Wow.

Yet another reason to hate and yearn for the utter destruction of Commies. They have decimated the poultry industry, even at my level. I foolishly got too busy and was too late calling my supplier last fall that I had used for the last several years. When I called them the other day to order some new Rhode Island Red pullets (young hens just about ready to start laying) they said they have none and are closing down their family business. Shit.

This is all caused by the stupid policies of the former administration in culling hundreds of millions of laying hens because avian flu. This not only caused egg prices to spike, but created a shortage of replacement birds. I began searching for a new source. The first ones I checked were sold out until later this year.

I finally found a supplier over 50 miles away that will have exactly what I need so I placed an online order. But holy shit, the price! $49 per bird! I will be driving downstate to get them because their delivery charge is $2.50 per mile round trip... almost $200! The most I have paid in the past was $15 per bird for the Rhode Island Reds. I have gotten Leghorns from UConn at $6 per laying hen. Every year they turn over their flock for the next school year and sell the birds off. But they are commercial stock birds that have been laying for a year before I get them and they didn't seem to lay for very long afterwards. They lay giant white eggs that I can't believe come out of such a small bird. There is one left in my flock that is basically just a pet. She is in my face in the coop while I clean the nesting boxes in the morning and is right at my feet when I am out there. I prefer the nice brown eggs of the RIR. This also means I will be raising my price to $5.00 per dozen for any surplus I sell starting now.

Brought Back Memories

Yesterday morning I did a Patriot Guard mission at the CT Air National Guard base in East Granby. It was a send off for the 103rd Airlift Wing on a deployment. The PGR was there to stand a flag line. There were about a dozen of us and although there was media present, none of the local outlets have posted a story. Here is a link to the media advisory from the 103d and below is an excerpt about their mission:

The Guardsmen will provide logistical, mechanical, and mission support to forces deployed within various global combatant commands supporting of Operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve, and Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa.

They regularly fly their C-130s over my house at low altitude every couple of days heading east out towards Cape Cod and I assume Otis AFB. Later the same day they fly heading west back to Bradley. Occasionally they'll fly contour at maybe 500 feet. Some people in town are frightened or annoyed by it and complain, but I think it is way cool! In fact, so many military aircraft fly over my house I believe my house is a navigation waypoint. In addition to the C-130's, I get pairs of F-15's, UH-60 Blackhawks, CH-47 Chonooks, and the occasional C-5 Galaxy, OV-22 Osprey, or CH-53 Sea Stallion directly overhead. Sometimes it's like my own private airshow. 

I had to work until my FD shift ended at 06:00. I thankfully got out on time, went home to clean my chicken coop, shower and change clothes, grabbed a breakfast sandwich and coffee, and made the less than 1 hour ride to the air base. I did not ride "The Beast" because my driveway went from a frozen glacier to a mud hole suitable for 4x4 races. At this point it will be weeks before "The Beast" comes out of hibernation.

The ceremony was held inside a closed pristine hangar on the base. That required me to give my drivers license info to the PGR State Captain to be forwarded to base security for a background check. Last time I did one of these we had to park outside and walk in, but this time we drove on base and parked in the hangar lot. This also required me to be totally unarmed, because we were actually going on base and would be subject to search at any time. I had to choose between doing this mission unarmed, not doing the mission at all, or taking a chance. I chose to do the mission and not take the chance so as not to reflect badly on the PGR by potentially getting arrested with a firearm, therefore honoring those that deserve my presence. I made sure I went straight there and straight home so as not to regret my decision to be unarmed.

Driving on base brought me back to my days in the military many years before 9/11. Back then, all I had was a DoD decal on the left side top of my front bumper. If the sticker was not expired and I was in uniform, I just slowed down enough for the SP to see it and waved through. If I was in civvies, I would have to stop and hand the SP my ID. If your sticker was expired, you would have to produce your ID and then report to the base security station to get a new decal. On weekends when we Reservists were there, there was a back gate with one SP manning it we could go in and out of. It was even pretty easy for civilian visitors to go in with a brief check at the gate or an escort. There were no physical barriers other than the chain link fence gate that was always open. No zig-zag roads, pop-up barriers, or other post 9/11 modern base security measures. Yesterday, they held us in a special lane until everyone was there. The State Captain verified the list with the SP and we were let in. There were plenty of SP personnel to guide us to the parking area. The ANG personnel in the parking lot was disappointed none of us rode in on motorcycles. They were hoping for a "Rolling Thunder" optic of our arrival. Sorry, not this time of year. We grabbed our flags and headed in to the hangar.

