the father of the POW/MIA movement

Pictures of Colonel Earl P. Hopper Sr's funeral from July, 2008.

August update...

A lot happening here in sunny AZ...there will be much more to report soon, but for now, here are some recent pictures of my baby (ahem, I mean, BIKE!)...

Herrick 08?

my fellow Airmen, making me proud...

Great video, displaying some of the things our military (Air Force Airmen, ahem!) go through on a daily basis, all around the world.

happy trails...

Me and my friend/fellow Reservist photographer Efren (above) recently went out to Joshua Tree National Forest (on the CA side) to shoot star trails. Google it to learn more. Better yet, try it for yourself sometime. In the meantime, here is my best one (needs improvement, but OK for a nearly first attempt). Cheers, and thank you, Efren.

Ben Avery shooting range...

Josh n I cruised out there and spent a few rounds on Memorial weekend. Largest outdoor shooting range in U.S. Josh is such a good shot with the AR, you will want to always remember to be VERY nice to him! jk

House hunter...

...maybe that is the name of some show on HGTV, but that is what I feel like lately. Actually, I have not seen as many houses as some friends who are also looking, but that is OK, as I am in no big hurry. Anyway, I still hope to buy this year, but am renting in the meantime. The one with the pool is where I am renting, and the other is a house close to what I am looking to buy.

"Is that you John Wayne?..."

Ok, ok...so you may not all remember him, but I do. Kevyn Major Howard had a significant role in Stanley Kubrick's 80s cult classic, Full Metal Jacket. Coincidentally, he played the role of "Rafterman", the combat photographer. Pretty cool, since that is what I do in the Reserves. Anyway, we recently met at AirFest '08, the big annual air show held at my base: March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, California.

Side note: Kevyn was there with his drag cars from Fueled by the Fallen, which is his great program meant to honor the service of Marines in OIF. The cars are all Chevy, and have the names of every KIA U.S. Marine on their sides.

One last picture of me in front of the Douglas Skyraider, named after the base my MIA uncle flew out of during Vietnam: Nakhon Phanom (aka "Naked Fanny") Royal Thai Air Force Base. We won't forget you Uncle Jim.

Move to AZ

As you all know, I moved to AZ earlier this spring. Here are some pics of my arrival in Arizona (thanks Marc for helping with the drive). My, my...Phoenix is beautiful from South Mountain! While I don't look happy in the border pic, I was just sick.

Meanie pt. 3

Current pics:

Pics of "old" rear fender:

Now have road trip gear (floorboards, windshield, etc.). LED/fender elim kit installed (see pic). Now just need my AZ vet plates. Arlen ness mirrors, aftermarket 3" flat black exhaust ( but I already have flat black exhaust you say...well, this rids me of the ugly and inconceivalbe-for-a-bike-catalytic-converter, AND gives a little more power since it is true 3"), cobra floorboards, cobra fi2000, etc. should be here soon...I cannot wait!! Anyone know a powdercoater who specializes in black?? jk lol

St. Thomas trip and pics...

In early April, I had a great 7 days in St. Thomas, seeing good friends and making new ones. What a great place to vacation when you already have a place to stay, etc. (thanks Jackie and Crista). I never did make it to the Cruzan Rum distillery on St. Croix...looks like I will have to go back one day. lol

Movie stars, the Carribean, and Phoenix, oh my

Lots of updating to do (with pictures), so stay tuned...

Meanie pt. 2

Pics to and at the dealership today...obviously I did not take delivery with today's weather! lol

such a meanie!!

Ok, so it is a stock photo, not one of mine, but you get the idea...today I bought a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak - Special Edition*. I prefer the 2007, and had to poke around to find a new one, but when I found this one here in Minnesota, I picked it up.

Oh, and I have already 'made' a fender eliminator kit:

-smoked LED taillight kit with integrated turn signals

-a driveshaft cover with license plate relocation slot

More to come...

* the 2007 SE is flat black paint, red wheels/frame, no chrome, etc.

"Summer of George..." ??

Well, maybe YOU don't remember the Seinfeld episode...but I do. Suffice it to say, 2008 has plenty of changes on the horizon.

To start, after 1.5 years, I am no longer an employee at the Nat'l Ground Intelligence Center. It just got to be too much; travelling with our training team, going to California for Reserves once a month, going to Afghanistan, travelling with the training team, back to Afghanistan, etc. Although the busiest time of my life, the experience was one of the highlights of my life so far. So what next?...

Well, I am now in MN, visiting family and friends and gathering my belongings. The first week of April, I am vacationing in St. Thomas to visit my friends Jackie/Justin at the resort they live at. Then, on or about 15 APR I will hop in a u-haul and move to AZ.

Oh, and don't forget the Reserves, I finally made it to the Combat Camera unit. I've encountered a few difficulties so far, but will keep at it and see if things smooth out. It just might shape up to be the busiest year for me, yet!...