December 7th 1941 continued

This date is burned in the memory of this nation. We are coming up on the 70th anniversary of the start of U.S. involvement in World War Two.  This great struggle was only won by the blood and sacrifice of this nation an her allies sons and daughters. We should all take some time and remember what that generation fought to preserve. As always we should honor our vets and their service to this country.

December 7th 1941

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Infamy Speech

December 8, 1941
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

Party On!

As all three of my followers know I have come to admire and respect some ideas from Cody Lundin. Cody Lundin is the founder of the Aboriginal Living Skills School in Arizona, as well as the author of two books and co-star of the Discovery Channels "Dual Survival"  TV show.  Reading his first book "98.6 degrees The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive", it starts of with some common sense and practical advise on keeping a positive attitude.  He as written a section in which he states that the words party on are quite powerful. There is no opposite of this statement. I believe this statement can be applied to everyday life.

Over the last couple of weeks I have made a list of goals for the Winter and Spring. These are things I need to do and want to do. They also include some personal changes. After a sleepless night three weeks ago I resolved to myself to make changes, not next month, or next week, but that minute. I found myself with a flood of ideas for home, and personal improvement. I thought of the time I waste in front of the glow box, and of all the things I have half assed. I was done living my life half assed, it was time to be more and better. This all started with the adoption of a positive mental attitude. I want to use the energy this releases into some productive ends. 

Since my change I have turned 31 and I feel better than I have in a few years. Even with all the things that have happened over the last few years I have emerged wiser and stronger with far more determination than I have ever had.  I have began to control my caffeine addiction, I have started to eat better, and next will be get in shape. I have already, with the help of Joni, Dad, and Troy, reorganized the house and re roofed the garage. The next project will be the long over do front room. I have noticed as I check these goals off of my list I get stronger, more confident, and all around feel better.  My advise would be why wait for New Years to make a change? If you really want to make it happen do it now, don't allow yourself a chance to procrastinate or find an excuse to not do it. Pass off your self imposed limitations sort out the bullshit and PARTY ON NOW !!!

As a thank you to all. My wife for her love, support, and help. She is my personal cheering section and I hope she likes the new me. My parents who have always given me a solid base to leap from, this has probably allowed me to truly run free without fear and really get to know myself at a young age. My grandparent who have always given love, acceptance, and advice. My in-laws for their kindness and acceptance for a new weirdo at the table. So anyone who is related to me thank you for your love, support, guidance, and helping me in some way or form to be a better person.  I will leave you with the theme of the post.... PARTY ON!!!

Springfield 1911-A1 Range Officer

I just purchased my new RO. This is Springfield's new out of the box affordable competition 1911.  All the previous reviews have given it high marks, and I see no reason to not do the same. I first saw this handgun in a magazine while looking for a good 1911 picture for a tattoo idea I had. The picture of the RO soon became a permanent piece of art on my thigh. Since I had it tattooed on me I thought I better get the real deal. This gun fit real good in my hand and balanced well once I put a loaded mag in. The trigger pull is short, light, and crisp. I shot a decent grouping for it being the first 50 rounds. I shot low and center so a quick sight adjustment should correct it.  All around this was a wonderful addition to the other members of the "safe community".

Sunday Shooting

The morning was crisp and clear, a perfect fall Sunday. An early morning get up and get moving kind of day. These are the days I love and always look forward to.  Joni and I waited for Troy, then picked up Holt and met my parents and Aunt Pam. A short 25-30 minute drive from Bluffdale and there we were, the shooting area next to Utah Lake. No one was on the mountain when we rolled up in a Chevy convoy. As we spent the next few minutes setting up Dad's new target stand he built, and start loading up gun mags, I can look around at the lake, the mountain side, and my family. I love to share my hobby with the ones I love. Then in the cool quiet air the first shots ring out and the fun begins.
We all share our guns and ammo among each other and send some rounds down range. As we all get into the target practice and trying out different guns you could feel the problems slip away. All the stress in life, the funerals, and all the job stress just seemed to melt away.  I watched everyone go up, try out the gun in their hand and then the words of encouragement, "good shot, nice grouping," and so on. I watched my Mom pick up a gun she had never shot, Joni's new XD sub compact, and shoot one of the best groups on the day. My loving wife went up and got her practice in, I could only think how lucky I was to have her.
This Sunday was special for another reason, of coarse any day spent with family is special, but today I got to live out a dream. When I first started getting into firearms I had a wish list of guns I wanted to own. This last August I purchased one that was at the top of my list, and today I got to fire it for the fist time.  My new old M1 Garand, an all matching, 1954 Springfield Armory master piece. I loaded my first clip of 30-06 and fired at a pumpkin someone left at about 50-60 yards. The gun shot better than I had imagined and the famous ping of the clip being ejected brought a smile to my face. I then loaded it up for Troy, Holt, and my Dad. I then decided to dial it out a little bit. I had Holt use my range finder on a target out in the distance, turned out to be 305 yards. I was able to hit that with the old iron sites three or four times.  What a beauty of a gun! It is one of the finest rifles I have ever fired. Some dreams come true and when this one did for me.... it was better than I hoped.
Family fun with firearms is what Sunday shooting is all about.

