, 2013, at Rollover Pass Flats
on Bolivar Peninsula in Chambers County Texas.
The Willet is a large, heavy-bodied member of the sandpiper
family Scolopacidae (Am. Ornithol. Union 1998). Willets are large,
ocky shorebirds with long legs and thick, straight bills considerably
longer than the head. Its closest relative is the Lesser Yellowlegs,
a much smaller bird with a very different appearance apart from the
fine, clear, and dense pattern of the neck, which both species show
in breeding plumage. Their wings are broader & rounder than those
of many shorebirds and the tail is short and squared off at the base.
Piercing calls and distinctive wing markings make the otherwise subdued
Willet one of our most conspicuous large shorebirds. Whether in mottled
brown breeding plumage or gray winter colors, Willets in flight reveal a bold
white and black stripe running the length of each wing. These long-legged,
straight-billed shorebirds feed along beaches, mudflats, and rocky shores.
Willets are common on most of our coastline—learn to recognize them and
they’ll make a useful stepping-stone to identifying other shorebirds. As year
round residents of Texas, Willets are commonly observed feeding on mud
or sand flats in bayous, bays and estuaries. On the Texas coast in winter,
the Willet may be observed feeding on beaches, walking along the water’s
edge, sometimes wading up to its belly in the surf. The Willet walks along
with a head bobbing motion, probing in the sediment for small crustaceans
and insects. When disturbed, it rises with a loud distinctive call that typically
alarms all other birds nearby. Widespread and common along the Gulf of
Mexico coast year round, the Willet is the only the sandpiper known to breed
with any frequency or abundance in Texas (Oberholser 1974).
See: txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/willet/ and
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/willet/id

Congrats, Allison!!!!

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:21:25 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

One of my sweet and very special Flickr friends was contacted
for the use of one of her images from her Flickr photostream by
the Memorial Hermann Hospital System to be put on a billboard!!!
It is now up high over Houston displaying her wonderful image
of the neon marquee of the old Heights Theater on 19th Street.
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Allison for this marvelous honor!!!
Drop by & let Allison, our fellow Flickrite, know we are proud of her!!!!
Link to Allison's original image on Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/allison_b216/4942562129/in/set-7215...

Return of "Have you ever driven through a rainbow?!!!"

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:49:43 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Wanted to share this amazing experience again with my wonderful Flickr friends. It was
an incredible, breathtaking moment!!! Loved this experience and truly shall never forget it!!!
Our first day in Ireland we had the most incredible experience, that of driving right through
one end of a huge beautiful stunning Irish rainbow!!!! The colorful particles of water droplets
shown bright with colorful light right down to the roadbed and then we literally drove through
the section of yellow droplets of it and then of course at that point ....pooff....it was gone!!!
We looked back and nothing but the cars on the road. The rainbow is almost covering this
entire frame above from left to right just and you can make out all of it's incredible colors!!!
To remember the colors of the rainbow remember Roy G. Biv....
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.

Rose Delight

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:15:28 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

In memory of my precious Gina, my angel:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=adGlyJNqH-c

Song of Solomon 2:1 (ESV) -
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

A ROSE AMONG THE THORNS

WHILE STROLLING THROUGH THE FIELDS OF TIME
THERE'S MANY THINGS TO SEE
BUT NATURE IS THE GREATEST SIGHT
THAT COULD EVER BE
THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL
IS HOW THE WORLD WAS FORMED
AND WHY A ROSE IS THERE TO LIVE
EACH DAY AMONG THE THORNS

ONE DAY AMONG THE WORLD OF THORNS
A ROSE BEGAN TO GROW
IT WAS THE GREATEST GIFT OF GOD
THIS WORLD WILL EVER KNOW
IT WAS THE WILL OF GOD TO SHOW
THAT SINCE THE WORLD WAS FORMED
THERE HAD TO BE A ROSE TO LIVE
AND DIE AMONG THE THORNS

