Veteran’s Day. Originally Armistice Day, the day to recognize the end of hostilities in WWI. On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month the killing stopped. The armistice to end “The War to End All Wars”. Somebody blew that one.
So here’s to those that have served, whether in war or peace. Lise’s father and uncle, both of whom saw hazardous action in WWII. Her nephews David (Iraq) and Mathew (Afghanistan). My numerous family members. The ones I served with in the Navy. Those I sailed with on three aircraft carriers as a civilian Tech Rep. To those in all the military services that I never met. And especially to Perry, Fred, John, and Brian, Sailors and Marines I served with that died while serving their country. Thanks.
My father, Korean War in-theater veteran, in his boot camp dress whites.
On to lighter fare. It’s been a busy time for me, with enough travel that didn’t leave much time for writing. Since my last post we finished up our trip to Pennsylvania and Lewes, Delaware. One of the reasons we really like the Lewes, Delaware, area is Cape Henlopen State Park, a great example of swords to plowshares. Cape Henlopen was part of the original grant to William Penn. Penn declared that Cape Henlopen and its natural resources be an area set aside for the enjoyment of the people of “Delaware County”. Great idea, but sometimes events change the best of intentions.
Cape Henlopen is the point where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Looking about 15 miles across the water from the Delaware side one can just make out New Jersey. Not the end of the world, but probably close.
With ports, shipyards, and refineries located in the Delaware Bay, the bay entrance became a strategic area needing protection. To protect shipping and facilities during WWII, the Cape Henlopen area was turned over to the War Department. Coastal defense forts were built on both sides of the bay mouth. On the Delaware side it was Fort Miles.
Fort Miles had 16” (diameter) guns, the same as those on the larger battleships, as well as a range of smaller guns. The 16” guns could hurl an armor-piercing 2,700 pound shell 27.5 miles. Far enough to hit Jersey should they get too obnoxious over there.
A 16″ gun at Cape Henlopen (Fort Miles). This is not the original 16″ gun. This is a an identical barrel from a decommissioned battleship.
A 16″ shell and a solid steel test plate punctured by a 16″ shell.
The view across the bay, with New Jersey at the horizon, well within range.
The bunker that once housed a 16″ gun. It is on the highest dune north of the Carolinas. Now a museum.
Eventually the need to protect Philadelphia and Wilmington from the Bismark or U-boats disappeared. During the Cold War Ft. Miles was converted to a listening post to detect Soviet submarines. Eventually that function also became obsolete. In the 1960’s the DOD began turning parts of Ft. Miles back over to the State of Delaware. Eventually the area became the over 5,000 acre Cape Henlopen State Park. A full circle from the time of William Penn.
The park still has reminders of its days as Ft. Miles. There are bunkers, gun emplacements, lookout towers, and military buildings throughout the park. A non-profit is bringing in typical armaments and restoring some of the military buildings.
So are the youth primitive or is the camp primitive? Or both?
Typical military structures around the park.
We drove back from Delaware and two days later I drove to Omaha. I spent four days there, helping Mitchell set up his shop. Nothing too seriously weird on the trip except for a stop at the Iowa I-80 Truck Stop. If you’re into oddities, give it a shot. It’s the self proclaimed largest truck stop in the world. And right next door is the I-80 Trucking Museum. Admission is free.
Not much to say here.
Looks like the groundhog war is at a pause until the Spring offensive begins. We came back from Delaware and the back entrance was still filled in. I seriously doubt they moved on this latte in the season and have likely just gone into hibernation under my shop. Now I have no entertainment until Spring emergence except chasing squirrels off the bird feeders.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 