You could truly eat off the floor in that hangar. There were two portable bleacher units brought in for spectators set up at a 45 degree angle to the stage and chairs in front of the one on the right for brass and dignitaries. The open area in front of the stage were for the formation of those being deployed. There was a 4 piece military brass ensemble playing Sousa march and patriotic tunes. We all hit the restroom, assembled our flags, and lined up to the right of the stage. After we lined up, many National Guard brass and dignitaries went down the line to shake our hands and thank us for being there. The first one through as usual was someone I have met a few times before, Major General Francis Evon. He is the Commanding Officer of the entire CT National Guard, a soldier's soldier and a real down to earth guy, starting his military career as an enlisted man. Then several other ANG officers came through. The local state representative came through the line. Then.... I had to suck it up and do my duty to the PGR, because here came US Senator Richard "Da Nang Dickie" Blumenthal; Mr. Stolen Valor himself. If I had been there on my own, I would have waited until he approached me and turned my back on him. But since I was there with the PGR, I did not want to mar the reputation of the PGR. I shook his hand and when he thanked me for being there, I just gave him the stock PGR response of "It's our honor." I don't know of any health problems he may have, but he seems to have become a shrunken little man. He reminds me of a toddler, whose head is too big for his body.

While we waited lined up and looking good, they called for formation. I chuckled to myself, remembering have to assemble for my own daily morning formation in the drill hall so many years ago. It was usually called by SSG Ed Demetrion, but when he wasn't there it was up to SFC Gomez. That was always fucking hilarious. SFC Gomez was a naturalized US citizen from Colombia and he had a heavy Spanish accent and he was also quite the comedian. He would walk down the hall of the Reserve Center repeatedly yelling, "OK, OK, for-may-shon in de drill hall! Le's go, Le's go! Get een for-may-shon!! NO ES-MOH-KINK!" He knew damn well how funny he sounded to us young gringos, and it was even more funny while he tried to emulate a tough Drill Sargent to get us lined up and squared away.

It has been quite a while since I have been around that many active duty personnel. Some of those females, young and older, both enlisted and officers were quite fetching. We used to call them "Split Tails." Of course since this was the Air National Guard, it is the Air Force, and to me always seemed to attract more females than the other branches.

The ceremony only lasted about a half hour. They posted the colors and the brass ensemble struck up The National Anthem. A military Chaplain did an invocation. There were several speeches, and first up was General Evon. After him was the unit Commander. Then the politicians.... blah, blah, blah. Luckily with my poor hearing, the loudspeakers facing away, and the poor acoustics of the hangar, they all sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher. I did catch Da Nang Dickie complaining of defense budget cuts, spinning the waste, fraud, and abuse DOGE has been eliminating into political gibberish and propaganda. Fuck that piece of shit, gaslighting the young skulls full of mush in the process of being deployed. They then held a promotion ceremony for a few airmen, as well as service awards for others. The Chaplain went back on stage to deliver a benediction and the ceremony was over. The troops were dismissed and the PGR was called to stand down. We disassembled our flags and walked out single file to the lot. The ride home was uneventful and I continued with my weekend chores and errands.

Later in the day, my wife and I went out for dinner at a restaurant we haven't eaten at in over 20 years. The Traveler Restaurant off I-84 in Union, famous for their roasted turkey dinner and a free book with dinner. That's right, a full free library as well as some books, puzzles, games, and greeting cards for sale. The last time I remember eating there was on the way back from Maine when we would go to the State Fair in Skowhegan back in the 1990's. I wasn't going to take a book because I am behind in my reading already, until my wife showed me this:

I bought it for $4.50 to keep at the firehouse. A non-woke children's book from 2010 with large print and cool illustrations where the "kids" are different little animals. A couple of pages were ripped but I taped them as good as new. Sometimes little kids come to the firehouse to visit, but when they get there they are shy and want to hide behind their parents. My plan is to read to the younger ones when they visit to "break the ice." By the way, we both had the turkey dinner with a large side of green beans to share, washed down with a glass of lemonade. The dinner was delicious and filling, perfect for a cold late winter night. Pretty reasonably priced as well and Glypto recommended if you're passing through the area at dinner time.

