Shell horror story

Shell horror story in Nigeria

Feb 4th, 2011

by John Donovan.

By an outspoken former employee of Shell Oil USA

When I was in my teens I can remember watching what is now a cult sci-fi flick called ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’. It is story about aliens who come to earth as plants and the seed pods turn into replicas of humans, but they aren’t, they are alien predatory ‘pod-people’ out to take over the world.

The story of RD Shell’s seconding of the Nigerian government reminded me of this movie.

Is the Nigerian government run by Nigerians or is it really run by alien predatory ‘Shell-people’ masquerading as Nigerians whose objective is to loot the country and suck it dry of its oil wealth. Beware, they are not only coming, these alien ‘Shell-people’, they are here. Run for you lives! RUN! RUN!! AHHHH!!!

Alternatively, the Nigerians could run the sob’s out of the country. Maybe even at gun point.

Who knows how this story will end.

Posted in: Human Rights, Nigeria, Oil, Outspoken Articles, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Shell Spying.
Tagged: Niger Delta · Nigeria · Oil · Royal Dutch Shell Plc

← Shell profit doubles but shares fall on production problems

Shell: No Beaufort Sea drilling in Arctic for 2011 →

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

Electric Vehicles Charging Stations in San Diego

Research Work taken from and courtesy of Mayor Jerry Sanders

Electric Vehicles Get a Charge Out of San Diego

Mayor Jerry Sanders joined clean energy leaders and regional planners at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park to unveil one of the nation’s first public charging stations for electric vehicles.

The charging station is one of 1,000 that will be installed regionwide over the next six months in an effort to encourage the adoption of no-emission electric vehicles. The charging network’s effectiveness will be studied and adjusted for a year, and the findings will be part of a national report on the efficient deployment of charging infrastructure in other cities.

"A well-planned charging network tears down a significant barrier to adopting electric vehicles," Mayor Jerry Sanders said. "I’m proud San Diego will be one of the first cities in the nation to encourage residents to purchase EVs, and that we'll serve as a model for other cities as they look to deploy their charging infrastructures."

San Diego is one of 18 major U.S. cities involved in The EV Project, a Department of Energy program managed by private firm ECOtality. The program, funded with $125 million in stimulus grants, will result in approximately 14,000 commercial and residential charging stations in 18 major cities and metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. The project will provide an EV infrastructure to support the deployment of 8,300 EVs.

"San Diego has been a terrific project market for ECOtality, and its high levels of consumer and stakeholder interest make it an excellent proving ground for electric vehicles," said Jonathan Read, CEO of ECOtality. "The Blink charging stations installed at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and at the San Diego Air & Space Museum-as well as the commercial Blink charging stations appearing in EV Project markets nationwide-underscores our commitment to smart EV deployment and placing charging stations at locations that fit the lifestyle of EV drivers."

ECOtality began installations of its Blink Level 2 Residential charging stations in EV Project regions nationwide in December 2010, and since then has completed more than 1,400 installations. Over the last few months, ECOtality has been actively installing Blink Pedestal chargers at public and commercial sites. The company aims to have approximately 1,000 Level 2 public and commercial charging stations installed in the San Diego metropolitan area by the end of the year, as well as 30 publicly available Blink DC Fast Chargers.

At Balboa Park, ECOtality has installed three Blink Pedestal chargers in the parking lot outside of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and seven charging stations outside the San Diego Air & Space Museum adjacent to the San Diego Municipal Gym.

"The installation of electric vehicle charging stations outside of the Fleet presents an exciting opportunity to highlight the importance of environmental stewardship to our visitors," said Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch, Executive Director of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "In conjunction with two current exhibitions focused on sustainability, ‘So WATT: An Illuminating Look at Energy,’ and ‘San Diego’s Water: From Source to Tap,’ we hope to add an exhibit component within the science center where visitors will be able to learn more about electric vehicles and make real-life connections to the outside charging stations."

The event marks the culmination of nearly a year and a half of planning. Locations for the publicly available charging stations were selected with input from regional partners and took into account a variety of factors including traffic patterns and the locations of employment centers, regional attractions and retail hubs, as well as the input from regional partners.

"This electric vehicle project signifies the State’s commitment to diversify how California uses cleaner vehicles and fuels to transport people and goods on our state's roads and highways," said California Energy Commission Vice Chair James Boyd. "Ten years from now, we will look back and remember these early charger installations as the first steps in getting 1 million electric vehicles on the road."

