tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65348315113617223952024-03-13T05:22:24.756-07:00ByMikeBotulaMike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-57291571720072276542021-05-30T09:30:00.000-07:002021-05-30T09:32:17.503-07:00ByMikeBotula: A Special Memorial Day!<a href="https://mikebotula.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-special-memorial-day.html?spref=bl">ByMikeBotula: A Special Memorial Day!</a>: The Roll of Honor: LST 921, LCI(L)99, U-667 Brushy Creek Journal Memorial Day Monday May 27, 2019 Cloudy 61 ° F/ 16 ° C off Falmouth, U...Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-53025547026169501952021-05-09T04:45:00.003-07:002021-05-09T04:50:18.618-07:00THE UNSINKABLE CHARLIE WATSON: SAD NEWS!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Brushy </b><b>Creek Journal</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Partly Sunny 82<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
F/15<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
C in Cedar Park, Texas<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Mostly Cloudy 52<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
F/13<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
C in Falmouth, England<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Buongiorno,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">The sad news
reached me, as it so often does these days-by email:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘’My name is Robert<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M47hoBf_RNU/YJfIJcC0XeI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/7OakEzY6RIYd1AhiI6qP7vMJz8Cy_0U3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/EPI%2B-%2BSeaman%2BCharles%2BWatson%2B-%2BLST%2B921%2B-CROP%2BB%252BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1228" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M47hoBf_RNU/YJfIJcC0XeI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/7OakEzY6RIYd1AhiI6qP7vMJz8Cy_0U3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w120-h200/EPI%2B-%2BSeaman%2BCharles%2BWatson%2B-%2BLST%2B921%2B-CROP%2BB%252BW.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Charles Watson-1944</td></tr></tbody></table>Brockmann and I have been
a neighbor of Chuck Watson for over thirty years. I am saddened to report that
Chuck passed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>away today at his home in
Tumwater, Washington.” Thus, another long life of a member of what Newsman Tom
Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation” came to an end. Charlie, as I dubbed
when I referred to him as “The Unsinkable Charlie Watson” in my book “LST 920:
Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow, Target” (AMAZON BOOKS), was the ship’s cook aboard
the LST 921, when it was torpedoed by the U 667 in the Dover Channel en route
to Falmouth, England in August 1944.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 40.5pt;">The LST 921
was my father’s sister ship. Its crew had trained with the crew of LST 920, the
two ships had been built scant days apart. Under weigh, they were alike as the
proverbial<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>two peas in the pod. Charlie
had been trapped under a tangle of shelves in the narrow companionway of the
LST 921, when he was rescued by two “black gang sailors”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who had just made their own dramatic escape
from the flooding engine room of the 921. After my second edition of my book
published in 2016, Watson called me from his home in Tumwater, Washington.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Charlie
Watson called me to say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello!</i> He
sounds pretty hale and hearty for an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Old
Salt</i> of 95! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ninety-five! </i>Not
unusual these days, what with all the improvements in lifestyle and medicine.
The fact is that Watson’s life could very well have ended at age 23 on a sunny
August afternoon in 1944, when his ship was torpedoed in the Dover Channel
between Milford Haven, Wales and Falmouth, England. Now approaching completion
of his first century, Charles Watson is one of the few living survivors of a
German submarine attack on an Allied convoy off the coast of England two months
after the D-Day Allied landings at Normandy. His ship, the LST 921 was
torpedoed along with the British escort ship LCI(L)99. Survivors were rescued
by crewmen from my father’s ship, the LST 920.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Watson’s
ordeal is described in my book, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LST 920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target</i>
</b>(Amazon Books) about my father’s adventures in the US Navy during World War
2.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i></b>In an eyewitness account by LST 921 crew member Lloyd Meeker and John
Abrams who survived the attack in their own harrowing escape from the ship’s
flooded engine room, recounted in separate statements to me; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LST 920 took us to Falmouth, England to a
Navy hospital</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There were lots of
cuts and broken bones, </i>Meeker and Abrams recalled<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. The cook (Charlie Watson) was injured the most. Meeker recalled, the
last time I saw him, he had both legs and an arm in casts. He was in traction and
his jaw was wired shut. </i>Meeker also recalled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we were told that 43 survivors and one body were taken off the LST 920.
All of the rest of the men went down with the stern section!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">After
being told about my book by his neighbor, Curt Pederson, Watson was calling me
to thank <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_1yedKxnB4/YJfIurd4jaI/AAAAAAAAC2g/tmpDzLlIEHMbaG2_DsgNtczzUh6slbJWACLcBGAsYHQ/s150/Charles%2BWatson%2B-%2BOctober%2B5%252C%2B1921%2Bto%2BApril%2B8%252C%2B2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="109" data-original-width="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_1yedKxnB4/YJfIurd4jaI/AAAAAAAAC2g/tmpDzLlIEHMbaG2_DsgNtczzUh6slbJWACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Charles%2BWatson%2B-%2BOctober%2B5%252C%2B1921%2Bto%2BApril%2B8%252C%2B2021.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuck in recent photo</td></tr></tbody></table>me for writing about the experience and to fill me in on what happened
to him after his rescue. Fully half of the LST 921’s crew was lost in the
attack by the German U 667. Watson was one of the lucky survivors rescued by my
dad’s ship, the LST 920. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I was trapped
below deck. Both my legs and one arm were broken. I was trying to crawl out
when Meeker grabbed me and got me topside, </i>Watson told me. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meeker got me into the water so I could be
pulled onto a raft with some other guys from the ship. </i>Then Watson told me
a story that I’m sure he has told countless times since the torpedoing of his
ship. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All of a sudden, I could see a
torpedo trail bubbling through the water, coming straight at me. All I could do
was stare at it! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened next,
I asked him? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Damned torpedo zipped by
right below me. It didn’t hit anything though. </i>I told him about my father
standing on the bridge of his ship earlier watching as a torpedo came straight
amidships at the LST 920. At the last split-second, the British escort ship
came alongside and took the U 667’s torpedo full force and was blown out of the
water. What I didn’t know until Watson told me his story, was that my dad’s
ship escaped being torpedoed a second time. As Watson was being hoisted aboard
the 920, the Captain, Harry Schultz ordered a sharp turn as an evasive
maneuver. Another torpedo, fired by the U 667, passed close by, but missed the
ship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Watson
was hospitalized ashore after the LST 920 reached Falmouth. He told me, the
doctors put him in a full body cast with both legs encased in plaster and wired
his jaw shut. Doctors tried to save his badly injured leg, but eventually a
Navy surgeon named Wyler told him the leg had turned gangrenous and would have
to be amputated. The news stunned the young sailor. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you have any questions? </i>Dr. Wyler asked him. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot
of guys in your predicament want to know if I have the skills to amputate your
leg. </i>Watson acknowledged that the thought had crossed his mind. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you follow baseball? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asked the surgeon. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yessir! </i>Watson responded. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well!
</i>Said Doctor Wyler, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m the doctor who
operated on Dizzy Dean’s elbow. </i>Dean, was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a baseball great who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago
Cubs before the war. I don’t know if Charlie realized it at the time, but Dean’s
elbow injury ended his baseball stardom. But Watson’s operation saved his life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The crew
of the LST 921 was awarded a total of one hundred Purple Hearts. many of them
were awarded posthumously. Charles Watson earned one of them. Ensign Don Joost,
the 921’s engineering officer was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in
rescuing many of the crew. Lieutenant Harry Schultz, the LST 920’s captain was
summoned before a Naval Inquiry Board for disobeying orders when he turned his
ship back to pick up survivors. After two days ashore, Schultz returned to duty
and remained in the US Navy until his retirement. The U 667 struck a mine off
the coast of France just a few miles from its home base, and what its crew
expected to be a hero’s welcome for sinking four Allied ships on that mission.
The wreckage of the submarine rests now on the bottom of the English Channel
with all hands, a war grave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Our story
about “The Unsinkable Charlie Watson” will be brought full circle, now by his
longtime friend and neighbor, Curt Pedersen who wrote to me in another email,
“Karen</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Watson just called me to tell me
that her dad died of congestive heart failure Thursday evening. We were hoping
he would make it to October, and we could celebrate his one-hundredth birthday!
And so, another member of “The Greatest Generation” is gone and with his
passing, another tenuous</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">bond to my own
father is gone, too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ciao</span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MikeBo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! (AMAZON BOOKS) is an award-winning
broadcast journalist, government agency spokesperson and media consultant. You can read the entire Rome Diary series,
plus more about Mike Botula at <a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Desktop/www.mikebotula.com">www.mikebotula.com</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> …</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">now with Google Translator for our
international audience!</span>]</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">By Mike Botula 2021</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">(1,283 words)<o:p></o:p></span></p>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-42234994460392670102020-06-05T08:54:00.000-07:002020-06-05T08:59:18.968-07:00The Fall of Rome: The Forgotten Day!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">June 5, 1944: The Forgotten Day!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rome Diary<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Friday, June 5, 2020<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Partly Cloudy 72<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/22<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C
in Roma, Lazio, Italia<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buongiorno amici miei!</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The first of the Axis capitals is
now in our hands. One up and two to go!” Franklin D. Roosevelt<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elZx-iy9OB8/XtppY0nlkuI/AAAAAAAACwA/4Cyy_jOwL9sNJ65Ks6j8qUEk4YG9d2FGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1944-daily-mirror-front-page-reporting-rome-falls-to-advancing-allied-F22D7A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1018" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elZx-iy9OB8/XtppY0nlkuI/AAAAAAAACwA/4Cyy_jOwL9sNJ65Ks6j8qUEk4YG9d2FGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/1944-daily-mirror-front-page-reporting-rome-falls-to-advancing-allied-F22D7A.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headline: June 5, 1944</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The whole world remembers what
took place on 6 June 1944! What took place the day before was eclipsed by the
Allies’ invasion at Normandy. If 6 June 1944 is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Longest Day, </i>as author Cornelius Ryan called it, the day before
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">il giorno prima- </i>has become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Il giorno dimenticato - The Forgotten Day! </i>While
everyone remembers General Dwight Eisenhower as the commanding general of
Allied forces at Normandy, the American commander of the forces that liberated
Rome has been overshadowed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
leading the U.S. Fifth Army in the liberation of Rome, General Mark Clark had
disobeyed his orders to cut off retreating German forces and instead marched
into Rome. Ask what happened on 5 June 1944 and who was in charge and you will
draw a blank. But, if you ask any Roman, or any Italian, for that matter, 5
June 1944 was the day that freedom returned to the Eternal City.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In persuading FDR to launch an
offensive from North Africa, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred
repeatedly called Italy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Soft
Underbelly of Europe. </i>But, as U.S. Fifth Army Commander Mark Clark would
write in his memoirs <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that “soft
underbelly” turned into a tough, old gut!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>The Allies launched their first Italian invasion, Sicily in July
1943. When they landed on the Italian mainland at Salerno in September, the
Italian Army surrendered, but the hard-fought battles between Allied and German
forces continued. Both the Allies and German forces suffered heavy casualties
along the roads to Rome, and it took the Allies four major offensives between
January and May 1944 before Rome was in their sights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After the fall of Mussolini,
Italy came under the complete control of Nazi forces and any Italian <span style="text-align: start;">resistance to German control was ruthlessly dealt with by the forces of Field Marshal Albert Kesselring. Numerous atrocities were committed by Nazi troops against Italian civilians, and it was feared by many that the Germans would destroy the historic city rather than surrender it intact.</span> By the time that American forces under General Clark had reached the outskirts of Rome on June 4<sup>th,</sup> 1944, Kesselring had declared it an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Open City. </i>Beginning on the fourth of
June 1944, Allied troops were pouring into Rome for a victory celebration
before continuing northward for the bloody battles that would lead to the
liberation of all of Europe.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKOZKFF8-J8/XtppehaVBbI/AAAAAAAACwE/M1iHsAUKPiQuNoXK2neVChv5MQYjCAo4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ROME%2BFALLS%2B-%2BJune%2B5%252C%2B1944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="292" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKOZKFF8-J8/XtppehaVBbI/AAAAAAAACwE/M1iHsAUKPiQuNoXK2neVChv5MQYjCAo4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/ROME%2BFALLS%2B-%2BJune%2B5%252C%2B1944.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 5, 1944 - at the Coliseum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Field Marshal Kesselring had
earned his reputation as being a ruthless soldier, but he had displayed a sense
of history, and he seemed to understand the historical importance of Rome.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
While June 5<sup>th</sup>, 1944
is forever etched into the memories of every Italian, General March Clark’s
moment of glory was soon overwhelmed by the events of the following day when
General Dwight Eisenhower gave the order and initiated the largest seaborne
invasion of human history at Normandy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ciao</i>, <br />
MikeBo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span> 2020 Mike Botula<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! </i> </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Is a retired broadcast journalist, government agency spokesperson and
media consultant].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-26253842510182190642020-05-24T06:22:00.001-07:002020-05-24T06:22:27.369-07:00The Roll of Honor: LST 921, LCI(L)99, U-667<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Roll of Honor:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">LST 921, LCI(L)99, U-667</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Brushy Creek Journal</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Memorial Day</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Monday May 25, 2020</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Partly Sunny 63°F/ 13°C off Falmouth, UK</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sunny 61°F/ 16°C off La Pallice, France</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Buonagiornata,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We have a shared responsibility to look
directly into the eye of history,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and ask what we must do differently to
curb such suffering again!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">President Barack Obama at Hiroshima, May
27, 2016</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9I6qQt5d4c/XspzsEqLADI/AAAAAAAACvA/IQAimKu9N1ERZUaXXPgaXzeaWbZ4vXm_ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LST%2B920%2B-%2BCOVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9I6qQt5d4c/XspzsEqLADI/AAAAAAAACvA/IQAimKu9N1ERZUaXXPgaXzeaWbZ4vXm_ACPcBGAYYCw/s200/LST%2B920%2B-%2BCOVER.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When I was a little boy, Memorial Day was still
called <i>Decoration Day</i> and it fell on May 30<sup>th. </sup>My </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">mother told me it was a memorial event that started
at the end of the Civil War, because that’s when Americans would pay tribute to
the fallen who wore both blue and gray by decorating their graves with flowers.
The observance began with former slaves celebrating the Emancipation
Proclamation by decorating the wartime graves of African Americans who fought
for their freedom from slavery. Decoration Day quickly became a Memorial Day
honoring Americans who fell in all our country’s wars. After World War I, we
honored the fallen of <i>The Great War </i>on each November 11<sup>th. </sup>For
many years, November 11 was <i>Armistice Day, </i>and on the 11<sup>th</sup> hour
of the 11<sup>th</sup> day of the 11<sup>th</sup> month of the year
there was a moment of silence to commemorate the end of <i>The War to End
All Wars.</i> In 1968 Congress revamped our national holidays, combining
these hallowed days into a pair of three-day weekends. <i>Decoration
Day </i>is now <i>Memorial Day </i>and <i>Armistice
Day </i>is now <i>Veterans Day. </i>Today we will again honor
those who fought and died for their country. But, as the years pass, the real
meaning of both days is sometimes lost in the holiday atmosphere that
accompanies any long weekend.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When my father returned from his US Navy service in
World War II, he told my brother and I a story that is retold to each new
generation in my family as every new Memorial Day approaches. It begins with a
few terse lines from the LST 920’s Ship’s Log:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">LST 920 Ship’s Log: Monday 14 August 1944</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1654 hours: First hit on LST 921, directly astern of us.
Presumably by torpedo.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1654 hours: General Quarters sounded</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1656 hours: LCI #99 (British) hit by torpedo presumably</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1657 hours: All stations manned and ready; approximate position…50°54’
North, 4°45’ West</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1657 hours: Relieved on conn by Captain Schultz and went to GQ station</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ensign John J. Waters, Officer of the Deck</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My father, Lieutenant Charles Botula, Jr. died in
1965 without ever knowing the full story about the afternoon of August 14<sup>th</sup>,
1944 off the west coast of England. It has taken me years to research it. Neither
my Dad nor his Captain – Harry N. Schultz ever knew which enemy submarine
attacked them or what happened to that U boat after the LST 921 and HMS
LCI(L)99 were torpedoed. Most of the survivors of that terrible afternoon have
also faded from our midst, but their story is well worth the retelling. For in
the retelling, we can pay them a long overdue honor.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Monday, 14 August 1944 -16:54 hrs. - USS LST 920,
commanded by Lieutenant Harry N. Schultz and USS LST 921, under the command of
Lieutenant John Werner Enge were underway in convoy EBC 72 from Milford Haven,
Wales to Falmouth, England. They were suddenly attacked by the German submarine
U667, was under the command of Kapitӓnleutnant Karl-Heinze Lange. LST 921 was
hit by the first torpedo and broke in two with the aft section sinking minutes
later. Some survivors scampered to safety on the bow section. Others went
overboard into the chilly water. When the aft section sank, it took half of the
ship’s crew to the bottom. <i>General Quarters </i>was sounded on the
LST 920 and Captain Schultz came to the bridge. Seeing survivors in the water,
Schultz ordered his radioman, Seaman Fred Benck to send a request for
permission to turn his ship around to pick up survivors. Permission was denied
and the LST 920 was ordered to proceed to Falmouth. Shortly after receiving
these orders, Schultz ordered Radioman Benck to send the message again. This
time, Captain Schultz disregarded the order to proceed and ordered the LST 920
to turn around to rescue any survivors of the attack.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As my father watched from the bridge of the LST 920,
he spotted a torpedo coming straight at him. Just then, a British escort
vessel, LCI(L)99 came alongside, took the full brunt of the torpedo and was
blown out of the water. There is no way of knowing if the Captain of that
British escort vessel deliberately steered his ship into the path of
that oncoming enemy torpedo or if it was happenstance that put the crew of
LCI(L)99 into harm’s way. Either way, the Skipper, Lt. Commander Arthur
John Francis Patrick Reynolds, Royal Navy, died a hero.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The 920 came about and Captain Schultz ordered two
small boats into the water with Ensign John Waters in one and Ensign Harold
Willcox in the other, along with nine other sailors to rescue survivors.
