Wharf Rat's Home - A Shipmate Who Never Made it to Sea.

'It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'

Preserving a piece of US Maritime History - invaluable

The USS Olympia is a cruiser that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898 and has been preserved in Philadelphia. She's a one of a kind ship, a national historic monument, and in danger. She needs approximately $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. If you have the resources, or connections to those resources, please consider helping. (full disclosure - there is no financial benefit to me to ask the question - we need to save this ship for posterity). Please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com if you have additional questions.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Death Never Takes A Holiday - the loss of Columbia 10 years later

A First Hand View of the loss of Columbia - Death Never Takes a Holiday

From one who was there - read this, some hard truths.

I was there - I was in my family room, turned on the TV, and waited for the landing of Columbia.

When it didn't land on time, we knew. We didn't want to believe, but we knew, the announcers, staff - no one wanted to admit it. I was in my family room - and I knew.