onstage at the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The annual benefit raises critical funds for MusiCares’ Emergency Financial Assistance and Addiction Recovery programs. For more information visit musicares.org.
by HB Auld, Jr.
Happy 80th birthday today to Robert Zimmerman, aka Bob Dylan.
The times, they are STILL a-changin’, Bob!
STILL rockin’ it at 80 with a concert TONIGHT at the University of Tulsa.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow on the side of the road during their crime spree.
Bonnie and Clyde horsing around with Bonnie holding Clyde “at bay” with her sawed-off shotgun.
A photo of the “death car” Clyde was driving with girlfriend Bonnie beside him, when they were ambushed outside Gibsland, LA.
The “death car” with the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde still inside. I believe this was one of the photos my uncle, Ernest Murphy, and his brother, King, took at the scene following the ambush.
Highway 54 as it looked on November 5, 2011, when I visited. It was originally a narrow gravel road when Bonnie and Clyde traveled it to their deaths.
The small hill along the highway 54 ambush site where the six lawmen hid, then stood up and fired more than 150 shots at the criminal pair, killing them instantly.
The bullet-riddled monument at the site of the ambush of Bonnie and Clyde.
Author, HB Auld, Jr., and “Boots” Hinton, son of Dallas County Deputy Ted Hinton, one of the six lawmen who lay in wait for Bonnie and Clyde that day. Boots was just four months old when the pair died at the hands of his father, Ted, and five other lawmen. He ran the Bonnie and Clyde Museum in Gibsland, LA, until his death December 5, 2016, at the age of 81. He authored the book, “Ambush” and inscribed it for me that day.
by HB Auld, Jr.
Today is the 87th anniversary of the deaths of Bonnie and Clyde. They were ambushed outside of Gibsland, LA, on May 23, 1934.
The criminal pair had cut a swath of murder and robbery across the United States during the past 21 months. For much of their murder spree, they were accompanied by Clyde Barrow’s brother, Buck Barrow, and his third wife, Blanche.
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow had stopped in at a cafe in Gibsland for a sandwich and were on their way down Highway 54, one of the backroads of Louisiana, when they were lured into stopping by the father of one of their former cohorts, Henry Methvin. When they stopped to help Methvin with his broken-down pickup, six lawmen from Texas and Louisiana stood up and opened fire on their 1934 Ford V8, killing the duo with more than 150 shots.
The dead criminals were taken to nearby Arcadia, LA, laid out on tables in a furniture store, and later buried in separate locations back in Texas: Bonnie Parker was buried in the Fishtrap Cemetery, although she was moved in 1945 to the new Crown Hill Cemetery in Dallas. Clyde Barrow was buried in Western Heights Cemetery in Dallas, next to his brother Marvin. His epitaph reads: “Gone but not forgotten.”
Their final setting outside Gibsland, LA, was near Arcadia, LA, where my dad was born and raised. My dad, HB Auld, had celebrated his 20th birthday in Arcadia, the day before the ambush.
When word quickly reached Arcadia, my paternal uncle, Ernest Murphy, and his brother, King Murphy, rushed to the “death car” and King began taking black and white photos. Ernest ran the film back to Arcadia for processing, and then returned time and again to the ambush site for more film to run in to Arcadia.
When Bonnie and Clyde were taken to Arcadia, they were “laid out” on tables in Conger Furniture Co. , next door to my grandfather’s dry cleaning shop.
…black, three-ring binder (of photos)….
For years, my dad had a black, three-ring binder full of 8×10 black and white photos of the ambush site, the death car, and Bonnie and Clyde in the car and on the tables in Conger Furniture Co. Then, while I was in the Navy, the binder suddenly disappeared. No one knows what happened to it. I believe the photo of the “death car” at the ambush site with Bonnie and Clyde still in it above may well have been one of the ones King Murphy and Ernest Murphy took that day.
For my birthday on November 5, 2011, my wife, Jannie, and I visited Gibsland, LA, where “Boots” Hinton, son of Deputy Ted Hinton who was one of those who ambushed Bonnie and Clyde, told us the story of the ambush after they stopped for sandwiches there. We visited the Bonnie and Clyde Museum there that Boots managed and purchased his book, “Ambush,” which Boots autographed and inscribed for me. When he died, five years later at age 81, I attached his obituary inside the book, also. I still have Boots’ book and cherish my meeting with him.
From there, we drove down Highway 54, a paved two-lane now, but a narrow gravel road on May 23, 1934, when the crime duo traveled down it to their deaths. There, I took the photos above of the ambush site, the highway, and the monument.
A candid informal portrait of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda, in his Pentagon office.
by Guest Author Mike Campbell
As someone who briefly knew and worked with the deceased Admiral Jeremy “Mike” Boorda, I share HB Auld, Jr.’s admiration and affection for this fine man, one of the last of the “Old School” Navy leaders. (see previous article: “Admiral Mike Boorda: An Amazing Sailor Died 25 Years Ago” below).
