Tre is a voice network system tech stationed with the 88th Communications Squadron at Wright Patt, a group who dubs themselves "Combat Nerds".  While on duty with the 755th Air Expeditionary Group in Afghanistan, he was shot 3 times by an insurgent just before Thanksgiving Day.

Tre's injuries were critical and life-threatening.  Fortunately, the top-notch care he recieved in the field got him stablized and well enough to get him back to Walter Reed Army Hospital.  There, he had to have his pancreas removed, and, in breakthrough surgery, islet cells taken from his pancreas at the University of Miami Medical Center were sent back to Walter Reed and were implanted in the young man's liver.  A short time later, those islet cells (think of them as stem cells inside his pancreas), began producing insulin from his liver.

He's been through some 11 surgeries, and will need time to recover.  But doctors say he will be able to live a "nearly" normal life. And, they say he's made a particularly strong recovery.

Today, a C-130 medical plane brought Tre back to Wright Patterson Air Force Base. A couple hundred of his friends and colleagues and Patriot Guard Riders bearing flags were on hand to welcome him home.

His doctors call him a miracle.  To me, the term "warrior hero" is just as appropriate.  I mean, who could come through something like that, then stand in front of crowd as Tre did today and say..."It was an OK experience"?  And he's only 21.

Welcome home, Airman.  And thank you for a job well done.  

And I was just thinking a few minutes ago that what it looks like out my window right now, is very close to what I remember winters being like in Dayton when I was a very young child.

You know...snow piled up not in inches, but in feet. Dad, with his very descriptive and colorful language heading out the door with the snow shovel for the 5th or 6th time.  Mom, dressing me more like the kid in "The Christmas Story" so overlayered in clothing, if I fell down, it would take a crane company to get me upright.

And the snow seemed constant.  You'd get a couple of days without it and next thing you know...here it comes again.

School closings?  Heck, I wasn't old enough to go to school then. But, I do remember, I spent a lot of time sitting on or near that big furnace register in the floor of our house. (It was probably the warmest place to be!)

You all think it gets tedious with your kids watching Barney and The Wiggles over and over?  For my Mom, it was Captain Kangaroo, followed by Alvin And The Chipmonks (or, maybe it was the morning Popeye The Sailor cartoons...)   And I controlled the TV...well, until Ruth Lyons came on at noon, that is.  (Maybe that's why Mom dressed me up and pushed me out the door around that time.)

And, who knows?  Maybe my memory is a bit faulty thinking about all this.  But, this kind of weather sure gives me that "deja vu" feeling.

Having gone through many winters lately with just one or two "significant" snow events, and Christmases with 65 degree temperatures, the weather right now just feels like the winter in Dayton we haven't seen for a long time.

I admit, I don't like driving in it anymore than you do.  But, looking out my living room window, (or a window at the station), for maybe just a minute or two, I feel (just a little) like a kid again.

Do you know the kind of Dayton winters I'm talking about?  I'd love to hear from you.

Best of all, you no longer need to learn Morse Code to be an amateur radio operator.

Greene County's Amateur Radio Emergency Service, known as GCARES is offering a series of nine week Amateur license classes.  These classes are available for those wanting to become entry level Technician Class licensees, intermediate General Class licensees, or top level Extra Class licensees, beginning Sunday in Beavercreek and Fairborn.  The courses and test session is free.  Optional study guides are offered at discount prices during the irst two class sessions, or alternate study guides may be downloaded from the internet.

Call Michael Crawford for more information at 937-426-2721 or e-mail kc8gle@earthlink.net.

All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during this condition unless it is absolutely necessary or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report for work. Anyone traveling on the roads may subject themselves to citation or arrest.

Now...where does it say here, "except if you have a four wheel drive vehcle with a snow plow blade attached to it"?

I completely agree with Darke County Sheriff Toby Spencer who today, issued a request to residents to remember this the next time a big snow falls.  Seems the county lost an entire day of snow plowing, pulling out stuck vehicles that were blocking roadways.  Many of those pulled out, says the Sheriff's office, were independent 4 wheel drive snow plow operators.

Now, I understand some of these snow plow operators have contracts to which they must attend.  If you need to plow, say, a hospital parking lot, or a major business that needs to stay open around the clock, then you probably fall under the definition of an "essential service" which needs to be out even during these times.

But, if you're out to plow businesses which normally wouldn't be open in such weather, or school lots...Or worse...if you're just out to try and get to an open store to get supplies, then you have no business being out in a level 3 snow emergency!   And, I agree with the sheriff...Darke County shouldn't have to spend an entire day pulling independent plows out of ditches and from blocked highways.

