Category: Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.

Commentary and perspective by Dr. Tracy Connors on current topics and issues.

Standing Tall for America, a Tribute to our Little Guys

January 17, 2022Log Entries18th Fighter-Bomber Wing, armed forces, korean war, military, veterans, Veterans DayTracy Connors

Gainesville, Florida Veteran’s Day Remarks For almost a hundred years, now, America has devoted this day–the day the guns fell silent to end the First World War–to honor and remember–the American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and other members of our armed services who have fought for–and protected–our country—and the right to freedom and self-determination around … Continue reading Standing Tall for America, a Tribute to our Little Guys →

Big Jim, the steam-throated metronome for daily life in Jacksonville, Florida

January 16, 2022A Southern Boyhood, Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.Andrew Jackson High School, Big Jim, Big Jim steam whistle, history, Jacksonville Florida, North Shore, North Shore School, steam whistleTracy Connors

If you grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, particularly on the north side, you knew that it was not your pocket watch, or your wristwatch, or even the old grandfather clock in the corner that was in charge of your life, it was a 32-inch copper steam whistle that had been installed at the municipal “waterworks” … Continue reading Big Jim, the steam-throated metronome for daily life in Jacksonville, Florida →

USS Saipan (LHA 2) “We Do It All”

January 16, 2022Log Entries, Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.Amphibious Assault Ship, Assault craft unit, Atlantic Fleet, battalion landing team, beachmasters unit, carrier controlled approaches (CCA), combat cargo, George Bamberger, LCM, LCU, LHA, Little Creek, new york city, New York Mets, Raquel Welch, Shea Stadium, U.S. Marine Corps, USS BELLEAU WOOD, USS NASSAU, USS PELELIU, USS Saipan, USS TARAWATracy Connors

“We do it all!” (USS Saipan LHA-2 motto) These Log Entries will highlight the USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) during the early 1980’s during which this Watch Stander spent many months aboard–from the waters off Norfolk and Little Creek, to New York’s exciting harbor, and to the frigid, but beautiful and strategically important waters of the … Continue reading USS Saipan (LHA 2) “We Do It All” →

Carrier Captain’s Night Orders: “Call Me…”

January 15, 2022Log Entries, Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.aircraft carrier, captain's night orders, closest point of approach, Commanding officer, CPA, night orders, Officer of the deck, officer of the deck underway, OOD, sea cabin, U.S. Navy, u.s. navy regulations, USS F. D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), USS FD Roosevelt, Voice tube, watch standingTracy Connors

The Captain’s Night Orders are directives prepared by Commanding Officers for watch standers regarding the safety of the ship when they are not on the bridge, typically when they are resting or asleep. U.S. Navy Regulations require Commanding Officers to prepare instructions for the Officer of the Deck who will be responsible for the navigation … Continue reading Carrier Captain’s Night Orders: “Call Me…” →

Memories of the Fru Dee Roo

January 14, 2022Log EntriesA4C Skyhawk, acey-duecy, aircraft carrier, cold cat shot, CVA, deck log, hangar bay, hospital corps, Mayport Naval Station, Mediterranean Sea, rhyming deck log, sea bat, skyhook, stick, Straits of Bonifacio, Straits of Gibraltar, talk softly, U.S. Navy, U.S. Navy Hospital Corps School, USS F. D. Roosevelt, vulture's rowTracy Connors

We were “the stick” in case the “talk softly” part was not successful. When the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV A-42) was towed toward the oblivion of the scrap yard in 1978, she consisted of some 65,000 tons of obsolete steel and equipment–but she left many more tons of memories with the tens of thousands … Continue reading Memories of the Fru Dee Roo →

In Dire Straits of Gibraltar

January 1, 2022Log EntriesCIC, combat information Center, CPA, Gibraltar transit, main control, night order book, night orders, officer of the deck underway, OOD, PQS, sea cabin, sea stories, Straits of Gibraltar, transit, USS F. D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)Tracy Connors

Midnight transit by Aircraft carrier through the Straits of Gibraltar Navigating a U.S. Navy attack aircraft carrier throught the Straits of Gibralter–at 25 knots–at midnight. Not just another day at the office for this Junior Lieutenant. When Navy friends and ship mates get together to relax, invariably the topic gets around to “sea stories.” All … Continue reading In Dire Straits of Gibraltar →

Jenny the Housekeeper: Stir Crazy

July 18, 2020Log EntriesTracy Connors

Lots of folks work from home these days, including me. I like making cookies the old fashioned way. So after finding a shoebox full of Granny’s Recipes, I’m starting out on a Real Loose Shoestring Budget for buying ingredients so I can make as many of Granny’s recipes as possible. Starting today, I want to … Continue reading Jenny the Housekeeper: Stir Crazy →

Saving A Crisis: “New” Normals?

April 11, 2020Log Entries, Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.Tracy Connors

Never let a crisis go to waste As the nation approaches what we earnestly hope is the turning point toward victory over this unseen threat, we are frequently reminded of the cynical Machiavellian political axiom to “never let a crisis go to waste.” We are already hearing speculation about the “new normal.” This phrase is … Continue reading Saving A Crisis: “New” Normals? →

Major Mumbling: An English Epiphany

September 14, 2019Log Entries, Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.english, english major, University of FloridaTracy Connors

I value the local Publix for many reasons – from fried chicken to fresh baguettes. However, it would not be my first choice as the place for an epiphany. But that’s what happened. Living in a college town, not far from The Swamp, the grocery checkers and baggers will almost always be college students. And … Continue reading Major Mumbling: An English Epiphany →

My First (deliberate) Sin…

September 1, 2019A Southern Boyhood, Tracy D. Connors, Ph.D.Tracy Connors

Estelle Stephens was my first grade teacher. The First Grade Classrooms were on the first floor to the right of the main entrance to North Shore Elementary School— PS #70 — in Jacksonville, Florida. Our classroom was right across from The Office–the Principal’s Office, at the time, Mr. E. L. Loundsbury, an older (with silver … Continue reading My First (deliberate) Sin… →

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