The sky has been kinda grey or over cast here in Austin But yesterdays newspapers explained why It is? . Its the Saharan dust from Africa crosses the ocean and hitting the Texas coast . Damn Saharan Dust .. I know I have been in Austin the past few years and in NY we always had the Canadian air flow or weather coming down on us in NY but the Sahara Desert dust. The sky is all hazy and over cast But it the dust from the desert that is blowing over us causing the sky to be over cast. Headlines in the Austin newspapers are " More dust hazing over Texas" " My raqutball buddy Chuck Irvine passed away a few days ago. He was a fighter pilot stationed in Brestrom{ Austin} . He retired from the Air Force and had over 50 missions over Vietnam during the war. He always asked me " if I wanted to hear a war story" And I did and he told me 100's of them . My son did an algorithm of all the Air Force and and Navy's attacks that flew into North Vietnam and he was amazed. My son found his jet and what weapons he had on the mission. Rest in Peace Chuck. I loved those stories you told every morning . Will miss them a lot. Have a prop bet that Air Force in football wins more then 9.5 games Enjoyed giving you envelopes in the morning with winners and $20. We went over to your house and put your flag at half mast. We are going to have a celebration of your life when your daughter gets back from Colorado. Rest in Peace Chuck ...Everyone in the gym is asking about you.
Sky is hazy in Austin Texas
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one of my all time " Chuck " stories was he was coming from bombing Haiphong a seaport in North Vietnam. The navy would bomb them from air craft carriers off the coast There was no pursuit or anti aircraft dangers to the navy planes. Coming from the Air bases in Vietnam they were subject to anti aircraft responses and occasionally some Vietnam migs chasing them. But Chuck after unloading his arsenal heard on the radio a distres call from a battalion of Marines who had been surrounded by Viet Cong or North Vietnam soldiers Chuck on the radio signalled his lead commander that he was going to turn around and try to help the surrounded Marines. He was told " not too" but he left his formation of Jets ,recived the coordinates and bombed a path so the Marines could escape . His action gave over 50 US Marines air cover to escape to safety on the encirclement . When he got back to the air base he was greeted by the commander of the airport thanking him for creating a path out of the encirclement of the trapped Marines. The viet Cong had communicated that they had over 50 US Marines trapped until the Air Force got them out of trouble. One Air Force jet with Chuck Irvine as a pilot disobeyed orders and saved those US Marines . I always wonder what would of happened if Chuck just flew back to the air base and ignored his commander. All those Marines were saved and rescued. The radio had over 1,000 viet Cong or North Vietnamese solders moving in for the capture of those Marines. But Chuck saved them by his bombing and a path out of the encirclement. I always wonder if those Marines ever knew it was Chick Irvine a pilot that decided to help those in danger, And how many of them lived and had grandkids etc. when they got back to the US, Chuck Irvine miss you and your many many war stories. Rest In peace Chuck
It was hazy as all get out in Louisiana yesterday. But it did keep it not as hot as it normally is so i will take that anyday.
death total now 97 dead from flash flood . Many children still missing My raquetball buddy's daughter was a camp councilor at Mystic camp for many years... The director and his wife of the Christian camp were also killed trying to save the children . My buddy knew both of them very well. The Gov of Texas had a press conference a few hours ago talking about the loss of all these children . I ask myself I don't know how fast flash floods come but still can't believe there was no warning system or sirens warning the children and adults about a flash flood. They died in their cabins has the flood waters swept away there cabins while they slept. They are doing recovery now as some of the bodies have been found as sisters holding on to each other. Its Horrific and so sad. So hard to imagine as pictures of the cabins are now circulating on the internet. Even harder this morning when Chip is talking about his daughter Audrey and pictures of her as a camper and then a councilor were shown to me after raquetball this morning. Chip is the father of Drew Bree's the Qb of the new Orlean saints . So sad.. My wife and I think everyone here in central Texas is mourning the loss. I know its on national news I got about 25 Facebook messages from friends former players and students asking if we are ok . My prayers and thoughts to all the families that sent their kids to camp and will never ever see them alive again.