There's a difference between performing a legitimate necessary business persuit, and in effect, "getting in the way".  I'm sure no independent plow intended to get stuck and be a problem for the county. But, like the old saying says, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Sometimes even 4 wheel drive with a plow isn't enough.  Next time, be thoughtful and use some common sense, drivers!

Here's hoping those in the House and Senate are enjoying blowing or shoveling that 30 inches of "global warming" off their driveways and walks....

It would give us the distinction of having one of the few places in America we can take our children, and be able to point to vehicles that took Americans into space and back.  You see, President Obama is bound and determined to save what amounts to a budgetary "drop in the bucket" to cancel the Constellation program that would have seen Americans on the moon before around 2020 and to Mars by, perhaps 25 years later.

If the President succeeds in his wishes, we may not see Americans send Americans into space for the rest of our lives.

Yeah, I hear the President.  He wants to spend money to encourage private industry to develop heavy launch vehicles.  I'm all in favor of seeing private industry do this.  But, private industry is just barely getting the hang of sending pilots into suborbital flights.  Privately funded development of vehicles capable of going into and maneuvering in low earth orbit, and training pilots to do this job could take another 10, 15, maybe even 20 years. It's not easy to do. And it won't happen at the snap of fingers just because President Obama wants it to happen.

What seems so sad to me about this:  It was Democrat John Fitzgerald Kennedy who understood that America would not stay a world power if it was not perceived to be technologically superior to other nations.  That's why we raced the Russians to the Moon in the 1960's.  He also knew that it would encourage the young people of the time to take an interest in science, math and engineering, and bring another generation of Americans to the forefront in developing new inventions and technological achievements.

What did all this gain America?  Do you like having a cell phone?   How about an i-Pod?  How about your laptop?  Notebook?  Or PC?  Or hand held GPS?  Do you like being able to have an information source like the internet?  Do you appreciate the eye surgeon that did your lazer or lasik surgery?   Or, the surgeon who was able to do a heart procedure on you using minimally invasive techniques, instead of having to saw your chest open?

These are just a few things that came directly or indirectly out of America's space efforts, both manned and unmanned from the creation of NASA in 1958 until today.

You see, the sad part about going into space is that: the real benefits actually come 10, 20, 30 or more years down the road in terms of the technologies that develop as a springboard off going into space. And what benefits could be realized by Americans by going back to the moon and later to Mars could be truly incalculable.

"But, it costs so much money!", you say.  "And we really don't have that kind of money anymore".

Well, I agree 15 billion dollars sounds like a lot of money, especially if you make what I make. But that's been about the same amount of money NASA has been given to spend each year (give or take a billion) for about the past 10-15 years. America wastes 10 or 20 times this amount of money in pork barrel spending and pet congressional projects every year. 

We wasted more money in the stimulus spending of the past year, than NASA has had to spend in at least the last five!

And what galls me: this program is being stopped because the government would have to have given NASA another 3 billion dollars a year to make it happen.  Again, a total drop in the bucket next to a Federal budget of a thousand times that figure!  And let me repeat that: a thousand times that figure!

"But the program was having cost overruns"!  True.  But I defy you to show me any government program that comes in on time and under budget!   And logic dictates that if a program is doing something that either hasn't been done before or is breaking new ground on something that has, any cost estimate in the early stages of the program can only be that...an estimate.

"Oh, but so many poor people could be fed on that money".  Ten times as many poor people (and maybe more than that) could be fed off the waste from the stimulus money.  In fact, had the government chosen to just write a check to every American taxpayer, rich or poor for about $100 grand, we wouldn't have spent so much on stimulus. And a lot of poor people would be far better off if they spent that cash wisely.

But, let me get back on topic here.  Yes, spending money sending people into space seems too romantic to be practical.  But, if it produces positive benefits for the country, such as helping us keep a technological edge allowing us to produce products, services, jobs and technology that strengthens our nation for decades in the future, I'm all for it.  And proving American exceptionalism to the world is worthwhile to our image.  Our leaders for decades (both Republican and Democratic) understood this...

Until Barack Obama got to the White House.

But, not in Ohio.  Dayton's own Ivy...and Marion's weather-forecasting Buckeye Chuck both said, "Heck No...I won't go" with six more weeks of winter and said spring is just around the corner.

Let's hope they're right.  Otherwise, I'm going back to have a serious talk with a wooly worm!

400 million dollars of federal stimulus money aimed at building a passenger rail line to connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.

