September 11th, 2007

I have the good fortune to lead over 15,000 active duty Sailors and Marines who serve their Navy, Marine Corps and their Nation with honor. They do this voluntarily and a majority have taken their oath following September 11th 2001.

"I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith allegiance to the same. I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and all officers appointed over me in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. I take this obligation freely and without mental reservation or purpose of evasion and I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God."

I thank each of you for taking the oath. I thank our families and friends for without your support we could not do this mission.

God bless America. We will never forget.

For another thought on 9/11 please read the comment to this earlier blog entry.

I like this photo

I like this shot so much I decided to "blog" it. To me it represents the success of Courtney by graduating from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. The success of my family, which is 30 days away from reaching 30 years of being The Hall's. Finally I just like how cute my daughter and wife are.

I'm a lucky guy period dot

A Moose walks into a bar.......

The bartenders says, "Hey Bullwinkle, why the long face?" (laughter)

It's an oldie but a goody. I shared it with Tommy Franks and he used it often with embellishment, and as a four star general - it always got laughs.

Here the Moose has told the joke to Courtney bringing forth her laughter. The location is the famous restaurant, bar and brew house in Pensacola, McGuire's Irish Pub. McGuire's was originally established in a strip mall in 1977 when Darlene and I were first married and I was going through flight school. My classmate and friend Emory Chenoweth supplied the owners with Irish music and today 30 years later a drink remains named after Emery. Court wanted to visit this landmark on our drive to Virginia. Wish granted and we enjoyed a filling lunch before we hit the road.

In the Notre Dame room Court laughs at the Moose's jokes and the young waiter singing "kiss the mouse, kiss the mouse."

In the main bar with the Main Moose and dollar bills everywhere stapled to the overhead.

Back on the road, Courtney displays her road warrior skills learned as a Navy kid traveling cross country to Texas with her Mom. (I looked up "cute" in the dictionary and this picture was there)

Good thing the Garmin never sleeps. "Wake me if you have any questions."

One of the many state signs we met welcoming us to their highways.

A midnight American Heart Association breakfast at the Waffle House. After a meal and a pow wow Courtney said let's press on. We hit Norfolk by 0700 and only Roxy was awake to greet us.

A super trip with my new college graduate. She is a true road warrior and terrific driver like Mom. I'll go anywhere with her, a GPS and a loaded iPod. Drive on Courtney!

NOTE: I apologize for the gratuitous dropping of Tommy Franks name in an entry about my family. I was told I would never make it in the Navy by being a name dropper. Henry Kissinger told me that in 1988 when we were meeting with Colin Powell and Condoliza Rice on the Soviet's Mini Mobile Missiles.

Does Bourbon Street ever close?

The answer is a definite NO. At least not before one runs out of "gas."

Following Courtney's graduation, she and I had a little road trip to Norfolk Virginia. First stop on our trip was New Orleans. It is two years this week since Katrina hit. While we saw much of the damage, the heartbeat of New Orleans, Bourbon Street is rocking. We stayed at a neat boutique hotel that was just a hop, skip and a jump to Bourbon Street. So after a late night check in at our hotel, we hopped over the homeless guy sleeping on the sidewalk, skipped around some strange looking characters and jumped to the beat of Bourbon Street. Three and a half hours later we hit the hay with a small buzz and a smile from all the music and dancing. New Orleans will come back because her heart is beating strong.

Old time jazz men playing their hearts out to a hopping and appreciative house crowd.

Court with the band leader after buying his CD. These guys are great.

When in Rome drink what the Romans drink - in New Orleans it's the most powerful drink known to man - the trademarked Hand grenade. Two please.

Court armed to the teeth with huricanes and hand grenades.

Mmmmm, slurp - a little fruity - but not as powerful as Mojo - but I do feel like dancing!

A little history lesson as we head back to the hotel.

You never who you'll run into when your traveling with the globe trotting Courtney. Famous jazz men and rock singers. Tonight we ran into a buddy of Court's from Texas. Small world.

Let's sleep in and then it's off to kiss the moose in Pensacola Florida.

PS One Hand Grenade is enough to lube the old joints and get an old man moving to the beat.

Our Graduate!!

She did it! Courtney is the proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Texas. Earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a Minor in Business, Courtney is ready to take on the world. Smiles all around from proud family and friends, we cheered ourselves hoarse as she crossed the stage and accepted her sheepskin. Look out world here she comes.

The Graduate Courtney with her proud brothers

Hands down the most beautiful Graduate this summer at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Proud Grandparents

The proudest of all - Mom and Dad!

The Game for Life

There is perhaps no greater pleasure than spending five hours on the links. But of course it doesn't get any better than spending that time with three generations from the same family. Playing with your sons who are now men is indescribable. With a Garry and Sam in one cart and Garry and Sam in another the outcome was predetermined. Garry and Sam walked away the winners.

If I could only wrap up like Sam!

Sam, Sam (Popo) and Garry

The Hall boys, Sam, Garry and Garry.

Brothers take aim at the Dads

Driving the course and dodging Texas mosquitoes.

The smiles tell all.

Never pass up the opportunity to play the game with the most important people in your life.