Willcox tied a line around his waist and jumped into the water numerous times
to help pull survivors aboard. In his After-Action Report, Captain Schultz
singled out Waters and Willcox and the nine seamen for outstanding performance
during the action. In all, 48 survivors were rescued and brought aboard the LST
920. Seaman Joe Wallace tells this part of the story<i>, I remember one
of the 921 crew members coming up to the bridge all wet and oily. I gave him my
locker keys and location, and he showered and put on some clean dry clothes. By
this time it was dark. We gathered the survivors and were on our way to
Falmouth. There, I had the task of counting the departing survivors - 42
walking and 6 stretcher cases.</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A number of other survivors from the 921 as well as
the LCI(L) 99 were rescued by a British ship that joined in the rescue
operation. All told, about 65 survivors were picked up, but fully half of the
LST 921’s complement of 107 officers and crew had been lost. Years would pass
before a dusty and forgotten archive* would reveal the names of the sailors –
Americans, British and German who lost their lives on that August afternoon
more than seventy years ago. I would like us to remember:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">LST 921</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Baker, Thomas A., USNR
Seaman First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Banit, Roman J.,
USNR Seaman
Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Bennett, Frederick W.,
USNR Seaman
First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Bent, Eugene E.,
USNR Seaman
First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Clements, Charles M.,
USNR Seaman
First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Dove, Raleigh J.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Feeney, Lawrence E.,
USNR
Fireman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Fitton, Edward Joseph,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Freely, James Joseph, USNR
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Furino, Louis A.,
USNR
Coxswain </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Guthrie, Edward J.,
USNR
Ensign </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Guziak, Walter V., USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Hoak, William K.,
USNR
Gunner's Mate Third Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Jerzewski, Chester R.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Jones, Oscar R.,
USNR
Coxswain </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Kozlik, John H.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Lowe, Samuel M.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Micheline, Carmine A.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Mindlin, Daniel,
USNR
Ensign </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Monaco, Robert Chester,
USNR
Radioman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Moore, Charles H.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Mulholland, William P.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Newberry, Clyde,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Pizon, John J.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Potasky, Joseph E.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Progy, Henry,
USNR
Motor Mach Mate 3<sup>rd</sup> Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Richard, Donald James,
USNR
Gunner's Mate 3<sup>rd </sup>Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Siring, Ronald John,
USNR
Ship's Cook Third Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Smith, Kenneth J.,
USN
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Smith, Lee I., USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Smith, Ray R., USNR
Seaman First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Sprague, Herbert K.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Suazoe, Ray M.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Totulis, Albert G.,
USN
Gunner's Mate 3<sup>rd</sup> Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Trachsel, Ernest W.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Van Why, Henry, USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Verity, Edward C.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Vitense, Glenn,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Widmer, Richard C.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
Yavornitzky, Andrew J.,
USNR
Shipfitter Second Class</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 1.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The British escort vessel – LCI(L) 99 was a much
smaller ship than the wounded LST 921. It was about 150 feet long compared to
the LST’s 328 feet. And, instead of a ship’s complement of 110 officers and
crew, LCI(L) 99’s casualty list shows a crew of eight – two officers and six
enlisted men, including the 19-year-old ship’s cook, Able Seaman William Todd.
Todd’s great-niece, Gillian Whittle told me in an email,</span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bill as he
was known was only 19 when he died, and he came from Chorley, Lancashire,
England. I imagine he was called up when he turned 18. He was acting able
seaman and he was the ships cook. We as a family are enormously proud of him
and I go to Kent, England when I can to lay flowers at the naval memorial. I am
afraid I do not know much else about my Uncle, but I have his medals and I had
the privilege of wearing them proudly on remembrance parade for him one
year and we keep his memory going.</span></i><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></i>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Also, aboard the Escort Ship LCI(L) 99<i> </i>on
that deadly August 14, 1944 were:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk532995023"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lt. Commander Arthur
John<u> </u>Francis<u> </u>Patrick<u> </u>Reynolds</span></a><u><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">,</span></u><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> RN,<u> </u>Age
24</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sub-lieutenant Douglas Edwin Swatridge,
RNVR, Age 25</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Leading Seaman Gordon Henry Astor House,
RN, Age 21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Able Seaman James Quine, RN, Age 21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Able Seaman Francis Ernest Dennis
Shacklock, RN, Age 19</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ordinary Seaman John Shields, RN, Age
unknown</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ordinary Seaman Donald Maurice Thompson,
RN, Age 20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Able Seaman William Todd, RN, Age 19</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.9pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Toward the end of November 2018, I received an email
from Able Seaman William Todd’s great-niece, Gillian Whittle. In her
correspondence, she admitted that she never really knew her great-uncle, but
she thanked me for my efforts to keep the memories of all who died that day
fresh in the memories of Americans and Britons alike. She wrote, <i>We, as
a family are immensely proud of him and I go to Kent, England when I can to lay
flowers at the naval memorial. I am afraid I do not know much else about my
Uncle, but I have his medals and I had the privilege of wearing them proudly on
remembrance parade for him one year.</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zano7xNCnII/Xspz4E_VRxI/AAAAAAAACvE/i2gHVe-DrIgg5e64T0xduwiC-6gDemUcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Christophe%2BMoriceau%2Band%2Bthe%2Battack%2Bperiscope%2Bhousing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zano7xNCnII/Xspz4E_VRxI/AAAAAAAACvE/i2gHVe-DrIgg5e64T0xduwiC-6gDemUcwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Christophe%2BMoriceau%2Band%2Bthe%2Battack%2Bperiscope%2Bhousing.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diver Christophe Moriceau at<br />wreckage of U 667</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The attacking submarine, U 667, had sunk four ships
including the LST 921 and LCI (99), the Liberty Ship SS Ezra Weston and HMS
Regina on what turned out to be its most successful cruise, as well as an RAF
bomber on a previous mission. But as it headed back to its base and a hero’s
welcome, its jubilant crewmen could not know that their luck was about to
change. In all the research I did for this story, the US Navy and German <i>Kriegsmarine </i>archives
revealed only that U 667 struck a mine on or about August 25<sup>th </sup>on
the way back to its home base. But, as I researched further, I found the
answer on a specialty internet site: <i>uboat.net,</i> which is
devoted to the archives of the <i>Kriegsmarine</i> and its <i>unterseebooten. </i>According
to the archives, the RAF had carried out a series of aerial mine-laying
missions off the coast of France in an area code-named <i>Cinnamon</i> right
after the U 667 left port on its final cruise. The RAF dropped mines into the U
667’s inbound route back to base. An RAF report that I read showed that
the coordinates of that August 1944 mine-laying sweep matches the location
where the U 667 was finally found and examined by diving crews. The loss of the
U 667 was recorded by the <i>Kriegsmarine</i> after it missed a
scheduled radio check-in on August 25<sup>th</sup>. When any U boat failed to
meet its daily radio check-in, Admiral Karl Dönitz’ high command assumed that
the sub had been lost. And so it was when U 667 missed its scheduled radio
check on 25 August 1944.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The exploding mine sent U 667 to the bottom of the
Bay of Biscay, where it remains with its entire crew. Along with the U
667’s <i>Kapitӓnleutnant Karl-Heinze Lange</i>, the identities of the
other sailors in his crew are listed from the roster of all the sailors who
served aboard her. They are:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .25in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Name</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rank
(In German)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Age</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lange,
Karl-Heinze</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Kapitӓnleutnant</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">26</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bauch,
Walter</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Omasch</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">30</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bensel,
Rolf-Rudiger</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Olt.z.S.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Borowsky,
Helmut</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Brübach,
Friedrich</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Brunk,
Kurt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOFfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Drewes,
Gustav</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Eder,
Franz</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ederer,
Hans</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OfkMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">24</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ehrenfeld,
Kurt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OfkMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">25</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Erasimus,
Johann</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Faust,
Erich</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Olt.z.S</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Fickert,
Wilhelm</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Figlon,
Herbert</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MechOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">22</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Flach,
Hans</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OsanMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Grimm,
Kurt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hagelloch,
Hans-Georg</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OLt.ing.d.R</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hahl,
Adam</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hantel,
Artur</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">22</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hochstetter,
Wilhelm</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OMaschMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Holle,
Oswald</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Kabs,
Helmut</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Krӧller,
Helmut</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Olt.z.S</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Laschke,
Kurt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Leisler-Klep,
Jürgen</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lt.z.S</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">n/a</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matthias,
Heinz-Karl</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OMaschMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">25</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mӓurer,
Ludwig</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">FkOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mittler,
Arnold</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mrziglod,
Heinrich</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">BtsMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">22</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Oehler,
August</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrHGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">38</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Proske,
Walter</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Reiβach,
Werner</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">StOStrm</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">30</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Reitor,
Emil</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MechOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Richter,
Georg</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OMasch</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">32</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Richter,
Helmut</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OMechMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">24</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 36;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sauer,
Helmut</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 37;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Schӓfer,
Richard</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">19</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 38;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Scheit,
Reinhold</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">ObstMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">27</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 39;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Schӧmetzler,
Rudolf</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 40;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Schrӧder,
Gerhard</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 41;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Schrӧder,
Günther</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Olt.z.S</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">30</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 42;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Schulz,
Kurt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OMaschMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">24</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 43;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Seeliger,
Willi</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 44;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Senden,
Wilhelm</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 45;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Steigerwald,
Wilhelm</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">FkOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">20</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 46;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Warmbold,
Adolf</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MtrOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 47;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Weiβ,
Rudolf</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MaschOGfr</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">21</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 48; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Witzel,
Hans</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">BtsMt</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">23</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Christophe Moriceau, the French diver who has
explored the U 667’s final resting place and photographed the site extensively
for his dive organization <i>L’Expédition Scyllias</i> and its web
site <u>www.scyllias.fr</u> explained to me that unlike the United
States and Great Britain, France has no legal protection for wreck sites that
might contain human remains. War graves carry the protections of international
law. But that protection does not exist in France’s territorial waters.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It is fitting that we remember all who perished.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <i>Eternal Father, strong to save,<br />
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,<br />
Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep<br />
Its own appointed limits keep;<br />
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,<br />
For those in peril on the sea!</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> US Navy Hymn</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">[Mike Botula, the author of <i>LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target!</i> is a retired broadcast
journalist, government spokesperson and media consultant. Mike’s book is
available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble Books. You can read more about Mike
Botula at </span></b><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Documents/A-1%20BOTULA%20-%20MIKEBO'S%20BLOG%5eJFACEBOOK%5eJ%20LinkedIN%20FILES-2017%5eM2018/BLOG%20%5e0%20FACEBOOK%20POSTS-2018/www.mikebotula.com"><b><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">www.mikebotula.com</span></b></a></span><b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">]</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">*LST 921; LCI(L)99; U 667 casualty lists via <i>US
Navy Archives, Royal Navy and Uboat.net.</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">©
By Mike Botula 2019</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-17947566074360453242020-01-28T08:52:00.002-08:002020-01-28T15:20:26.821-08:00Epilogue!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Wednesday January 29, 2020<br />
Sunny 58<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/14<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C in Cedar Park, Texas, USA<br />
Partly Cloudy 60°F/16°C in Roma,
Lazio, Italia<br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
And, suddenly,
it was over! My more than two months in <i>the City of Echoes (la citt</i><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">à</span>
degli echi) </i>was <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">behind me, and I was aboard a Delta jetliner headed toward
New York’s JFK International Airport on the first leg of my flight home to the
Austin, Texas area and my cozy apartment in Cedar Park. During 2019 I had</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spent more than four months as a resident of
the eternal city. Actually, I hadn’t planned to return to Rome until the late
Spring. But, that all changed with Michael and Laura’s announcement that their
first child – a boy – would be born in November. Well now! I would HAVE to be
back for THAT EVENT! So, even though I had just arrived, I had to begin making
plans <i>to come back!</i> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIY-tgUXj2Q/XjBkxFr5MiI/AAAAAAAACsU/JaVPgH6BreAF26W4KsClGUWaurwbOcemQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2BBotula%2Blistens%2Bto%2BNFS%2B-%2BJan%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="218" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIY-tgUXj2Q/XjBkxFr5MiI/AAAAAAAACsU/JaVPgH6BreAF26W4KsClGUWaurwbOcemQCEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2BBotula%2Blistens%2Bto%2BNFS%2B-%2BJan%2B2020.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
And so, I did!
After suffering along with millions of other Europeans through a heat wave of
epic proportions in the early summer, I returned to my second home city on
November 21, 2019 planning to stay through the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Year holidays along with my birthday on January 17<sup>th</sup> and fly back to
Texas on January 22<sup>nd</sup>. The weather – which had been over 105<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/40<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°C at
times – had turned rainy and cold since I had been gone. Our first stop after
Michael picked me up at Fiumicino International Airport was to make a beeline
for Michael and Laura’s to meet my new grandson, Alexander Botula. There, I met
the little bundle of joy who was to play an important part in my life for the
next two months. As I held him in my arms, I could visualize a similar
experience 45 years before, when I held Alexander’s father in my arms for the
first time. Son, grandson…it was a testimony to the continuing cycle of life!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In our
effort to find an apartment for me on short notice, we reached out to everyone
that I had rented from in the past, starting with Stefania, my landlady on
Viale Oscar Sinigaglia, but that apartment was no longer available for
short-term vacation rental. My friend Mohamed’s place on Viale Cesare Pavese
was also booked. Then, I called Amina whose cozy little place I had rented
several times. Another strikeout – she had reserved it for her family members
who were coming from Paris for the holidays. But, Amina had a friend – Maria,
who had an apartment a few blocks away. She would check on my behalf as to
availability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, word came
back about a week later that the apartment <i>would </i>be available at a
special rate because I was a friend of Amina’s. Problem solved, I thought,
until two weeks before my departure date, when Maria called me to say that the
contactors she hired to renovate the apartment would miss their deadline and
Maria’s apartment wouldn’t be available after all. Since I had purchased my
non-refundable plane ticket, I was suddenly in a very big bind.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Several
days later, my son called to tell me that he had put a deposit on a place just
off Viale Cesare Pavese – the notorious <i>Vittorini Penthouse</i> – whose
shortcomings have been recounted in an earlier <i>Rome Diary!</i> And so, my
adventure came full circle with my move to Via Laurentina 605. It was the
ideal, if expensive, solution to the problem. The new apartment came complete
with an affable pair of new landlords – Cristiano and Delia. Cristiano spoke
the better English of the couple, but Delia and I soon made good use of the
translators on our IPhones. Soon, we were chattering like magpies. She would
come in to clean the apartment every week. The result was that the place was
nearly always spotless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all the
anxiety of getting shut out of one apartment and having to flee another, I had
found the perfect place. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I then
sent Mohamed a message asking when he would be in Rome. As it turned out, he
would not be in Rome until December 24<sup>th</sup>. Marsha would be traveling
back to the States in mid-December. There would be no December Rome Comedy
Night this year. So three of my close friends would either be traveling during
the holidays or they wouldn’t arrive for several weeks. As a result, I saw an
awful lot of Michael and Laura and the baby during my first several weeks in
Rome</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lV1kjkmsg8/XjBk2R81VNI/AAAAAAAACsc/KQi31lXAYSUPTzzgoGD7ssKTZr4AGpcYACEwYBhgL/s1600/Amina%2Bin%2BVietnam-8%2BJan%2B9%252C%2B2020%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lV1kjkmsg8/XjBk2R81VNI/AAAAAAAACsc/KQi31lXAYSUPTzzgoGD7ssKTZr4AGpcYACEwYBhgL/s200/Amina%2Bin%2BVietnam-8%2BJan%2B9%252C%2B2020%2B.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amina in Vietnam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wasting no
time after all of the anxiety of my first days in Rome, I called Amina and
invited her for coffee. We met in front of my apartment and immediately
adjourned to a nearby <i>bar</i> for <i>caffè.</i> She would host her family
for the following week, she told me, whereupon she would follow them to Paris
for Christmas and the New Year. She would return to Rome briefly, then she
would be off for a holiday in <i>Vietnam, </i>of all places. Bottom line: we
would probably not be meeting up for coffee after that evening. But, in the
next breath, I agreed to be her guest for lunch the following day, at her place
of employ – FAO – the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. FAO is one of the
largest employers in Rome – 11,500 scattered throughout the city. Nearly 4,000
people, including my friend work in the massive complex built by Benito Mussolini
during the 1930’s as his colonial headquarters. The complex overlooks the <i>Circo
Massimo!</i> And so, the following day, I stepped aboard the bus that stops
conveniently in front of my building, to be whisked to the <i>Laurentina Metro
Station</i> and the subway ride to <i>Circo Massimo</i> and lunch with Amina in
the rooftop cafeteria overlooking the oval track where <i>Ben-Hur</i> raced in
an epic contest!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thanksgiving
is not an <i>Italian holiday! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
my son has brought the holiday with him. This year,<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuGmBzKYxDI/XjBlAAcekSI/AAAAAAAACsg/I7ZrhNIqVWQEf0QY3Gm_CGjnyLKc35F4wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Family%2BBirthday%2BCelebration%2B-%2BJan%2B19%252C%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuGmBzKYxDI/XjBlAAcekSI/AAAAAAAACsg/I7ZrhNIqVWQEf0QY3Gm_CGjnyLKc35F4wCEwYBhgL/s200/Family%2BBirthday%2BCelebration%2B-%2BJan%2B19%252C%2B2020.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Birthday Celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michael ordered <i>two </i>turkeys.
One to smoke Texas-style in his smoker, and the other one to deep-fry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Italian word for turkey is <i>tacchino. </i>Two
turkeys are <i>tacchini. </i>We had <i>duè tacchini </i>at our Thanksgiving,
primarily because with little Alexander’s arrival, the family has a lot to be
thankful for this year! Christmas and the New Year passed in similar fashion,
small, intimate gatherings with family and friends. Since Laura and I have
birthdays which are two days apart, this was cause for a special celebration.
And so, it was back to Tiziana and Pino’s apartment for the celebration. After
a hearty Italian lunch – a special birthday cake was brought out and everyone
joined together in singing <i>Happy Birthday</i> to Laura and me – in <i>Italian,
of course!</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A few days
later, I would board a plane for the flight back to Texas, and my other home.</span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ciao,</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at <a href="http://www.mikebotula.com/">www.mikebotula.com</a>...now with Google Translator for our international audience!]</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
© By Mike Botula 2020</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-9083182580358307352020-01-14T02:52:00.000-08:002020-01-14T02:56:24.647-08:00Tutte le Cose Buone Devono Finire!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Tuesday January 14, 2020<br />
Weather 47°F/8°C
in Roma, Lazio, Italia<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBAI-69f8rs/Xh2ad58NmEI/AAAAAAAACrI/eO6JErIkapcPenf8Vah-Yx-sNorbnk9xwCEwYBhgL/s1600/La%2BFamiglia%2B-%2BJan%2B6%252C%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1600" height="116" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBAI-69f8rs/Xh2ad58NmEI/AAAAAAAACrI/eO6JErIkapcPenf8Vah-Yx-sNorbnk9xwCEwYBhgL/s200/La%2BFamiglia%2B-%2BJan%2B6%252C%2B2020.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Famiglia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Italian phrase means <i>All
Good Things Must End!</i> And so, as this journey to my beloved Roma enters its
final week, a bit of reflection is in order. I have been coming here since
2005, and since 2013 for increasingly longer periods of time, until I feel like
a true ex-patriate, living in a world not completely my own, but fascinating
none the less. This is my sixth in my series of Rome Diaries, titled <i>Il
Bambino! </i>In Alexander’s honor. My new grandson Alexander is a pure joy! I
dread the flight back over the Atlantic, but some mysterious force keeps pulling
me back here, and I return time after time like a moth to a flame. For Rome has
become my second home.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I missed Marsha Cincinnati’s Rome
Comedy Club Night at the Makai. I had just arrived and was staying at The
Penthouse, before my move to <i>La Casa Grilli </i>on Laurentina. So, with Michael
and Laura preoccupied with all things Alexander, I begged Marsha’s pardon and
promised her that I would catch her next show, which I presumed would be in December.
But I hadn’t considered the fact that she might head back to the U.S. for the
holidays. The result of our <i>two ships passing in the night</i> act was that
I did not catch up with her until one weekend at Michael and Laura’s when I was
finally able to give her the giant bottle of Melatonin Gummi Bears<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that I had brought all the way from the H-E-B
supermarket in Cedar Park, Texas especially for her. So, we at least had a
chance to catch up. And, I swore that I would be in the front row at Comedy
Night the next time I came to Rome. (Which, hopefully, will be in the Spring of
the year, when it is neither too hot-like last Summer; or too cold-like it is
this trip). </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the second time I’ve
spent the Christmas Holidays in Italy. The first time was 2013. Like every
holiday this was a little different. For one thing, Alexander is here now, so
that meant no winter holiday in Selci, in Sabina, at Sergio and AnnaMaria’s
place in the country. So, we spent Christmas Eve at dinner at Tiziana and Pino’s
apartment, a few doors down from Michael and Laura. Tiziana and Pino are part
of the extended family. Tiziana can be likened to Laura’s big sister. Dina,
Tiziana’s mom is a neighbor of Sergio and AnnaMaria. Following our Christmas
Eve repast, we exchanged gifts. I’m happy to say most of the gifts were for
Alexander, who snoozed in his stroller a few feet away. The next time the same
group came together was January 6<sup>th</sup>, for <i>La Befana, the Epiphany.</i>
This time, we were joined by Chiara, Laura’s sister, and her husband, Maurizio
and their little girl – Noemi. Formal Italian meals usually run five to seven
courses, and I have long-since learned NOT to take second helpings of <i>anything!</i>
However, at the conclusion of our <i>Befana </i>repast, I found myself <i>beyond
stuffed!</i></div>
<br />
When the
holiday meals falls to Michael and Laura to prepare, a blending of Italian and
American cuisine is evident. Some years ago, my son introduced <i>Thanksgiving</i>
to his Italian relatives. Not only did he introduce the concept of <i>Thanksgiving,
</i>but he did it with a <i>whole roast turkey! (Tacchino Arrosto)</i> No turkey
parts for him. Since his visit to Texas in 2016, Michael has been heavily
influenced by the Texas style of barbecuing which includes the art of <i>SMOKING.</i>
This year, he ordered two Turkeys. One, he smoked. The other, he deep-fried. <i>VOILA!
</i>A star is born! Texans traditionally spend many long hours tending their
smokers. Not my son. <br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
He has an “app”
on his laptop that is connected somehow to a circulating fan that maintains the
correct temperature as the meat smokes. It’s bound to catch on back home in
Texas.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
My friend and
onetime landlady, Amina, has left on one of her adventures – this time to
Vietnam. She <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">had just returned to Rome from hiking in Norway; and with her two
sons, spent a month in Spain and Portugal. During the Christmas holidays she was
visiting with her family in </span><i>Paris!</i> The gal certainly gets around! When
she was planning her Vietnam adventure, I remarked that the memories of most
Americans about Vietnam are not pleasant because of the war, and I mentioned my
brother Packy, who flew combat missions in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force.
(How I sweated until he returned safely). But Amina was undeterred by my recollections
and flew off to Hanoi on her first stop. In her first photos she sent back was
a group of school children that Amina had been collecting school supplies for.
So, I learned for the first time that my friend had an ulterior motive for
making the trip.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrNsTLuYRt0/Xh2aPGzgsnI/AAAAAAAACrQ/8wGEJaBrBPAuD6YyG3KTbYBiFur8HRQEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Amina%2Bin%2BVietnam-12%2BJan%2B%2B14%252C%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="496" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrNsTLuYRt0/Xh2aPGzgsnI/AAAAAAAACrQ/8wGEJaBrBPAuD6YyG3KTbYBiFur8HRQEwCEwYBhgL/s200/Amina%2Bin%2BVietnam-12%2BJan%2B%2B14%252C%2B2020.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amina and Friend!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Last Sunday,
my son invited me over to spend some time with Alexander and made it clear that
I was to walk. So, at the appointed hour, I set out. Crossing Via Laurentina, I
made my way to Viale Cesare Pavese, walked along for a while, turned left at
the shop with the sign that reads <i>Fiori e Pianti, </i>and headed up the hill
to the next left turn. I think you get the idea – it’s a long walk. As I took
my life in crossing Viale Carlo Levi, Amina checked in on <i>Whatsapp</i> from
Vietnam. <i>Hi! What are you doing? </i>She inquired. <i>I’m hiking to Mike and
Laura’s house, </i>I replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Good!
You need the exercise! </i>She texted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>You
sound like my son! </i>I texted back. She sent me her latest pictures as if t
say <i>I’m having more fun!</i> (I couldn’t argue with that. I was drenched in
sweat and still had two kilometers before I reached my destination). When I
reached Michael and Laura’s house, I found the smoker giving off the smoky
aroma of ribs and discovered that I was in for another family gathering, which
is what Italians do on a Sunday - <i>La Famiglia!</i> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuDv46yEFBE/Xh2aGnIg55I/AAAAAAAACrE/BISqtnWIo4kAIT_MFzR2ko3LEilnYDBxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2BBotula%2B-%2BJan%2B7%252C%2B2020-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuDv46yEFBE/Xh2aGnIg55I/AAAAAAAACrE/BISqtnWIo4kAIT_MFzR2ko3LEilnYDBxQCEwYBhgL/s320/Alexander%2BBotula%2B-%2BJan%2B7%252C%2B2020-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Alexander, it
seems, is a very popular little fellow. Until the novelty of a new baby wears
thin, everyone wants to spend time with Alexander. Including me. I love the
little guy, but at that moment I am a soggy, sweaty mess from my hike. (Especially
that last hill – which is a killer). So, before I knew it, the doorbell was ringing.
Marsha was already there, so I finally was able to give her Gummi’s to her. The
doorbell delivered (In no particular order), <i>Beppe; Chiara and N</i><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">öemi;
Sergio and AnnaMaria.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The whole gang! The little guy was brought
into the living room to all the <i>Oohs! And Ahhss! </i>That only a family and close
friends can muster and passed around like a new toy – which he is. When we
finally sat down for dinner, it was apparent that Michael had worked his magic
again. The meat was falling away from the rib bones and the aroma of wood smoke
wafted through the air. After dinner, Beppe grabbed his guitar and Michael got
his Ukulele and the two stars of <i>No Funny Stuff </i>treated us all to a
sample of the songs that have made <i>NFS </i>famous all over Italy.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
serenade was the climactic moment of another perfect Roman Day.</span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ciao, </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a former broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</div>
© By Mike Botula 2020<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-19746628485949960712020-01-05T04:04:00.001-08:002020-01-05T04:12:43.909-08:00Felice Anno Nuovo!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Sunday January 5, 2020<br />
Sunny 56°F/13°C in Roma, Lazio,
Italia<br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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</o:ink></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:rect>As midnight approached, it got louder and louder in Rome! At the
stroke of Twelve, the sound of<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">fireworks was absolutely deafening! Italians, it
seems, love the sound of fireworks as they usher in the New Year! </span><i>They must
be going absolutely NUTS in Napoli! </i>My son had observed earlier in the
evening. Apart from the fireworks, the evening had passed quietly for Michael,
Laura and Alexander and I. The big Christmas gathering at Laura’s sister’s
house had been cancelled because of the illness of her daughter, Noemi. And now
Laura’s mom had come down with the flu, and a priceless component in little
Alexander’s childcare had been lost. Michael and Laura were left on their own
to care for a colicky infant. Suddenly, the revelry associated with ushering in
the New Year disappeared. We spent a very quiet New Year’s Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was back at my flat shortly before
Midnight. With the fireworks exploding all around me!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtXv2_AyFg/XhHPYojRvKI/AAAAAAAACqU/hNRkI6z2lOIdI3WwoIT96UPIdNLgxftSACEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2Band%2BMichael%2B-%2BDec%2B20%252C%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtXv2_AyFg/XhHPYojRvKI/AAAAAAAACqU/hNRkI6z2lOIdI3WwoIT96UPIdNLgxftSACEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2Band%2BMichael%2B-%2BDec%2B20%252C%2B2019.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander and Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rome has been spared the kind of
terrorist attacks that have been visited upon London and Paris and some other
European capitals, but the sound of fireworks is especially unnerving to a
bloke like me who hails from a quiet suburb of Austin, Texas. Especially THESE
fireworks, whose loud explosions sound like heavy artillery punctuated by small
arms fire. Bear in mind, a nation that backs up the police with heavily armed
soldiers at subway stations and historical sites and other public places must
be expecting trouble. Yes, New Year’s Eve in Rome can be a little unnerving. By
the next morning, all was calm and bright in my beloved eternal city.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My son, bless his heart, is of a
mind that the perfect activity for his dear old dad, who is officially <i>Pushing
Eighty…</i>is plenty of walking. Never mind that I am possessed of a bad back,
with enough slipped or bulging disks that would make a xylophone weep in envy.
Or, two chronically flat feet, And, my
beloved <i>Roma</i>, which is over two-thousand years old,<i> ABOUNDS</i> in
cobblestones and potholes! This, however, is no reason to allow me a plea of
physical frailty when I should be out strolling. And, so it was that I set out
from my apartment on Via Laurentina last week for his home in <i>Colle
Parnasso.</i> Against my son’s advice, I decided against the most direct route
along <i>Viale dell’Oceano Atlantico, </i>in favor of a path off <i>Viale
Cesare Pavese. </i>This was my mistake, and I wound up at the foot of <i>Viale
dell’Oceano Atlantico </i>anyway, a considerable distance out of my way.
Fortunately, my grandson Alexander’s smile made the detour worthwhile. The next
day, after consulting my Google Maps, and confirming the route with my son, I retraced
my steps successfully. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6JO6aOx4Rw/XhHPYsEj5kI/AAAAAAAACqk/CRMNcy6EN3ERqigiUjAvHeut0Bt1RMYUACEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2BBotula%2B-%2BDec%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1174" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6JO6aOx4Rw/XhHPYsEj5kI/AAAAAAAACqk/CRMNcy6EN3ERqigiUjAvHeut0Bt1RMYUACEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2BBotula%2B-%2BDec%2B2019.JPG" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
are the envy of pancakes everywhere. Add to
that collection of infirmities, a pair of hammer toes and a missing digit on my
right foot, and it’s small wonder that I bring a walking stick or <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> that </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">bastone </i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">every
time I come to Rome to negotiate its cobble stones and potholes. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My grandson has thrived in his
first two months. Michael and Laura visit his pediatrician every week for a
checkup, but even my unskilled eyes tell me that young Alexander is blossoming
into a healthy young lad. Every time I visit, he seems bigger. And when I can’t
for one reason or another, Michael and Laura keep me well supplied with photos,
many of which I immediately post on Facebook, much to the delight of my friends
there. The pictures of my newest grandchild are designed as a respite from the
election year politics back home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Michael has returned to work as a
tour guide. I have taken the Metro several times to meet him at the Coliseum
for lunch during a break in his schedule or he has dropped by my apartment and
father and son have gone for coffee at a local bistro. Many of my friends have
either returned to the States to visit their families or have returned to their
countries of origin here in Europe. Since my birthday is this month, my son has
promised a special performance by his band, <i>No Funny Stuff!</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next time, more of my Roman
Holiday adventures</div>
Ciao, <br />
MikeBo<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a former broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
© By Mike Botula 2020</div>
Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-21994455167828775572019-12-29T06:38:00.001-08:002019-12-29T06:42:28.889-08:00Il Primo Natale di Alexander!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Sunday December 29, 2019<br />
Sunny 50°F/10°C in Roma, Lazio,
Italia<br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Apart from the excitement of
Christmas Eve, Alexander’s FIRST Christmas passed quietly. We had</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulwCw5C__uw/Xgi2W-rbfRI/AAAAAAAACqA/plyiTQbgFOYHIIP3OreK6pOag_WEDE0XACEwYBhgL/s1600/Michael%2Band%2BAlexander%2Bon%2BXmas%2B%2BMorn%2B-%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1584" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulwCw5C__uw/Xgi2W-rbfRI/AAAAAAAACqA/plyiTQbgFOYHIIP3OreK6pOag_WEDE0XACEwYBhgL/s200/Michael%2Band%2BAlexander%2Bon%2BXmas%2B%2BMorn%2B-%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander and Michael Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
been invited
to Laura’s sister’s house, but, Chiara’s own daughter, Noemi was sick with a
slight bug, so Laura and Michael opted to stay home. I joined them later in the
day for dinner. On Christmas Eve, we were invited Tiziana and Pino’s home for
dinner. Tiziana and Laura have been friends for years, and the two couples are
neighbors in the same condominium complex. We enjoyed the traditional Christmas
Eve dinner of several courses, in the Italian manner, and exchanged gifts. It
seems that many Italian families lean more toward Christmas Eve for their
celebration instead of the typical American fashion of the big event being on
Christmas morning, following Santa’s visit the night before, and the joy of the
children seeing their presents under the Christmas trees. I explained to
Michael and Laura and the others, that Donna and I used to exchange our gifts
on Christmas Eve right up to the day that our daughter Dana was born, and we
began to wait until Santa’s visit along with everyone else. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4n_5z9p0R4/Xgi2b96gJHI/AAAAAAAACqE/uOqNF7HIVcUXWRdAFfVG0xPGsjrrY1YbwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Michael%252C%2BMikeBo%2B%2526%2BMussolinis%2BBalcony%2B-%2BDec%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u4n_5z9p0R4/Xgi2b96gJHI/AAAAAAAACqE/uOqNF7HIVcUXWRdAFfVG0xPGsjrrY1YbwCEwYBhgL/s200/Michael%252C%2BMikeBo%2B%2526%2BMussolinis%2BBalcony%2B-%2BDec%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, MikeBo and Balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few days before Christmas, I
took the Metro down to the Coliseum to meet Michael for an <i>aperitivo,</i> a
longtime custom among Romans. He was back to work as a tour guide and was just
wrapping up his full day of showing visitors to Rome the sights. Nowadays, his
bookings are made through Airbnb. So, you can rent an apartment, and book one
of Michael’s tours in the same transaction. I waited for him in front of the
Metro station in the shadow of the gigantic amphitheater. We set off along the
wide street through the Forum toward a shimmering Christmas tree in the
distance. <i>That’s the Piazza Venezia, </i>said Michael. <i>We’ll see what’s
happening there and have our aperitivo.</i> We left the Coliseum behind and
strolled past the glories of ancient Rome in the gathering twilight. We passed
by the Capitoline Museum perched on one of the Seven Hills of Rome, the seat of
power during the heady days of the Roman Empire. I love to stroll through the
Forum at Sunset…so many ghosts haunt the city! Soon, we reached the Piazza
Venezia and the Christmas tree in the Piazza. We stepped inside the tall, iron
fence to Italy’s War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier high above
us. To reach the tomb, a massive line of granite steps awaited us. I demurred,
citing my age and my arthritis, which makes it difficult for me to negotiate
stairs of any kind, especially if there are no handrails to assist me.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Il Duce</i> at one point ordered that the boulevard<i> </i>in
front of his Fascist headquarters to be widened and straightened to accommodate
the huge military parades that accompanied his early military conquests. Mussolini,
it seems, was bent on restoring the glories of the Ancient Roman Empire, but he
accomplished far less than that. However, in the glory days of fascism,
Mussolini embarked on a massive public works program, much of which can still
be seen today. Fortunately, by the time Rome fell to General Mark Clark’s
troops on June 5, 1944, it had been declared an <i>Open City,</i> which spared
Rome the massive destruction suffered by other European cities in World War Two.
