Among The Joshua Trees

Category: Friends

  • A day to remember our friend

    We got the news this day, seven years ago. Kfir down at NAS Fallon. We all had our fears of what happened. It couldn’t be….. But sadly when the details came out it was. Somehow, I knew when the news initially said the jet was down. I don’t know why but I did. Lex was…

  • Thanksgiving Greetings

    The Old Retired Petty Officer sends greetings and best wishes to all this Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have a splendid day, truly. Missus ORPO and I are at home with the usual although it will be delayed until tomorrow due to the effects of my flu shot that I received on Monday and…

  • Time Flies……….It’s been three years since that awesome day……Already?

    This day three years ago, I was privileged to spend a great day onboard The Good Ship USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76 with my dear friends, Chris Goodrich, aka the OldAFSarge and The WSO, Erika Cho. I thought for the sake of waxing poetic that I would post a few pictures of that most awesome of days.…

  • A year gone by

    It was around this time last year when we lost the Exile in Portales, Norman “Buck” Pennington………………………………. I sure do miss my friend……………………………………….

  • Happy Thanksgiving

    Missus ORPO and I would like to send all a wish for a pleasant and fulfilling Thanksgiving Day with Family and Friends…………………

  • Attack Squadron One Two Two Reunion 2015

    A gathering at the Fleet Reserve Branch 261, 788 E. D Street, Lemoore, CA and The Naval Air Station Lemoore CA……….. Lemoore was home to Missus ORPO and I from June of 1985 to March of 1989. We still treasire that time in our lives. It was good to meet a few old shipmates……………..Errecart, Taylor…

  • Back on The Verandah…………………………….For Buck

    It has been too long since I did a Beer Blogging Post from The Verandah at Casa de Glenn y Sharon……………….. Too Long It wasn’t the same without The Exile In Portales……………………………………………. Yes, the eyes are a bit misty now……………………..as I think of my dear friend who is no longer with us……………..and I do think…

  • Morning Coffee for Today

    New cup that was a gift from friends for baby sitting the cat and fish while they were out of town. It’s even got the Silverton Train on it!

  • Flygirlpainter does her thing on a brand new 60 Romeo for HSM-49, The Scorpions

    Shayne Meder Master Sergeant United States Air Force Retired Damn this gal does some seriously awesome work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is doing the HSM-49 MH-60R CAG Bird as she has done all of the Helo Squadron CAG Birds based at NAS North Island. I asked her if I could blog the progress of this project and she…

  • Restless………………..

    One of my favourite Gordon Lightfoot songs……………………. There’s a kind of a restless feeling And it pulls me from within It sets my senses reeling And my wheels begin to spin In the quietude of winter You can hear the wild geese cry And I will always love that sound Until the day I die…

  • Significant Milestone for a Fellow Lexican!

    It seems that our most esteemed OldAFSarge at Chant du Depart has hit the magic 500,000 page views at his excellent blog! Tuna and Juvat have had a hand in it as well! Congrats to all at a most excellent blog! http://oldafsarge.blogspot.com/

  • Happy New Year!

    It was a pretty good year………………. The day at sea on USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 with OldAFSarge and The WSO was a major hi lite! I managed to complete another revolution of the Sun…………………….. I watched my niece get married to a really good man……………………………………….. The disruptions………………………………………. My friends………………………………..I miss them Lionel Gendron Buck Pennington…

  • Christmas Weekend on California’s Central Coast

    The VQ at Vandenberg was our headquarters. The Monarch Butterfly Grove is an obligatory stop during the time the Butterflies are here. The Ocean was making just enough noise as well…………………………………….I think of my departed friends, Lex, Buck and Lionel when I see the sunset from Oceano Beach south of Pismo. The next four are…

  • One of us is gone

    It is sad that one of our number has left this life. Buck Pennington, aka MSGT Buck passed away this past week. The news was posted on his blog, Exile In Portales by his sons, Commander Pennington and Major Pennington. http://exileinportales.blogspot.com/2014/12/last-callyou-dont-have-to-go-home-but.html Damn. I am gonna miss him terribly. Christopher Goodrich has a most eloquent post…

  • New Addition to The Blogroll

    My dear, sweet friend from The Pacific Northwest, which was a haunt of mine during my Navy Career. Janet can keep you enthralled. She is well versed in the written word. http://flyprincesss.wordpress.com/