April 8, 1974.  Two significant events occurred that day.  First, The Gray Dog was honorably separated from the USAF.  On my way home from Nebraska to Michigan, I stopped for the night at a motel in Ames, Iowa.  It was from that motel room that I watched Henry Aaron hit his record breaking 715th home run.

August 8, 1974.  Two more significant events occurred.  First, my father celebrated his 48th birthday.  It was during the celebration at my parent’s home that we gathered around the television to watch the second: Richard Nixon’s resignation speech.

August 9, 1974.  Two significant events occurred.  Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States.  The second event was far more subtle.  In fact, I’m not sure I was aware of it at the time.  But in hindsight it is unmistakable to me that the presidency of Gerald Ford was the spark that ignited a transitional period when I was transformed from a self-absorbed 22 year old kid, to a more thoughtful and independent witness of human events. 

Continue reading "Remembering Gerry"

Contributed by The Gray Dog on December 29, 2006 at 07:21 AM in Current Affairs, Politics, Thank you, The Gray Dog | Permalink

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