<i>Il Duce</i> himself along with his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed by
partisans in 1945 in Northern Italy, and, in a final indignity, were hung
upside down by their heels in a Milan gas station. In a typical gesture of
Italian gallantry, Ms. Petacci’s skirt was tied at her knees, so her legs would
not be exposed to the gazes of the thousands of spectators who came out to
witness the spectacle. The famous balcony was restored in 2011. So much for the
Italian history lesson. And, now back to Christmas. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2YYONdrbRw/Xgi2gAm9eJI/AAAAAAAACqE/ux4gGWlrl6Elt1-1YK5EA3Gsrcp0pCyOgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Balcony%2Bin%2Bits%2BHeyday%2Band%2BToday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="124" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2YYONdrbRw/Xgi2gAm9eJI/AAAAAAAACqE/ux4gGWlrl6Elt1-1YK5EA3Gsrcp0pCyOgCEwYBhgL/s200/Balcony%2Bin%2Bits%2BHeyday%2Band%2BToday.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mussolini's Balcony in its Heyday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We crossed the street and posed for
several of Michael’s famous </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">selfies.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> When I saw the photos later, </span>I saw
that he had taken two varieties of photos. One included just the two of us in
several frames, and the other series widened out to include Rome’s infamous
balcony from which Benito Mussolini used to address hordes of his fascist
followers. In fact, and Michael has pointed this out to me every time that we
have come here; <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Christmas Day, I got up and
went for a long walk around the neighborhood. Our family plans had been dashed
by the illness at Laura’s sister’s house. When I decided to stay through Christmas
and the New Year, plus my birthday in January, I had expected to spend a lot of
time alone or with other friends simply because Laura and Michael would be focusing
on the new addition to THEIR family. Which is as it should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I brought my faithful traveling companion
with me – my trusty IPAD and a selection of Netflix movies, including the
Godfather Trilogy. In the process, I discovered that my entire HBO subscription
and most of my Amazon Prime subscription do not work in the European Union.
Ditto for CBS All Access. (CBSN works fine for news). But Netflix, with it’s
international menu works fine. So, between my long walk and the Godfather Part
1, I was able to put Christmas Day in the “win column.” Then, 5:30 rolled
around, and it was time for dinner at Michael and Laura’s. I got to see my new
grandson again on Christmas. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next day, I told Michael when
he called, that I would walk over to his house. And so, shortly</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqpLChX1IHM/Xgi2kTd9jBI/AAAAAAAACqI/Wac7bjdOFzwaoJ6X5qnl4LVn8bgHTgGxgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2BBotula%2B%2B-%2BDec%2B25%252C%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1335" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqpLChX1IHM/Xgi2kTd9jBI/AAAAAAAACqI/Wac7bjdOFzwaoJ6X5qnl4LVn8bgHTgGxgCEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2BBotula%2B%2B-%2BDec%2B25%252C%2B2019.JPG" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
after two, I
started off, deciding to try the new route along Via Cesare Pavese instead of
the more tried and truer route along Viale dell’Oceano Atlantico. As a result,
I became hopelessly lost shortly after turning left on Via Salvatore Quasimodo
off Via Cesare Pavese. It was after 3:30 before I executed my course correction
and discovered the true path leading to Laura and Michael’s place. As it turned
out, he was planning to deep fry a duck. We would be dining in style. My
extra-long walk had been worth it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next time, more of my Roman
Holiday adventures. Until then,</div>
Ci vediamo, (See you soon).<br />
Ciao,<br />
MikeBo <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a former broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</div>
© By Mike Botula 2020Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-10636809769432580822019-12-22T02:10:00.000-08:002019-12-22T02:16:11.245-08:00La Vita Romana!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Sunday December 22, 2019<br />
Partly Cloudy & Windy 59°F/15°C
in Roma, Lazio, Italia<br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Life has certainly smoothed out
for me since the tumultuous first week or so. I never fully recovered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">from the
apartment I had counted on to live in for two months, disappearing at the last,
possible minute like that. Even worse, the Penthouse being such a disastrous
replacement. Even though our money was quickly refunded, the whole experience
left a bitter aftertaste in my craw. I periodically check that listing on
Airbnb, and I am gratified that The Penthouse shows nary one booking for all of
2020! </span></span>The main reason that I am
even here in Rome at all is an infant named Alexander…my grandson and heir to
the Botula name. He is the first-born child of my son Michael and his wife Laura
and is the first Botula to be eligible for dual citizenship – Italian and US.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ElkjVHHBWo/Xf8-HdWZO_I/AAAAAAAACmw/sQ63Zsq26tELLXq7qCZh3iYYk7Gn6NXnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2Band%2BMichael%2B-%2BDec%2B20%252C%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ElkjVHHBWo/Xf8-HdWZO_I/AAAAAAAACmw/sQ63Zsq26tELLXq7qCZh3iYYk7Gn6NXnQCEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2Band%2BMichael%2B-%2BDec%2B20%252C%2B2019.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander and Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am happily ensconced a short distance away on Via Laurentina, a major
thoroughfare in this section of the area known as E.U.R. I’m a short distance
away (less than a ten minute walk) from the apartment I originally rented from
Amina in 2015 or so. So, I have a bit of a history in this particular
neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday evening, I sent a
message to Maria, the lady who was going to rent me the original apartment,
just to touch base. She was not in Rome. In fact, she was on a train back to
her home in Linz, Austria. It seems all high speed trains in Europe have Wi-Fi.
What’s more she would not be in Rome during my stay. AND, she promised to make
it up to me for the inconvenience of <i>the apartment that wasn’t there!</i> I
promised her that when I planned for my next trip to Rome, she would be the
first person I would contact. It’s always nice to have options. I only pray
that the contractors Maria hired to renovate her apartment have finished by
then. My son had expressed doubt that they would be finished in time for my
trip when he checked out the apartment for me. So, when Maria sent me her
frantic note, I wasn’t totally surprised.</div>
<br />
Alexander turned one month old on
December 14<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be
my newest grandchild’s first Christmas, and we could not be happier. He’s a bit
colicky, but that is to be expected. Mike and Laura take him to the
pediatrician <i>every week.</i> He definitely is growing and filling out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alexander is Laura and Michael’s first child.
As many of you know, my daughter Dana has five children, three girls and two
boys; Joshua, Jacob, Jessica and the twins Jaydan and Jordan. In fact, I
followed Dana’s family from California to Texas to be near my grandchildren.
Alexander’s appearance provides me with more of an incentive to visit Rome. (As
if I needed more of an incentive).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElZVwd3Bz0w/Xf8-MahQEVI/AAAAAAAACm0/9YPx01l_4hsKUTJOscpxlFheiT7MEijngCEwYBhgL/s1600/Laura%2Bin%2BChinese%2BStore%2B-%2BDecember%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElZVwd3Bz0w/Xf8-MahQEVI/AAAAAAAACm0/9YPx01l_4hsKUTJOscpxlFheiT7MEijngCEwYBhgL/s200/Laura%2Bin%2BChinese%2BStore%2B-%2BDecember%2B2019.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura at the Chinese Store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love the neighborhood. It is
chock full of little shops, bars and restaurants. All the modern conveniences
of life without the Texas-sized distances that I’ve grown used to back home. My
entire life is now within walking distance. And, for further distances, there
is a bus stop directly in front of my building with an endless line of buses to
whisk me to the Metro station and the entire city beyond. One such
establishment is known throughout the neighborhood simply as, <i>the Chinese
Store, </i>or in local parlance <i>il negozio cinese.</i> In this day and age
of specialty shops, <i>the Chinese Store </i>is a throwback to the time when
every small town had at least one <i>five and ten cents store.</i> This version
occupies perhaps two or three store fronts, and it’s one entrance is guarded by
an elderly Asian woman sitting behind the store’s only cash register. Inside
every conceivable household product is jammed on the shelves which go floor to
ceiling across the extremely narrow aisles. Laundry detergent, fabric softener
and the ubiquitous drying racks occupy shelf space right across from the flat
ware and dinner plates. Stationery items are at the front of the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the replacement batteries and USB cables
are kept alongside the cash register, under the watchful eye of the Asian lady.
Overhead, along one jam-packed aisle, shower caddies dangle on hooks, high and
out of reach, except for an employee with a long pole with a hook on it.
Everything is somewhere – here in the Chinese Store. The store has a sign that
says <i>SUPER CONVENIENZA! </i>Everyone in the neighborhood knows where it is.
I have never seen so many items jammed into one location as I have crowding <i>Il
Negozio Cinese, </i>except for the old <i>Five and Dime Stores </i>of old.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, speaking of the
neighborhood, I’m happy to know, that in this small-town atmosphere, my
neighbors are getting to know me as well. There’s the lady cashier at the Elite
Market, who is very patient with me as I fumble with <i>la busta</i> or plastic
shopping bag or my Euros to pay her. She remembered me after one of my
absences. I always<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>try to greet her in
Italian and inquire as to how she is. <i>Buongiorno. Come stai?</i> And, at the
end of the transaction, it is always, <i>Grazie. Ciao!</i> In the case of
Alejandra, who did my manicure at the spa around the corner, she not only
remembered me from last May, but she remembered that Laura made the original
appointment. That left me with no alternative, but to make my next appointment
with <i>her </i>for the next time. Several of my neighbors in the apartment
building have noticed my new face among them and welcomed me with a warm <i>Benvenuto!
</i>Even my friend and sometime landlady, Amina, has gotten into the welcoming
act. When we met for coffee on my first night in the apartment, she made a
point of taking me in to each bistro and specialty shop to introduce me to the shopkeeper
and asking them to take care of me because I didn’t speak Italian well. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then, there is Delia, who is
technically my landlady. She and her husband Christian literally saved my bacon
when I was forced to move from the Penthouse, and they couldn’t be nicer to me.
Delia offered to clean the apartment during my stay and help me shop and cook.
I opted to retain her for the cleaning chores. She comes every Friday or
Saturday, and when she is finished, my little <i>casa</i> fairly GLEAMS.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I realize that I have a distinct
advantage over the typical tourist. On my extended stays,<i> I actually live
here! </i>Unlike my first couple of trips to Rome when I stayed with Michael
and Laura, I now pack a big suitcase (usually overweight) and rent and
apartment for a couple of months usually in my chosen neighborhood in E.U.R. A
couple of years ago I developed the habit of leaving an extra suitcase with a
variety of clothing to be worn on my next trip. My extra suitcase is joined by
my laptop computer, which I leave with Michael and Laura. That means I can hit
the ground running when I arrive in Rome. The days of the life of a tourist,
with its regimen of hotels and a bewildering array of cities and tour buses is
now behind me. <i>I actually LIVE here, at least part-time!</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next time: Alexander’s first Christmas,
but, for now…</div>
Ciao,<br />
MikeBo<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a former broadcast journalist, government
agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books. You can read more about Mike
Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</div>
© By Mike Botula 2020<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-10637949588472584102019-12-15T01:42:00.002-08:002019-12-15T01:47:15.329-08:00Un Giorno Piovoso!<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">DIARIO DI
ROMA VI – Il Bambino!</span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sunday
December 15, 2019</span><br />
Cloud<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">y
58°F/14°C in Roma, Lazio, Italia</span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sta
piovendo! It’s raining! </span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in Texas, this
would just be another <i>gully washer, </i>but here in Rome<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gpRc0iC0f0/XfX8va9S9bI/AAAAAAAAClg/iz89ulbH31QdR2eigiWQXVHqajHFt6eAQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Snow%2Bin%2BRoma%2B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gpRc0iC0f0/XfX8va9S9bI/AAAAAAAAClg/iz89ulbH31QdR2eigiWQXVHqajHFt6eAQCEwYBhgL/s200/Snow%2Bin%2BRoma%2B.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in Roma - 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
the citizens take
things more seriously. I’ve experienced this first-hand several times now. This
storm rolled in on Friday the thirteenth… or, in Italian, <i>Venerdi
tredicesimo!</i> The first time was the snowstorm that paralyzed the city two
years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son called me to check up
on me. <i>It snowed, Pop! </i>He told me. <i>When did it last snow in Rome? </i>I
asked the pride of my loins. <i>About fourteen years ago. </i>He told me. <i>I
wasn’t here for that one. We were in Bologna. But Rome is shut down. Schools
are closed. The buses are not running, and the Metro is not running. Dad, the
CITY is shut down! </i>I knew instinctively what I had to do.<i> </i>I ran to
the balcony and snapped a few photos with my IPhone. Then, I looked down the
street. The activity on the street indicated to me that the <i>Coop Mercato</i>
was still open. I grabbed my coat and my walking stick and headed down the
street to pick up some survival supplies. As I entered the store, one of the
clerks greeted me with a friendly <i>Buongiorno! Dove il sale? </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied. <i>Where is the salt?</i> He
pointed to the back of the store. I headed there with my basket and picked up
three boxes of rock salt. In a snowstorm, you can never have too much rock
salt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used it liberally on my way back
to the apartment to salt down the entry steps.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Last
Spring, it was a record heat wave that paralyzed the city. One evening we even
had a moderate earthquake. Now, we have a rain emergency. What next – locusts?
Visigoths? American Tourists? But now, it’s raining … and Rome is paralyzed!
Rome is built on seven hills. It has a fabulous sewer system, parts of which
are two thousand years old. The rain will run off… but <i>povera Venezia! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Venice has more to lose than Rome in this era
of climate change. The summer rains have been bad…up to four feet of water
flooded <i>Piazza San Marco </i>recently, portending the future date when
Venice will be completely under water.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qECn3g6R64c/XfX880Hr8tI/AAAAAAAAClk/ACvJQvNz8V4rNZVTckH-vTqLjlFqtjKMwCEwYBhgL/s1600/The%2BGuardian%2B-%2BSofia%2Be%2BAlexander%2B-%2BDec%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1185" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qECn3g6R64c/XfX880Hr8tI/AAAAAAAAClk/ACvJQvNz8V4rNZVTckH-vTqLjlFqtjKMwCEwYBhgL/s200/The%2BGuardian%2B-%2BSofia%2Be%2BAlexander%2B-%2BDec%2B2019.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofia and Alexander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But the
primary reason for this visit is my new grandson, Alexander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like my daughter’s five kids, Alexander is a
joy to his <i>Nonno</i> in his dotage. It’s amazing how fast newborns GROW!
Alexander Came home from the hospital with a tiny knit cap on his tiny head. He
was a peanut! Now after just a few weeks, he has grown considerably. I don’t
have the relevant statistics at my fingertips, but he sees the pediatrician
every week, and his parents keep track of every weight gain – meticulously.
Michael took off from work for a full month to help in the parenting chores and
to bond with his new son. Laura has several more months of maternity leave
remaining. Fortunately, her work enables her to work from home much of the
time, and that’s how she will gradually return to her job.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On
Wednesday, I rode the Metro to <i>Circo Massimo,</i> where the ancient chariot
races were held; at the invitation of my friend Amina. She works at F.A.O. the
massive United Nations Food Organization. The FAO building was constructed
during the 1930s by Benito Mussolini, during the height of his conquests in
Africa to house his colonial offices. The view of the Circus Maximus from the
FAO</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb0SOEEdIZ0/XfX82TtXh5I/AAAAAAAAClg/Hwr-Zk1lOXU4oy-w1cLFwt1VNY2WyVFZACEwYBhgL/s1600/Amina%2Batop%2BFAO%2B-%2BDecember%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1296" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rb0SOEEdIZ0/XfX82TtXh5I/AAAAAAAAClg/Hwr-Zk1lOXU4oy-w1cLFwt1VNY2WyVFZACEwYBhgL/s200/Amina%2Batop%2BFAO%2B-%2BDecember%2B2019.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
rooftop is nothing short of spectacular! The Coliseum and the Forum are
just one Metro stop away. During our luncheon of <i>Couscous </i>(for her) and <i>Pasta
Napolitano </i>(for me) Amina suggested that our next lunch date be the
following day near the <i>Basilica San Paolo, </i>at a little neighborhood
restaurant that she knew. After that, she would be traveling to Paris to spend
Christmas with her family. It meant that I might not see her again on this trip
to Rome, because she would be leaving after that for three weeks hiking in
Vietnam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, she rang my
apartment the following day to catch the bus to the Laurentina Metro. As I met
her in front of my building, the skies opened up, and it started raining –
hard. We were rained out of our excursion to <i>Basilica San Paolo.</i> We
scurried into a nearby bistro, had lunch and waited for the rain to stop.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The next
day, Friday the Thirteenth, I awoke to another storm that had rolled in during
the night. THAT was the storm that closed schools and created such havoc. I had
been expecting Delia – my landlord’s wife to clean the apartment, but sure
enough – at the appointed hour I received a text from Christian saying that
Delia would not be coming until the afternoon. Even then I had my doubts,
because I felt that the storm would be with us all day. Sure enough, word
reached me that afternoon that Delia would be unable to come over until the
following day. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If it
were not for my teacher at Austin Community College – Patrizia Papi – I would
be totally lost in the language department! Each time I come to Rome, my
well-meaning son tries to find one of his students for me to practice with in a
<i>language exchange or scambio di lingua.</i> That has had mixed results for
me. For instance, three years ago, Monica and I had <i>molti gelati </i>together,
but didn’t practice much English OR Italian. I have decided to take matters
into my own hands with Delia. The arrangement is that she comes in to clean the
apartment weekly. (And, I suspect, to keep an eye on the place for her husband,
Christian). So, I have introduced Delia to the wonders of <i>Duolingo.</i> We
both have our Google Translators on our Smartphones. So, we are able to
communicate. Where there’s a will there’s a way! Now, every week when she comes
to clean, we sit down at the table, <i>beve caff</i></span><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">ѐ</span></i><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">, </span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and
practice our languages. I usually spend at least an hour a day practicing with
Duolingo.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Next
time, more adventures with Alexander the Great, conquering hearts everywhere he
travels through the known world.</span></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ciao,</span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">[Mike
Botula, the author of LST 920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a former broadcast journalist, government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 105%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">© By Mike
Botula 2020</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-66503228732410264242019-12-08T04:03:00.000-08:002019-12-08T04:22:05.219-08:00La Vita Domestica!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Sunday December 8, 2019<br />
Partly Cloudy 60°F/16°C in Roma,
Lazio, Italia<br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d78TygUebhU/XezevA2KDOI/AAAAAAAACkw/bRaXSe-S1dY1_nQ11P-qNTEVomHxb3XVgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2Bwith%2BEyes%2BOpen%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d78TygUebhU/XezevA2KDOI/AAAAAAAACkw/bRaXSe-S1dY1_nQ11P-qNTEVomHxb3XVgCEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2Bwith%2BEyes%2BOpen%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In my travels to Rome, I’ve
always gone onto explore most of Italy. Hence, I’ve been enchanted by Firenze,
Venezia, Pisa, Milano and, yes …. even Napoli. I’ve walked along La Via Appia
and visited ancient Paestum, a hardy survivor of <i>Magna Graecia, </i>and visited
the notorious World War Two battlefields of Salerno, Anzio and Montecassino.
