The Family Letter

I have a dilemma. I'm a dedicated blood donor. Have been since I was 17. I lost track sometime ago, but I'm probably up to something like 13 gallons donated. Probably a bit more. I'm in good health, and even found out last time I donated that I'm not carrying this small but common virus that people pick up at birth. That means my blood can go to infants as well as adults.

All well and good.

But every time I donate, it takes me two weeks, sometimes more, to get back to my running. It sets me back that much. I'm good for most anything 24 hours after the donation. Just not running. I asked my last doctor about it, and he said it had to do with the red blood cells. Those take longer to regenerate than the volume lost. With fewer red blood cells, the body has a harder time getting oxygen to my limbs, so I end up having to breath harder, and my legs cramp faster. Basically I'm anemic for two weeks.

I hate taking two weeks off from running. I don't like running, but it is something that the Air Force says I must do to prove I'm "fit." ¹

So there it is. They're calling me again. Desparate need for my type. Can you come on in? And I'm putting off calling back, 'cause I'm just making a bit of progress with the running²

My gut instinct is to give up the donation… For now. Get much better at running, and perhaps the loss of blood won't bother me as much down the line.

But they keep calling…

Urgle.

1. Never mind a 14 mile hike, you have to run 1.5 miles to be in good shape! Sheesh. [back]
2. And need a lot more on the sit ups and push ups! [back]

Today Liz Z. dropped by the office to talk about web sites.  I'm doing my darndest to convice her to go the way of the blog! 

I'm often conflicted: Military "toys" are destructive, sure. That's what they're built for. But I still find them cool to check out, explore, and so forth. And this job has afforded me quite a look at what the Navy is using these days.

This includes the ASDS. I got a look around and in the prototype today, courtesy of one of the parishioners who is working on helping to perfect the technology.

Considering that the Seals used to use these, this thing is the Cadilac of Seal transportation. The SDV wasn't sealed (no pun intended) so the men inside had to be in scuba mode the whole time. And, frankly, it looked like they'd be packed in like sardines.

The ASDS is sealed, has more space, and can hold a team for up to two weeks. Not something I'd want to do, personally, but much better for them.

Chalk up yet another piece of Navy hardware explored.

So, I'm finally selling the four original steel wheels that came with my Scion. They've been sitting on my lanai for almost a year, and mom pointed out on this trip that they aren't really enhancing the decor. So, please, bid away! Tell your friends. And so on, and so forth.

And now, the photo page you've long been waiting for… The photos from the promotion and reappointment ceremony. Enjoy!¹

1. The photos themselves are uploading at the time of this posting, so the link may not work for 30 minutes or so. Speaking of time, does anyone with WordPress experience know why my date and time are so oddly displayed in the blog? [back]

Well, it is now officialer than it was! ¹

Thursday afternoon about 50 folks from St. George's, the Diocese, and one from Pennsylvania took a launch from Merry Point on Naval Station Pearl Harbor out to the USS Arizona Memorial. It was, at that point, closed to tourists, so it was just us. We assembled in the room at the back, with the wall that has the names of all those entombed on the Arizona. MSgt Mike Harris called us to order, and proceeded to narrate the ceremony recognizing my promotion to First Lieutenant and Chaplain. The Rt. Rev. Richard S.O. Chang offered an invocation, My mother and Lt Cdr Toby Valko "pinned on" (placed) my new epaulets. Young Master Cameron Kilby helped me pin on the cross, and his younger brother Sam brought me a new hat with the proper rank² Lt Col Greg Kalua then presided over my oath.

(I'll do up a full page of images when I get them back from the official photographer, Bill Labby.)

The Rev. Daniel Leatherman (Chaplain (Maj.), ANG) gave the benediction, and then Mike closed us out.³

Credit for getting the lauch out and for having the ceremony on the Arizona Memorial goes to Captain Taylor Skardon. He also arranged for the launch to do an extended tour around Pearl Harbor before returning to Merry Point. That made it a really special day!

There were many witnesses to the event. Parishioners, friends, clergy including one from Maui who I knew from Seabury⁴ and the bishop and his wife. The senior protestant from Hickam, Chaplain Kevin Browne was present, as were three of the Navy chaplains from Pearl Harbor.⁵