In the late 1980s, as a Navy civilian, I interviewed Admiral Boorda for two stories I wrote for the now-defunct Navy Editor Service, which supported Navy ships and Marine Corps facilities worldwide with news and feature articles they could get nowhere else. He was always gracious and generous with his time and information, and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with him.
I was shocked when I learned of his death in 1996 and immediately doubted the official suicide story, which was that Boorda was distraught over mistakenly wearing the wrong military medal, something completely absurd on its face.
Soon, the late, great retired Army Major Glenn MacDonald, editor-in-chief of MilitaryCorruption.com, broke through the stonewall of this wicked cover-up and interviewed a Navy corpsman who had arrived at the death scene shortly after the crime occurred, and who reported to Glenn that the admiral had “two gunshot wounds” to his chest, something those who actually commit suicide are not wont to acquire.
Here is Glenn MacDonald’s story, available now only in the archives of Free Republic:
A few years later, Tony Bonn of The American Chronicle shed much more light on why the military and political establishment may have wanted Admiral Boorda dead. Bonn’s story from March 2014 is linked here:
Besides these two shining examples of investigative journalism and truth-telling, virtually nothing can be found anywhere attesting to this disgraceful chapter of our history, which is fast become one Big Lie after another.
Admiral Mike Boorda was an American hero, and his brutal murder remains among the most successfully covered up crimes in Navy history.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Guest Author of the above, Mike Campbell, is a successful former Navy Journalist and author of several decades. He has authored three highly acclaimed books on the disappearance of famed American aviatrix Amelia Earhart: “With Our Own Eyes (Eyewittnesses to the Final Days of Amelia Earhart)” and two editions of “Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last (Propaganda Versus Fact in the Disappearance of America’s First Lady of Flight).” Both books continually rate at or near the top of best sellers on Amazon and elsewhere in the search for the truth about Amelia Earhart. Additionally, Mike Campbell blogs frequently at: http://earharttruth.wordpress.com. “The Truth at Last” Web site is http://www.EarhartTruth.com. He can be contacted at mbcampbell29@aol.com.
Mount St. Helen’s erupts on July 22, 1980 in Washington State. (AP Photo)
from Wikipedia
Mount St. Helens is most famous for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980, at 8:32 am PDT which was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States.
Fifty-seven people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways, and 185 miles (298 km) of highway were destroyed.
The eruption caused a massive debris avalanche, reducing the elevation of the mountain’s summit from 9,677 feet (2,950 m) to 8,365 feet (2,550 m) and replacing it with a 1 mile (1.6 km) wide horseshoe-shaped crater.
The debris avalanche was up to 0.7 cubic miles (2.9 km3) in volume.
The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was created to preserve the volcano and allow for its aftermath to be scientifically studied.
The Navy lost an incredible leader and Sailor 25 years ago on May 16, 1996, when Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy “Mike” Boorda took his own life. He will always be remembered as a “Sailor’s Sailor,” having risen from Seaman Recruit (E-1) to Admiral (O-10), the only Sailor ever to do so.
These remembrance photos posted on the anniversary of Admiral Boorda’s death were taken over the years by photojournalist and friend, Harold Gerwien. Harry’s essay below contains more on this amazing Sailor: Admiral Mike Boorda.
A Sailor’s Sailor
Harold Gerwein
In 1956 a 16-year-old high school dropout lied to a Navy recruiter about his age and joined the Navy. Thirty-nine years later he had risen to the highest rank and the highest office in the U.S. Navy: Four Star Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations. Seaman recruit to four-star Admiral and CNO had never been done till Admiral Mike Boorda came along.
He truly was a Sailor’s Sailor!
Our paths crossed several times before I retired and after. He visited Norfolk many times and as a photographer for the newspaper Soundings I was privileged to have covered those visits. He always remembered me and called me by my name. I felt real special.
He was always the guy with the warm smile and can-do-attitude. He was a man of his word.
He always carried a little green notebook; the Navy calls them Wheel house books! He would listen to sailors’ complaints or suggestions and write them down so as not to forget them.
For most of us, his suicide came as a complete shock. It has been 25-years. He has not been forgotten. Tens of thousands of sailors still remember Admiral Boorda.
Above are some photos I took over the years.
My favorite is the close-up and the warm smile.
At the commissioning of the USS Chief, Admiral Mike Boorda pauses with the side-boys as honors are rendered.
Two weeks prior to his death, I had a visit for an interview and photo session at his office in the Pentagon.
The last photo is on the flight deck of USS Saratoga, Mayport Florida, May 1987. My dear friend and shipmate, Jeff Doty took a photo of me at work with then, one-star Admiral Boorda and my boss Secretary of the Navy James H. Webb Jr. — Harold Gerwien, Photojournalist
I first met Admiral Boorda in person in the 1990s when I was working as a civilian at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.
Admiral Boorda made several trips out to Bethesda and on many occasions, we made arrangements for him to film segments there for Navy News This Week, a weekly Navy video news program. Watching him during those visits, I was amazed at how he routinely put all the Sailors around him at ease. He ALWAYS took the time to talk to any Sailor who had a question for him and he answered honestly and forthright every time.
