September 1, 2010

I was making my way toward Las Cruces yesterday when I saw a long time friend along the highway, and stopped to visit with him and his wife. Tom and Pam are ranchers east of Mayhill.  They have endured the rigors of ranching for decades in this very rural part of New Mexico. 

Tom told me yesterday that government regulators had completely wiped out the sheep ranching business in New Mexico. The US Fish and Wildlife Service implemented new regulations that prohibit ranchers from controlling the population of nearby predators, such as mountain lions and coyotes. As a result, Tom and Pam have completely quit raising sheep. Just a year or two ago New Mexico had 20,000 sheep grown and marketed here. Now it is zero. The jobs are gone. 

The revenue to the state is gone. The vitality of our nation’s economy is shrinking and prosperity is disappearing, because of our own government.   

By: Steve Pearce

 Our grandson returned to Arkansas yesterday after spending 2 weeks with Cynthia and me in New Mexico.  About a month ago our granddaughter was with us for a couple of weeks.

We had him tag along to campaign events.  He got to meet Susana Martinez, Matt Chandler and a couple of the other candidates here in New Mexico.

We managed to work in a “couple” of grandson type things.  Joe and Sarah Yue have been long time friends of the family and have watched over our daughter like she was their own, she referred to them as “Uncle Joe and Aunt Sarah”. 

Now, they have a full relationship with our grandkids.  Two or three days Uncle Joe, Preston and I went fishing.

  There were bass and blue gill in abundance.  

 …and “big catfish”.  Preston landed this one.

Preston started this puzzle one night so almost every night our spare minutes found us puzzling over the pieces. 

By: Steve Pearce

The mission of our C-130 unit in country was to fly things around.  We flew food, ammunition, people, vehicles, etc.  We hauled “stuff”.  In the GI vernacular we were trash haulers. 

Two of the most desired commodities were mail ferried in from home and feature films which made their way from one base to the next.  Each small outpost would have its own version of a movie theater so Army and Marine troops would meet the planes with high expectations of what films and mail would be there. 

One day, in late 1971 our crew was on such a mission.  When we hit the ground all 4 of us crew members helped get the cargo off so that our turnaround time was minimal.  It cut the exposure time to both the oppressive heat and to enemies who might want to take advantage of the big slow targets but who would need precious minutes to get themselves in position for our departure.

By: Steve Pearce

In 1971 when my pilot training was complete I was one of two members of class 71-06 at Reese AFB to be assigned as copilots to the 463^rd TAW at Clark AFB.  Most of our missions were out of Cam Rahn Bay AB, Viet Nam.  When we were there  the C-130 detachment was on a side of the base sort of by itself.

The 463^rd TAW also had detachments flying out of Udorn AB, Korat AB, and Ubonn AB in Thailand.  At those bases,  the C-130 crews lived right among the fighter pilots in the detachments permanently assigned to these bases. 

Mixing fighter pilots and transport pilots did not always work.  The go-fast pilots referred to us as “trash haulers”.  It was not a term of endearment.  In fact it was intended to convey that we did not really belong in their esteemed company.  We obligingly referred to them as “fighter pukes.”

By: Steve Pearce

When I completed pilot training in January 1970, I received orders to fly C-130’s out of Clark Air Base in the Philippines.   My transition training into the C-130 Hercules was at Little Rock AFB then, I learned the tactical flying we would experience in Viet Nam at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.  The transition training instructor, Major Shelton, was one of the few Black pilots I encountered in the Air Force.  He was as good as any C-130 pilot I met during my Air Force service.  And because he was good, I had good training.

When we first inspected the “assault strip” at Pope AFB we were surprised.  It was very short; less than 4,000-feet of runway on which to land the big, lumbering 4 engine turbo-prop planes.  It was preparation for the short landing strips in the war zone.  

Sitting next to the runway was a mute testimony to the risks of short field landings.  During a hard landing by a recent trainee, both wings had broken off the airplane.  Just looking at the short airstrip, I wondered if there were more amputated C-130’s gathered in a junk pile somewhere, or worse – how many of them were scattered throughout Viet Nam!

By Steve Pearce:

The conductor of the orchestra is Andre Rieu from Austria.

The young lady, Melissa Venema, age 13, is the trumpet soloist.  Her rendition of TAPS will make your hair stand on end.

Many of you may never have heard taps played in its entirety, for all of the men & women that have died for you to have the freedom you have in America.  Miss Venema’s rendition simply is beautiful.

Here is "Taps" played in its entirety. The Original version of 'Taps' was called 'Last Post', and was written by Daniel Butterfield in 1801. It was rather lengthy and formal, as you will hear in this clip, so in 1862 it was shortened to 24 notes and re-named 'Taps'. Melissa Venema is playing it on a trumpet whereas the original was played on a bugle. Turn on your speakers … sit back … and enjoy it.

Yesterday’s travel took us to Zuni Pueblo.  They are long time friends and associates who live in one of the most beautiful parts of New Mexico.

Zuni is host to one of the few Eagle Sanctuaries in the US.  With approval from the sanctuary’s administrator, visitors can walk right in among the Eagles.  The Golden Eagle and Bald Eagles are right there with you, spikes as talons and a beak that can penetrate your hand.  Stafford let me pet one.

Currently they have 28 eagles in the sanctuary.  Most have broken wings but one had all her tail feathers chewed off by a predator.  

Cynthia and I completed the 15 hour conceal carry class last weekend.  Cynthia got my attention with her shooting. Using a .45 caliber Kimber automatic, she shot a 4" pattern with 24 shots at the center of the target and the bridge of the nose being the objective for the one high round.

By Steve Pearce:

Yesterday the CEO of Verizon Communications Inc, Ivan Seidenberg, who also heads the Business Roundtable slammed the Obama administration for decisions that “create an increasingly hostile environment for investment and job creation.”  It was the first time this influential group of chief executives of the nation’s largest companies has publicly criticized the administration’s policies.

Business investment is the only way the economy expands and new jobs are created.  When the government taxes more, less capital is left to create jobs.  Some describe this as the “trickle down” effect.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The free market that made this country’s standard of living the best in the world is a Capitalist economy.  Capital is the key component of Capitalism.  When capital is available to companies they create new jobs.  Taxes take away cash from the companies so job growth slows when taxes go up. 

Operation Soldier Smiles

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Maggie Fazenbaker and Operation Soldier Smiles who recently reached an impressive milestone. Operation Soldier Smiles was founded Oct.1, 2004, by Maggie Fazenbaker of Alamogordo, at the time 11-year-old 7th grader who was concerned about the well-being of active duty soldiers far from home. Through her organization, Maggie has made an impact on the lives of thousands of our soldiers who are defending our country around the world. Her organization recently reached a remarkable milestone by delivering over 10,000 care package to our military troops serving in the war zones over the past five years. Maggie and her volunteers have raised funds and shipped packages tirelessly for the past five of our troops. As someone who has served in our military, I know what it means to the brave men and women in our military to receive such a thoughtful care package. Please join me in applauding Maggie and Operation Soldier Smiles on their remarkable work on behalf of our country.