Honoring My Dad, the Paratrooper

Ft Benning Paratrooper Training 1951- Photos taken by R.L. Throckmorton

On this Memorial Day weekend I find myself going through my Dad’s military photos and paperwork. Unfortunately his World War II records and memorabilia was lost upon his return. But I do have everything from his second enlistment in the Army Airborne during the 1950′s including paratrooper training photos from the 1951  508th Airborne Infantry division.

I found the photo albums when my Mom died last year, many I have never before, nor any of the articles. I’m in the process of scanning and restoring the photos and hope with this post maybe someone will remember, have memorabilia, or even the WW II personal items of Leo Thomas Tyrrell, also known as “Tiny Terry the Terrible” during his time on a destroyer in the European and Pacific theatre.

According to his discharge papers, Leo T. Tyrrell attended training at TIC Fort Benning, GA and QM School Fort Lee, VA between May 1951-Jan 1952. He completed the Basic Airborne and Parachute Packer and repairman courses as well as Basic Military Training.

Paratrooper Training, Ft Benning GA 1951

Along with the photos were clippings of many training airborne maneuvers between 1951 and 1953 including the biggest maneuver in U.S. history  Operation Longhorn. This military exercise at Fort Hood Texas  involved where 3,089 troops of the 508th Regimental Combat Team dropped as part an Army exercise  also included the 82nd Airborne in a make-believe war  involving over 100,000 military personnel over a 17 day period.  Over 20,000 civilians either participated as their towns were invaded, or watched maneuvers, unfortunately just like in a real war there were two fatalities and 221 were injured.

Below is a photo of my Dad, he’s inside the glider so it doesn’t do much good but I love the glider, someone told me they were left over from WWII

Cargo Glider at Fort Hood 1952

Dad was also stationed at Fort Bragg and Camp Drum NY, where he participated in Exercise Snowstorm at Snow Ridge ski resort near Turin New York. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on August 17th, 1954. It appears he was attached to the 623rd Quartermaster Company as his most significant duty assignment.

PFC Leo T. Tyrrell 1952

Leo Thomas (Terry)  Tyrrell born 1925, died 1995

Miss you Dad, wish you had been around to see my kids grow and your grandsons become U.S. Marines.

Related articles

• Dad’s Airborne Shadowbox (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
• Band of Brothers Airborne Tradition Continues (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• The Young Brothers “The Paratrooper Song-Sleep with Your Boots On!” [VETUNES AIRBORNE ROCKATORIUM] (k2globalcommunicationsllc.wordpress.com)

Tags: travel, history, army, korean war, troops, military, memorial day, New York, airborne, paratrooper, texas, 82nd airborne, 508th airborne infantry, georgia, airmen, training, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, World War II, Airborne forces, Fort Hood Texas, Private First Class, parachutes, ft benning ga, basic military training

Model A Ford, It’s For Sale

1931 Model A Ford  Deluxe Coupe

One of my favorite customers at work drives a 1931 Model A Ford Coupe and every time I get a little thrill when he pulls it up to the front door. Bill just turned 90 this past week and he sold used Fords in the 1930′s. At the time you could buy a used Ford for $15.00, can’t even fill the gas tank for that amount now. His goal, to own every model built between 1929 and 1937, not all at once, but before he dies.

This one he purchased about a year ago in Chicago, he’s done a little work to it, and is now ready to move on to the next. So, if you’re in the market for a true American classic  and a piece of living history, this automobile is for you. Even comes with a rumble seat, which is so cool, next time Bill comes in he said he would give me a ride around the parking lot.

I told Bill I would spread the word, so if anyone is interested please send me your email address and I will forward the information and connect the two of you together. The car is located in Omaha, Nebraska and is being sold by owner.

Tags: antique, automobile, car, for sale, Ford Motor Company, living history, Nebraska, Omaha, vintage

#18/52: Cows in the Sunset

Evening in the country with the cows

The grass is belly high, the cow have calves by their side and the sun is setting on the horizon. How I love the Midwest!  Angus and “black baldy” cows are the norm around this part of the country and after “talking” to them a little I got their attention.

Editing notes: Used Lightroom 4 to increase the exposure and increase clarity in the grass and the brush to decrease the exposure in the sky. The last thing I did was use the masking brush and open up the the highlights in the cows, their black coloring was hard to separate individuals.

Related articles

• The Female of the Species (cowconversations.wordpress.com)
• Hello, Cows (thepioneerwoman.com)
• An Apple A Day… (cowconversations.wordpress.com)
• Fun Beef-y Facts (fromheelstoboots.wordpress.com)

Tags: agriculture, angus, Beef, Black Baldy, cattle, country, Cow, cows, farming, Lightroom, Nebraska, Photography, ranching, rural, small town, sunset

Marine Dress Cover

United States Marine Dress Cover

I’ve loved this photo ever since I took it last fall after my youngest son graduated from Marine Boot Camp. A Marine in his dress blues is the epitome of pride, honor and commitment. They also look very handsome.

Every part of their uniform is thought out to the smallest detail. The US Marine Dress cover issued to boots have a cloth crown (shown above) , some Marines later opt to purchase a white vinyl crown which is more durable.

Related articles

• U.S. Marine in Service Charlies (ndjmom.wordpress.com)
• Marines honor heritage, evolution of 100 years of Marine aviation: Retired Marine aviator speaks to innovation, dynamics of Marine Corps (dvidshub.net)

#17/52: Holy Family Shrine

Holy Family Shrine in Gretna Nebraska

Holy Family Shrine, Gretna Nebraska

The Holy Family Shrine can be seen as people travel on I-80 between Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska, although many do not know what they are seeing. It sits high on a hill and for those who take the time to venture off the beaten path.