I must admit, I'm skeptical about whether this thing'll make money or not. (You have to forgive me here.  I once lived in Illinois where, everyday, within sight of my home, I could watch the almost passenger-less Amtrak train headed to Chicago...and would watch the almost passenger-less Amtrak return from Chi-town at night.)

I do, though, see some possible use for the rail line.  Say, if I had tickets for a Reds or Bengals game and could conveniently get to the stadiums from the rail terminal, I might take it to beat the traffic.  If I wanted to go, say...to the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland, a 60 dollar or so roundtrip that would drop me off in Riverside (one of the expected Dayton terminals) would save me on gas....especially when gas returns to 4 bucks a gallon. 

And, yes, I do think having the second terminal directly across the street from the National Museum Of The U.S. Air Force makes a whole lot of sense and could help bring in tourists.  

And, well...if some of our public officials would ride the train to Columbus every day (though I won't hold my breath on that)...

But, how many people routinely travel between the major cities each day that would find the train service convenient and find the number of trains they could catch would be compatible with their work schedules?   Especially when it's expected (according to the FAQ on the DOT website) to take the train 3 hours to go between Cincinnati and Columbus...and you can drive it in 2 hours.

I don't know.  I see some possibilities...but I'm still a skeptic.

Medical staff on the scene there have told those of us at WHIO that though there is more "order" to the chaos in Haiti, medical help faces serious challeges, if for no other reason that the number of injuries and casualties have been so severe.

Many residents of that nation still find it hard to find food and water. Many have been rendered homeless, still others survived the horrendous earthquake but now find it impossible to find work to earn even meager cash to be able to feed themselves and their families. And when the "emergency" ends, another crisis will begin.  We've been told by those on the scene that Haiti will need prosthetics, due to the large number of men, women and children who have become amputees, due to the nature of their injuries in the quake.

It's a situation that may be improving, but will take not just days, or weeks, but months for a sense of "normalcy" to return.  (Imagine the windstorm of a couple of years ago here...except now, imagine that the winds toppled thousands of houses, and it took not days, but months to restore all the electricity.) Not a pleasant thought, is it?  Haiti may just be in worse shape.

This is where the residents of Dayton and the Miami Valley shine.  With your caring and compassion, and your willingness to spare a couple of bucks if they're available to you. Please take the time to find out how you can make a donation to the American Red Cross right here on our website, and do your part.

The latest report from the Dayton Daily News quotes the State Patrol as saying a semi trailer going too fast for conditions lost control, slid across the median slamming into a shuttle bus from the Creative Learning Workshop in Springfield, killing 4 developmentally disabled adults and injuring the bus driver and 5 others. This, on I-70 on that snowy day January 7th

I'll say it now...I'll say it again...I'll say it until it needs to be said no more - the wanton disregard of the speed limits on our highways needs to stop!  Truckers need to obey the speed limits, auto drivers need to obey the speed limits...all of you need to slow down.

How many more people will be killed before people get the message?   

Dr. King made many stirring speeches during his all-too-short public career.  I grew up during those years.  And, in looking back, I've realized though he and I may have had some differences on political matters,  his basic tenets...and the bottom line for which he stood,  were wise precepts every American, regardless of ethnicity or background, should be able and willing to embrace.

I was reading the transcript of his "I Have A Dream" speech this morning.  If you haven't read it lately, read it. 

Dr. King speaks of Abraham Lincoln, who, in signing the Emancipation Proclamation, offered, "a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity."

Dr. King rightly points out that, "When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.  This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

He urged those in Washington that day, "In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds.  Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

He dreamt of a day when the nation would live out the true meaning of "we hold these truths to be self-evident - that all men are created equal."   That he yearned for a day when people would be judged  "not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character".

Dr. King spoke that day of opportunity, telling the crowd, "Now is the time to open the  doors of opportunity to all of God's children.  Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood."

Yes, Dr. King spoke relevantly of what life in America was like in 1963.  The struggle of which he spoke was real. I think today that all people should take pride in what has been accomplished and checked on Dr. King's list from that speech.

Opportunity for all in America is real.  Yes, it takes education, commitment, responsibility, being willing to accept the challenges of getting ahead.  But, it's there.

Out of Dr. King's struggle came the bi-partisan support for the Equal Rights Act, which shouted down those legislators from the south who attempted to prevent it.  (I'm being apolitical today, so if you want more information, by all means, look it up.)

Out of his "dream" came anti-discrimination laws in employment and housing.   Dr. King said, "We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities."  Done.

Dr. King told the thousands in attendance that day, "The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust all of white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom".  True words then.  Truer words today.

These things didn't happen because of a moment when whites in America suddenly woke up in a supreme moment of serendipity.  They happened because most of us in America realized that what Dr. King was dreaming of was simple basic human decency.