The Blink Pedestal Chargers provide intelligent, user-friendly features that intuitively and safely charge EVs. They include an interactive seven-inch color touch screen and web-based delivery via the Blink Network.

"Vehicles like my all-electric Nissan Leaf, and the availability of charging stations across the county, will help move America away from its dependence on foreign oil, give San Diegans an exhaust-pipe free way to get around, and help to achieve the goals of our Regional Transportation Plan by reducing per capita greenhouse gas emissions," said Encinitas Deputy Mayor Jerome Stocks, chair of the SANDAG Board of Directors.

Businesses in the greater San Diego area that are interested in hosting Blink charging stations should contact Andy Hoskinson, San Diego Area Manager at ECOtality, at ahoskinson@ecotality.com, or by calling (619) 559-2118

The TRUTH will set you FREE.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

From : Alfred Clayton and friends

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Let's get this circulating by July 4th

Happy 4th of July!.....let' s get this started now,

So it will be out there on the fourth!!!!

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE
FLAG, OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ,


AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR
WHICH IT STANDS,


ONE NATION UNDER GOD,


INDIVISIBLE, WITH
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

KEEP IT LIT!


KEEP IT LIT!

For
All of our other military personnel, where ever they may be
Please
Support all of the troops defending our Country.

How many pilots' planes Shot down?
How many died at sea; How many

Foxholes were soldiers’ Graves ?
No, freedom isn't free!

I heard the sound of Taps One night,

When everything was still, I listened to

the bugler Play And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant 'Amen,'

Of unmarked graves in
Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.

We must never forget who
Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be
Eternally grateful..

Again,
We must never forget who
Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be
Eternally grateful..


I watched the flag
Pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.




A young Marine Saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at
Him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square
And eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.When a flag had draped a Coffin,
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought how many men
Like him Had fallen through

the years. How many died on

foreign Soil How many

Mothers' tears?

I thought of all the Children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and Husbands
With interrupted lives.

I
Thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea

Enjoy Your Freedom
& God Bless Our Troops

When
You receive this, please stop for a moment
And Say a Prayer for our servicemen.
Of all the gifts you could give A US Soldier;

Prayer is the very best One.

And God
Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our
Freedom.
ThanksTo them, and their sacrifices we can celebrate the 4th of July

NORTHCOAST EV IN CALIFORNIA

COURTESY OF NORTHCOAST EV

ANSWERS TO MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTRIC CARS

Frequently Asked Questions

How far can an electric car go between charges? How much does it cost to charge? How fast can an electric car go? What is the carbon footprint associated with driving an electric car? How long does it take to charge? How much does a conversion cost? How far can an electric car go between charges? The range depends on the vehicle, the batteries, the driving speed, and the terrain. Typical small to mid-sized conversion using lead acid batteries can travel 20 to 50 miles depending on the specific configuration. Using the same weight in Lithium batteries will allow for approximately 3 to 4 times the range compared to lead acid. How much does it cost to charge? A typical commute of 20 to 30 miles round trip will use 6 to 10 kWh. Depending on your energy provider this will usually cost $0.35 to $1.10. If you use the vehicle 5 days per week, it would add a mere $7 to $22 to your monthly electricity bill. How fast can an electric car go? The top speed and acceleration of an electric vehicle depend on what motor and controller it uses. There are countless motor-controller combination available. They range from very affordable lightweight designs capable of city and town travailing with speeds up to 45 mph, to high-end drive systems rated at 150 kW that will out-perform any internal combustion engine. What is the carbon footprint associated with driving an electric car? The carbon footprint can vary depending on the source of energy. Using the national average for carbon emissions for electricity generation, charging the vehicle produces approximately 25% of the carbon emissions of a standard car and half as much as a new hybrid vehicle. However, if the energy comes from clean sources like wind and solar the carbon footprint can be reduced to a much lower level. Depending on the gas engine being replaced and the electricity source being used, driving an electric vehicle can save up to 40 tons of carbon emissions every 100,000 miles. How long does it take to charge? With a fast charger it can take as little as half an hour, but it is ideal for the longevity of the batteries if they are charged at a slower rate overnight. Additionally, most places in the US have energy surpluses at night and there is currently enough energy infrastructure to supply the energy to charge millions of vehicles, but only if they are charged at night. How much does a conversion cost? The cost of a conversion depends mostly on the type of motor used and the type and amount of batteries. A typical conversion can cost as little as $12,000 for a small economy vehicle with moderate range to $35,000 for a high performance vehicle with 100+ mile range. If used as a daily commuter, an electric vehicle is likely to save at least $20,000 in fuel and oil changes every 100,000 miles.