But, from the moment Michael and Laura told Annamaria and Sergio and me about
the blessed event they were anticipating in November, I knew that major changes
were coming to my gad-a-bout scheduling. MAJOR changes were in store for
Michael and Laura, too! The memory of what my cousin, Mary Duffy said all those
years ago to Donna and I came flooding back to me now.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Donna and I had just made one of
our career moves to San Francisco. It was 1966. The <i>Summer of Love.</i> I
had just taken the Program Director’s job at KFOG radio, when it was still
located at Ghirardelli Square. Donna would soon get a job at the BBDO
Advertising Agency at 650 California Street. It was before our Dana or Michael
made their appearance, and we thoroughly lived the San Francisco life for a
full year. I realized that my cousin Mary Duffy lived in San Francisco orbit
nearby with her husband, Tom Walker. (In the Botula family, the cousins were
always referred to by their family name, so the other cousins could keep track
of them). I called Mary and invited she and Tom to join us for dinner at
Fisherman’s Wharf. It was on our post-prandial stroll around the area, when
Mary uttered those immortal words. <i>Enjoy it now, Mike and Donna! </i>She
said. <i>Because when your kids start coming along, these carefree days are
going away for a L-O-N-G time. You’ll be old and gray before you have the world
to yourselves again! </i>Mary was right. Dana was born in 1969 and Michael was
born in 1973. Life, as we knew it in our carefree days together, ended with our
first diaper change. But, as I hasten to add since, I know that Alexander will
read this someday. <i>I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life with children is
to be savored, because they grow up much too fast! </i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I am reliving those times
through Michael and Laura. True, it impacts on <i>Nonno,</i> as well, because
if their focus is totally consumed by their new son, this will impact as well
on the people who have been free up to now, to simply drop in for a visit. It’s
a whole new ball game for them as well. How I wish Donna could be here to share
in the moment. (We divorced in 2003. A few years later, she was diagnosed with
cancer and died in 2010). But, at moments like this, my cousin Mary Duffy’s
words ring down through the years. But, back to the present!</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd6GVQACfTc/Xezeze1yqlI/AAAAAAAACk0/bZqrffoOPhEuzY1T_q-YhyiXHVGqSeVKQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2527s%2BFirst%2B%2BBath%2B2%2B-%2BDec%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1254" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd6GVQACfTc/Xezeze1yqlI/AAAAAAAACk0/bZqrffoOPhEuzY1T_q-YhyiXHVGqSeVKQCEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2527s%2BFirst%2B%2BBath%2B2%2B-%2BDec%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RUB A DUB, DUB!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I missed Alexander’s birth by a
week, but I have been here for many of his small, but important milestones
since, most notably his first bath. Laura and Michael have spared no expense in
seeing that their son has all the right equipment. That includes his
bathinette. It’s literally a tiny bathtub on wheels. From their son’s <i>equipment
room, </i>my son rolled it into the kitchen, where the infant Botula would get
his first wash down. Even before Alexander was brought in, Michael carefully
measured the warm water for the first bath, and repeatedly took its temperature
with a special, stainless steel thermometer. Finally, after all the
preparations of Dr. Michael DeBakey’s surgical team preparing for a heart
transplant…Laura brought the baby into the operating theater. All that was
missing were the surgical gowns, masks and rubber gloves! Layers of baby
clothes quickly disappeared as did the diaper, which Alexander was not quite
done with. <i>Uh, ONE and Uh, TWO! </i>Alexander used his diaper for the final time
and was quickly committed to the warm water. The experience of his first dunking
immediately elicited squawks of disapproval from the infant. I was present with
my cellphone camera at the ready, ever mindful of the potential for future
embarrassment once the baby Alexander had reached maturity and the inevitable
baby-picture displays by his parents. So, I have chosen one, carefully cropped
photo to accompany this blog.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Alexander was born on November
14, 2019 at <i>Oespedale San Camillo, in Roma.</i> It’s the major<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">hospital in
Italy’s government health care system, where babies are born – at least in
Rome. Laura was born there, and now her son. Laura’s sister, Chiara, had her
little girl, Noemi there as well. So, for the patriarch of the Tomei family,
Sergio, it has meant a lot of visits to </span><i>San Camillo</i> over the years. The
front of the hospital is marked by greetings of well-wishers spray-painted,
graffiti-style across the façade. Sergio and I posed for a photo in 2017 when
Chiara and Maurizio’s Noemi was born in the same hospital as her little <i>cugino
</i>was born. <i>Oespedale San Camillo </i>is not a birthing center as
Americans would understand the term. It is a specialty hospital, operated by
the government, where Italian babies are born. It is a full-service hospital
with surgical suites and neonatal intensive care units. Such care for newborns has
resulted in Italy’s low infant mortality rate worldwide. (5.5 per thousand
versus the USA’s 6.5 per thousand). </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-iEg82h810/Xeze5cVLvJI/AAAAAAAACk4/KdOFtNshRcQSXOAVOBcfBPrYrqgteapeQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Sergio%2BTomei%2Band%2BMike%2BBotula%2Bin%2Bfront%2Bof%2BSan%2BCamillo%2B-%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-iEg82h810/Xeze5cVLvJI/AAAAAAAACk4/KdOFtNshRcQSXOAVOBcfBPrYrqgteapeQCEwYBhgL/s200/Sergio%2BTomei%2Band%2BMike%2BBotula%2Bin%2Bfront%2Bof%2BSan%2BCamillo%2B-%2B2017.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sergio and MikeBo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I return to my original
point: I’m not gallivanting around Italy much on this trip. I’m trying to stay
close to my new grandson without becoming a pest to his parents. I recall when
Dana was born in 1969, my mother-in-law traveled all the way from Illinois to
southern California <i>to help out, </i>then announced that she would stay
until our baby girl was <i>Baptized in the Catholic Church! </i>(Oh, the joys
of a religiously mixed marriage). That’s why I have one daughter who’s
Catholic, and a son who’s a nominal Methodist. (When Michael was born, my mother-in-law
was too ill to make the trip). So, I am pretty much on my own this trip. I am
getting reacquainted with my friends from my previous trips, and yesterday,
bought a slew of <i>biglietti</i> so I can travel by myself on Rome’s <i>Metro
e Autobus </i>system.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’ve reconnected with Marsha de
Salvatore, the <i>Grande Comedienne</i> of Rome’s Comedy Club, where she
performs as <i>Marsha Cincinnati.</i> In fact, I brought her a big jar of Melatonin
Gummies to help her sleep. I ran into Marsha at a Louis C.K. performance during
my first week in Rome. The comic has come to Rome, trying to make a comeback
after a disastrous encounter with the <i>Me Too </i>movement! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8or1LvPQYA/Xeze-O-prRI/AAAAAAAACk8/dmZPhEpKjtoEpF4eqj-IIjO7GFTiAqXjgCEwYBhgL/s1600/AMINA-%2BCROP%2BFeb%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1253" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8or1LvPQYA/Xeze-O-prRI/AAAAAAAACk8/dmZPhEpKjtoEpF4eqj-IIjO7GFTiAqXjgCEwYBhgL/s200/AMINA-%2BCROP%2BFeb%2B2018.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Amina</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The week before,
Louis C.K. had played Tel Aviv in a comeback tour of epic proportion. Then, I
met Amina for coffee. She is my landlady from my first stay at an Airbnb apartment.
I’ve stayed there a few other times. Hence, we’ve become friends. In fact, for
this trip, her place was booked. So, she arranged with a friend to let me rent <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">her
apartment,</i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> but the deal fell apart when the contractors remodeling her
apartment missed their deadline. That’s how I wound up in </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Penthouse. </i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Anyway,
we met for coffee last week. Before we said our </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Buona Sera’s</i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, she had
introduced me to every shopkeeper on the block, as their new neighbor. Amina is
like Welcome Wagon on steroids.</span> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Next time. Two turkeys, as we
ex-pats celebrate Thanksgiving.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ciao, </div>
MikeBo<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</div>
© By Mike Botula 2020<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-11171098382371952432019-12-02T04:13:00.001-08:002019-12-02T04:16:30.813-08:00So Much For The Penthouse!DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!<br />
Monday December 2, 2019<br />
Partly Cloudy 62°F/17°C in Roma,
Lazio, Italia<br />
Buonagiornata,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After Maria’s call pulled the rug
out of my plans for a place to stay in Rome, I called my son Michael</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQCFeH7iGKY/XeT6cZz-f5I/AAAAAAAACjg/Vr4C3F89_FECDRjXemRYurlIrJTgrRIbwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Michael%2B%252B%2BAlexander%2B%252B%2BPasta%2B-%2BNovember%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQCFeH7iGKY/XeT6cZz-f5I/AAAAAAAACjg/Vr4C3F89_FECDRjXemRYurlIrJTgrRIbwCEwYBhgL/s200/Michael%2B%252B%2BAlexander%2B%252B%2BPasta%2B-%2BNovember%2B2019.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael and Alexander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
in a bit
of a panic. <i>I had a hunch that would happen! </i>Said my son. <i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the feeling that she doesn’t have a clue
about how Italian contractors work, especially if they’re not supervised. And
Maria told me that she was going to Japan on business during the time you’d be
arriving. </i>Michael was up against a deadline of his own. His wife, Laura was
due to give birth to the couple’s first child around November 14<sup>th</sup>,
He did NOT have time to go house-hunting for his dad. But, two days later he
called to tell me he had found an apartment in my preferred section of E.U.R. <i>It’s
Via Elio Vittorini, dad, off Viale Cesare Pavese, where you stayed at Mohamed’s
place.</i> He went on to say that because the birth of his son was imminent, he
wouldn’t be able to check the place out. But the photos looked good, plus it
was a solid neighborhood, very high end, etc., etc.<i> </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I concurred, and we signed the contract. I
would have to spend my first night in a hotel while the other guests moved out.
But I had found my home for the next two months…or, so I thought.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxHt2U_qbaA/XeT6iVs19qI/AAAAAAAACjc/Z8fx59mh8hEgqKz6bSIHxPRuEH66nHyYwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Penthouse%2BView%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxHt2U_qbaA/XeT6iVs19qI/AAAAAAAACjc/Z8fx59mh8hEgqKz6bSIHxPRuEH66nHyYwCEwYBhgL/s200/Penthouse%2BView%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penthouse View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It DID have a
great view! I was hustled right outside to see it and avoid the shortcomings of
the inside. Later, after the landlady and her associate had left, did I came to
get an opportunity to survey the apartment properly. The bathroom was super
small and <i>cramped?</i> Imagine a small closet with an oversized sink, a
toilet and a bidet <i>AND a shower</i> all crammed into a four by six room. I
would have to climb over the bidet to gain access to the shower. Now I should
digress to explain that all Rome apartment buildings have on their roof a
structure to house the machinery for the building’s elevator. Over the years
the elevator box has been expanded to include a small apartment or two. Thus,
in the age of Airbnb, that is how we got the <i>Penthouse</i> designation.
Access is gained by a full flight of stairs without handrails. Since I have
rheumatoid arthritis, the ascent UP the stairs was manageable with my cane but
GOING DOWN was a nightmare! (For Italy, any form of ADA legislation is still in
the distant future! And, so I passed the next three nights – scared out my wits
to exit the apartment, except when Michael was around to call the <i>paramedicos</i>
in case I took a header down the stairs.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’ve already recounted the visit
I had from Giancarlo, the building superintendent. He wondered <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">about all the
racket on my roof during the night. It was the compressor for the combo heater/
air conditioner that made enough racket that HE could hear it in his flat on
the floor below. That night, I listened to the <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">drip…dri</i></span><i>p…drip </i>of the
rain on my pillow – until I wised up and moved the bed away from the leaking
window. I awoke the next morning with the intention of taking a shower. I
turned on the water and adjusted the temperature to my satisfaction. Then, I
climbed over the bidet and into the shower and soaped myself to a
fare-thee-well. At the moment of <i>super-sudsiness, </i>my hot water turned <i>icy
cold! </i>I haven’t had a cold shower like that since Boy Scout Camp, or maybe
the time my wife told me for the twentieth time that she had a headache! I
rinsed off as best as I could – in great haste, I might add, and got the hell
out of the shower. The culprit was the antique <i>by-demand water heater on the
wall.</i> It’s capacity of hot water was – shall we say – sorely lacking.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IS28ER9qjiw/XeT6nCFROjI/AAAAAAAACjg/UVTuRVlyZ-sCffUQf5ytow2dUC58GcZhwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2BBotula%2B%2B%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IS28ER9qjiw/XeT6nCFROjI/AAAAAAAACjg/UVTuRVlyZ-sCffUQf5ytow2dUC58GcZhwCEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2BBotula%2B%2B%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify;">
But the <i>Coupe de
Ville, </i>as my old KMPC buddy, Dave Niehaus used to say before he went on to
fame and fortune, broadcasting games for the <i>Seattle Mariners </i>baseball
team. The <i>Coupe de Ville</i> for me came when the ancient wax ring at the
base of the toilet sprung a leak and flooded the bathroom, with water lapping
out under the door into the living room. Just then, my son Michael buzzed me
from the front gate. When he got up to my penthouse, he greeted me with,<i>
‘Morning, Pop! Did you get your shower?</i> Then he spotted the deluge, whipped
out his cell phone and started video-ing the entire apartment. <i>That’s for
the complaint department at Airbnb, </i>he explained. Then, he got our landlady
on his phone. When he got done with the call, he said to me, <i>get packed!
This place is uninhabitable. They’ll be over soon to pick up the keys. </i>By
the time they arrived, Michael’s video was already being viewed by the Airbnb
folks, who had already promised a full refund. By the time that the Penthouse
landladies had arrived, my son had found me a NEW apartment. But it wouldn’t be
ready for another day. So, it was back to <i>Hotel Quadrifoglio Roma, </i>where
I had spent my first night in Rome.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQZiv_xbkEM/XeT6rietEgI/AAAAAAAACjk/p8tb-gof4lwGq_CCkNzIwo6DgGup2DIoACEwYBhgL/s1600/New%2BDining%2BRoom%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQZiv_xbkEM/XeT6rietEgI/AAAAAAAACjk/p8tb-gof4lwGq_CCkNzIwo6DgGup2DIoACEwYBhgL/s200/New%2BDining%2BRoom%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My New Apartment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify;">
The new place is on
Via Laurentina, right around the corner from my apartment on Viale Oscar
Sinigaglia. Christian and Delia Grilli are my hosts. Compared to the Penthouse,
my new place is a dream! It’s taken a few days now, but I’m all settled into my
new digs. I’ve even taken a couple of showers, and, lo and behold-no cold water
and NO floods! When we signed the rental agreement, Christian cautioned me that
I might get a visit from officers of <i>La Guardia Finanza,</i> Italy’s
financial police who look out for Italians who might get the urge to cheat on
their taxes. Sure enough, the next morning my doorbell rang, and I opened my
door to two ladies flashing badges. <i>We’re from the police! </i>Said one of
them, and I ushered them. They looked over my rental agreement and checked my
passport. I, in turn gave them Christian and Delia’s phone numbers and they
left shortly thereafter.</div>
<br />
<div style="tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify;">
I realize my
apartment travails have prevented me from post the full number of baby pictures
of my new grandson – Alexander. But I’ve been preoccupied with straightening
out my living situation. I’ll just put you on notice that will change with this
blog. I see <i>Il bambino</i> just about every day, so stand by for lots of
baby pictures!</div>
<br />
<div style="tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Next time: Amina
takes me on a tour of the neighborhood! Plus, Louis C.K. and other delights.</div>
Ciao, <br />
MikeBo <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</div>
© By Mike Botula 2020Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-91164566318536756112019-11-26T13:25:00.001-08:002019-11-26T13:30:33.288-08:00Getting Settled!<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA VI – Il Bambino!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wednesday November 27, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rainy 65°F/18°C in Roma, Lazio,
Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The photo of the father and his
newborn son is a classic! Exhausted from the ordeal, the father sits <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNCqRgJZO9U/Xd2U7YSJ_oI/AAAAAAAAChU/Hk8V62mpOloaiBZj9jxdtKwTgDb-HrWDwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Michael%2B%2526%2BAlexander%2B-%2BNovember%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="903" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNCqRgJZO9U/Xd2U7YSJ_oI/AAAAAAAAChU/Hk8V62mpOloaiBZj9jxdtKwTgDb-HrWDwCEwYBhgL/s200/Michael%2B%2526%2BAlexander%2B-%2BNovember%2B2019.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father and Son</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
glassy
eyed, staring into space while the infant sleeps blissfully on his father’s lap
until his next feeding. The mother is asleep in another room until duty calls
her again. The photo is from the Botula Family Album. The young father is my
son Michael, and the infant is my grandson Alexander, whose mother is Laura. I
missed Alexander’s birth by a week. You know how it goes with those
non-refundable tickets the airlines are peddling. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Last May, when I arrived in Rome
for my annual visit, Laura’s parents, Sergio and Annamaria, were on a tour of
the Holy Land. Laura told me that they wouldn’t be back in Rome until he
following Friday, but they would be joining us for pizza on Saturday evening.