ALERT!

Working in emergency services, I have the ability to declare an MCI.... "Mass Casualty Incident" any time resources are overwhelmed by casualties. 

Therefore, I am declaring a nationwide MCI right now, for all the Demon-Crap Libturd heads exploding coast to coast after President Trump's impromptu press conference yesterday.

"Riviera of The Middle East"... indeed.

The winning continues unabated.

I Will Be Watching & Enjoying

The confirmation hearing of one Kash Patel, that is.

I have been watching the hearings so far just to see how absolutely committed to personal destruction the Commies in The Senate are, and just how stupid it truly makes them look. I believe a group of Commie operatives sit with these morons in the so-called smoke filled back room and distribute the questions out among them so they all get to ask opposition questions. This is so it doesn't look like what it actually is.... BORKING a nominee. So far the nominees have weathered this onslaught. But I predict one nominee whose hearing has not been scheduled is gonna give it right back to them, prompting this post from me on X.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's right, nominee for FIBBIE Director, Kash Patel. Since it would appear despite the opposition from the Commies and RINOS, President Trump's nominees are going to be confirmed. I put this post out this morning after a terse discussion with my wife about not attending a family vacation in Florida because I am on a self-imposed no fly list. The other reason I won't go is because I refuse to visit or give one red cent to the woke fucking mouse.

 

 

 

 

If, after he takes over and does this, and the bullshit TSA kabuki theater could be minimized, I may fly commercial again.

Speaking of the FIBBIES, you motherfuckers only have 3 more days to kick in my door at zero-dark-thirty, terrorize my wife, kill me and our 4 dogs, or if I happen to survive.... haul me off to solitary confinement deep within Garland's Gulag.

J6 Was NOT An Insurrection

It was an understandably angry but mostly peaceful protest that had elements of violence and rioting. But the majority of people at The Capitol on January 6, 2021 were simply on the grounds, walking around, peacefully protesting, and being let in to areas of The Capitol by the USCP. NO USCP personnel were killed (even though the propaganda media still insists 1-4 were depending on the outlet), however the same cannot be said for an unarmed woman named Ashli Babbit.

Had January 6th been a REAL insurrection, every tree and lamppost would have been decorated with the mortal remains of tyrants and their minions.

In 13 days, the J6 political prisoners will be pardoned and released. Cope and seethe.

With that, I say that January 6th should be viewed as a warning to those that cheat in elections or otherwise undermine The U.S. Constitution and plan to do so in the future. If J6 horrifies you, imagine what American Patriots could REALLY Do if we were so inclined. You have been warned!

 

What prompted me to write this was wanting to comment on this post by Roberta X over at The Adventures of Roberta X, but after reading her comment rules I did not hold out much hope that my comment would see the light of day. Therefore, I will respond here where I control the content. She says J6 was an ugly day with more ugly days ahead. I say that all depends on Libturds and Commies behaving themselves and not starting something WE PATRIOTS WILL FINISH.

Change My Mind

Killary Rotten Clinton and the former SS Nazi George Soros should have been given a bullet to the back of the skull instead of The Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson can take their Presidential Citizens Medals to prison with them and hang them on their cell walls.

ALL OF THESE AWARDS WERE A GIANT "FUCK YOU!" TO NORMAL AMERICA (meaning not the Commies).

Indoor Training & Dry Fire

I spent some time the other day wearing and testing out my tactical gear indoors at home. With the terrorist attacks of New Years Day and the second Trump Inauguration coming soon, I thought it a good idea. As an old guy that served in the military from 1981-1987, I am most familiar with LBE web gear and a steel pot so that is what I have. It is currently set up for my G-17 in a GI holster on the right, two spare pistol mags at 6 o' clock, a small arms pouch at 1 o' clock, and a 3-mag pouch for my PCC-9 at 11 o' clock. My canteen sits at 7:30, the Ka-Bar at 9 o' clock. On the suspenders on one side is my lensatic compass, and the other has first aid dressings. The mag pouch for the PCC-9 and small arms pouch can be swapped out for 2 GI 3x30 round mag pouches for use in one of my other non-specified rifles I may or may not possess. The small arms pouch could be repurposed as a full IFAK with items from my FD EMT bag. I am to old to go looking for a fight or to willingly engage in CQB. I am more about defending my homestead or if I get caught in the shit while out and about.

