Special Feature

August 28th, 2008

Saving The World

Intrepid Reporters, Evelyn Madison and Lyle Davis, on board an Army Blackhawk Chopper

So there I was, flying in my Blackhawk helicopter, about 500 feet above the Pacific Ocean, about a mile offshore, near Camp Pendleton, California (near San Diego). With me was my bodyguard, the Amazon warrior, the always ready to fight, Evelyn Madison.

We both had been invited to Camp Pendleton to observe and report on the joint effort between the Army, Navy, and Marines in an exercise designed to show how quickly the combined services could build the necessary facilities at a beach area where no port existed and then offload military (or humanitarian) equipment and supplies.

It was impressive!

The pier below was assembled in two weeks time. It was a bare beach . . . in two weeks there it was. A completed pier where smaller transport ships (called 'lighters') could move cargo from the large cargo ship lying five miles offshore onto the pier. The cargo could then be moved via truck from the pier onto the shore, then stored until a convoy could be assembled to move north about 200 miles, once all the cargo had been unloaded.

A view of the newly constructed pier on what was recently an empty beach.

The other Blackhawk helicopter in the above photo was the second of two, also carrying members of the media and a General.

Before the Blackhawk tour of the area, we walked the pier; here is Evelyn, all decked out in the latest in high fashion:

This image of Evelyn and other members of the media and military personnel, gives you some idea of the size of this pier, all built in less than two weeks.

While this exercise amply demonstrates how quickly the combined services could supply or resupply a military mission onshore, it also can show how, following a tsunami or other natural disaster, the services can quickly develop facilities to move food, water, and other supplies into an area where there is no deep water port.

We had a most interesting morning on board Camp Pendleton, was escorted all over the base by public affairs officers in SUV's, and they even fed us! With MRE's (Meal, Ready to Eat). I had never had MRE's before (and I've spent a lot of time with the military.) MRE's will be the subject of a whole separate story later.

Here's an aerial view of the base camp.

About 3000 troops are based here, all connected with this specific mission, about evenly divided between Army and Navy personnel. (It's a Marine base, but most of the military on this mission are Army/Navy). What is most amazing is . . . while it took them two weeks to build this pier, when the mission is completed, they tear it down and haul it away on board the cargo ships! They leave the beach better than it was when they found it! Amazing!

We were royally entertained by a large group of super nice military types who were proud of their support mission for our troops worldwide, as well as serving humanity during disasters.

Republicans Gather In North County

While most of the nation’s attention was focused on Denver and the big Democratic Convention, a rather large group of Republicans gathered together last Saturday, to open what was billed as “McCain Victory Heaquarters,” at 562 West Grand Avenue, Escondido.

Escondido Councilman Ed Gallo

Sam Abed, Escondido Mayor Pro-Tem

The North County Movers and Shakers from the Republican Party showed up in force Saturday. Among those attending were Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, Escondido Mayor Pro Tem Sam Abed, Escondido Councilmember Ed Gallo, San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond, and a number of other political figures, both officehbolders as well as candidates for office. Included in that group was The Paper’s own Evelyn Madison, a candidate for a seat on the Palomar Pomerado Health board seat.

Evelyn Madison

While California’s legislature is controlled by Democrats and the state is generally figured to go for Democrat Barack Obama, you wouldn’t know it from the enthusiasm generated and the Open House and Grand Opening of the Headquarters.

Escondido Mayor Lori Holt-Pfeiler

There were enough speeches to make for a traditional Fourth of July picnic, no one went home hungry as there was plenty of food and drink . . . and there was enough political discussion and strategy planning to elect everything from dog catcher to President.

San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond

Most of the focus this day, however, was on coming together, in force, to help elect John McCain as the next President of the United States. The officeholders and candidates were united on that effort.

Where is Keva?

Keva is a spayed female Lab mix, approximately 2 yrs of age. She weighs 55 lbs, and is black-coated with white on her chest, paws and tip of her tail (see photo above). Keva is wearing a purple nylon collar with tags. License # R63011. She is microchipped too. Keva was last seen the evening of Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Washington Park on the corner of Rose and Washington Ave in Escondido.

If you have information about Keva, please contact: Bill at (760) 745-3720 or contact the Escondido Humane Society at (760) 888-2290.