TRANSPARENT AIRPLANE

Airbus Unveils Transparent Airplane

Airbus has unveiled a futuristic concept for a transparent plane that may be everyday air transport in 2050. With its see-through aircraft cabin, passengers of the future will get a window on the world as they fly through the sky. They will be able to see everything to the sides and in front of them.

The concept cabin unveiled at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, would be a bionic structure that 'mimics' the efficiency of the bird bone, claimed the company.

It would provide strength where needed, and also allows for an intelligent' cabin wall membrane, which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open, panoramic views.

The company believes that mid-century passengers might be able to enjoy a game of virtual golf or take part in interactive conferences, while the cabin 'identifies and responds' to travelers' needs.

In the 'interactive zone' there are virtual pop-up projections taking passengers to whichever social scene they want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.

In the 'interactive zone' there are virtual pop-up projections taking passengers to whichever social scene they want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.

In the 'interactive zone' there are virtual pop-up projections taking passengers to whichever social scene they want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.

The 'smart tech zone' is tailored towards the more functional-orientated passenger with what Airbus describes as 'a chameleon-style offering.'

"The concept cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination," he added.

REAL-LIFE Noah's Ark

Wed Jun 22, 6:17 pm ET

Two by two: A real-life

Noah's Ark

By Mike Krumboltz

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By Mike Krumboltz mike Krumboltz – Wed Jun 22, 6:17 pm ET

An hour outside of Amsterdam in Dordrecht, Netherlands, a ship is under construction. But this ain't your typical sailboat, bub. Johan Huibers is building a full-scale replica of Noah's ark.
Yes, that Noah's ark. And Johan, an expert builder, isn't skimping on the details. The ship, which he's been constructing for the past three years, is built to biblical specs. Johan culled information on the ark's size and shape directly from the good book. In the end, the ship is four stories high and the length of a football field. And yes, it's seaworthy.

The result is an incredibly impressive ship, especially considering it was realized simply by a man with a dream--or, perhaps, a nightmare. According to an interview with NBC's "The Today Show," Johan dreamt that Holland suffered a great flood. The next morning, he woke up determined to start preparing for that worst-case scenario.
The ship, which is not to be confused with the theme park in Kentucky that also honors Noah's ark, is generating a lot of interest in the search box. Over the past 24 hours, online lookups for "noah's ark photos" and "noah's ark real ship" have surged.
As for the craft proper, it's not complete yet, but it's getting close. The master plan is to sail the ship up the Thames in time for the London Olympics next year. Expect to see plenty of life-size plastic animals aboard (two of each type, of course).