So I made a couple of minor adjustments to the gear, specifically to my Ka-Bar sheath. I have a length of paracord at the bottom to keep it from flopping away from my leg. Because I permanently moved it to the left side the paracord was now too long in the front to tie on the front of my leg, so it was adjusted to my liking. I also decided to try and figure out a sling arrangement for the PCC-9. I have some items coming Monday.

A pair of Magpul MAG540 QD quick disconnect sling swivels from eBay

From MidwayUSA:

A Magpul M-LOK QD Sling Mount Aluminum Black

Catalyst Arms Hardpoint Length of Pull Spacer Ruger PC Carbine Aluminum Black

Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications Rifle Sling Nylon Black

Midwest Industries Bolt Handle Ruger PC9 Steel Matte

I watched a video about a sling arrangement that I liked for the PCC-9. The spacer is metal instead of the factory plastic and has the QD holes in it on both sides.The Blue Force Gear sling has a pull tab to loosen or tighten the sling with one hand. The M-LOK sling mount will give me the front mount on the M-LOK hand guard. And the extended bolt handle came from reload practice and carrying with the sling. I had the bolt handle on the left side of the rifle even though I am right handed. It made for fast one hand/left hand reloads, but with the new sling carrying across my body, that bolt handle would dig right into my chest. So I moved it back to the right side and practiced doing some AK style reloads. Doing that I found the standard bolt handle to be lacking. The new one will be slightly longer and knurled. I practiced several evolutions of reloads with the mags loaded with Snap Caps. I did really well with the AK style of bolt operation, but felt like a fucking Commie doing it. 😆

Next I moved to the G-17 for some reload practice with the mags at 6 o' clock. I also did some needed dry fire practice and now that I loaded a quantity of 9mm, will get to range when the temps moderate a bit. I will have my entire ensemble with me to practice with live ammo. As usual, it will be on a weekday and I will have the place to myself.

Luigi Fans

There are some wackos out there that think this clown is some sort of a hero. I even saw NYC Mayor Eric Adams on TV this morning (in cop mode) stating that these people are vile. There are of course the wanted "DEAD" posters on the streets of NYC for all the other healthcare company CEO's to egg on any other nuts out there.

I contend that their hatred needs to be re-directed at those ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE for totally screwing up the American health insurance industry and medical care (two VERY different things).... MEANING CONGRESS!

Wanna be a hero like Luigi? Dig up dead Ted Kennedy and plunk a bullet in his skull. Tip O'Neill and all the other dead Demon-Craps from the 1980's too while you're at it.

THEY are the real culprits that started the whole mess!

"Why Do You Think You Need To....

....carry a firearm all the time?" I am asked by certain people I know. My answer is always the same. "We live in a stupid clown world, and the stupid can find you ANYWHERE!" This is once again obviously true in Gun-Free Death Zones, where I will carry regardless unless having to pass through a metal detector (then I switch to an undetectable polycarbonate blade). Yes, even at schools and school activities. Amazingly, no one has ever been injured even though a firearm was present.

There was yet another school shooting, this time at a Christian private school in Wisconsin earlier today. This incident will be memory-holed soon since the shooter used a handgun which doesn't fit the narrative unless it was a 3D "ghost gun" (which only exists as a pro gun control construct).

Rest assured, none of my "ghost guns" have ever misbehaved while in my possession. Although I cannot guarantee certain military surplus arms I own (REAL weapons of war) have not taken lives in the distant past.

Good Riddance

As I traversed my living room a few moments ago, my wife had the idiotic CBS Sunday Morning Show on (which I used to like back in the days before it became LIBTURD propaganda*), and they were doing a puff piece on this clown...

