The leader of the free world, makin' Crocs look sexy...

What are we gonna do when this guy leaves office?

You have to love him.

How To Observe Memorial Day

Memorial Day was born out of the horror of the Civil War, when more than 600,000 soldiers -- Union and Confederate -- fell in battle. Over the years it's become a day to honor all the men and women who have given their lives in the cause of freedom. How can you observe Memorial Day?

• Fly the American flag at half-staff, until noon.Travel to Washington. Tour some of the city's many memorials to fallen heroes, and attend the always-poignant ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
  




• Take in the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. If you can't make it in person, tune into the PBS broadcast of the performance by the National Symphony Orchestra and a crew of special guest artists.
  




• Join in the observances at a military base or cemetery near you. Check your local paper, or call the closest military base, American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars post to find out what's happening and when.
  




• Remember those who fought and lived to tell about it: Take some flowers, books or cookies to a nearby veterans' hospital.
  




• Continue a classic tradition: Put flowers and flags on the graves of departed friends and family ' civilian as well as military. If you live far away from the final resting place of anyone you knew, decorate the grave of a stranger.
  




• Have your annual beginning-of-summer barbecue, or spend the three-day weekend at your favorite getaway spot, but take a little time out from fun and games to reflect on the day's real meaning and the fact that freedom isn't free.

Long Time

I've landed on my feet in north Mississippi after taking a year and a half off from radio to work for a dear friend.

I've had this blogspot for 3 years, and am just now getting back to it after a long absence. It's kinda like that house on the block where the guy never mows the lawn...I apologize for not running the mower.

We'll talk again soon.

the 20th Big Texas Toy Run

They told me that last year there were 40,000 folks who made the run from all over the Metroplex to the convention center in Arlington, TX...but I had to see the hole in the palms for myself!

I'm told over 50,000 like-minded souls braved an early morning chill that eventually turned into just another beautiful day in paradise for a ride that benefitted some who'll never be able to understand the generosity and sacrifice people have made on their behalf for 20 years in Texas. Sunday was one of those days when you said a little thank you to God for inventing leather and long-johns!

The cool thing for me was how I was welcomed into this riding community, and accepted as an equal and a brother. Plus...all of those KZPS Biker Nights gave me a chance to meet people who also support these events eagerly.

I can't begin to tell you how jazzed I am about the 2006 riding season in Dallas/Fort Worth. Just from the folks I met on the Big Texas Toy Run, I know that it'll be a great year.

A Lost Soul

This should have ended differently, but it didn't.

I got an e-mail yesterday from a woman I had never known until she told me that her brother had lost the long hard struggle that he waged against his own body for several years. Glen Caccamise's sister spoke of how the cancer had riddled him, and made day-to-day hard becasue of the severe pain he was in. Here's the deal. You would have never known it.

Glen-O was one of those guys that you always see "around" radio. But, he contributed in such a great way that you don't often see. The guy was selfless. What do you need? What can I do? How can I help? He'd work the setup crew for any show we did just so that he might get a handshake from Don Dokken, or an autograph from Rob Halford on his Priest poster. Jumpin' Jesus...show me a street crewman making minimum wage that goes as far as he did.

I was honored to be a co-guest of honor with Glen at a backyard party in West Seneca last summer that was attended by some of the most talented guys currently working in Buffalo radio. Proud to spend the afternoon laughing, joking and telling whoppers with that group and to be there with Glen to watch him enjoy the night too. I'm happy that he enjoyed himself that night. This will sound callous, but I'm happy that he's gone now too. I know the pain he had.

However, I'm also very sad that he's not here anymore. There's a hole in my soul now where he was, because it was never about "me" with him. We all need people like that in our lives. He loved what we do. So many of his contemporaries that read, ignore or contribute to this board know exactly what I mean. Glen just loved being amongst us.

Will we miss him?

"Absolutely!"

The Funeral of Specialist Ernest Dallas

I am a veteran of a foreign war also, and some of the folks that listen to me regularly know that. I was contacted via e-mail about the service for this young man from Denton, Texas by a couple of different veterans that ride. I posted information on our radio station website about the call for guys to ride that day (Friday 8/5), and I mentioned it on the air and at an event we held the night before on Belt Line Road. I was glad to see the response at his service from the military, the Denton police and fire departments and the riders who showed that morning to pay their respects and accompnay that boy for his last ride to his resting place. Approximately 50 or so motorcycles showed up for the service.

I tried my best to describe the events of the day and the scene as I saw it, so that folks listening to my radio program would have a sense of happens when one of our boys and girls comes home.

It WAS quite a sight to see. The Denton fire Department had two of their aerial trucks parked on either side of the road with their ladders outstretched to a point and draped an American flag between the two. Our procession passed under that as we left the church headed for the National Cemetery south of Dallas. The men of the police and fire departments in their dress uniforms...saluting.

The sight of "just folks," young and old alike, lining the street as we left Denton was quite stiring, including a Viet Nam vet who wore his Air Cav hat and stood with a snappy salute as the motorcade drove by. A couple of old gals from the elementary school took time to walk to the edge of the street and wave their flags as we passed.

I don't know how many saw him, but there was a man all by himself...looked to be old Marine Corps... standing on a overpass above I-35 near Belt Line as we drove under, who stood at attention with a large American flag in one hand...saluting with the other. Gave some of us who saw him goosebumps.

The full service at the gravesite for the family and for an American hero who gave all he had to give. It touches you.

We need to honor every one of our boys and girls that have honored us by their sacrifice...politics be damned.

Raphael Palmeiro

Congress is going to investigate whether perjury was committed…Here’s what stinks about the Raphael Palmeiro deal…he won’t be remembered for hitting 500 plus homers or 3,000 plus hits or anything else. He’ll be remembered for having stuff in his pee. If he didn't have anything to gain in his final season, as he claimed, then why take anything? Apparently for the Viagra man…size does matter.

Hey, when Courtney Love points at the guy and says, "That dude's messed up," he might as well start walking. At least for 12 steps.