It is very peaceful to walk through the gardens and reflect in the chapel.  It is rumored that the Thorncrown Chapel in the Ozarks was the inspiration, but this I do not know for sure.

Tags: Catholicism, christianity, Faith, God, Holy Family, Lincoln Nebraska, Nebraska, Photography, rural, shrines

Choir is Cool

Nebraska District Music Contest 2012

Music in our schools is not dead, in fact it’s cool to be in choir at Elmwood-Murdock high school in Nebraska. The choir consists of 50% of the high schools enrollment and they are a source of pride for the school and community. Yes, this is a small school, but normally only those students who have good voices join the choir, which is normall a small percentage of a population.

However, a good choir director can find the inner voice in a willing student and bring out beautiful music. Below is the result in a piece performed at the 2012 Nebraska District Music contest. Enjoy  ”The Awakening” by Joseph M. Martin

Music contests are somewhat formal and below is the same song sung at the school concert. I like the below version better as the students are more emotional. Both versions give me chills, but I love the expression on the faces at the end in response to Mrs. Colbert getting emotional and tearing up.

Related articles

• Choir Classroom! (haleykimmusic.wordpress.com)
• Paint the Town Red 2012 (msjaxccc.wordpress.com)

Tags: Arts and Entertainment, choir, Elmwood-Murdock, music, Nebraska, rural, singing, small town

A Day at Work, With a Very Large Camera

8×10 Large Format Transparency Camera

Here is something you don’t see very often, a large format, 8×10 E6 Film View Camera. At Hamilton Color Lab, located in Omaha Nebraska,  this isn’t used very often. But for high quality art reproductions which will be reproduced in a  40 x 40 foot canvas in this case, you need a camera format large enough to capture the detail and information.

After we develop the film (yes we still develop E6 slide transparencies)  it is then scanned on an Scitex Eversmart and digitized for outsource printing. The file size just for this one image is over one gigabyte and took over an hour to scan.

Most art reproductions we do at work are digital captures with a Canon 5D and a special lens made especially for photographing artwork, or flat images which eliminates lens distortion.

Below is the front of the camera, I know were curious and just itching to see more, so here is some camera eye candy for those film fans.

8×10 Film View Camera

Dave Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Color Lab shoots with a Canon 5D on most days in the studio, but keeps his old Hasellblad camera, 4×5 Film Camera and this baby in storage for those unique moments. Not too many 8×10 View cameras in use anymore, and this one got quite a bit attention when it was brought out.

I know this post was a shameless plug for where I work, but I love working there and until I can get our company blog up and running I can’t resist sharing here.

Related articles

• 35mm Film (filmphotographyisnotdead.wordpress.com)
• How Large Format Cameras Are Made [Video] (cultofmac.com)

Tags: Omaha, Nebraska, Photography, camera, Large format, View camera, Canon EOS 5D, Art, slide film, E6 film, art reproductions, paintings

Introducing Leah the Boxer

Introducing the newest member of our family, Leah a brindle Boxer. She’s now eight months old and I’m a little late in posting her pictures,but here’s a snapshot of her life so far.

She’s a sweet little girl, smart as a tack, and  extremely gentle. Only heard her bark twice, she learned to walk on a loose lead in just a few days and that in itself takes some getting used to as my Jack Russel, Brody is like a freight train at the end of the leash.

Speaking of Brody he took to her right away and is extremely tolerant. At first I thought he was picking on her. Nope the other way around. Leah used Brody’s hind legs as teething toys. Literally, as Brody would walk or run by Leah would take the opportunity to grab at his hocks. Most of the time my ferocious Jack Russell would roll over and let her continue to chew, all the while “growling and complaining.” He really does love her.

At one time Leah could easily walk under Brody’s stomach, now it’s the other way around. She’s almost done growing, at least in height, but based on her food intact she has a lot of filling out to do before she’s mature.

Tags: Boxer, Breeds, Brody, dog, Jack Russel, jack russell, Leah, pets

Loving your children but maybe not liking them

Reblogged from Martinis and Minivans:

When they put my daughter in my arms for the first time three years ago, I cried tears of joy for having my own little girl.  Then, about 10 seconds later, I cried tears of fear because she would be a teenager one day.  A dear friend of mine has a teenage daughter right now and my friend is struggling with how to be there for your child but also still be an authority figure. 

Read more… 288 more words

Easy Banana Dessert

Easy Banana Dessert

A quick and easy dessert, sliced bananas, instant banana pudding, vanilla wafers, and Cool Whip  layered in individual cups. Oh and mine had an extra treat of sliced strawberries on top. I crushed the vanilla wafers for a middle layer, but it’s not necessary.

All I can say is “Yum, yum!”

Related articles

• Strawberry Banana Parfait (praycookblog.com)
• Homemade Banana Pudding (kittrellcountrylife.wordpress.com)
• How to Make the World’s Easiest Banana Pie (and Other) Desserts (susanheim.blogspot.com)
• Easy Chiquita Banana Independence Day Breakfast Parfait Recipe (chiquitabananas.com)

Tags: Banana, Banana pudding, banana pudding vanilla wafers, Cook, cooking, dessert, desserts, Fruit and Vegetable, homemade banana pudding, recipe, tasty tuesday, yum yum