TAWANAN AT BIRUAN

Heather FROM : JOEY V. AND FRIENDS

                            Tawa po daw muna diyan! PO 1: Bakit po K-9 ang tawag sa malalaking aso, sir! SUPT: Syempre pag tinawag mo silang K10, hindi na sila aso PO 1: Ano na sila sir? SUPT: maliit na pusa.. ------------------------------------------------------** Doc: Iha, mukhang pumapayat ka at hinang hina pa. Sinunod mo ba advice ko na 3 meals a day? Girl: Diyos ko! 3 meals a day ba? Akala ko 3 males a day eh!!!** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** May nagpapa-translate sa akin ng signage sa tagalog: "Emergency Exit" ang sabi ko, "MADALING LABASAN...? Tama ba? Parang bastos ata.** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Tip for a long life: Wag mo isusulat name mo sa condolence book pag dumalaw ka sa patay. Kasi pagkatapos ng libing nagkakaron ng raffle kung sinong susunod..... .** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Guro: Pedro late kana naman.. Pedro: Late po kasi relo ko. Guro: Problema ba yun. E di i-advance mo. Pedro: Sige po. Guro: Oh, saan ka pupunta? Boy: uwian na po!** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Mrs: Kung alam ko lang di sana ako nagpakasal sa iyo! ABS ka! Mr: Anong ABS? Mrs: Alak, Babae, Sugal!! Mr: Eh ikaw CBN! Mrs: CBN? Mr: Chismosa, Bungangera, Nagger!.** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** May dalawang lalaki sabay nag jogging: Guy 1: Pre, doctor ako.. Kaya ako tumatakbo kasi HEALTH conscious ako! Ikaw pre? Guy 2: Snatcher pre! WEALTH conscious ako.** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Bakit binaril ng bobo ang girlfriend nya? Kasi sinubukan nya kung totoong FIRST LOVE NEVER DIES!** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Pasahero: Mama, dahan-dahan lang po. Alalahanin nyo na palaging nakasunod sa atin ang disgrasya! D rayber: E, kaya ko nga binibilisan para di tayo abutan!** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** (sa isang turo-turo): Customer: Manang, meh langaw sa arrozcaldo ko! Tindera: Hello! Sa halagang P5.00 anong ini-expect mo....manok?** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Tom: Alam mo pare, my new wife is a sex object! Jerry: Wow! Maganda pala ang napangasawa mo pre! Tom: Hindi naman. But everytime I want to have sex, she objects!** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Anak: Nay, yung girlfriend ko hindi naniniwala sa langit at impierno. Nanay: Sige, pakasalan mo anak, ipatikim mo sa kanya ang langit, ako na ang bahala sa impierno**. ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** A husband asked his wife, "What do you like most in me, my macho face or my sexy body? The wife looked at him from head to toe and replied, I like your sense of humor".** ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------** Russian: Sir, we got huge order from USA for 16 inches condoms. I think it is to embarrass us. Putin: No problem! Complete the order and mark them SMALL SIZE!** ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- A guy picks up a girl for a date. "Why are you wearing your belt around your knee? Girl: I promised mom that I wouldn't let you touch me below my belt... * 2 Mental Patients nagsisiksikan sa maliit na kama ... Sira 1: Pare, di tayo kasya. Bawas tayo ng isa, sa lapag ka na lang matulog. (Bumaba sira 1.) Sira 2: Ayan, pare maluwag na, akyat ka na dito! ____________ __ MISIS: Dear, iligaw mo nga tong pusa. Nakasako na. Dalhin mo sa malayo! MISTER: Ok! MISIS: Bakit ka ginabi? Niligaw mo ba ang pusa? MISTER: Bwisit na pusang yan! Kundi ko siya sinundan, di ako nakauwi! ____________ _________ _ PEDRO: Galing ako sa doktor, nakabili na ako ng hearing aid. Grabe ang linaw ngayon nang pandinig ko! JUAN: Wow, galing! Magkanong bili mo sa hearing aid? PEDRO: Kahapon lang! ************ ********* ********* ********* ********* ********* *** JUAN: Pare, ang bilis kong nabuo 'tong puzzle! PEDRO: Talaga? Gaano kabilis? JUAN: 5 months! PEDRO: Tagal naman! JUAN: Tagal ba ' yun? Nakalagay nga dito sa box nya eh: 'for 3 years & up ____________ _______ AMO: Inday, naalis mo na ba yung mantsa sa barong Tagalog ko? INDAY: Yes, sir! AMO: Good! Anong pinang-alis mo? INDAY: Gunting po, sir! JUNIOR: Tatay, andaming lamok! TATAY: Patayin mo ang ilaw para hindi tayo makita. (Pagkapatay ng ilaw, lumitaw ang mga alitaptap... ) JUNIOR: Tatay, bumalik sila! May dalang flashlight! ____________ _____ NENE: Nanay, mahalaga pala ang punctuation mark. Nakakalungkot kapag nawala. NANAY: Aba , oo, anak! Mahalaga 'yun. Pero bakit nakakalungkot? NENE: Kasi, si ate, iyak nang iyak... Dalawang buwan na raw siyang walang period. ____________ _________ _ EUGENE : Pare, walanghiya 'yung mga kondoktor sa bus! REGGIE: Bakit? EUGENE: Ayaw akong papasukin sa bus! 'Yung iba, ang daming ibinebenta.. . mani, kasoy, puto, balot, itlog ng pugo, pinipig, chicharon, espasol, puwedeng pumasok! REGGIE: Ano ba ang ibinebenta mo? EUGENE: Papag. ____________ _________ _ JUDGE: Ano ba talaga nangyari? ERAP: . (di nagsasalita) JUDGE: Sumagot ka sa tanong. ERAP: Naman eh!!! Kala ko ba hearing lang to??? Bakit may speaking? ____________ _________ _________ _____ NOEL: ipapangalan ko sa aking anak " LEON " baliktad ng Noel. NINO: sa akin ONIN baliktad ng NINO. TOTO: wag niyo akong maisali-sali dyan sa usapan niyo! ____________ _________ ____ Sinoli ni Paquiao ang libro sa library. Manny: sobrang dami ng characters wala naman storya. LIBRARIAN: kayo pala kumuha ng telephone directory namin! ____________ _________ ______ sa sabungan, walang entrance fee ang may dalang panabong. Si Juan para makalibre pumasok may dalang inahin. BANTAY: [sinita si Juan] ano yan? JUAN: [galit pa!] manok! BANTAY: alam ko, eh bakit inahin? JUAN: may laban ang mister niya, siyempre moral support bobo! ____________ _________ _______ GF: magaling! At sino tong baby na nagtext sayo? BF: ah eh kumpare ko yun! Lalake yun! Baby lang palayaw. GF: oh eto replyan mo. Hindi daw kayo tuloy at may mens daw ang tarantado! ____________ _________ _________ ___ ERAP SA PIZZA HUT WAITER: sir, do you want me to cut your pizza into 4 slices or 8 slices? ERAP: into four na lang, masyadong marami yung eight. di ko mauubos. ____________ _________ _________ Nagbubungkal ng lupa si Aling Dionisia para magtanim. Akala ng mga nakakakita naloloko lang siya dahil wala naman siyang tinatanim. Maid: nay, wala naman kayong tinatanim ah. Aling dionisia: anu Gid! Seedless ito.

