SUMMER VACATION SHUTDOWN--SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY TIME!

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Summer is upon us, and as such it is that time of year to break away from the work routine and seek adventure; this is what goes on around here at least! The next few weeks may or may not have postings depending on if I am in civilized areas or beating the bush in some remote corner of the world … not unlike you, but without the war—hopefully—around me.

I am fully aware such a luxury is not part of your world at this time being over there fighting for us to do as such, and I do fully and deeply appreciate this fact. I put in my time as well in various positions fighting for what is right, and hope that I have earned the right to do so.

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Sports Update:

Since the Penguins just won the Stanley Cup only four months since the Steelers won the Super Bowl Trophy, mere words now in these boring and dry times of local sports would only be ‘Gilding the Lilly!’

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

PS:

The below images are hooligans that were at a Summer Solstice party!
I have never seen them before in my life, I think...

FATHER'S DAY ... FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!

Father's Day

Father's Day

Father’s Day is a day for dads to take in a few moments and actually breathe. Spending the day with the kids or the whole family is traditional, with special days for the more adventurous. I found kids at the Murrysville Carnival and also on the back of Harleys going by. There were streams, rivers, and parks filled with revelers of all sorts and sizes. While not as big or as popular as Mother’s Day, it was a busy day here in Western Pennsylvania. The kites, footballs and baseballs taking flight this afternoon were evidentiary proof of such. Those who are a dad, Happy Father’s Day! To those with a dad, give the old guy and hug and a kiss…

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This is the first day of the, “100 Days Of Summer,” and it all starts now. Summer is more than just a set of dates, so much more. This transient place we call life is but a whisper amongst the sounds of time, a minuscule stop in the motion of all. Some go about blindly and miss it all, whilst others see, and these “Boys of Summer” bask in its 100 days of gifts; beaches and bikinis; roads and motorcycles; music and ears; romance and girls, and no school for the young.

It looks like Summer is going to be one to remember, as summer activities are cheap or free, at least the best ones are. This is the remedy the Doctor ordered for bad economic beaten hearts and minds. Dress code is sandals and shorts. This is summer, I hope you all keep your head down and return to enjoy all summer has to offer this year. I will keep you informed on what can, and what can not.

The annual Murrysville V.F.D. Carnival

The Fireworks Watchers

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Sports Update:

Penguin fever has not slowed at all so far! The four months between the Steelers Superbowl victory and now the Stanley Cup has the blood of tenacious Pittsburgh fans still pumping as if it were just yesterday!!!

The Pirates are still hanging in there with hope for better days.

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

PENS WIN! PENS WIN! THE STANLEY CUP NOW LIVES IN PITTSBURGH!

A eulogy:

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are all gathered here today to pay our last respects to our fallen friends, the Detroit Red Wings. After a painful and protracted fight with Wild Penguins, they succumbed to their own inadequacies. To those of you who knew them well, you also had to suffer through their chronic complaints, whining, smelly under-protective garments, and the hockey-man overbite during television interviews. The sweat, the toil, and the underachieving were all for not.

But, fear not my friends, the few surviving members of this vanquished team has a new book in the works! “1001 excuses for not winning”

We, as did the whole Penguin team will toast the departed by drinking champagne out of Our Stanley Cup! Rest well old friends, and may you Rest in Peace…

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F4U Corsair shot today doing a flyby

"Glamorous Gal," my new favorite girl!
I shot this today at the Jimmy Steward Airport (yes, named after the hometown actor)

She is a beautiful P-51 Mustang!

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Sports Update:

Against all odds the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled off the big upset by vanquishing the Detroit Red Wings in game 7! This thriller to the end with the Penguins fighting like their life depended on it, ended with a 2 to 1 score… Yes, our Pens are now the Champs; the Stanley Cup lives in your town!

Tomorrow there will be a huge parade downtown with the Penguins accompanying the Stanley Cup through town. The route will be the same as the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl win parade!

Yea, our town has won its name back:

PITTSBURGH IS AGAIN “THE CITY OF CHAMPIONS!”

In 3 out of the last 4 years we have won a major sports Championship!


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In Indiana Pennsylvania at the Jimmy Steward Airport was their small-town air show, and how big it was! Three of my favorite World War Two aircraft were there; the British Spitfire; the P-51 Mustang; and the F4U Corsair!

The British Spitfire

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

D-DAY

D-Day says it all. Words cannot start to tell the tale of its importance, so I will let my photo essay do the story on this day here.

I decided the best way to remember the over 400,000 men and women who paid so dearly for our freedom, was to go out and experience a little freedom in their honor, and yours.

When you over there come back home, look me up and we will ride it together.

Canal Days Market

Lovely day for exploring the countryside.

An artist doing a portrait at Canal Days in Saltsburg Pa.

A group of 105 canoeists paddled from Johnstown Pa to Saltsburg to celebrate 'Canal Days' commemorating the great waterways of Western Pennsylvania.

A local "Pretty Girl" was in the dunk tank to support the Saltsburg Pennsylvania PTA. The ball throwers ( 3 balls for a dollar ) kept missing the trigger plate, so I enlisted a young man to hit it by hand, whilst the Pretty Girl was screaming No, no, no...

Wet Pretty Girl!

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania