Mike Walton's Comments
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Sep 28, 2006 | comments: 10
Mike Walton Nov 27, 2009, 4:10pm EST
Thanks!! I reposted it on Thanksgiving Day, Lizzy...thank you for noting and for commenting!!
Nov 6, 2009 | comments: 274
Mike Walton Nov 8, 2009, 10:20am EST
That's really great!! I recall when I was younger and was too marched into the gym, given my polio vaccine on a sugar cube, and my shot in my arm (and it hurt just as you said it would!) I also had shots before I left fo Germany as a child and felt like a pin cushion after getting four shots in one day....

The bottom line is that if we all get the shots, either we all die -- in which there's no reasoning for fighting about it -- or we all live, in which we all rejoice!!! Public health is one of those things that our government does well for us. Yeah, some of us will die from taking the shot but here's a fact that everyone forgets: we are ALL going to die sooner or later, and there's no real "schedule" of when we will die or what we will die from.

So as someone told me after the last time I came close to dying, you need to figure out what's worth your life and save and make plans to give it over. And in the meantime, enjoy the ride. Make sure that when you do die, you can do so with a smile and a resolute feeling knowing that you've done everything you'd set out to do, helped as many people along the way and made sure that you didn't do anyone harm -- and if you did, to apologize and seek forgiveness!

That, is what life's about: living and insuring that others remember why you were here anyhow.
Mar 10, 2009 | comments: 20
Mike Walton Jul 4, 2009, 10:19am EDT

Way to go, Jordan!!

How did the Court of Honor go?  Tell us...details, gal, details!! *smiling*

Settummanque!
Apr 4, 2009 | comments: 31
Mike Walton Apr 5, 2009, 7:49am EDT
So cute, Debby...in or out of focus!! Happy Easter!!

Settummanque!
Apr 4, 2009 | comments: 2
Mike Walton Apr 5, 2009, 7:30am EDT
I am back in Germany right now, Debby...I'll be here for a few months, I've been told. The segments represent various activities and locations where the American style of Scouting goes on at (for instance, the Turkey segment means that I've camped at the summer camp facility in Turkey; the small car represents the Pinewood Derby(tm) that I've taken part in...etc. )

It is fun to find something you've been looking for in a long time....for instance, I found recently a segment from the former camp in France (Camp Fleur-de-lis) on a jacket at a thrift store right behind the building where I live right now in Germany!
Jan 24, 2009 | comments: 17
Mike Walton Feb 8, 2009, 5:26pm EST
Great read, Nora....as a longtime Scouting volunteer and former member, I agree with everything you wrote and then some.

To Alex -- When people tell me that Scouting is expensive, I ask them to tell me what are the costs. They tell me that uniforms for one is high....then I point them to the uniforms being sold on eBay and Yahoo Auctions for as little as a dollar. They say that "the dues are high" and I explain that local credit unions offer a "share loan" for $50 or less. The dues are paid and instead of being nickled and dimed you simply repay the loan through the credit union. Ask them and explain that it's to get your son enrolled in Scouting. Others have told me the costs of "doing stuff with the Scouts" is so high. Some are, and as responsible parents, you have to make some decisions for your son about participation in "everything". It's NOT REQUIRED that you participate in "everything that they do."

In actuality, one can participate in Scouting without being a part of a local Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop. Call the local BSA Council office and talk with them about that.

To Adam: congrats!!

Settummanque!
Aug 28, 2007 | comments: 3
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 6:28pm EST
Shush, Debby!! *hehehehehehee*

There are lots of times that I truthfully miss Debs...She had became more than a sounding board but a true friend. I am also glad that we didn't "cross that line" between friendship and lovers -- for it would have been much worse for both of us while there and certainly back home. I think that there were several times that we both did think about it -- when we were lonely and when we would walk around together.

I was interviewed for a magazine article recently and the reporter asked me about various short term "war marriages" or "deployment dating". I told him honestly that I really didn't have time to cultivate such romances over the years -- I really did love my wife (at the time) but mostly it was because I was too busy doing my job. I also told him that there were several opportunities whereby I *could have* dated a fellow officer or Soldier -- but I passed on it. Partly because I knew I couldn't "bring it off", we would get caught and my military career ended; partly because we would wait until after we were off active duty and our primary relationships ended before we started in on each other. At any case, each was very short-lived.

Debs would have definately been a great candidate for a long-term relationship if not for the evening under the bright full moon, sitting on still warm metal seating outside the Zone 6 PX during our third week there at Camp Afrijan, Kuwait. We talked about emotions, feelings, and the fact that we were both professional people with relationships already in place. We both admitted that there was something there more than friendship -- but it would not go any further than that simply because we had to be the "examples", the "pattern", and the spotlight was already on us due to our constant "loud discussions" over minor, trivial things. I respect her a lot for not "turning on" the feminine charm; I know that I gained her respect for treating her as a friend and fellow professional Soldier -- even when she cried.