 

The ultimate COVIDIOT/DEI useless fat-black hire

Outgoing SECDEF Lloyd Austin is yet another "check the box" appointment as the first black SECDEF. Nothing else in his military career is so outstanding to be awarded such a prestigious and important appointment. I had never heard of him before, but he is certainly infamous now for his PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY of the cluster-fuck withdrawal from "The Rock Pile" and the unnecessary deaths of these fine individuals.

Click it to big it

 

 

I am so looking forward to the confirmation of Pete Hegseth.

 

* LIBTURD Propaganda: The show used to be about Americana and just interesting stories. Remember Charles Kurault traveling the nation in his RV to meet every day people for the show? Now it is all Hollywood, Broadway, Pop Stars, Demon-Crap politics/politicians, and the obligatory GLOBO-HOMO promotion story.

Celebrate This Day

Today, December 14th, is National Firearms Appreciation Day.

Don't let today go buy as simply being the 12th anniversary of Sandy Hook. Here in Kommiecticut it is all we're going to hear about on the local news for the next couple of days. But guess what? The peaceably armed citizens of this state DID NOT AND DO NOT commit mass murder or the nightly mayhem and murders occurring on the streets of Hartford and New Haven. However, because we are gun owners we are damned forever by association of our gun ownership to violent murderers by our state officials and legislature. Once Sandy Hook families became political and were the trigger for all the gun control here and in NY since 2013 (much of which is NOT complied with), all sympathy goes out the window for those fuckers. So go out and buy firearms and ammunition in as large number or quantity that you can afford. Here in Kommiecticut, all firearms purchases are logged and kept in a state database* (which is actually an inaccurate mess with 50% of my firearms missing from my personal list). It is a satisfying feeling tagging a gun purchase in the state database with today's date. I have done this in the past with this beauty:

Ruger GP-100 (6" blued is actually a GP-161)

I already bought two firearms this year and with Christmas coming I am tapped out from buying any more. I have plenty of defensive ammo and reload my own target ammo with plenty of components and powder on hand. As far as private sales go, I say fuck the state. Know your buyer, know your seller, pay cash, and keep yer mouth shut. The less they know the better. I am in the process of viewing a few firearms from an estate with no paperwork that may find their way into my possession this way in the future. I contend the state had better control of firearms prior to going full tyrant and creating an underground gun economy.

As far as Sandy Hook goes, here is a link to the full book Nobody Died at Sandy Hook. Read it and decide for yourself. I contend that state officials and the CT State Police have kept so much of the investigation secret to this day, that books like this and theories from Alex Jones BECOME PLAUSIBLE!

 

* In Kommiecticut, a resident may request their state firearms possession list from the Special Firearms Licensing Unit via email at: DESPP.SLFU@ct.gov  Provide your name, address, birth date, and pistol permit number. They will send you the list that they have. In telephone conversations I had with someone at the SLFU, these lists are known to be highly inaccurate. In my case 50% are "missing," some for good reason, but some that were purchased at licensed dealers! Firearms on the list that you no longer own are impossible to remove without supporting paperwork and even then the process is difficult. Of course, they encourage you to add any firearms you own that are not on the list. Yeah, right... watch me.

X Jail

I have earned my first stint in X Jail since Elon Musk took over with this little gem:

What prompted my post was this. True or not, I wouldn't put it past them to think this way.

Yeah, yeah.... I know, suicide bad, suggesting  someone kill themselves, blah, blah, blah. Guess what, these people ARE SCUM and I would personally exterminate each and every WEF member if I could get at them. They are a pox on humanity.

So Much Winning

 

 

Jack Smith files to drop all J6 charges against Donald Trump

 

Suck it, all you TDS sufferers!

Dear Klamlala....

 

And to all the Kommiecticut Demo-Commies that got re-elected to Congress...

You have been rendered hobbled and useless, so sit down and shut the fuck up!

Official Endorsement

 I, Glypto Dropem, the 75 Million Pissed Off Patriot blog, and my official X account officially endorse former President Donald John Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Childless crazy cat ladies nationwide can just suck it.

7 Days of X Jail

 Earned by this simple little post:

Which has been deleted in order to start the clock to have my account unfucked. But it will live on forever here thanks to me screenshotting it before deletion. It will end up back on X as a photo in a post when I am back on.