But, please don't take my words today as a suggestion that all prejudice or hatred has been eliminated from society.  Such is not the case.  Its' ugly head still rears up from time to time.  It is much like a weed. And sometimes, getting to the root of that weed takes time.  But getting there can...and does happen.

I just think that, today, it's worthy of acknowledging how much of Dr. King's dream has come true, yet with the same recognition of how much still needs to be done.  

And how much closer we are, and can be toward the day of which he spoke, when all could join together singing, "thank God almighty, we're free at last!"

And how young they still are. I'm showing my age here, but it seems to me like there was always a suburb of Dayton called Vandalia.  But, I was actually around before they were.

And Vandalia is more than just "where the airport is".  It's fine people, good merchants, great families...and a nice place to live.

Check out the "story" of Vandalia this month in the lobby of the Municipal Building on J.E. Bohannon Drive.

Such were the results from a city commissioned citizen survey recently conducted with Wright State University's Center for Urban and Public Affairs.  The result were recently released in a 77 page summary.

Overall, 85% of the 400 households surveyed indicated they were satisfied with Xenia as a place to live.  However, those who rated their satisfaction the highest tended to be older folks, as opposed to people between the ages of 18 and 34.  About 77% of those surveyed indicated they would recommend Xenia to someone as a place to live.

As far as challenges to the city: over 16 percent of those surveyed indicate they only rarely or never visit Xenia's downtown area.  Why?   Almost two thirds of those surveyed say the city needs more retail and entertainment options.  Of the entertainment options, the greatest percentage said they would frequent a downtown movie theater.

But, perhaps more significantly, if you asked those surveyed if the city has an image problem, better than half say yes.  What are the top 3 priorities those surveyed said needed emphasis from the city in the next 5 years?  They are:

1.) Revitalize Downtown Xenia.

2.) Maintain the streets, curbs and sidewalks.

3.) Build a recreation center.

But one does get from the survey, anyway, a feeling that sure...the city of Xenia can and should do more to improve the quality of life of its citizens. But, compared with some other municipalities, Xenia's not doing badly.

So, smile Xenia.  You're OK in my book.

If you'd like to read the entire survey, you can follow this link:

www.ci.xenia.oh.us 

Of course, the high school is now history...torn down in 2008 to make way for a new elementary school and city-owned rec center.

But, it is not only fitting...but right that what alumni have requested be granted.  That the Roosevelt name stay connected to the new elementary by naming it Roosevelt Boys Preparatory Academy.

This is not politics speaking.  And, yes...you're reading it here...I, the Dayton Defender am actually agreeing with this morning's editorial in the Dayton Daily News.

Keeping the Roosevelt name would be a fitting tribute to the former high school, as well as to the thousands of graduates who once walked its' halls.  Roosevelt High School's contribution to the Dayton community in its' over 50 years of existence should not be minimized, nor be permitted to simply drift into obscurity.

Nope...it's not politics for me to support this.  It's personal.  Both of my parents were graduates of Roosevelt High.  They're both long gone now, but for me, seeing the name stay would be the thing my parents would want me to support and fight for.

So, Mom and Dad...in your memory I add my name to the list of supporters of keeping the Roosevelt name along West Third Street.

I woke up Christmas morning still feeling a sense of the Christmas Spirit.  Early afternoon, I left to have dinner with some friends about an hour north of here, and returned early evening.

I felt soooo good.  Then, I had to do it.

I had to turn the news back on!

First...I see the Pope attacked at Christmas Mass by some whacked out woman who probably should have been in an asylum years ago.  C'mon...for crying out loud!  You just don't do that at Christmas!

Next...I get on our website and see the news of that horrible accident on I-675 last night. Stuff like that just shouldn't happen on Christmas!  (And my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the person who died, and hopes those injured will fully recover.)

Then...I go to Fox News and see the report of the self-proclaimed Al Qaeda-ite who tried to blow up a jetliner over Detroit.  Hooray for the brave passengers on board who quickly realized there was no reason for someone to be lighting anything on-board an in-flight jet, and jumped the guy.  They are heroes.  And I hope the matter is handled by authorities swifty, securely, and severely.

I was rather surprised that the White House immediately called this an "Act Of Terrorism".  Weren't we told we were supposed to call this a "Man Made Disaster", or some such nonsensical term?  But someone at the White House got this one right.  Trying to blow up a jetliner over U.S. soil on Christmas night is an attempted "Act Of Terrorism".

So much for the Christmas Spirit.  I guess I'm back to reality now.  Damn it.