Triumphrat

Hedge · 03-03-2008, 03:22 PM

I just got back from San Antonio where my wife and I visited since last Wednesday. The average temperature was in the 70's in February so I never want to hear a single complaint about weather from Texans again!

As many of you older members might remember, I whined about all the problems I had with my wife's useless 19 year old kid who lived with us until I threw him out. Long story short, to bring you guys up to speed - he ran out of options and decided to join the Military. I was able to get him into the Air Force but he had to wait a half a year for his Load Master job to become available.

Having him hang around our home for that half year doing absolutely nothing but playing video games, sleeping all day, eating all the food, going out all night long doing who knows what, with who knows who was more than my wife and I could take. We had our fingers crossed and many people praying that he wouldn't get into trouble while his job was pending and thus queering the whole deal.

Well, the good news is, he did get out safely on Jan 14th to (MEPS) Military Entrance Processing Station in Springfield MA where he was processed out and brought down to Hartford International Airport for a free ride, courtesy of Uncle Sam, to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas where Basic Training is taught. We sent Uncle Sam a kid and in 6 weeks they turned him into a Man - brimming with confidence, direction, integrity, honesty, and pride!
Time for a picture - This is him with his recruiter on Jan 14th when his mother dropped him off (Please excuse the OCC chopper in the background):

We got down there and found this Man holding up his Airman's Coin -

Here's the coin -

And this transformation was brought on by this Training Instructor

I have to say that if there is a word that is beyond Proud then that would describe how his Mother and I feel! We're on Top of the World right now!

Hedge · 03-03-2008, 03:36 PM

Some of the things we did in San Antonio was eat at Rudy's -

I have to say, although their Chicken, sausage, coleslaw and Creamed Corn is good - my BBQ is better! I know Texans that's a pretty bold statement and I hope someday you can sample some of Hedge's slow cooked Coca-Cola BBQ ribs.

On another note, MattRat, who grew up there, recommended Boudro's on the Riverwalk and it was outstanding! I had the Prime Rib Sandwich and their Guacamole is perhaps the best I ever had anywhere. My wife and I also ate at Cha Cha's which had some excellent Mexican Food.

We saw the complete Riverwalk -

The Alamo -

And went to Sea World -

. . . and yes, this New England Yankee stopped at Shepler's and got a nice pair of Tony Lama's cowboy boots and matching belt!

Old Scratcher · 03-03-2008, 03:42 PM

Well done Hedge.
There is hope for the future.
The X-Box generation can be saved.
Who'd have thought it possible. Eh?

BTW I blame you for this landing in my garage.

So thanks a lot Buddy.
I owe you one

Hedge · 03-03-2008, 03:45 PM

Here's a couple of more shots that I loved!
Mr. & Mrs Hedge at the Coin Ceremony -

Jason's Flight -

Us three in front of a C123 (notice the new Tony Lama Belt) -

. . . and last but not least, he finally learned how to make his bed! (Bottom Bunk)

Hedge · 03-03-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scratcher

Well done Hedge.
There is hope for the future.
The X-Box generation can be saved.
Who'd have thought it possible. Eh?

BTW I blame you for this landing in my garage.

So thanks a lot Buddy.
I owe you one

Ya had to go and show me that you bought a BLACK Street Triple while I was away! I hate you!

She is exactly what I want - now i have to obsess about this? She's DDG!

Old Scratcher · 03-03-2008, 03:55 PM

Well if it makes you feel any better, it's already on recall for a faulty shocky (which is really bad).
But don't let that put you off. Believe me, you're right to want one of these bikes. They are effin awesome!
Here's the front view.

I love the aggressiveness of the naked look, & I'm not putting anything onto this one. It's already perfect! IMO

HiDesert · 03-03-2008, 04:24 PM

Congratulations, Hedge. Let's hear it for military service; teaching nihilists the value of standards for generations past and generations to come. And load master is a great field; lot of responsibility and valuable experience. Good for him, good for you!

:

mistermellow001 · 03-03-2008, 04:26 PM

Good pics, Hedge. It looks like he leaned up a bit (between the pic with his recruiter and the one with his D.I. - Maybe I need to go to boot camp!). A structured environment sounds like what he needs. Best of luck to him.

TriumphTengu · 03-03-2008, 04:33 PM

Hey Hedge
Welcome back! I was noticin' that youse waz absent from the board.
You were only seventy miles south of me.
Good lookin' young man!
You done good, you done real good!
Jim
P.S. Thanx for the Johnny shirt! Sweet! I love the orange color!

Pauljo · 03-03-2008, 05:48 PM

It's been over 40 years, but I still remember the names of my TI's at Lackland. Staff Sgt Napper & Tech Sgt Hanson. Scary dudes - you did not want to cross them.

I enjoyed the pics of River Walk and the Alamo. I spent several months in casual status at Lackland after basic training (waiting for my language school class at Syracuse University). I remember renting a Suzuki X6 Hustler several times to explore the town. That was one hot little motorcycle.

We did not get a coin back then. I feel somewhat cheated.

We did learn how to make a tight bed.

I wonder if you can still "smoke 'em if you got 'em".

It sounds like you had a fine time down there in San Antonio!