Can you imagine... being suspended for simply advocating what was once U.S. Military doctrine and the stated position of the United States? Even though I was in the Army Reserves assigned to a rear echelon medical HQ unit, everything I was taught or did was based on the destruction of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact and the killing of Commies. Had the Soviet armor rolled west through the Fulda Gap towards western Europe, we were to be deployed to England to coordinate front line field hospitals and all other medical facilities in our A.O. Across the globe on the Korean Peninsula, my brothers in arms were keeping Kim Il Sung in check at the 38th parallel, but still on alert and ready for killing Asian Commies.

Oh well, fellow blogger Matthew W. at the Bacon Time !!!!!! blog will be glad I'm gone for the 7 days so he doesn't have to endure my pro-Miracle Whip postings. 😂  I have another post in progress that will be up in the next day or so about a kayak outing with My Honey.

Kommiecticut Primary Day

I just got back to the firehouse after going to the polls. I know it's a done deal, but I just wanted to make damn sure I got my vote cast for "Orange Man Bad"

Fuck the Never-Trumpers and the TDS sufferers.

Random Stuff

So last night was "Earf Hour" where we were supposed to kill all the lights and sit in the dark from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EDT like savages, in order to save the planet and think about how our modern existence is harming it. FUCK THE FUCK OFF I say, as I turned on every fucking light in my house including in closets, basement, and attic to counter such virtue signalling bullshit. A prelude to what I refer to as "Pagan Dirt Worship Day" (Earf Day) on April 22nd, which actually makes it the Commie high holy day. FYI... Environazis are called "Watermelons;" green on the outside and COMMIE RED on the inside.

The view from the backyard. The front side was just as impressive with way more windows

Thanks to the uber-corrosive shit the Kommiecticut DOT uses on the roads every winter, I had to do a complete front brake overhaul on my Tundra.... AGAIN!! The inboard pistons of the right caliper froze and would not retract, causing my premium brake pads to munch up my premium slotted rotor. I got new pads, new calipers (always replace in pairs) and new rotors. Because of the economic policies of Brandon and the Demon-Craps, it cost me an extra $120 for inflated prices of auto parts. I was all set to do the brakes on my day off early last week. I jacked up the truck removed the wheels, and discovered THIS:

Right side

Left Side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw the 6 inch steel line that goes from the rubber hose to the caliper all bubbled up with rust. Experience has taught me that the flare nuts would be seized to the line and twist when I tried to loosen them, breaking the line and then needing emergency replacement as fluid poured out all over the floor. I ordered them from my local Toyota dealer along with the rubber hose for each side with new mounting clips. The rubber hoses were original to the truck making them about 17 years old. Again experience taught me to replace those before they failed, wrecking my new brake parts again. I had to wait a couple of days for the rubber hoses so I finally got it all done last Friday on a day off. The main brake lines on the frame are all still like new from 2018 because they came as part of the frame replacement Toyota did. My spousal unit was home as well so she helped me bleed the system. I was correct about those little steel lines, because both of them had the nuts seized to the lines and broke off when I tried to loosen them. Everything went together easy-peasy and the brakes are working perfectly again. I have a note on my garage whiteboard to re-torque the front wheels in about 500 miles. It's a required procedure if you have alloy wheels, and they must be hand torqued properly or the rotors can warp. Mine go to 97 ft/lbs.

And just for random cuteness, my 10 year old little poodle boy, Cash. He jumped up on the ottoman in front of me and was just staring. I was just watching Newsmax and drinking my morning coffee, I didn't call him up there.. He either wanted to go out or lick my face, I don't recall which, but those are why he usually does this.

 

TDS Is Worse Than China Coof

Although I never agree with her politically, I do enjoy reading Comrade Misfit's blog Just An Earth-Bound Misfit, especially on Sunday mornings with her regular feature of Prop/Jet/Rotor Noise featuring military and sometimes rare aircraft in flight. I mean she is obviously a Pink Floyd fan, so....

But her post today cracks me up. The title is "Don't Let Them Live in Your Head Today" yet that is exactly what is going on with her and every other TDS sufferer. All the D/S/C propaganda media and Faux News wanted Nikki Haley to win, but there was and continues to be no way. I wish I could stomach an hour each of CNN and MSNBC to watch the meltdown post Iowa of Trump's historic win, but I am on shift for the FD and hunched over the toilet puking makes it hard to fulfill my duties.

