Ask The Sarge 22 October 2023
Here are some poems:
A Repost:
Ask The Sarge 22 September 2022
Two military inspired poems from “A Military Manuscript:
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Help us to remember.
"Heritage Room" they called it.
Otherwise known as "The Squadron Museum."
Now it is more of a dusty storage closet.
Old computer screens and outdated binders,
Ripped Air Force posters and memories.
I peer in through a dirty window,
Noticing neglect, cobwebs, dirt.
God forgive us for forgetting.
Over in the corner lays a bent propeller
Under a framed flag with an inscription,
Reading, "Thank God for Air Power!"
Vibrant gold wings on a blue background
Etched on a forgotten pilot's flight jacket,
Trophies and group photos on a rickety table.
Earlier generations revered these symbols of America,
Rather than leaving them in dark corners.
Another day goes by and we rush to modernize,
Never remembering our future is tied to the past.
So I ask God to watch over these Veterans.
Help us to remember.
Honoring Our Veterans
Honoring the men and women
Of our country who keep us safe
Night and day seems natural to me.
Of all the idols a boy could have,
Right up there with sports heroes
In uniforms so clean and bright
Need to be soldiers, sailors, fliers,
Going out to protect and serve.
Our Veterans provide peace of mind.
Under a safe roof I sleep at night.
Risks they have taken assure that right.
Veterans of the past and warriors now,
Enlisted men and officers of the future
Trade civilian life for the armed forces.
Each assuring freedom and security
Remain for every generation.
All rally under the flag, proud of her colors,
Near and far they answer our nation's call,
Steadily they march and should be praised by all.
Remember on Veterans Day and every day to honor and support the men and women who wear the uniform, and those who are retired, but who continue to serve our country in various ways.
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
-Joseph Campbell
What Say You?
The Sarge was born and raised in the River Valley of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. He is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who also pens faith based devotionals and is currently his State American Legion Historian. He lives in Rumford, Maine.
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Ask The Sarge 13 Oct 2023
The Sarge says:
A Repost:
Ask The Sarge 13 October 2020
The Sarge says:
Do you like to bake?
I really only like to bake bread from scratch. I mostly buy crusts when it is pie time! Here are a few of my bread recipes. I will share a yeast bread soon if anyone wants my recipe.
Anadama Bread
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup molasses
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon salt
Add all ingredients to list
Directions:
Place 1/2 cup water and cornmeal in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until mixture thickens; about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter or margarine and molasses. Let cool to lukewarm.
In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Let sit until creamy; about 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled cornmeal mixture with the yeast mixture; stir until well blended. Add 2 cups of the flour and the salt; mix well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
Lightly oil a large mixing bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and put in a warm place to rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a loaf. Place the loaf in a lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
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Apple Bread
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups chopped peeled apples (about 2 medium)
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans with parchment; grease paper.
Whisk together first 6 ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, oil and vanilla; add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened (batter will be thick). Fold in apples and walnuts.
Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in each center comes out clean, 50-55 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.
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Banana Bread
INGREDIENTS:
2 to 3 ripe bananas
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F
Grease 4x8 inch loaf pan.
In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until completely smooth.
Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
Mix in baking soda and salt.
Stir in sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.
Mix in flour.
Pour batter into loaf pan.
Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F
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This one is kind of like bread baking and leftover usage all in one:
Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
6 slices day-old bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.
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Caraway Cheese Bread
Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. In another bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
Pour into a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.
What Say You?
The Sarge was born and raised in the River Valley of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. He is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who also pens faith based devotionals and is currently his State American Legion Historian. He lives in Rumford, Maine.
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Ask The Sarge 10 September 2022
Because Sunday is the 21st Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, I am going to repost these two poems I wrote very soon after that terrible day:
Sad Summer Day
In New York,
on a late
summer's day,
death's blanket
ashes, steel,
smoke, and fire
raining down.
Covering streets, cars,
innocent victims of
cowardice and jealousy.
Did God forget to protect them
in New York
on a late summer day?
I try not to cry
when I see the list of souls,
smiles wiped away,
lives blotted out.
Suddenly the whole world
seems as cold and dark
as the falling ashes
and twisted steel
that is New York
on a late
summer day.
In New York,
on a late
summer's day,
in the park
where we played,
suddenly fears
of mugging,
or rape,
or normal city life
would be better,
than the fears and tears
and praying to a god
who forgot to
protect and guide us,
in New York
on a late
summer day.
In New York,
on a late
summer's day,
I realize maybe
God didn't forget us,
we forgot Him,
and I wonder,
I hope,
pray that no more
death comes
to New York,
on this late
summer day.