I so admired and respected Admiral Mike Boorda. His like will not pass this way again, soon.
Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s body is buried in Lexington, Va. But his left arm is buried more than 100 miles away in Chancellorsville, Va., where the limb was amputated after a Civil War battle in 1863.
The South loses one of its boldest generals on May 10, 1863, when 39-year-old Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson dies of pneumonia a week after his own troops accidentally fired on him during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia. In the first two years of the war, Jackson terrorized Union commanders.
A native Virginian, Jackson grew up in poverty in Clarksburg, in the mountains of what is now West Virginia. Orphaned at an early age, Jackson was raised by relatives and became a shy, lonely young man. He had only a rudimentary education but secured an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after another young man from the same congressional district turned down his appointment. Despite poor preparation, Jackson worked hard and graduated 17th in a class of 59 cadets.
“…there stands Jackson like a stone wall.”
Confederate General Barnard Bee
When war broke out in 1861, Jackson became a brigadier general in command of five regiments raised in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. At the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, Jackson earned distinction by leading the attack that secured an advantage for the Confederates. Confederate General Barnard Bee, trying to inspire his troops, exclaimed “there stands Jackson like a stone wall,” and provided one of the most enduring monikers in history.
By 1862, Jackson was recognized as one of the most effective commanders in the Confederate army. Leading his force on one of the most brilliant campaigns in military history during the summer of 1862, Jackson marched around the Shenandoah Valley and held off three Union armies while providing relief for Confederates pinned down on the James Peninsula by George McClellan’s army. He later rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia for the Seven Days battles, and his leadership was stellar at Second Bull Run in August 1862. He soon became Lee’s most trusted corps commander.
“Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”
Confederate General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson
During the Battle of Chancellorsville, despite the fact that they faced an army twice the size of theirs, Lee split his force and sent Jackson around the Union flank—a move that resulted in perhaps the Army of the Potomac’s most stunning defeat of the war. When nightfall halted the attack, Jackson rode forward to reconnoiter the territory for another assault. But as he and his aides rode back to the lines, a group of Rebels opened fire. Jackson was hit three times, and a Southern bullet shattered his left arm, which had to be amputated the next day. Soon, pneumonia set in, and Jackson began to fade. He died on May 10, 1863, with these last words: “Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”
Whether marching side by side or working side by side, Canadians helped secure the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.
by HB Auld, Jr.
Today is V-E Day, the day we celebrate Victory over Europe ending World War II in Europe.
Seventy-six years ago today on May 8, 1945, Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the US, announced the news to reporters at the White House at 8:35 a.m. and embargoed the news 25 minutes until 9 a.m. so UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill could make the announcement simultaneously with the US.
When Truman announced the War in Europe was at an end, he told the press: “General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe.” But thenTruman cautioned against celebrating too soon. “Our victory is only half over,” he stressed.
“Then Truman did something that might be unexpected today: He called for a day of prayer: “I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.
”The day of prayer was set for May 13—Mother’s Day! Interestingly, V-E Day marked two other milestones, too: Not only was it Harry Truman’s birthday, but it was also his first full day living in the White House. (Eleanor Roosevelt had taken several weeks to move out.)
What a series of overwhelming emotions for Truman? He was able to declare victory in the long European war—on his birthday—less than one month after he’d become President.
I only wish that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day,” he told the nation.”
Harry Truman had been President for one month, ever since Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the US, had died in Warm Springs, GA, on April 12, 1945.
The War against Japan would continue three more months until the surrender there and V-J Day on August 14, 1945.
On May 7, 1965, 56 years ago today, one of the greatest rock riffs of all time came to Keith Richards in his sleep. He was sound asleep when he awoke with a start, grabbed a tape recorder and laid down just 30 seconds of a guitar riff before he crashed back asleep.
The next morning, he had that 30 seconds on tape, followed by 45 minutes of snoring. That intro went on to become The Rolling Stones’ biggest hit of all time and was listed later as Number Two on “Rolling Stones Magazine’s” 500 Songs of All Time.
With Keith’s fuzzbox and classic lyrics added by Mick Jagger, it became that monster hit 56 years ago today during a tour of America and just what The Rolling Stones needed to infuse excitement into their tour.
Happy 76th birthday to the original Old Time Rock and Roller: Bob Seger, born May 6, 1945. He burst onto the National scene in 1968, but really hit his stride in 1973 when he put together The Silver Bullet Band, a group of Detroit-musicians, and recorded his “Live Bullet” album.
I have been blessed in my life to already see, LIVE: Brenda Lee, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers, The Dave Clark Five, Wilson Pickett, Sounds Orchestral, and ZZ Top. The three acts listed below are still on my Bucket List.
Of all the concerts I could choose to see LIVE before I leave this Earth, the top three, in no particular order, are: Dennis Locorriere, Mark Knopfler, and this man: Bob Seger.
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