Critter Sitter's Blog: photos

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

An American Hero - Senator John Sidney McCain III

Last night and today I have been mourning the loss of a true American hero - John Sidney McCain III. A Republican Congressman - first elected as a Representative in 1980, then as a Senator in 1986 - representing the state of Arizona, he was a man with whom I did not see eye-to-eye with in politics. But he was one hell of a man. A real man. A true hero.
He was the son of a career US Navy man, John S McCain Jr , born on 29 August 1936 in Coco Solo, Panama. He entered the US Naval Academy two years before I was born, in 1954 - and graduated fifth from the bottom of his class. He became a Navy pilot. He was serving in Vietnam when his plane was shot down, and he was captured by the Vietnamese. He spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war - two years in solitary confinement - and was starved and tortured. Among the military medals McCain earned were three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two Legion of Merit awards, a Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
If he had chosen another running mate when he was nominated for the Presidency in 2008, we might be mourning an ex-President. However, Sarah Palin was chosen as his running mate, and I'm positive that's why he lost the election. It might have been a close election, had he had a different person as his Vice-Presidential running mate.
Last year, he developed a blood clot behind his left eye. During the surgery to remove the clot, it was discovered that Senator McCain had a malignant tumor growing behind his eye, in his brain. It was tested and was diagnosed as glioblastoma cancer. - The same type of brain cancer that killed my brother-in-law's youngest brother, an Army veteran.
On Friday morning, the McCain family announced that Senator McCain had decided to end medical treatment for the cancerous brain tumor. He passed away at 4:28 on Saturday, 25 August 2018 - 4 days before his 82nd birthday. May he rest in peace as a true American hero.

McCain family portrait -

Senator John Sidney McCain III is third from left

McCain at Annapolis

McCain in 1965, on ground at right

President Nixon and McCain, 1973

Arizona Congressman McCain 1983

28 July 2017, McCain casts deciding vote on Health Care Bill

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

America's Fourth of July Celebration: Facts and Photos

The United States of America will celebrate it's "birthday" today, 4 July 2018. It is commonly believed that the celebration celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, proclaiming that the American colonies were free of the British crown. Contrary to that belief, only two Founding Fathers signed the Declaration on July 4, 1776. This favorite American holiday does not celebrate the signing of the document; it celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the elected Second Continental Congress.

Three men who would become Presidents signed the Declaration: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the estimated population of the thirteen states was 2.5 million people. In 2018, the population for the fifty states is 326.8 million people.

The first Fourth of July Celebration, with fireworks and cannon shots, was celebrated in 1777 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1778, General George Washington ordered a double ration of rum for all Continental soldiers on the Fourth of July. (Below is a painting of the Battle of Monmouth, 28 June 1778)

The Fourth of July was declared a federal holiday in 1870. (Below: lunch camp at Red Buttes, Wyoming Territory on 24 August 1870 by the US Geological & Geophysical Survey unit)

Our 30th President, "Silent" Calvin Coolidge was born on 4 July 1872. Below is a photo of Silent Cal with Mother Jones in Pennsylvania, September 1924.