Sergio and Annamaria have become two of my favorite people over the years we
have been under the same family umbrella.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Since Michael met Laura, back nearly twenty years ago, he has pretty
much relocated from his native California to Europe, primarily Italy to be with
his <i>Amore, Laura!</i> The couple has moved around Italy as career
opportunities have arisen, but they have always returned to Laura’s birthplace
– Rome! On the appointed Saturday, over pizza, Michael and Laura gently broke
the news to their parents that Laura was expecting their first child – a boy,
at the end of November. Even though I had not planned on coming back to Rome at
least the following Spring, I knew immediately that if I didn’t return in
November, I would miss the birth of a new heir to the Botula line, and I could
NOT be NOT present for that. So, when I got back to Texas, I put in motion my
planning for <i>mio grande ritorno!</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now when I travel to Rome, I go
for <i>at least</i> two months!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s
like my move from California to Texas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzHGs9w-6Fk/Xd2Vf7W5wpI/AAAAAAAAChk/MECYvOubaZQGeokgvPa2Sn2UmufKOlGBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Nonna%2BAnnamaria%2B%2B%2526%2BAlexander%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzHGs9w-6Fk/Xd2Vf7W5wpI/AAAAAAAAChk/MECYvOubaZQGeokgvPa2Sn2UmufKOlGBQCEwYBhgL/s200/Nonna%2BAnnamaria%2B%2B%2526%2BAlexander%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nonna Annamaria </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
four years ago. It takes all the
logistical consideration of Caesar’s invasion of Gaul; Hannibal’s crossing of
the Alps in winter, or the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day. First, I must
make arrangements for Lola’s care and feeding. My daughter Dana has
traditionally taken on that assignment. She also checks my apartment for me and
picks up my mail while I’m gone. The first thing I have to do is find a place
to stay.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Generally, I’ve had great luck
with the apartments I’ve rented through Airbnb. Amina, Mohamed and Stefania
have been my hosts for some memorable stays in the Eternal City. But when I
checked with them for this trip, their Airbnb’s were booked solid. Then, Amina
came to the rescue. A friend of hers, Maria had purchased an apartment just a
few blocks from her place. When Maria contacted me, she explained that her
apartment was being renovated completely, and that I would stay quite
comfortably. This transaction would not go Airbnb, but Amina assured me that
her friend was as good as her word and she had already vouched for me to Maria.
I sent Michael by to check out the apartment anyway, just in case.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After he checked Maria’s
apartment, Michael called me to report that the apartment was undergoing a
MAJOR renovation, complete with electrical, plumbing and all new appliances and
fixtures. <i>Maria is from Austria, </i>he told me. <i>She’s used to having
contractors perform in an entirely different way than the Italians do their
work. She’s not even going to be there to supervise and answer their questions.
I don’t think the apartment is going to be ready for you. So be prepared! </i>Sure
enough, Maria called me about two weeks before I was supposed to leave. The
contractors were NOT going to meet their deadline and the apartment would not
be ready for me. And THAT, gentle reader is how I came to rent <i>The
Penthouse!</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Usually when I arrive in Rome
after a twenty-hour excursion across the Atlantic. I take a nice hot <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIYlq0UdoVE/Xd2Vw252z6I/AAAAAAAACho/MCw7wjUKpo8giGRmQuCgBX7w-dGaP-rPACEwYBhgL/s1600/Alexander%2Bwith%2BEyes%2BOpen%2B-%2BNov%2B2019%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1099" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIYlq0UdoVE/Xd2Vw252z6I/AAAAAAAACho/MCw7wjUKpo8giGRmQuCgBX7w-dGaP-rPACEwYBhgL/s200/Alexander%2Bwith%2BEyes%2BOpen%2B-%2BNov%2B2019%2B.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexander Botula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
shower,
relax and deal with my jet lag. But since I was spending my first night in a
hotel, I passed on the tiny glass coffin which masqueraded as a shower in my
hotel room. The first night in Rome passed uneventfully. Michael took me home
to meet my new grandson; I was re-united with Annamaria and Sergio, the other
proud <i>nonni</i> (grandparents). Finally, Sergio drove me to my hotel where I
relaxed until it was time for Michael to pick me up for dinner. The next
morning, I enjoyed the continental breakfast provided by <i>Hotel Quadrifoglio;
</i>Michael arrived; I checked out, and we were out to check in at <i>the
Penthouse.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The landlady, an affable Italian
woman, quickly directed me to look at the view from the large terrace
outside.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I like the E.U.R. district. I
am very familiar with it. It is close to Michael and Laura’s. Its shops and
restaurants are close and convenient. And, I have friends in the area. But, in
her rush to show me the view, I missed the shortcomings of what Airbnb
describes as <i>La Vittorini Penthouse!</i> I did not discover most of them
until much later; one of them took two days to find – and then it had to rain.
It happened after I went to bed. As I began to doze off, I heard what sounded
like <i>DRIP! </i>And then another…<i>DRIP! </i>By the third or fourth … <i>DRIP!</i>
I realized what it was. The rain was beating against the window, and the window
was leaking on to my pillows. I moved the bed away from the wall. That solved
the immediate problem. The next day, I had another visitor - Giancarlo, the
building’s supervisor. (In Italy, most apartments in high density buildings are
owned, like condominiums, by the people who live in them, but others are held
as rentals. Giancarlo’s job is limited, but vital. He deals with issues that
everyone shares. I had the heater in the living room on. The compressor on the
roof was making a loud noise. It was loud enough that Giancarlo, who lived on
the floor below me, could hear it, and he knocked on my door to see what all
the racket was about.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As I answered the door to let
Giancarlo in, my son called. As I was trying to explain to Giancarlo what the
noise was all about, Michael – whose Italian is much better than mine, asked me
to hand<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUMlCfhci7E/Xd2Vst9WLoI/AAAAAAAAChk/gjk414QjCRQSLKQ_Hil3Jcistya4teTfwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Nonno%2BMikeBo%2B%2526%2BAlexander%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUMlCfhci7E/Xd2Vst9WLoI/AAAAAAAAChk/gjk414QjCRQSLKQ_Hil3Jcistya4teTfwCEwYBhgL/s200/Nonno%2BMikeBo%2B%2526%2BAlexander%2B-%2BNov%2B2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nonno MikeBo & Alexander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
the phone to Giancarlo. They chatted animatedly for a few minutes, and
when Giancarlo found out that the source of the blame for the noise was the
apartment owner, and not me, he handed the phone back and made his exit.
Michael explained that Giancarlo would take the matter up with the owner.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thus, passed my first few days in
Rome. Let me just say that my feelings about my apartment will never see the
light of day in any Airbnb review, so I would take the opportunity to vent my
spleen here, Just let me close by saying of my present adventure: the family
part is wonderful…my apartment, not so much.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">PS: I’ve moved. Details in the
next exciting chapter of…MikeBo’s Blog!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ciao,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2020</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-74667823958632917242019-11-10T07:08:00.000-08:002019-11-10T07:11:19.044-08:00Sorry, Grandpa Botula, BUT…<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
DIARIO DI ROMA VI</div>
Una Questione Importante <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>per la Famiglia! <br />
(A Matter of Importance to the
Family!)<br />
Sunday November 10, 2019<br />
Partly Cloudy 62°F/ 17°C in Roma,
Latium, Italia<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Buonagiornata,</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This first edition of my Rome Diary VI centers around a blessed event in the blended families of <i>Botula<b> </b>and
Tomei!</i></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvOJDGlsmW4/Xcgj1y_tu6I/AAAAAAAACgw/EgTn3ONJi8YvqDK3JyeKwhLFN9dwEOawACEwYBhgL/s1600/Laura%2Band%2BMichael%2B-%2BVenice%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvOJDGlsmW4/Xcgj1y_tu6I/AAAAAAAACgw/EgTn3ONJi8YvqDK3JyeKwhLFN9dwEOawACEwYBhgL/s200/Laura%2Band%2BMichael%2B-%2BVenice%2B2015.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura and Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I arrived in the Eternal
City last May to begin my regular two-month stay in Italy, <i>mia</i> <i>nuora,
</i>(daughter-in-law) Laura, casually mentioned that her parents – Sergio and
Annamaria – were traveling in the Holy Land but would return from their travels
in time for us all to get together for pizza the following Saturday. And, so we
did. And, on THAT occasion as the five of us chomped on <i>pizza margherita e
pizza con salsiccia e verdura</i>, Michael and Laura made the announcement that
their little family would be growing by the addition of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>un bambino </i>in November. They had waited
until they could share the good news with all three of their son’s grandparents.
(Sadly, Michael’s mother, Donna, had passed away in 2010). And so, that’s what brings
me back to Roma in November, for my new grandson, Alexander’s first Christmas!<b></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My apologies to my own grandfather,
Karel Botula, BUT, his great-great-great grandson Alexander will be born ITALIAN!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I can only imagine how Karel and
Johana Botula might feel after they struggled so hard to make it to <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">AMERICA,
and participate in the AMERICAN DREAM to ensure that all of the little Botulas
that followed them would be AMERICAN CITIZENS, that they might be just a tad
disappointed, but </span><i>Nonno Mike </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as
I’ve come to be known, happens to be delighted at the prospect of having a bona
fide <i>Italian </i>in <i>la Famiglia!</i> And, I’m happy to report to all of
my followers out there in <i>Facebook-Land</i> that I will be in Rome for
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>joyful occasion. Among the gifts I
am bringing my new grandson: a copy of my book about his great-great grandfather
– <b><i>LST 920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target!</i></b>...autographed, of
course.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QN0MLuTlis8/Xcgj5uzQbrI/AAAAAAAACg4/58bDHT9jgXcnTe2EECP1r_5J-g6zaRYCQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Grandpa%2BKarel%2BBotula%252C%2BMichael%2BKarel%2BBotula%2B1943%2Bor%2B1944.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="480" height="124" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QN0MLuTlis8/Xcgj5uzQbrI/AAAAAAAACg4/58bDHT9jgXcnTe2EECP1r_5J-g6zaRYCQCEwYBhgL/s200/Grandpa%2BKarel%2BBotula%252C%2BMichael%2BKarel%2BBotula%2B1943%2Bor%2B1944.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandpa and Baby MikeBo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps young Alexander Botula
would like to know about his dad’s side of the family? After all, <i>Botula</i>
certainly sounds Italian! But, it’s NOT an Italian name. The cognomen originated
in what is now the Czech Republic, in the ancient kingdom of Bohemia. At the time
that Karel and Johana emigrated to America in 1903 with their three children:
Maximillian, Karola and Frantiszka, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
country was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Karel Botula, according to one
family legend, bought into that old con artist’s tale that <i>the streets of America
are paved with GOLD!</i> There is no family legend about Grandpap buying the Brooklyn
Bridge with his meager savings by traveling in steerage class. I like to think
he avoided that by arriving in the Port of Philadelphia, while Johana and their
three kids got the full treatment at Ellis Island in New York Harbor. I have no
knowledge of a family legend involving Karel’s down payment on <i>the Liberty
Bell.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, the Botula family
became quickly established in the western Pennsylvania coal mining country
where Karel Botula toiled six days a week, ten or twelve hours a day as a coal
miner. Talk about starting life in America <i>from the ground floor up!</i> However,
the long hours underground did not stop Karel and Johana from raising their
large family. Altogether, they raised <i>nine children </i>to adulthood.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></div>
Young Alexander will not be his <i>Nonno’s</i>
first grandchild. His <i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>papa, </i>Michael,
has a sister – Dana Lynne who has FIVE children <i>(cinque bambini); </i>Joshua,
Jacob, Jessica, and the twin girls Jordyn and Jaydan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the new arrival will have lots of <i>cugini
</i>to play with. That doesn’t count his cousins on his <i>mama’s </i>side of
the family.<i> </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I look into the little tyke’s
future from the perspective of my own long trail through life, I tend to <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">see
his young life through his parents’ eyes. Laura is an attorney engaged in the
fine points of <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_F_AL4e9uE/XcgkEie130I/AAAAAAAAChA/uyHuTJk6czgqBZixuqPzJlBH4JM_ndrIACEwYBhgL/s1600/Dinner%2BBy%2BStarlight%2B-%2BCROP%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1243" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_F_AL4e9uE/XcgkEie130I/AAAAAAAAChA/uyHuTJk6czgqBZixuqPzJlBH4JM_ndrIACEwYBhgL/s200/Dinner%2BBy%2BStarlight%2B-%2BCROP%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Famiglia!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
business law and is currently engaged with a company recruiting
attorneys for positions at prestigious law firms. Her family has welcomed me
into their warm embrace right from my very first visit to Italy. And Laura’s
parents have made several visits to the U.S. to visit and meet their American
relatives in California as well as Texas. Alexander will find a warm welcome on </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">both</i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> sides of the Atlantic!</span> Michael enjoys a hyphenated career, juggling
his time between his responsibilities as an English teacher, entrepreneur with
his own tour company in Rome, and devoting what remains of his time playing
with his band <i>No Funny Stuff! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young
Alexander has a promising future. He will be bi-lingual so he can chat with his
American cousins. He will grow up in one of the world’s historically wealthy cities,
Roma and be able to proclaim proudly, <i>Civis Romanus Sum! </i>And, he will be
able to carry <i>two passports </i>– Italian and USA. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can look down the road ahead and predict
that my new grandson will be in good hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<i>Benvenuto nel mundo, Alexander!
Grazie mille, Laura e Michael!</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Arrivederci a tutti. Ci
vediamo presto!</i></div>
MikeBo<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is an award-winning broadcast
journalist, government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read the entire Rome Diary series, plus more about Mike Botula at <a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Documents/A-1%20BOTULA%20-%20ROME%20DIARY%206%20%20-%20Nov%202019%20to%20Jan%202020/www.mikebotula.com">www.mikebotula.com</a>]</div>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">© By Mike Botula 2020</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-23853745746959131342019-11-05T10:41:00.003-08:002019-11-05T10:45:11.554-08:00The Generation Passes!<b>MikeBo’s Blog</b><br />
Tuesday November 5, 2019<br />
Mostly Cloudy in Texas 73<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/ 23<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C<br />
<i>Good Day!</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YlkzxsO6pE/XcGxzz_CcjI/AAAAAAAACfM/rF_zkR7xgaEt3ZAMgQfdFuWiZxoQsrsmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Harold%2BDunagan-%2BCrop%2BNo%2BBG%2B%25282%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="147" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YlkzxsO6pE/XcGxzz_CcjI/AAAAAAAACfM/rF_zkR7xgaEt3ZAMgQfdFuWiZxoQsrsmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Harold%2BDunagan-%2BCrop%2BNo%2BBG%2B%25282%2529.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harold Dunagan in 1944</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The generation referred to is, of
course, what Tom Brokaw called <i>The Greatest Generation </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in his <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">best-selling book. </span> <i>The Greatest Generation</i>
fought and won World War Two. Harold Dunagan was <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">part of that generation. Dunagan
was a sailor aboard my father’s ship – USS LST 920. He aided in the rescue of
survivors from LST 920’s sister ship, the LST 921 during a torpedo attack on
their convoy in the Dover Channel off the coast of England on August 14, 1944.
In his first-person account of that day for my book, </span><i>LST 920: Charlie
Botula’s Long, Slow Target! </i>Seaman Dunagan told me, <i>When 921 was hit, the
whole thing didn’t sink. It was cut in two with the front part staying afloat. </i>The
aft section went to the bottom of the channel with about half of LST 921’s crew.
The LST 920, at first, acting under strict wartime orders, proceeded to it
destination – Falmouth, England. However, a short time later, the 920’s Captain,
Harry N. Schultz, disobeyed those orders and ordered his ship to come about and
pick up survivors from the LST 921 and a British escort ship, LCI(L)99, which
had taken the full brunt of a torpedo intended for the LST 920. Seaman Dunagan
aided in the rescue of the survivors. Years after the war, he told me, <i>We
picked up survivors. As I remember, there were 48 survivors from the 921 and none
from the other.</i> (The British Escort ship – LCI(L)99). </div>
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Dunagan’s wartime service was
entirely aboard my father’s ship, LST 920. My dad got to come home in December,
1945, after being granted emergency leave because his mother had suffered a
serious <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf9Nolo-AKU/XcGx2ldsL4I/AAAAAAAACfQ/sJ5i_iXns5w5tsYvzkrIOFm2kwEvuoUoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Harold%2BDunagan%2B-%2BLST%2B920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf9Nolo-AKU/XcGx2ldsL4I/AAAAAAAACfQ/sJ5i_iXns5w5tsYvzkrIOFm2kwEvuoUoACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Harold%2BDunagan%2B-%2BLST%2B920.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harold Dunagan - recent photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
stroke and was not expected to live. But, Seaman Harold Dunagan, who
had shipped aboard at the commissioning on 17 June 1944 stayed aboard the LST
920 through service in the European Theater, the War in the Pacific, Japanese
Occupation Duty. Dunagan stayed aboard until 20 April 1946 when the USS LST 920
sailed into Suisun Bay to join the Mothball Fleet. Following the war Boatswain’s
Mate Harold Dunagan returned to civilian life. His wartime duty was finished.
On December 21, 1948 he married his wife, Irene. Their marriage would last 70
years until Harold’s death in October, 2019. Harold Dunagan lived to the ripe, old
age of 95.<br />
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After <b><i>LST 920: Charlie
Botula’s Long, Slow Target</i></b><i>! </i>was first published in 2016, I
received my first email from Dunagan’s daughter-in-law, Joyce Dunagan. She was
the first of many family members to contact me after publication with questions
about their loved ones or contributions to my store of knowledge on this deeply
personal subject about my father and his shipmates. Joyce was able to tell me how
much her father-in-law was pleased by my account of that horrific day. Not only
did he keep a copy of the book on a chair next to his bed. But it was among the
display of photos and Harold’s medals from his service in World War 2 at the funeral
home just before his burial with full military honors. I was deeply touched to
hear that. So many veterans of WW2 were reluctant to talk about their wartime
experiences after they came back that many of their stories are lost. I’m
grateful to be in a position to tell one of them.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I first heard the tale of 14
August 1944, my father, Lieutenant Charles Botula, Jr. was telling </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
the story.