As always, I wish Comrade Misfit well, and just imagine how much better the country would be if she and all the other TDS sufferers held the D/S/C's feet to the fire to follow The Constitution, actually improve the economy, close our borders, crack down on crime, etc. etc. instead of directing so much negative energy to one man and his supporters.

PGR Mission 11-3-23

The Mission: Friday November 3, 2023, The Dignified Transfer and rendering of military honors for burial of six CT Veterans whose cremains have gone unclaimed for years and even decades.

The six U.S. Veterans to be honored are (in alphabetical order):

• TEC-5 Wilfred A. Carpentier, U.S. Army serving 1941-45. December 6, 1917-April 27, 1976, died in Derby;
• CPL Robert L. Coston, Sr., U.S. Army serving 1951-53. October 27, 1938-November 12, 2014, died in East Hartford;
• FA Michael Joseph Gruttadauria, Jr., U.S. Navy serving 1967-68. September 25, 1948-November 28, 2021, died in Hartford;
• A1C Joseph Henry O'Brien, II, U.S. Air Force serving 1951-61. January 25, 1937-August 13, 2021, died in Southbury;
• *SGT Bernice Greenstreet Record, U.S. Army Air Forces serving 1945-46. November 1, 1923-September 9, 2007, died in Cheshire; and
• *PVT Roland H. Record, U.S. Army Air Forces serving 1945-46. December 19, 1927- November 10, 1998, died in Waterbury.
  *A married couple

Here is a link to the story with video from WTNH TV-8 in New Haven

Here is a link to the story with video from NBC CT in Hartford

Here is a link to the story with video from FOX 61 in Hartford

There were also assorted radio, print, and online news services there as well.

 

I had been looking forward to this event for weeks, ever since I got the notice and was hoping conditions would allow me to ride "The Beast." I did the last one in 2021 and it was so awesome I wanted to be part of it again. Riding the bike means I will definitely be in the escort ride from the VA to the cemetery in Middletown. First thing was to be off work for the day which I was without having to swap shifts. I got up at 5:30 AM to take care of animals, shower, and get appropriately dressed. When I headed out at 7 AM it was only 25 degrees. I stopped for coffee, a breakfast sandwich, and hash browns at the local convenience store. It's a good 45 minute ride to the VA in Rocky Hill so I had plenty of time to eat and got under way at 07:30. I arrived a little early which was good. We hung out in the lot for a bit and got our assignments. At the VA Home and Hospital, the Patriot Guard Riders do the dignified transfer of the cremains. They all arrive in one hearse, and need to be separated and moved to additional hearses.

Because I had done this before, I was to handle an urn. Each urn was accompanied by a pre-folded US flag carried behind by another PGR member. Here is how it worked:

1) The first PGR member approaches the back of the main hearse

2) A salute is rendered and the urn is handed to the member by the funeral director.

3) An "about face" is done and several slow and purposeful steps are taken away from the hearse

4) A "column left, march" is done and the slow purposeful walk continues a few steps, where the lead member pauses briefly so that the flag bearer can execute their maneuvers and fall in behind the urn.

5) Both members slowly and purposely walk in formation to the rear of the assigned hearse and stop.

6) A left face, a few steps, and another left face and the member is in position to place the urn in the hearse as directed by another funeral director. The urn is set down and then turned 180 degrees so the name is facing outward. The member steps back and once again salutes the urn. The member then clears the area behind the hearse to make room for the flag bearer.

7) The flag bearer executes the same maneuvers and places the folded flag next to the urn in the hearse. He then renders a salute to the flag and clears the back of the hearse.

Because there were six urns and six flags, I got called up again to handle a second urn. It is an unbelievable honor to handle these cremains.

Once the Dignified Transfer was completed, law enforcement began showing up. There were two motorcycle cops from Middletown and several state troopers in Ford Explorer Police Interceptors. We got ourselves lined up for the procession to Middletown so we could head out smoothly. We hit the restroom as needed and milled around for a few minutes until it was time to saddle up. The motorcycle cops lead, followed by a state trooper, our PGR bikes and flagged vehicles, the hearses, and more state troopers bringing up the rear. The Rocky Hill, Cromwell, and Middletown police had all the intersections blocked off down RT. 99 up to the entrance ramp to CT RT. 9. As we entered RT. 9, CT State Police had the highway closed southbound so we could enter unimpeded, and the Middletown police had the entrances to RT. 9 south closed so we could get by. We got off RT. 9 at the Silver Street exit and Middletown PD had the intersections closed the rest of the way to the cemetery. We pulled in to the cemetery and were greeted by more PGR personnel standing a flag line, Middletown FD had their giant flag suspended from their ladder truck, media, veterans groups, citizen attendees, and of course.... the politicians.

The posting of the colors was a flop in my opinion. A dopey female Army E-4 at the rear of the formation did not know the proper way to carry an M-14 on "Right shoulder...ARMS!"... it was upside down. She at least had the butt in her right hand and the muzzle up in the air, but the rifle rested on her shoulder with the trigger facing up! She also did not render the proper presentation of the rifle at "Present Arms!" She stood there with the rifle lying trigger up on her shoulder the whole time. I am sure all my fellow veterans in attendance cringed as I did at this poor display of Drill and Ceremony. She had no business being front and center in such a position. The lead Sargent carrying his M-14 did it properly, and did the proper movements for present arms and order arms.

The politicians in attendance was Gov. "Jolly Ned" Lamont, LT. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Senator "DaNang Dickie" Blumenthal, and Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim. The head of the CT VA Brigadier General, (Ret.), Ronald P. “Ron” Welch and CT Funeral Directors Association President Lionel Lessard were there and spoke as well. Also in attendance was Major General Francis J. Evon, the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard. He actually came down the PGR flag line after our arrival and assembly to meet, shake hands, and thank every PGR member. He was formally introduced but did not speak. I have met him before at other events. A down to Earth guy for sure that remembers where he came from.

First off, as much of a douchebag Commie liar/stolen valor Blumenthal is, he does keep his speeches short and on topic at these events. That said, several PGR members said that if they weren't there representing the PGR, they would have definitely turned their backs when he got up to the podium, as would I. The only speech that seemed to go off the rails was Susan Bysiewicz, who takes every opportunity to play the woman card as her speech went off on a diversity tangent while referring to SGT. Bernice Greenstreet Record and her military service. Too bad the female E-4 rifle honor guard went and ruined the optic of female competence in the military, huh?

After the speeches, a single 21 gun salute was fired in honor of all six veterans, and a single ceremonial flag was unfolded, held outstretched briefly, then refolded in the traditional manner. The flag was presented to General Welch to represent the six families. The ceremony concluded shortly after and although we could stay for the actual internment of the urns, I was getting hungry and had other plans.

 

Trip to Hoffman's Gun Center

Because of this post from Pawpaw's House back on October 23rd, I decided to explore using a couple of my old "mouse guns" for backup duty possibly in an ankle holster. The older gun is a Raven Arms MP-25 in .25 ACP, and the other is a Beretta Tomcat in .32ACP. First I needed to find some appropriate defensive ammo for both. It turns out Hornady makes Critical Defense ammo in both calibers so I would have to get some. I just figured I would have to order it online. Because I was in Middletown not too far from Hoffman's in Berlin, that would be my next stop. I had no specific purchase plans, it was just that I hadn't been there in a long time and was going for a look-see. I browsed all the firearm showcases and found there to be a good supply of just about everything. As far as guns go, I believe my next gun is going to be the Ruger PCC with the M-Lock handguard, AR stock, threaded barrel, and the optional Glock mag well probably sometime before spring. When I went over to the ammo shelves.... lo and behold! the Hornady Critical Defense .25 ACP and .32 ACP in stock. Both were $24.99 for a box of 25 so I grabbed one of each. I then went over to the wall of holsters and found a DeSantis universal ankle holster made for small autos. Perfect and out the door for $101 plus change. Because of having to work all weekend, I haven't yet tried to put everything together. Once I do I will do a review post here.

A quick lunch at the Newington Burger King and I headed home. Between the frigid temperatures in the morning and being on my feet so long all day, I was wiped when I got home at 2:30 PM. I plopped on the couch with the doggos, turned on the TV, and zonked off for a bit before wifey came home.