Credo
"Sign on, young man, and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose we call on the young, the brave, the strong, and the free. Heed my call, Come to the sea. Come Sail with me." -- John Paul Jones
"Pardon him, Theodotus; he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature" --George Bernard Shaw, "Caesar and Cleopatra"
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."--Friedrich Nietzsche
"A kind Providence has placed in our breasts a hatred of the unjust and cruel, in order that we may preserve ourselves from cruelty and injustice. They who bear cruelty, are accomplices in it. The pretended gentleness which excludes that charitable rancour, produces an indifference which is half an approbation. They never will love where they ought to love, who do not hate where they ought to hate."--Edmund Burke
“You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours.”--General Sir Charles Napier
"Μολὼν λαβέ" -- Leonidas
"Blogito Ergo Sum" -- Neptunus Lex
Take care of your family, sir. You and yours are certainly in my family’s prayers.
God bless, protect, and heal you and yours.
Best wishes, will miss you and look forward to your return.
Prayers sent and receipted for, transmissions will continue.
Gramps
Lex,
I have walked in your shoes and can confirm it gets worse, it gets better, it gets worse and then its better. Knowing you have a the support of those you have worked with in person and the virtual types like me can make all the difference. When the time comes and you ask, I’ve got your back!
Lex – prayers continue. Your name has been added to a daily prayer and compassion list at the Episcopal church in my town. It will remain there until you say otherwise.
Lex – If you think it appropriate and the timing is right, let your loved one know that, even though we don’t know or care to know who they are, many of God’s people are lifting them up in prayer.
I’ve gone through some dark times in my life and I could feel the power of the prayers of God’s people.
I continue to pray for you and yours.
Prayers continue. Good Luck. Semper Pius.
Thoughts and prayers from the Midwest.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
One more from me, Lex. You can beat addiction without God, but trust me, it’s a world easier when you turn the pain and hurt over to Him, and let God wrap you in His arms.
I was just checking in to share about the same sentiment, Bryon.
Nice to know I’m in company with like minded souls, buddy. Thanks…
Good luck — and God bless you & yours.
I see our friend is still off battling the demons. The demons ain’t got a chance! At least in the long run.
Still pulling and praying for y’all.
In troubled times, this is a hymn that has comforted me, carried me, and reminded me that this too will pass.
As always, with prayers of love and support…
(bos’n pipe)”Now on deck, all eight o’clock reports”..Steaming as before..We miss you terribly, Capt..but we can handle it..no mutinous comments from the crew so far..God Bless..
The Lord’s prayer is offered for support to you and yours.
Thinking of you and your family Lex. I’ve known you/them for so many years, prayers to all.
Babs
Shared with me by a long time friend, and now it’s my privilege to share with you:
Prayers to you and yours.
I decided to go with the “Memorare” since I’m not familiar with the # you suggested, but as an intercession it ‘prolly fits. Best o’ luck with whatever it is and we’re all here if needed I’m sure. Just ask.
Lex
Although I’ve only been a follower of your blog for a very brief time, I have become accustomed to your dry wit and superb writing. It had become the first thing that I checked on when I turned on this infernal machine every morning. I’ll miss it until you get back.
I know things are rough right now, but one of the things you must keep in mind is just how much support you have out here. I am usually very cynical about those I “meet” here online, especially in the blogisphere, but your blog gives me much pause. You have only to look at the huge number of caring, mannered, and well-written outpourings of prayer and support that your Neptunus Lex ‘family’ has sent forth, to see how really fortunate you are, regardless of how tough things are in your personal life right now. I enviously salute you and your family (both immediate and extended) and wish you a quick and successful resolution of the situation. Come back soon.
Prayers and Regards,
Zipper
Lex:
I am not a praying man, but my thoughts and best wished are with you and your family. As many others have said, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Zipper expressed my feelings far better than I am able; I can but echo him.
All my best,
Paul
Be assured that you have loads of prayerful support in whatever the battle might hold. You have many who hold you in high regard—whatever the troubles, that damn Devil doesn’t have a fighting chance!
Cheers1
Bill
Lex, The prayers of this old CARL VINSON shipmate are with you during your treatment and recovery.
Moving along while allowing Lex some privacy (albeit with our continued support), we might want to take a careful look at a story in the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/us/politics/23budget.html
Of particular interest, or concern to us folks is this little surprise on page 2:
“Two-thirds of Pentagon spending is on personnel costs. It is possible that the Pentagon will have to look for the first time at cuts to the health benefits provided to active and retired military personnel and their families.”
Remember that trial balloon over having soldiers’ insurance pay for battlefield injuries, that was denied by the administration?
Remember that Tricare for Life or TFL (for retired geezers) is secondary payer to Medicare, obviating the need for Medicare supplemental insurance?
Even more ancient mariners might recall that old “free health care for life” promise made by recruiters for decades which somehow was ruled non-binding on the government.
You have to be signed up for Medicare to have TFL pay anything, and retirees and their spouses EACH get charged about $330 quarterly for Medicare. Many doctors are refusing to take new Medicare patients as the reimbursements for medical services are ridiculously low.
Better keep a close watch on what DOD is doing to health care for both active and retired folks, or we may find ourselves dumped into a single payer national health care program. Or forced into the VA system, overloading their already marginally adequate capacity. Either will leave people just begging for “death panels” to end our suffering or the governments obligations.
I’ve only got one word to describe ANY cut in medical benefits. . . . .BOHICA. Send us overseas, use us up in wars they won’t let us fight to win, and then throw us on the trash heap of the Liberal, Progressive Left when they think they will no longer need us. All so they can use the money to put more of their useless kind on the dole so they can get voted back into office and keep their ridiculously overpaid salaries complete with. . . .you guessed it. . . .A FREE CADILLAC HEALTH PLAN FOR LIFE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!!! Color me disgusted.
As one of the real old-timers who sat through three travelling recruiting shows delivered in squadron ready rooms, I vouch for the need to keep up to speed on anything that might posssibly change TFL. My friends and cohorts spend years trying to get the government to live up to its promise of lifetime care. Many long fights and bloodied noses along the way. Many groups are dangerously envious of our earned TFL benefit and always keep their knives sharp. Stay alert.
Cheers
Bill