With reading timing is everything

Have you ever been reading something and realized it has had an unexpected impact?  It is not that what you are reading is so amazingly written you can't help it, but the timing in which you read it.  The first case for me has been reading When All Hell Breaks Loose by Cody Lundin. I started this book when things started to get bad with Grandpa Bill back at the end of May.  I found that the first quarter or so of the book reads like a self help book. It really goes into the psychology of survival and the mind set needed to get through. As I read the section titled " The creative power of the words I am", I found my self completely immersed in what the author was saying. If you use the words "I am" whatever you say after ,both negative and positive, becomes accepted into your reality.  I know Mr. Lundin is working on building the positive can do of the reader so the reader can see that just having stuff to survive may not be enough.  I found myself having a more personal meaning to the words on the page. This two and a half page section helped me through some tough times.  I now find myself watching what I say after the words " I am". I try to keep that positive and up beat as much as I can. Once we got the word Gramps was not going to make it I found myself trying to grasp for something. I remember telling myself when it all began " I am going to hurt", " I am going to be sad", " I am going to accept it will be hard", I am going to get through it", " I am going to be okay", and I am going to work to make him proud".  Now this may seem a little self absorbed but it truly helped me.

My second example came just yesterday. I have been stressed about refinancing my home, getting through work, money, and all of life's little things. Then I read and article in American Handgunner titled " On Bein' Thankful" by John Connor.  I know you might be thinking here comes the gun rant, but this article was really quite good. In this article he writes about a medical issue and issues he has and is dealing with. He does not go into detail of what it is but he says his wife as she helps him out and feels the scars on his body she can only say " oh, thank God, John Just thank God".  I can only imagine what they had gone through to make them so grateful for his current state. He also writes in this article of a young Army vet who gave him assistance after he had car problems. The young man was missing both his legs at the knee. He lost them in an IED blast. The young man said he was lucky because the doctors saved his leg from the knee up.  This made me realize how lucky I am. I have my health, a loving wife, a good job, a nice house, and a great family, born in and married in.

So my final though tonight is perhaps survival and life in general really is 90% psychological. If you think positive and stay thankful you can truly live the dream.  I am lucky, I am happy, and I am going to do good things.

Kent R. Perkins

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1/09/57 ~ 09/09/11
The old farmhouse stood in the ivory glow of a fall sunset in the Sanpete Valley awaiting its owners for a special weekend. They never arrived. Kent Perkins, 54, of Salt Lake City passed away unexpectedly and peacefully September 9, 2011 en route to his beloved Crawforth Farmstead in Spring City, Utah, ending a nearly 5 year journey ALS. His partner Scott and his personal nurse, Josh were at his side.
Kent Rae Perkins was born January 9, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest of four boys born to Joyce Renee Jacobson and William Earl Perkins. He attended Salt Lake City schools and made a long career in the automotive paint and glass business. He was a co-owner in the former Shoot the Moon card and gift business in Sandy.
Kent and Scott spent their work week in Salt Lake and each weekend in Spring City. Kent loved to scour rural Utah for pioneer furniture, even entire log cabins which were reconstructed on new sites. They hosted a large gathering each summer and generously opened their historic home to hundreds of visitors attending Spring City Heritage Days during the Memorial Day weekend. Kent made the farm magical at Christmas and fireworks filled the winter sky on New Year's Eve.
He enjoyed taking out one of their antique carriages in good weather and the horse drawn sleigh especially if it was through the snowy fields, bells ringing and snow flying. Even though he didn't care for winter he could usually coax a group for night sledding on his fleet of Flexible Fliers, sparks shooting from the runners as they raced over random pieces of gravel or a cattle guard. The scene was somewhere between a Norman Rockwell moment and Flash Gordon.
Soon after Kent's diagnosis with ALS, he decided to retire. Rather than travel on some extended trips, Kent decided he would rather have a project to look forward to over a long term. Kent and Scott sold their Salt Lake residence and purchased the Joseph Walker carriage barn in the Avenues to transform it into their personal residence. He was able to supervise the project while his health held, then eventually from his wheelchair. They were able to move into the house in time for Christmas last year. He never stopped smiling.
Kent was a very proud man blessed with movie star good looks, and easy going personality and always meticulously groomed-including his automobiles. His family instilled in him a strong work ethic. He could fix, make or build anything.
To eventually turn over his every need to others was probably the most difficult. Fernando Enriquez was the perfect person to see that he was perfectly groomed; all things were orderly and cheerful. They had become so close. As Kent's need increased, he was fortunate to have Josh Varney as his companion and personal nurse. The team became one loving family.
Kent met his situation with grace, courage and a large dose of humor. He was supported by a loving family, a devoted companion and a host of friends and extended family who came with love and left with inspiration and resolve. Kent knew he mattered and that made life, challenging as it was, worth living.
He is preceded in death by: his grandparents, a brother, Kevin, and only recently a brother, Barry (Jackie), and his father, Bill. He is survived by: his mother; his brother, Larry (Tina); his partner, J. Scott Anderson; Miss Carrie Grant (the tuxedo cat); extended family and a family of friends. Though we part ways at the summit we wish him peace on the rest of his journey.
Services will be held Thursday, September 15, 2011 at Redwood Memorial Estates. Friends may call at 2:00 P.M. Followed by a graveside service at 3:30 P.M.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to be made to Friends of Historic Spring City, P. O. Box 212, Spring City, Utah 84662 or Muscular Dystrophy Association of Utah, 4578 Highland Drive, #300, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117

