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| Napoleon Crossing the Alps Jacques-Louis David |
Saturday we got the bear.²
A number of things finally came together, late on Friday we had some success, by Saturday at noon we had accomplished our objectives. Data analysis remains to ensure that what we saw is reflected in the logs and to satisfy the higher ups that the system is functioning within established parameters. To bore you with a bit of engineering ...
We're sticking around through Monday to assist the crew with some more testing, but the bottom line is that I'm flying home on Tuesday, not Friday. As much as I love Sandy Eggo, there truly is no place like home.
A note on the preceding video (from YouTube) -
The Band of the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers à Pied of the Imperial Guard performs "Victory is ours". This piece comes from a repertoire outside the revolutionary repertoire: it actually comes from an opera ballet called "The Cairo Caravan".Filming location: La Ferme d'Hougoumont (Waterloo, Belgium)2014.
Unlike many of the fancy orchestral versions of the tune, the scene shown above would have been very similar to that during the Wars of Napoléon. As it was filmed on the actual field of Waterloo, it holds even more meaning for me.
Also of note, one of the directors of this just completed exercise shares a name with one of the leaders on that field.
¹ Victory is ours!
² Not you a bear, it was a different bear.
YAY! You will be back for deer season!
ReplyDeleteWell, sure.
DeleteGood news Sarge.
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteThat is great news Sarge! Although also good news you are not flying on a Monday.
ReplyDeleteFlying on Monday is not fun, that's for sure.
DeleteThe entire Waterloo battlefield was re-landscaped for the monument; veterans of the battle even complained about it. What you see there now is not the landscape that was fought over.
ReplyDeleteA common misconception. The area around the crossroads, where Wellington spent a large part of the day, and along either side for some distance was dug up to create the Butte du Lion. Much of the battlefield is as it was in 1815, I've walked that field many times.
DeleteThe idiocy of the Dutch-Belgians in erecting that mound has been noted since the day they first put shovel to earth. Especially as it was intended to honor the Prince of Orange (later William II of the Netherlands) whose exploits on the field got many Allied soldiers killed. The man was a military idiot.
Such anger, such violence towards bears. Did that bear consent to being “gotten?”
ReplyDeleteHmph.
He was old, he was tired ...
DeleteOh wait, that's me.
Yay. And this means, fingers crossed, you'll get out before the beginning of the holiday crush. Double yay.
ReplyDeleteAs to why the Dutch/Belgians do anything, well, the rest of Europe has been wondering that for over 300 years...
Absolutely.
DeleteOn both counts.
BZ, Sarge!
ReplyDeleteIt is pleased I am.
DeleteI've always wondered if Admiral Lord Nelson had problems and needed people such as yourself to help him.
ReplyDeleteBut then, maybe I haven't thought through it all the way.
Glad you're headed East.
I'm sure the admiral had any number of petty officers and warrants that he relied upon.
DeleteI too am happy to be returning to the homeland!
That was very enjoyable. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it.
DeleteLove your profile picture!
San Diego is awesome, but you've been confined to the ship for the most part! Maybe throw an extra day on the next time you come out and I can visit with you properly.
ReplyDeleteI'll try, but being away from home gets harder every time I do it.
DeleteI'm confused...(as usual) but shouldn't La victoire est à nous! be written in English? Unless my two years of "ARMEE Training, Sir" was wrong, I believe Wellington won the battle. Or at least the back side of the 1812 Overture LP has a piece on it called "Wellington's Victory" with actual musket fire interspersed. That LP was my favorite growing up. Well...until I discovered Creedence, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad and a few others.
ReplyDeleteIt's my French blood, can't give les Anglais any credit.
Delete