He was Captain Schultz’ executive officer aboard LST 920. In my dad’s account
of the </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSpf6G3lw8g/XcGx_e-5vPI/AAAAAAAACfY/b51DNCoDpbwkjZXrN3kqcdHX6HxfsLTDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/John%2BShields%252C%2BRN%2B-%2BLCI-L99%2BCROP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1007" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSpf6G3lw8g/XcGx_e-5vPI/AAAAAAAACfY/b51DNCoDpbwkjZXrN3kqcdHX6HxfsLTDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/John%2BShields%252C%2BRN%2B-%2BLCI-L99%2BCROP.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaman John Shields</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
attack, he was watching events unfold from the bridge of the ship. Suddenly,
as he recounted to my <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">younger brother and I, he looked down in horror to see
the unmistakable wake of a torpedo approaching from the port side aimed directly
at the midships portion of the 920. It would be the same spot that another of U
667’s torpedoes had struck LST 921, with such deadly results. Suddenly, as my
dad told the story and other eyewitnesses would confirm, a British escort ship
– later identified as LCI(L)99, hove into the path of the oncoming, hurtling
torpedo and disappeared in a sheet of flame and smoke. </span><i>When the smoke had cleared,
</i>my father recounted,<i> the ship had disappeared. All that was left was
some debris floating in the water. The ship, itself had disappeared!</i><br />
<br />
In the
years since the attack on Convoy EBC 72, I have become convinced that the Commander
of the British escort ship – Leftenant Arthur John Francis Patrick Reynolds –
deliberately placed his own ship in harm’s way to protect my father’s ship, LST
920. Protecting the ships in the convoy was Leftenant Reynolds’ prime mission,
and I’m sure that the skipper, who had <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">seen action previously in the Italian
Campaign, took seriously.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRWEpLRW5VM/XcGyCiIs9TI/AAAAAAAACfc/bQXOToPNGuEsCA9eN-hZ4eqlCkbeaIWwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/William%2BTodd%252C%2BRN%2BCROP-B%252BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1105" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRWEpLRW5VM/XcGyCiIs9TI/AAAAAAAACfc/bQXOToPNGuEsCA9eN-hZ4eqlCkbeaIWwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/William%2BTodd%252C%2BRN%2BCROP-B%252BW.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaman William Todd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two Seamen who were among the ship’s crew killed that day were Ordinary Seaman John Shields, Royal navy and Able Seaman
William Todd, RN, age 19. Seaman Shields, whose age was not reported in the
casualty list, was about the same age as Todd. Their youthful faces smile up
hauntingly from their old photos, and we are reminded again that war is fought
by the young people. Whether or not Captain Reynolds made a conscious decision
to place his ship – LCI(L)99 into the path of that hurtling torpedo is a matter
lost to history. The brave souls who were lost that day accomplished their
mission. They saved many lives aboard LST 920, among them Harold Dunagan and my
father, Charlie Botula. They also made it possible for LST 920 Skipper Harry Schultz to return to rescue the survivors from the hapless LST 921. <span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For their heroism,
I am eternally grateful.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<i>Ciao, </i><br />
<i>MikeBo</i><br />
<br />
[MIKE BOTULA, the author of <b><i>LST 920: Charlie Botula’s
Long, Slow Target! </i></b>is a retired broadcast journalist, government agency
spokesperson and media consultant. His book is available from Amazon Books. You
can follow his blog at: <a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Desktop/mikebotula.blogspot.com">mikebotula.blogspot.com</a>,
including his <i>Rome Diary </i>series, and learn more about Mike Botula at: <a href="http://www.mikebotula.com/">www.mikebotula.com</a> ]<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">©</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2019-Mike Botula</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-11910245386398781652019-08-05T08:59:00.001-07:002019-08-05T09:02:33.840-07:00Back Story: LST 920 and Charlie Botula!<b>MikeBo’s Blog</b><br />
Monday August 5, 2019<br />
Sunny in Cedar Park, TX 94<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/
34<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C<br />
Partly Cloudy in Falmouth, UK<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>67<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/ 19<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Howdy!</i></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snkrTk-yCGA/XUhK_Omgw8I/AAAAAAAACds/_jAyrSUvmeUDIe9mJFO5RTCPIySrVJlzwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Book%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1248" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snkrTk-yCGA/XUhK_Omgw8I/AAAAAAAACds/_jAyrSUvmeUDIe9mJFO5RTCPIySrVJlzwCEwYBhgL/s200/Book%2BCover.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lord knows, I did not set out to
write a book about a war story my father<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>told me and my kid brother as we were growing up! But, that’s what I
did. And, the reaction was life-changing for me. By the way – it will soon be
the <i>Seventy-Fifth Anniversary</i> of the U-boat attack on my father’s convoy
in the Dover Channel during World War Two: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August 14, 1944.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick recap: LSTs 920 and 921 – sister
ships, having been built and commissioned in the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in
Hingham, Massachusetts, were part of Allied Convoy EBC 72, en route from
Milford Haven, Wales to Falmouth, England on 14 August 1944, when the convoy
was attacked by U 667, commanded by Captain Karl-Heinze Lange. U 667’s first
torpedo struck LST 921 toward the stern, breaking the back of the 328 foot-long
landing ship. The dazed crew would have less than five minutes to rescue the
hapless souls in the stern section. The explosion triggered the alarm for <i>General
Quarters</i> aboard the LST 920, and as the crew scrambled to their battle
stations, the Captain – Harry N. Schultz and his Exec – Lieutenant (j.g.)
Charles Botula, Jr. raced to the bridge. Once there, Lt. Botula closely scanned
the waters around his ship through his US Navy-issue 7 by 50 binoculars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart must have skipped a beat or two as
he spotted the indelible signs of a torpedo’s wake homing in on the middle of
his ship! <i>That torpedo was coming straight for us, and there was nothing to
do but watch it hit us, </i>he would tell my younger brother and me as he
recounted the events of that August day over and over as we grew up. Suddenly,
a British escort vessel, LCI(L) 99 raced between the on-coming torpedo and LST
920, and took the torpedo intended to sink LST 920. The resulting explosion
blew LCI(L) 99 out of the water. <i>After the blast, I watched as the smoke
cleared, </i>said my dad. <i>All I could see was smoke and bits of floating
debris. The ship itself had vanished!</i> </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1G_FCOTTtm8/XUhLCakt97I/AAAAAAAACds/wXjIJpR7hQInKjdHmh2AMlTwwIunSOHYwCEwYBhgL/s1600/C-8%2BENS%2BDON%2BJOOST%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="368" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1G_FCOTTtm8/XUhLCakt97I/AAAAAAAACds/wXjIJpR7hQInKjdHmh2AMlTwwIunSOHYwCEwYBhgL/s200/C-8%2BENS%2BDON%2BJOOST%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="123" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Joost in 1944</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On board LST 921, Engineering
Officer Don Joost had just left the engine room and had returned to his
quarters to lie down for a few minutes before chow, when U 667’s torpedo hit.
Below him Motor<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Machinists John Abrams and Lloyd Meeker were momentarily
trapped in the fast-flooding engine room. In another part of the ship, the
ship’s cook Seaman Charles Watson found himself trapped under a tangle of
shelving in one of the ship’s passageways.</span>
</span>And, Seaman Second Class Charles H. Moore would be trapped in the
sinking stern section of his ship and go to the bottom of the Dover Channel
along with several dozen of his ill-fated shipmates, and two of the LST 921’s
officers. Aboard the British escort vessel, LCI(L) 99, Acting Able Seaman
William Todd…age 19, the ship’s cook, would be killed by the torpedo’s blast
along with most of his shipmates.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I said earlier, I did not
intend to write a book about my dad’s wartime experience, but that changed in
2003 after I left a message on the U.S. LST Association’s web site, asking if
any association member had served aboard the LST 920 with my father. In a few
days my note was answered by Don Reed, the 920’s Communications Officer. He
told me in his reply that he had served with him since the ship was
commissioned in June 1944 until dad left the ship in November 1945. Since, I
was living in Sacramento, I decided to drive with my son, Michael, to Alameda
where Don worked as a volunteer aboard the USS Hornet to meet him and hear the
story anew. Don Reed was part of the original crew of LST 920, and was aboard
for her entire time in service, becoming<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>her last Commanding Officer in 1946, before she joined the “Mothball
Fleet” in Suisun Bay. This meeting with Reed led to other meetings, telephone
interviews and letters from other members of both LST crews. Instead of a
straightforward war story, my father’s tale became a wartime mystery with a lot
of unanswered questions:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w27m0qS-u2g/XUhLFW4j9tI/AAAAAAAACeA/8vyKdKdgOFwYEx-K_AhEFQGfv98UQBZDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DON%2BREED%2B-%2BAPRIL%2B2003%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w27m0qS-u2g/XUhLFW4j9tI/AAAAAAAACeA/8vyKdKdgOFwYEx-K_AhEFQGfv98UQBZDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DON%2BREED%2B-%2BAPRIL%2B2003%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w27m0qS-u2g/XUhLFW4j9tI/AAAAAAAACeA/8vyKdKdgOFwYEx-K_AhEFQGfv98UQBZDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DON%2BREED%2B-%2BAPRIL%2B2003%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Reed in 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>We were supposed to go to the
PACFIC! </i>Reed told me and my son Michael, over dinner in Alameda, <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">when we
finally met. </span> <i>We were on our shakedown cruise when we were ordered into the
Philadelphia Navy Yard for a new paint job, and to take on a TOP SECRET cargo.
Then we received orders to join up with a thousand ship convoy out of New York and
head to EUROPE! </i>Later, I would hear similar versions of Reed’s account from
officers of both LSTs – the 920 and the 921. A few weeks later, I drove over
from Sacramento to Walnut Creek, California to meet with Don Joost, former
Engineering Officer of the ill-fated LST 921. Joost shared his pictures with me
and talked to me about the <i>secret cargo</i> carried by the two LSTs. <i>There
was a lot of speculation about what we were carrying, </i>said Joost. <i>Some
of our officers thought it was mine-sweeping technology. But, I was of the
opinion that our secret cargo was technology designed to foil the acoustic
torpedoes the Germans were just starting to use.</i> Indeed, late in the war, the German <i>Kriegsmarine</i> introduced a new torpedo designed to home in on
the sound of the enemy ship’s engines. <i>Is it possible that the Germans knew
what your ship and the other LST were carrying? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I asked Joost. During the war, the Germans
had a highly sophisticated spy network operating on the U.S. East Coast. <i>It’s
not beyond the realm of possibility,</i> Joost replied. <i>But, the answer to
that question probably lies on either the bottom of the Dover Channel in the
stern of LST 921, or at the bottom of the Bay of Biscay, in the hulk of U 667!</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The U.S. LST Association required
that I join the association before it would share the names and addresses of
the former crew members of LSTs 920 and 921 that I sought. But, membership was
a small price to pay for the first-person accounts that I would gain. At Don
Reed’s suggestion, I obtained the ship’s logs for my dad’s ship for 1944 along
with an aerial photo of the LST 920 at sea for the first time – painted in
Pacific Theater camouflage colors. Through the contact list provided by the
U.S. LST Association, I was able to either arrange telephone interviews or
obtain first-person accounts with a dozen survivors of the ordeal. From that
little exercise, I was able to craft a short article for <i>The Scuttlebutt, </i>the
LST Association’s newsletter. After evaluating the material that simply did not
fit into the one thousand word article, I made my decision to do a book. My
book, <b><i>LST 920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! </i></b>was published
by Amazon Books in August<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2016, shortly
after I moved to Texas. Almost immediately I began to get emails from the
quickly diminishing crew members of the LST 920 or 921, or their friends or
family members. I quickly realized that many of the family members of those who
lived through the events of 14 August 1944, did not have a father like mine who
freely recounted his wartime experiences. And indeed, many of the letters I
received containing the first-hand accounts were accompanied by a sentence or
two explaining that they were telling these stories for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the eerie feeling that they were being
given permission<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from their Executive
Officer, through his son, to finally tell their stories. Such was the emotional
connection that I developed with these old shipmates. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7X_pyMxAOk/XUhLKnlz_7I/AAAAAAAACd4/POoePaB_hmAfwzbUMBqcK5bJczpkOwSfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/C-8%2BSeaman%2BCharles%2BWatson%2B-%2BLST%2B921%2B-CROP%2BB%252BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7X_pyMxAOk/XUhLKnlz_7I/AAAAAAAACd4/POoePaB_hmAfwzbUMBqcK5bJczpkOwSfQCEwYBhgL/s200/C-8%2BSeaman%2BCharles%2BWatson%2B-%2BLST%2B921%2B-CROP%2BB%252BW.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Watson in 1944</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By telephone I spoke with Motor
Machinist’s Mate John Abrams, who recounted the escape that he and Lloyd Meeker
made from the engine room of the LST 921, and their subsequent rescue of the <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ship’s cook, Charlie Watson. Both Watson and Abrams told me how Abrams</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>took his own life jacket off and gave it to
the badly injured Watson. I spoke with Ensign Jerry Gerrard, the Engineering
Officer of LST 920 for his account of the attack and Captain Schultz’
disobeying the direct order to proceed onto their port of Falmouth, in order to
come about and pick up survivors from their sister ship, LST 921. The rest gave
their first-hand accounts in their letters. It soon became obvious from my
father’s account of the incident as well as the other first person accounts,
that there was not much known about the submarine that carried out the attack.
That would come later in my research under Don Reed’s guidance. Reed, who had
done extensive research on the attack, knew that U 667 had struck a mine two
weeks after the attack on the convoy, and its wreckage now lay on the bottom of
the Bay of Biscay near the U 667’s home port of La Pallice, France. Even my own
father had not known that when he died in 1965. So, I was pleasantly surprised
to hear from a French diver named </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egstq7hCuVw/XUhLersUNvI/AAAAAAAACeI/VYEn1kNGdJs0QvjmK2c_GVLY_lzln3yugCEwYBhgL/s1600/Christophe%2BMoriceau%2Band%2Bthe%2Battack%2Bperiscope%2Bhousing%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Christophe Moriceau, who not only knew the
fate of the U 667 but had actually dived on the wreck site. Moriceau is a
member of <i>L’Expedition Scyllias, </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a French diving organization. He explained
that, while the wreck had been located in 1972, it had been mis-identified as
the wreckage of another U-boat. Not until 2014 was the wreckage formally
identified as that of U 667. Given this new information, I decided to draft a
new edition<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of <b><i>LST 920: Charlie
Botula’s Long, Slow Target! </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was done in Spring, 2019. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ML7ycT5kCbc/XUhLPrF_yFI/AAAAAAAACeA/pjMam2yrYFIYNk17tf0ZiM7FCwHJMbvTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/William%2BTodd%252C%2BRN%2BCROP2%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ML7ycT5kCbc/XUhLPrF_yFI/AAAAAAAACeA/pjMam2yrYFIYNk17tf0ZiM7FCwHJMbvTgCEwYBhgL/s200/William%2BTodd%252C%2BRN%2BCROP2%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Able Seaman William Todd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps the largest contribution
that the book makes is proving information to the families of the two ships.
One family member wrote to tell me that up until my book was published, the
only information the family had about one of their own who’d been killed in
action, was a tattered telegram from the War Department. Looking back on Gillian
Whittle’s note about her great-uncle William Todd, the young Able Seaman aboard
the British Escort ship who died that day, I am glad that I was able to provide
even sketchy details of his last moments. She ended her letter saying, <i>we
cannot let the memories of these great people be forgotten!</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of the men who sailed aboard
LSTs 920 and 921 are gone now, but a very few are still with us. Seaman Charles
Watson, the 921’s cook is a hale and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>hearty 97, despite losing a leg in his ordeal. A Signalman from the 920,
James Dietrich is a healthy 94 years old and walks daily for exercise. Seaman
Harold Dunagan, who shared his accounts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>of helping survivors from LST 921 is now confined to a nursing home. His
daughter wrote me: <i>He was very proud of your first book and keeps it on the
table beside his chair at all times!</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I said earlier. I did not set
out to write a book, but I’m glad that I did!</div>
<i>Ciao, </i><br />
<i>MikeBo</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[MIKE BOTULA, the author of <b><i>LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! </i></b>is a retired broadcast
journalist, government agency spokesperson and media consultant. His book is
available from Amazon Books. You can follow his blog at: <a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Documents/A-1%20BOTULA%20-%20MIKEBO'S%20BLOG%5eJFACEBOOK%5eJ%20LinkedIN%20FILES-2017%5eM2018%5eM2019/BLOG%20%5e0%20FACEBOOK%20POSTS-2019/mikebotula.blogspot.com">mikebotula.blogspot.com</a>,
including his <i>Rome Diary </i>series, and learn more about Mike Botula at: <a href="http://www.mikebotula.com/">www.mikebotula.com</a> ]</div>
Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-59675011932710241032019-07-21T11:56:00.001-07:002019-07-21T12:39:48.116-07:00“Honey, I’m Home!”DIARIO DI ROMA 5:<br />
My Return to the City of Echoes!<br />
Mio Ritorno alla Città degli
Echi!<br />
Sunday, July 21, 2019<br />
Domenica, Iuglio 21, 2019<br />
Mostly Sunny <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>91<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>F/ 33<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>C in Roma, Lazio, Italia<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Buonagiornata,</i></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3WSsK5fH5Y/XTSv_92tRVI/AAAAAAAACbE/KAAJlBijvtsOyFqfazdNhomc4Fu1FGogwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Homecoming-MikeBo%2Band%2BLola%2BJuly%2B17%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="398" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3WSsK5fH5Y/XTSv_92tRVI/AAAAAAAACbE/KAAJlBijvtsOyFqfazdNhomc4Fu1FGogwCEwYBhgL/s200/Homecoming-MikeBo%2Band%2BLola%2BJuly%2B17%252C%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Again: Lola and MikeBo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my daughter Dana and my grandson Jacob
met me at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, it was nearly Midnight in
Texas. Between Alitalia and Delta, the two airlines had delivered me back <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to
Texas </span>on the same day that we had left
Rome. Fiumicino to Logan International in Boston and then on to Austin,
following the sun on its journey westward. I was exhausted, and after a few
minutes of conversation, I said <i>Buona notte a mia figlia e mio nipoti, </i>left
my suitcase – still unopened in the middle of my living room floor and went to<i>
</i>bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I drifted off<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to dreamland, I remembered that there was
several<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pounds of <i>formaggio
Parmigiano – </i>Parmesan cheese - that Laura’s mom, AnnaMaria had given me to
bring home with me still in the unopened suitcase. That realization brought me
instantly back to consciousness, because both the TSA baggage inspectors and
the U.S. Customs Service frown on contraband of any sort. But, the Parmesan was
still in its refrigerator bag, all five pounds of it! I placed the contraband
in my fridge and went back to bed!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few hours later, I woke up
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>So THAT’S how it’s gonna be? </i>I
thought to myself. Different bouts of jet lag, or as I personally prefer to
call it – <i>circadian rhythm disfunction – </i>affects me in different ways each
time I cross several time zones. I had spent two weeks following my arrival in
Rome recovering from an overnight flight of fifteen hours duration. Now,
following the sun all the way across the Atlantic to Boston affects me
differently with each flight. That is why I usually stay in Italy for at least
two months. First because it takes at least that long to get over the long,
cramped hours in the Economy Section of the jetliner. And secondly, to recover
from jet lag. Then, get to do it all over again on the return trip. BUT, you
might ask … is it worth it? My answer will always be a resounding YES! </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This trip to Rome was, in effect
my dress rehearsal for actually living in Italy. The thought of one <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4xnIscX7Pk/XTSwDX3gOwI/AAAAAAAACbA/9WJCWSrMBXQ7fN8IFhaqeUN2HnHlGfreQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Amina%2BArroub%2B-%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4xnIscX7Pk/XTSwDX3gOwI/AAAAAAAACbA/9WJCWSrMBXQ7fN8IFhaqeUN2HnHlGfreQCEwYBhgL/s200/Amina%2BArroub%2B-%2B2017.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
more move
in my retirement has been in the back of my mind at least since my divorce in
2013. That was the first time I had spent longer than a couple of weeks in
Italy. I decided to go back to a neighborhood I was familiar with in EUR, where
Michael and Laura had rented me my first apartment on Viale dell’Oceano
Atlantico. Last year, after spending a month at that apartment, I decided to
spend another month in Rome, but my landlady, a Moroccan lady named Amina, had
already booked the apartment to another party. I wound up booking another
apartment nearby on Viale Cesare Pavese from a retired Tunisian diplomat named
Mohamed. Both Amina and Mohamed have become close friends. As luck would have
it this time, both of their apartments had been booked, so Michael and Laura
booked me through Airbnb at a third apartment on nearby Via Oscar Sinigaglia.
