Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian


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Did I miss something?

I am an immigrant to the USA. I came to the United States of America while employed by Lufthansa German Airlines. As it turned out, by the time my visa was approved I actually started to work for Air France when I arrived in the USA. This was because Air France needed a French speaking employee. It’s a long story so I’ll spare you the details.

One of the first actions I took on arrival was to register myself (required by law) for the draft. My draft number was 252. Later I received a letter to tell me that my draft status had changed due to prior service in NATO and that I was now head of family. The Vietnam war however, continued.

It took me a while to settle in to the American way of life. There were many wonderful things to get used to.

I should mention that did not opt to leave the U.K. for discontent, simply that I was sked if I would like to go where I could be helpful. I had previously worked in Hamburg for the same reason.

Now to the point f this posting; America was a Great Country, a world leader, a great participant in world affairs and a great contributor and supporter of Democracy and the fight against Communism, poor health and poverty.

So it was with some reason to wonder why Don the Con launched his presidential bid with the slogan to Make America great Again.

Looking back on the events of this past week clearly demonstrates that this was ot his goal. In fact, the opposite has happened during his presidency: the USA is the laughing stock of our former allies throughout Europe and Scandinavia in NATO. The USA is the talk and mirth at vodka drinking parties hosted by Vladimir Putin about how that managed to compromise a a future resident to the point of treason. Donald Trump is a disappointment! He is clear and present danger.

And yet I have friends who still say things like, Yes but what about Hilary Clinton’s emails and one who says, what about ANTIFA – anti first ammendment.

Gimme a break. Did I miss something?

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By the left – quick march

I learned this week, (amid the July 4th Independence day celebrations) that John Philip Sousa composed a march with the title “the Minnesota March”. It’s played by the band of the Royal Artillery  and is attached for your listening pleasure.

P.S. This is a free download from Minnesota Public radio. You can find it at https:/www.classicalmpr.org

Sign-up for free and receive a free download each day.

 

 

 

 


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An e-mail to my sister

As you probably saw on Facebook, my veteran’s badge arrived today. So this is a thank you email for your effort to apply for and send this to me.
Now of course I have to ask; does this mean that people will start helping me across the road, or perhaps a free ice-cream on a hot summer’s day or perhaps a seat on the bus? Or better yet, DICOUNTS! Ah what fun it is to be a veteran. Makes me feel at least 10 years older.
There must be hundreds of thousands of veterans wandering the streets of Britain. I wonder if it would have been cheaper to give everyone who is not a veteran a badge.
So after all my cynicism, still a big thank you. I shall wear it proudly and tell everyone who asks me what the badge you are wearing is for; I shall tell them stories of El Alamein and bombing raids in the Ruhr Valley in Germany. Not that I was ever there of course, but it should be worth a pint or two – one way or another.AF Veteran Badge Image (5)