American Idol update

My American Idol had his shot at the show in San Diego California. An early start and long lines were rewarded by a chance to perform before the producers of the hit show. Showing talent and a unique singing quality he was given the chance to perform twice. Singing rock classics he showcased his rock talent. Alas, after deliberations it was determined, while a talented singer, "you are not what we are looking for." Not goofy enough for the outtakes and well "not what they were looking for."

It is better to live of life of daring and fail trying than to live one of quiet desperation. Great job G. I'm proud of you! Rock on.

Now move that ball and chain!

Elvis is alive

Thirty years ago the King passed. Or so we thought. Found alive and well in a boutique restaurant and art gallery in Corpus Christi Texas. Apparently what he's retained in good looks he's lost in singing ability - thus his appearance in South Texas vice Vegas.



Elvis shaking hands with brother-in-law, Harley rider, Texas guitarist, and popular area DJ and host, Sam.

American Idol

The entire Hall family is desending on Corpus Christi for Courtney's graduation. But first, number one son, Garry, auditions for American Idol in San Diego California. Read about it here.

Land of the Free

I've arrived in Corpus Chrsti Texas for Courtney's college graduation. 30+ hours of travels, 3 pat downs and five bag searches later I'm in the home of the Whataburger. Grill the onions and the buns please.

Warlord Logo

Seventeen years ago I became the first commanding officer of HSL-51 in Atsugi Japan. I asked my brother, a professional designer and advertiser to design a logo for the squadron. Howie captured the spirit of the squadron and met my request for it to be impressive, unique and visible from a distance when worn on your flight suit. In those 17 years the squadron has won numerous awards for warfighting and public service. The commanders of the squadron have gone on to command numerous capital ships and stations in the Navy.

I have traveled the world and I am always surprised at the various places I've discovered our patch - zapped in some far flung location. This one was found zapped to a tool box on the HMAS Anzac, an Australian frigate serving in the extreme Northern Arabian Gulf. I spied it as I was transiting her hangar to hop on my Desert Hawk to fly into Bahrain. To se more on that trip click here.

Thanks Howie, your logo will continue to inspired LAMPS pilots and crews for years to come.

Enemies in War, in Peace Friends

Happy 4th of July. In a few hours here in Manama Bahrain 50 or so American Sailors and Marines will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers on the roof patio of our high rise complex. There will be no fireworks or red white and blue bunting. But there will be country and rock music coming from Jerry's Bose iDock. We will enjoy the day off, talk of family back home and reflect on why we are so far from home. These Sailors and Marines are making a true difference in this war against violent extremists. Extremists who would love to end our way of life. Your Sailors and your Marines will not let that happen.

Someone from home asked what he could do to help. My simple response, "go to church and celebrate your faith."

Today, take time to read "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America."

If you've taken the time to read the Declaration, thank you. I hope you see the connection between the wrongs that were addressed and the freedoms you enjoy these 231 years later. No matter what anyone says on the news, this is a pretty damn great country.

God Bless America and God Bless our Sailors and Marines.

And God Bless and watch over our families as they watch the fireworks with out us. We miss you.

The last time I saw her face

Here are four smiling fun faces. Can you see them all? The last time I saw her face, as always it made me smile. She's fun, she's funny, she's not afraid to laugh or mug for the camera. She loves her puppy, who she named after a hip girl's surf wear line. And Roxy loves her - who doesn't.

She loves Christmas and everything to do with Christmas. She knows it's more than gifts and glitter.

She loves her brothers - but hates to loose to them in Wii boxing. That pout has always worked on dad but not brother. Play again?
The last time I saw her face I wasn't sure when I'd see it again. Barring world events beyond my control the next time I see her face she'll be wearing a cap and gown and be receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Business from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Texas. Congratulations Courtney!

I can't wait to see your face.

What's on your fridge?

Why is it that everyone is curious about what's in your fridge? Watch MTV's cribs and you will invariably be given a look inside the celebrity du jour's fridge and they always seem to feign embarrassment. A quick look always says "I have someone stock this for me." Look in a real man's fridge for a true picture of his lifestyle. Jerry has a carton of smokes, six pack of beer, two limes, bottle of hot sauce and several can of tuna which need no refrigeration. I questioned the smokes but then remembered the Cuban cigars in mine waiting their turn to enter my overcrowded maidador. I'll explain in another post.

But back to my comment, what's on your fridge? That's one of the things I miss at home - the collage of our life posted on our fridge. Always changing always growing. Pictures and magnets reflecting our life. A young Sailor. A kiss. A family. Celebrations. I'm an old Sailor now. I miss the kiss. I miss my family. I miss the celebrations. Can't wait to kiss my family and celebrate Court's graduation.


What's on your fridge?

Happy Birthday Samurai

Happy Birthday Sam. Seventeen years have flashed by with the blink of an eye. You came onto the scene with those big blue eyes and our lives were changed forever for the better. A dad knows better than to embarrass his son on the internet, so I'll leave this as wishing you the best for a long life of adventure and happiness. That is what you have given us. You're a fine young man I'm proud to call son. As Johnny Cash would say, "your name it is Sam Hall is Sam Hall......." You inspired The Man in Black and everyone you've met. Have a great day my Samurai.

Happy Father's Day

Courtney, Sam, Carrie, Garry

I'm blessed. What more can I say?