--
Antonio L. Buensuceso Jr.

Piggy bank

by: Antonio L. Buensuceso Jr.

Comment to "Why not a total mining ban? by Neal Cruz , PDI

This is not about Neal Cruz . This is about our children . This is about our future.

Total mining ban is "As I See It" also is best for the Philippines. The country is teeming with vast array of pristine beaches and scenic views and rich in cultural heritage and to cut it short, our country is a real awesome tourist destination. Underneath the ground on where these pedestals of grandeur lies rich deposits of minerals and precious metals.Allow me if you may to share a piece of something like an analogy. Have anyone of you seen a piggy bank? Yes, a piggy bank. It is a piece of similar to a decorative ornament usually in the figure of a pig with slit opening on top fit for coins to insert into it and normally made from ceramics or earthen clay, purposely made for savings. Indeed a valuable piece of possession. The mountain and grounds rolled into one is exactly a piggy bank. The minerals and precious metals underground are coins inside the piggy bank . This piggy bank and the coins in it are not results of our own endeavor but God's gift to us...given free to us for all of us to enjoy and preserve through eternity. But what are we doing with the piggy bank? We let looters come in, then let them smash the piggy bank and take the bounty with them leaving behind mountain of broken ceramics and earthen clay and at the very most thirty pieces of silver. We care no more about the piggy bank. We are just interested with the coins in it as if it is more valuable than the water we drink , than the air we breath. Those are mere coins inside the piggy bank. We must focus our attention on the beauty of the piggy bank and gratitude to the God who give this provision to us.

We don't need coins anyway. Because we have already plenty of them. It even mutated into millions of valuable paper bills, more than enough to build roads, bridges and infrastructures to help boost tourism in the country and other needs of the populace. Unfortunately those paper bills are gone with the wind and have been sucked by monstrous greed and corruption. This is where our focus should be ..on the fight against corruption. Every Filipino, every one of us should join hands to combat this social menace President Noy is right when he said "kung walang korap walang mahirap" and I wholehearted agree with it.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro and his team needs a lot of support from all us...at least for prayers that they may have the best of health and stamina and safety to recover all the ill gotten wealth of several individuals on account of their graft and corrupt practices act and discourage others to do and continue doing the same corrupt act. And hopefully, his team in the coming days would finally catch the Big Hen who lays these rotten eggs .Watch out for that Big Hen. She might be still laying her rotten eggs somewhere.

Then, we should look forward to a day when we could honorably convey to our children,

"This piggy bank is for you to protect, keep and cherish through eternity"

PS Remember the mining disaster in Marinduque.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcopper_mining_disaster

Thanks as if you did it to my 'sons'

From: Alfred Clayton clayalf@msn.com

Date: Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 6:01 AM
Subject: FW: Sack Lunches..

Sack Lunches I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time... As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.' His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.' Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.' After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little... A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'