"To me," I told the reporter, "our actions -- whether or not someone was watching -- were demonstrations as to how males and females work together within our professional Army. Nobody needed to be jealous, envious or even concerned. We were simply two Army officers working for the same General and responsible for other Soldiers working with and for us. We had shared interests, enjoyed each other's company, and knew where the boundaries were. We also disagreed and debated between ourselves and respected each other's opinion and ideas."

I just didn't like her telling me that I should abandon something I love -- coffee -- just because....*smiling*
Nov 22, 2007 | comments: 7
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:56pm EST
Nah...she's out on Facebook already....but she's still beautiful!!

Mike
Nov 22, 2007 | comments: 6
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:55pm EST
She is that just that....thanks for the comments, everyone!!

Mike
Sep 13, 2008 | comments: 4
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:51pm EST
It is...and in that case, justly so!
Sep 18, 2008 | comments: 3
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:51pm EST
Sure....I can blush!!
Sep 23, 2008 | comments: 4
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:50pm EST
Thanks for the comments!!
Oct 29, 2008 | comments: 4
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:47pm EST
I just looked to make sure that she got the rank on in the right direction; she never had to do that with her husband (my Dad was in the Army as an enlisted guy....they wear their rank on the sleeves).
Oct 29, 2008 | comments: 4
Mike Walton Jan 17, 2009, 5:46pm EST
This will be the last Jamboree I attend as a staff member or military officer. I have served on staff for four Jamborees and on the Army/Joint Staff for four Jamborees. One Jamboree I attended as a youth member; the other I attended as a Scoutmaster and contingent leader. Unless they bring me out of retirement for the next Jamboree in 2014, this one will be my last.

I'm not sure that I'll be selected to attend, but I'm trying to get selected.

Thanks for asking me!

Mike
Dec 25, 2008 | comments: 6
Mike Walton Dec 28, 2008, 12:37am EST
Thank you both, Erin and Heather!! I appreciate you both reading and commenting on my early childhood experiences....there's more around and eventually that book will get published!!

Settummanque!
Dec 8, 2008 | comments: 19
Mike Walton Dec 8, 2008, 9:01pm EST
Moving AGAIN?? You're worse than me, Debs!!!

I still have my stuff in storage....and still don't have a place to myself.... I am using Liz's livingroom coffee table as a "living room office" and still have other things scattered here, there and everywhere...and I placed one too many Army hats in the bedroom closet and the closet FELL IN...(it was the heavy military and Scouting clothing, I'm sure, more than that hat...) Anyways, Liz is not very happy with me right now....

Two Troops? Why are you serving as the leader of TWO Troops? And you didn't tell us about how well the float did....

(Oh, and for the record: where did you move from and to? *smiling*)

If I could I would send you a home-warming present, Debs!!

Settummanque!
Jun 3, 2008 | comments: 11
Mike Walton Oct 29, 2008, 11:14pm EDT
Renee:

No, for the same reason why Harrison Ford doesn't do it as the "President" either and why Martin Sheen ("President Bartlett"). We are so used to seeing them in all kinds of roles and when Sheen's role came around on "West Wing", we had to really pay attention and realize that he was not doing a parody -- which is why Haysbert also did very well as President....they were not "patterning themselves" after anyone except themselves.

I feel that if Haysbert tried to be a "Reverent Jackson" or a "Ross Perot" type of character, we would not watch it with a feeling of beliveabilty to it. The same would hold true if "President Bartlett" was like a Carter or Reagan.

Thanks for your comments...and stick around; you're great for my ego!! *smiling*

Settummanque!
Sep 15, 2008 | comments: 16
Mike Walton Sep 16, 2008, 12:13am EDT
She's beautiful....always been a sucker for freckles!

Settummanque!
Aug 24, 2008 | comments: 8
Mike Walton Aug 24, 2008, 11:13pm EDT
Great poster.... too bad it won't pass the "common decency test" at work...otherwise, I think a LOT of people there would get the clue and pay more attention to their driving!!

Settummanque!
Jul 9, 2008 | comments: 175
Mike Walton Jul 9, 2008, 10:24pm EDT
Editor? Maybe you'll get to it....I see "Gather on MySpace drugs" so far....

Settummanque!
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Mike Walton
Fort Snelling, MN / Fort McCoy, WI

"There's no such thing as strong coffee..
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