TWO THOUSAND YEARS HAS SINCE BEEN GONE
SINCE GOD LOOKED DOWN WITH LOVE
HE FILLED THIS EARTH WITH BEAUTY
WITH ROSES FROM ABOVE
HE HUNG UPON A RUGGED CROSS
TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM SIN
BETWEEN TWO THORNS THIS ROSE HE DIED
THREE DAYS HE BLOOMED AGAIN

ONE DAY AMONG THE WORLD OF THORNS
A ROSE BEGAN TO GROW
IT WAS THE GREATEST GIFT OF GOD
THIS WORLD WILL EVER KNOW
IT WAS THE WILL OF GOD TO SHOW
THAT SINCE THE WORLD WAS FORMED
THERE HAD TO BE A ROSE TO LIVE
AND DIE AMONG THE THORNS

Pray you have time to listen.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5zonX1GMUM
and www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3imWgT-FHY
and www.youtube.com/watch?v=393B-w5P4G0
and for my Gina... I luv you my precious baby girl:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=adGlyJNqH-c

Rose Touched by Pink

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:21:24 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

Texas Killdeer in the Springtime

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:35:11 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

1. Killdeer, 2. Nesting, 3. Mama Killdeer, 4. Hiding

The killdeer is North America’s most well-known plover, although many people
know the killdeer without understanding its family affiliation. The killdeer can be
common around human developments, frequently seen on playing fields,
parking lots, and other unnatural habitats. The killdeer can be found in open
grasslands, wetlands, fields, croplands and pastures, and short-grass prairies.
Although technically shorebirds, they are unusual in this group because they often
nest and live far from water. They are often found on sandbars, mudflats and pastures.
Killdeer nest on open ground, often on gravel. They may use a slight depression in
the gravel to hold the eggs, but they don't line it at all, or line it only with a few stones.
Since there is no structure to stand out from its surroundings, a killdeer nest blends
marvelously into the background. Furthermore, the speckled eggs themselves look
like stones. The chicks are precocial, that means they can move around and feed
themselves shortly after birth. Once the chicks' down dries, the parents will lead them
to a feeding area. The chicks stay with their parents until they fledge a month after birth.
The killdeer may have two broods a year. The killdeer sometimes distracts predators
from its nest by pretending to be injured. It drags itself along the ground, sometimes
on one foot, dragging its wings like they are broken. When the predator turns its attention
to the killdeer and away from the nest, the adult killdeer flies away or when the killdeer
feels that the young are safe from you, its broken wing heals suddenly, and the bird
flies away, calling a loud "KILL-DEE" that sounds like a jeer. Killdeer do not gather
in flocks. They are solitary or in male and female pairs. A group of killdeers are
collectively known as a "season" of killdeers.

Ha Ha Ha... Gull

nobody@flickr.com (maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:21:21 -0700

maorlando God kept us 2012 leaning on Him 2013 posted a photo:

The title is a clue to the identification of this fun bird. It is a Laughing Gull. Seen in Texas City
on the Texas City Dike which took two years to reopen after being destroyed by Hurricane Ike.
See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn9CZFnMvc4
Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla
The Laughing Gull is a common coastal species that nests in colonies along North America’s
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Mexico’s Pacific Coast, and on some Caribbean islands (Bongiorno
1970, Oberholser 1974, Burger 1996). It has the distinction of being the only gull species
known to regularly breed in Texas (Oberholser 1974, Peterson 1980, Coe 1994). Laughing
Gulls winter in the southern tip of Texas as well as along the Atlantic Coast south from North
Carolina through Texas, in Florida, and in Central and South America. Thus, in different
parts of Texas, these gulls are both winter and year-round residents. Therefore, this species’
unique courtship displays and laugh-like calls, its beautiful breeding plumage with an elegant
black hood and white eye-crescents, and its less distinctive winter and juvenile plumages
may all be observed in Texas.
See: txtbba.tamu.edu/species-accounts/laughing-gull/