Where to Start? so let us Dance.......

Hello to all. I have a full and happy life so far; and after I retired from the U.S. Navy after 24 yrs. I still get advice from my old friends about life and it's choices. A friend suggested that I should go cyber. So let start helping each other. Here is a little about me and why I am the way I am.

(This is from my naval retirement speech dated 13 Februray 2009)

I consider myself the luckiest man on earth

For I never wanted to be in the Navy or be a Navy Chief – but I was destined to be one. For you see I came from a place where a Native American Indian from Tennessee (my father) helped raised 7 little Indians in the “City of Brotherly Love”, Philadelphia, - A place where his ship landed for his reenlistment but he just got off and it was there he was destined to be. - But that’s another story.
My story begins as a boy growing up with my brothers, sisters, and parents teaching us of heroes; not of Superman or Batman but of fireman and teachers, and of Ms. Johnson, Sgt York, John Glenn, Dr King and ballplayers like Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig (who helped me with this speech); and of course my parents. We were taught that we make our own heroes. By giving people a “Pat on the Back” saying “Good Job”, “Thank you” and us telling of their stories.

(We Indians like to tell stories; especially sitting around the fire).
- Here are a couple of stories and they are true…

- In the 1960s with all the racial issues going on... a neighborhood girl; Ms Johnson was beat-up real bad, (cloths all mess up) just for being black. So one of our elders (that’s an old person) brought her a fine fur coat- she looked like a Queen. One day on a walk about Ms Johnson saw a white boy on fire and do you know what that she did? She took off her beautiful fur coat smothering the boy; putting out the fire and saving his life.

- Here another; Car traveling down the road, car full of kids and kids being kids; “Mom are we there yet? “Can we stop – I have to pee!” “Look – Someone waving for help!” - “God! Not me! Not Today!” . Mouth to Mouth giving the breath of life; minutes - but what seems likes hours later; lights, sirens and a gurney. In a flash they were all along; "Mom! that was cool”; and” Auntie, can we leave now I’m hungry”. HM2 R******, PLEASE STAND. Good Job and God, the Navy, and WE THANK YOU.

Ordinary people doing the right thing and us telling of their stories……
Like the Great Dr King showed us “We all can make a difference”. – From helping the neighbor next door; to giving a black woman a seat on the bus; or someone jumping on a grenade trying to protect his squad in his dying moments. Not to get an award – but just doing the right thing.

Well I grew up by those stories and of those heroes, learning to care for family, God, our country, my city, and what a city. I grew up among gangsters and cops, growing and developing through scouts, explorers, and volunteering for the Red Cross and local ambulance company. That’s where I met my HS sweetheart and who later became my wife. Working in the restaurant business since I was 8 y/o, help making the Philly Cheese Steak known worldwide (have you had one – they taste pretty good). One day my boss and I agree to disagree over ethics and after 17 yrs and at the age of 25 years - I quit my job that day (just because of silly ethics). - But that’s another story. Walking home and telling my wife and 5 y/o son the good news and bad news; “I lost my job but a got a new”. I joined the U.S. Navy and I leave in a few weeks. I don’t know why my wife stays with me; even today I still do silly stuff like that. God bless her; I do love her so.

If you want to join in and hear the rest - please reply and say hello.

Many Blessing
Paul Cobb (PC) Politically Correct /Player Character