—---------------------
New York Fireman
A tear
slowly rolls
down the dusty,
ashy, dirty face.
Head bowed,
troubled, scared,
shell shocked eyes
focused on
worn, weathered boots,
covered by
the residue
of death and destruction.
A barely legible
fire department logo
on the back
of a once blue,
now smoked gray shirt,
rides tempest-tossed
upon waves of
body racking sobs.
His massive, muscled
shoulders can dig,
and pull, and toss
chunks of twisted steel
all day but never
uncover the burden
placed on his heart
from finding the crushed
fire department crest
pinned upon
a dead brother's chest.
A tear
slowly rolls
down the dusty,
ashy, dirty face.
—----------------------
Sunday marks the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It’s a time in history that The American Legion will never forget.
For two decades, American Legion posts have conducted ceremonies on 9/11 to ensure that their communities don’t forget the lives lost that day or those lost while fighting the global war on terrorism prompted by the attack. The American Legion wants to hear how posts are remembering the 22nd anniversary of Sept. 11. Please email sbrooks@legion.org with details about your event, and then share your stories and photos on Legiontown.
A few events already scheduled:
· In New Jersey, Longport’s annual 9/11 ceremony will be held 9 a.m. at Thomas B. Reed Park at the foot of the Longport bridge. Firefighters, police and members of American Legion Post 469 will place wreaths in memory of those lost in the 9/11 attacks, and those fighting the war on terror for many years after those attacks.
· In Connecticut on Sept. 10, American Legion Post 48 will dedicate its memorial stone and plaque, Tribute to Freedom Monument, at the town marina at 11 a.m. The organization placed the monument last year to honor the personnel and everyday people who lost their lives on 9/11. The Freedom Monument pays tribute to the military, first responders, government employees, and ordinary citizens who, on 9/11 and thereafter, responded to the war on terror to ensure the preservation of our freedoms.
· In Nebraska, A “Remember 9/11 Patriot’s Walk” will take place Sept. 10, at 5 p.m. in Fuller Park, Albion. Sponsoring organizations are American Legion Post 162 and its entire American Legion Family, and VFW Post 736, their auxiliaries, Sons of The American Legion and the American Legion Riders. Everyone is encouraged to attend and honor the lives lost on 9/11.
In 2021, The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast did a special series of 20 memorable, inspiring and captivating stories related to the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Listen to those stories here.
What say you?
The Sarge was born and raised in the River Valley of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. He is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who also pens faith based devotionals and is currently his State American Legion Historian. He lives in Rumford, Maine.
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Ask The Sarge 11 September 2022
A Reprint:
Ask The Sarge 11 September 2020
The Sarge says:
I am no hero, and was barely a Warrior, though I was called that a time or two by my Group Commander for a few different reasons. I have never been overly political or patriotic really. To most of the people I served with, up and down the chain of command, and no matter the amount of stripes I wore, I was just “Lou.”
Here is something I wrote pretty soon after 11 September 2001:
American Flag
I put on my uniform,
said a prayer,
wiped away a tear
and hoisted my American flag.
Watching the colored
banner, freedom's symbol
snap in the breeze,
I saluted with tears
streaming down my face.
Young and brave,
and dirty, scarred and scared
firemen hoist
their American flag
amid melted and twisted
steel and death
and tears.
Day and night,
no matter the weather
I will fly
our American flag.
I know it's right
to feel this way
tears upon my face,
as I salute,
all the dead and injured
and innocence lost
who should never
have borne this cost.
God bless!
And from 2010:
19 years ago today I was on the flight line at Minot Air Force Base on what was to be weather wise a beautiful day and yet, because of the attacks and devastation, one of the worst days ever for so many family, friends, and loved ones.
Without making it about me, I will disclose that despite the fact I was surrounded by some of the most awesome and deadliest war machines ever invented by man, and some of the greatest human beings to ever answer their nation's call. I was for the first time in uniform, scared.
I love you all, and however you choose to remember those lost, my heart is with you and them today and every day.
God bless!
From 2017:
In 2003 the singer Darryl Worley asked, "Have you Forgotten?" Back then the sting and sadness of 11 September was very real. Since then there have been many deaths and crisis for sure.
Let us take a few moments and pray, and remember all tragedies and the senseless loss and waste of human lives. I pray to God that it all ends soon, and if you are not saved, I pray you let Jesus into your lives so we all are reunited around His glorious throne!
What Say You?
The Sarge was born and raised in the River Valley of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. He is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who also pens faith based devotionals and is currently his State American Legion Historian. He lives in Rumford, Maine.
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