The strangers on the wall

Friday night marked the passing of my last uncle on the Perkins side. His passing has marked the third Perkins passing in ten months. My family still feeling the effects of our patriarch's death now faces the burying of the youngest of the four brothers. I go from sadness and anger to numbness and confusion. I feel the need to be strong for my father and grandmother, who are now the only ones left from the core family. I feel some comfort knowing Kent, Barry, Kevin, and Gramps are together for the first time in almost eleven years. Those of us left behind will try to find comfort with that thought and each other. I know the family gatherings will be missing some very familiar energy.

Facing these losses has set me to thinking about the fact of having children. My kids will never get to meet their great grandpa Perkins, great uncles Barry, Kent, and Kevin. How will I explain the strangers on the wall to them. I guess I would start with Gramps. I will tell them of his wise counsel, strong work ethic, his wit and humor, and how he could fix or build anything including a family. I will remember him smiling and asking his question "How's Work?" He kept his positive attitude even facing his final hours. If we could all approach life a little more like Gramps we would do well.

For the uncles I will tell them of how Kevin was a man who loved to hunt and fish. How he always had a joke and that his nickname was "Caveman" for very good reasons. I will tell them how Barry was easy going loved fishing and how he was kind almost to a flaw. Barry had a way of going over the top for his nieces and nephews with gifts. He also had a warm smile and great dry sense of humor.  Kent will be remembered as the man in the middle of the room. If there was a crowd and they were laughing you could bet Kent was at the center. He loved to get people rolling on the ground with laughter. He possessed a sharp mind, and could keep the wit an humor going for hours.  Even with his horrible illness Kent refused to quit smiling and making everyone around him feel cheerful.

I know the stories will go on and the memory of these men will continue with us. I am glad that some of the youngest members of the Perkins clan will have some memories and I hope they pass those on. I know I will do all I can to keep them from becoming The Strangers on the Wall.

Gramps, Barry, Kevin, Kent I miss you all.

The Government debt default and real change

     I had a thought on this debt default crisis. What the hell do we pay these people for? I guess if President Obama and the brilliant House and Senate members had worked on creating jobs and solving budget cuts instead of cramming health care down our throats we might not be in this place. I mean really what is more important having a job to keep your home out of default or requiring health care for all? I guess if you lose your home will the health care program let you move into a hospital? Even if you could why would you want to put your faith in the health care workers? ( I will save that for another day).
    I think politicians should be change as often as we can. Only when the people wake up and say "we are going to have to terminate your employment with us" can we expect real change.  If we would all go to the polls on election day and vote for the independent candidates can we remove the scourge of the party system. Would you hire an employee to work for you but still allow them to work for the competition. I mean do you really think these politicians who are set up for election by a party really has your best interests at heart? If the vote came down to get in line with the party, so you can keep their money for your reelection, or doing what is right for the silly voters that you work for, what would they do? Well look around if you don't already know the answer.
     So I say fire your Senator, fire your representatives and vote for someone new that is not a member of a party.

What the Hell here I go

        I have finally decided to start a blog. Not sure what I have to say but I guess anyone can read it.  I will say that what  I write is my feelings and opinions and are not up for debate. Also please don't correct my spelling or grammar English class was not my strong point.  
        Anyone who reads this it will never be my intent to offend or upset anyone but I hope to give someone a thing or two to think about. I  guess I will see were this goes from here.
        I enjoy shooting and firearms in general so be ready for a good dose of those topics. I also enjoy history, science and politics so those will be reoccurring themes. 
        Read at your own risk.