All three apartments are within easy walking distance of the stores,
restaurants <span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">and shops that I need to maintain
my existence and be physically close to Michael and Laura. I still haven’t made
my final decision yet, but I have done all the necessary research. Now, all I
need to do is secure a long-term visa from the Italian government to replace
the three month tourist visa that I visit with now.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first week or so, it rained.
But, I didn’t mind that too much, because of my jet lag; but then, the weather turned,
and a heat wave descended, not just on Rome, but the entire southern region of
Europe. Paris saw its high temperatures exceed 114<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">° </span>Fahrenheit (46<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
Celsius) day after day, with Roma not far behind, nipping at the 100<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
F, or 38<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°</span>
Celsius day after day. That’s when I said a hearty <i>Thank You</i> to my new
landlady, Stefania, when she had the foresight to air condition her apartment
when she installed all new appliances prior to listing her apartment with
Airbnb. (Air conditioned apartments are at a premium in Rome. Italians
apparently put air conditioners in the same category as clothes driers). So, my
moving around the city usually was begun at dusk. The primary exception to that
was my grocery shopping, which was done early in the morning. Fortunately,
there were two <i>Elite Supermercati </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>within several blocks of the apartment.
Depending on the need to visit the <i>BancoMat at Banco Popolare </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or the <i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabacchiao for Biglietti </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the bus and Metro, I would choose the
closest <i>Elite Supermercato. </i>Back in Texas, I would have to take Lola
with me and drive for miles to run much the same errands. If Michael and Laura
invited me for dinner, one or the other of them would pick me up. Otherwise, I
could cook something up in my apartment, or walk down to the end of the block
and grab a bite at the <i>Nuri Bar. </i>Or, I could head down in another
direction to <i>Ristorante Nuraghe and</i> see what the specials were. <i>Nuraghe
</i>has a garden dining area, which made it especially pleasant after dealing
with the heat of the day. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXXzetFFnMM/XTSwHclORvI/AAAAAAAACbE/tvduOnGYVf8aq6A80hcsBH6w_34P_QL_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Full%2BMoon%2BOver%2BRoma%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="171" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXXzetFFnMM/XTSwHclORvI/AAAAAAAACbE/tvduOnGYVf8aq6A80hcsBH6w_34P_QL_QCEwYBhgL/s200/Full%2BMoon%2BOver%2BRoma%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman Moon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One evening, Amina invited me
over for dinner, partly to apologize for her apartment being booked. On my
short walk to her building, I stopped at the little <i>negozio di Fiori</i> and
bought an orchid for her collection. Unlike my old apartment<i> </i>on
the floor below, my hostess’ place boasts a terrace on the top <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">floor of the
building. I explained to her that all I had to do was look out my living room
window to catch a glimpse of her building. We dined together on the terrace and
were treated to the rise of the largest moon I had seen since Texas.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amina is originally from Morocco and speaks
four languages: Arabic, her first language; French, English and, of course,
Italian. I related my studies of French in high school; my seemingly
never-ending effort to learn Spanish in night school and college; along with my
more recent efforts to master Italian. <i>Why are you so frustrated that you
don’t speak Italian better, </i>she asked me?<i> I have spent the past three years
taking Patrizia’s classes, </i>I told my hostess, <i>and I practice every day
on DuoLingo (on-line teaching tool) but, in everyday conversation, I am limited
to just a few words. I guess I either didn’t learn the language when I was
young, OR,</i> I<i> </i>winked at her, <i>maybe it’s because I don’t have an
Italian girlfriend to practice with. </i>(Did I detect the slightest hint of a
blush under her tanned skin?)</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ox5P2LHQNd4/XTSzHVGmzcI/AAAAAAAACbM/t8Wn0T36TMY3H5Ce7Yi52yZ8XhjuMOS9ACLcBGAs/s1600/NFS%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1294" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ox5P2LHQNd4/XTSzHVGmzcI/AAAAAAAACbM/t8Wn0T36TMY3H5Ce7Yi52yZ8XhjuMOS9ACLcBGAs/s200/NFS%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Funny Stuff! at AUR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my greatest joys has been
band groupie to Michael’s band, <i>No Funny Stuff! </i>Back in Texas, we’d call
the ensemble a <i>Jug Band! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely country and western, but with a
pronounced Italian flavor. Michael and his buddy Beppe Cassa are tireless
promoters. No Funny Stuff! has made countless TV and Radio appearances and have
been featured in dozens of newspaper and magazine articles. They’ve performed
in concerts from Scandinavia to Slovenia. On the first weekend I was in Rome,
No Funny Stuff! was getting ready for a weekend of concerts in Switzerland.
Their big ambition is to book a tour in the U.S. and perform at the big South
By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. During my visit, No Funny Stuff! played
gigs at Guidonia, just outside Rome, the Independence Day Festa at the American
University of Rome and the Taba Café at Campo de Fiori in Rome. I invited Amina
to the 4<sup>th</sup> of July celebration at A.U.R. and another friend of mine –
Alba to the N.F.S. performance at the Taba Café. They both agreed that No Funny
Stuff! is <i>FUN!</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was also the usual
sightseeing around Rome. Fortunately, the location of my Airbnb apartment
played into my plans. I was able to walk twenty minutes to the Laurentina Metro
Station, which whisked me to the Circus Maximus, the Coliseum and other Roman
sight-seeing high points. Then, I managed to figure out the schedule of the
buses that run along Laurentina and my travels became immensely easier. Near
the end of my stay, Michael came to my apartment on his scooter, and we traveled
together to the Coliseum, where we spent the next few hours walking through the
Forum, the ancient Jewish Ghetto, and the Vittorio Emmanuelle Memorial, where
Italy’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is enshrined. It was nearly dusk when Laura
arrived to pick us up, and we were off to dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parking the car back at my apartment, the
three of us, with Sofia tagging along, headed to <i>Nuraghe</i> and dinner.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This will probably not be my last
<i>Rome Diary</i> in the current series. I’m certain to conjure up an additional
memory or two. But, I would be woefully remiss if I didn’t thank Laura’s mom
and dad for</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qs0haUZ2Xw/XTSz6sQXibI/AAAAAAAACbU/oewXEYLzRPcegucXAIWbZibSh1jzmwJPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Dinner%2Bby%2BStarlight%2B-%2BSelci%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qs0haUZ2Xw/XTSz6sQXibI/AAAAAAAACbU/oewXEYLzRPcegucXAIWbZibSh1jzmwJPQCLcBGAs/s200/Dinner%2Bby%2BStarlight%2B-%2BSelci%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner by Starlight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
their hospitality. AnnaMaria and Sergio have welcomed me into their
family’s life, and for that, I am eternally grateful. A trip to Rome, for me,
would be incomplete without a weekend at their second home in Selci, in the neighboring
region of Sabina. Michael could stay only for the first night. Since Selci was
as hot as Rome, we waited until dusk to fire up the barbecue and work his magic
on the grill. He and No Funny Stuff! were off to play at an evening wedding.
Laura, Sergio, AnnaMaria and me headed off in the other direction to a
neighboring village and a <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Festa</i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> sponsored by the hunting club that
Sergio belongs to. Once there, we dined on </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cingale, </i><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">the wild boar that
roams the hills around Selci.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Already, I’m thinking of other
stories about this particular journey that are trying to escape past my fingers
as they skip around my computer keyboard. But, I’ll save them for another time.
In terms of word count, I have already exceeded my self-imposed limit of 1,500,
so I’ll simply sign off with my signature…</div>
Ciao,<br />
MikeBo<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">[Mike Botula, the author of LST 920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is
a retired broadcast journalist, government agency spokesperson and media
consultant. Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books. You can
read the entire <i>Rome Diary series</i> and more about Mike Botula at </span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Documents/A-1%20BOTULA%20-%20ROME%20DIARY%205%20-%20May%20to%20July%202019/www.mikebotula.com"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">www.mikebotula.com</span></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">© By Mike Botula 2019</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-87424705530286881942019-07-14T02:20:00.001-07:002019-07-14T09:08:45.817-07:00The Language Thing!<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunday July 14, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunny 80°F/27°C in Roma, Latium,
Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the grand scheme of life…it
was bound to happen, sooner or later!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On Thursday, as I waited by the
Metro entrance immediately adjacent to the front of the <i>Palazzo </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiT1x97pyRY/XSrua1nak2I/AAAAAAAACZk/MV0FE9O3angSQVwoXVhKfvWjjsUE2dKtwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Il%2BColosseo%2B-%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiT1x97pyRY/XSrua1nak2I/AAAAAAAACZk/MV0FE9O3angSQVwoXVhKfvWjjsUE2dKtwCEwYBhgL/s200/Il%2BColosseo%2B-%2B2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i>Naidi in
Piazza della Repubblica</i> waiting for <i>mia amica, Alba</i>, the hotel
doorman approached me and asked me something in Italian. Sensing that he was
asking why I was waiting, I reached into my shirt pocket for my cell phone and
its Google Translator app and asked him for a moment for my answer. When I had
composed my answer, I approached him and read my response.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i>Sto aspettando per una amica, </i>I told
him. (I am waiting for female friend). As luck would have it, Alba arrived and
showered me with hugs and kisses to both my cheeks in that time-honored Italian
manner that I have come to know and love. (Especially when a beautiful woman is
administering the hugs and kisses). Alba spoke to the doorman in Italian. He
answered her in perfect English. <i>I’m sorry, ma’am! But I don’t speak
Italian, as I was trying to explain to your friend. </i>Alba, who speaks
beautiful English, responded, but<i> my friend here is an AMERICAN. He is just
learning Italian!</i> That’s when I came back into the conversation. <i>Where
are you from? </i>I asked the doorman, who by this time was sporting a smile as
big as Texas. <i>I am from Gambia and we don’t speak Italian in Gambia!</i> I
later discovered, after Googling Gambia, that our doorman comes from a small,
west African country that is almost surrounded by Senegal. His native language
may be Mandinka, but it’s certainly NOT Italian! As if to cement our new
friendship, the doorman asked if he could do anything for us. We asked him to
hail a taxi for us. I tipped him, and Alba and I were soon headed to <i>Campo d</i><i><span style="margin: 0px;">ѐ</span>
Fiori.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Alba works at the gift shop at
one of the most popular attractions on one of Michael’s tours, the</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqWGJSkjyhs/XSrujAYFxeI/AAAAAAAACZs/SODxL01oHFoqGzdMGxOv7PVCOSK8r_migCEwYBhgL/s1600/Michael%252C%2BAlba%2Be%2B%2BMikeBo%2B-%2BTaba%2BCafe%2B%2B-%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="984" height="139" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqWGJSkjyhs/XSrujAYFxeI/AAAAAAAACZs/SODxL01oHFoqGzdMGxOv7PVCOSK8r_migCEwYBhgL/s200/Michael%252C%2BAlba%2Be%2B%2BMikeBo%2B-%2BTaba%2BCafe%2B%2B-%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, Alba, MikeBo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Capuchin
Crypts. In the ten years since Michael has been bringing literally hundreds of
tourists to see her in the gift shop, Alba has never heard No Funny Stuff perform
in person. I met her on one of Michael’s tours some years ago. (She refers to
me as <i>her American friend,</i> and I, in return refer to Alba as <i>la mia bellissima
amica Italiana).</i> Or <i>Mia Cara Alba</i> on Facebook, which is how I stay
in touch with all my Italian friends in between my visits to Rome. So, after a
short taxi ride to Campo d<span style="margin: 0px;">ѐ</span> Fiori, we were at the Taba Café, all ready for a night of
No Funny Stuff.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi-t5bW1in4/XSru8oLU-iI/AAAAAAAACaE/dEdP5wvqw0AUMf2o0fSAP9KgxWpI_VnUwCEwYBhgL/s1600/NFS%2Bat%2BTaba%2BCafe%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi-t5bW1in4/XSru8oLU-iI/AAAAAAAACaE/dEdP5wvqw0AUMf2o0fSAP9KgxWpI_VnUwCEwYBhgL/s200/NFS%2Bat%2BTaba%2BCafe%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Funny Stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">No Funny Stuff seems to improve
with each performance, and the guys were really on their game at the Taba Café.
Hearing all the music coming from the Taba, crowds of people started drifting
across the Piazza to get closer to the music. Much to the dismay of the other café
owners, who were losing their customers to the Taba and No Funny Stuff! So,
about fifteen minutes before the band was supposed to finish, <i>somebody
called the cops! </i>La Polizia showed up and the music stopped immediately.
Apparently one of the other club managers saw nothing funny about all the
attention that No Funny Stuff was drawing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The next evening Michael and
Laura called and invited me to join them for dinner at the beach in Ostia. An opportunity
for me to dine on the shore of the Mediterranean doesn’t come too frequently in
Texas, so I quickly accepted their kind invitation. Of course, they brought
along Sofia, their swift, black Volpino, who was more than ready for a romp on
the beach. As I’ve said, the Italians bring their dogs <i>everywhere!</i></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg6HbBl7aNc/XSrvH2SD_TI/AAAAAAAACaM/NGROHW2j1-MlYsPByvEB2QROzfMfLHllACEwYBhgL/s1600/Tre%2BAmici%2B-%2BMichael%252C%2BLaura%252C%2BMikeBo%2Bsu%2BMare%2BNostrum%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg6HbBl7aNc/XSrvH2SD_TI/AAAAAAAACaM/NGROHW2j1-MlYsPByvEB2QROzfMfLHllACEwYBhgL/s200/Tre%2BAmici%2B-%2BMichael%252C%2BLaura%252C%2BMikeBo%2Bsu%2BMare%2BNostrum%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, Laura, MikeBo at Ostia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i> The
Romans called the Mediterranean <i>Mare Nostrum, </i>(Our Sea) and woe betide
any interloper (e.g. Carthaginian) who might attempt to wrest control from the
mighty Roman Navy. We all went for a walk along the beach before dinner. I love
the beach at twilight. The crowds of beachgoers have all left after a day in
the sun, and the only people left are strollers like us. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And Sofia, who pursued her Frisby into the surf
more than a few times. After our stroll and appropriate number of selfies, we
walked back to the restaurant and sat down for dinner.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There is nothing like a fresh seafood dinner
on the shores of Mare Nostrum, unless it’s lunch high above the Eternal City
overlooking the Circus Maximus with the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Forum
and the Coliseum in the distance.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had invited Amina to join me
for the July 4<sup>th</sup> Celebration at the American University of Rome. The
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYX7qgGK0gw/XSru3L42VpI/AAAAAAAACZ8/l6IbUwx8Seoa9oiy1dGxWf5zI8I2P2WJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/MikeBo%2Band%2BAmina%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYX7qgGK0gw/XSru3L42VpI/AAAAAAAACZ8/l6IbUwx8Seoa9oiy1dGxWf5zI8I2P2WJgCEwYBhgL/s200/MikeBo%2Band%2BAmina%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MikeBo and Amina on July 4th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
entertainment was being provided by, surprise, my son Michael and his band, No
Funny Stuff. I’ve rented Amina’s apartment several times since I’ve been
traipsing back and forth from the U.S. and Rome, and we’ve become friends in the
process. She is originally from Morocco and speaks four languages, while I struggle
with just my Italian. After the Fourth of July celebration, we had plans to
meet for dinner, but because of a communication problem on both our parts, she was
leaving for Paris on a trip that would take her out of Rome past my departure
date for the states. So, I was surprised to see a text message from her
inviting me to come and meet her for lunch where she works. Amina works at FAO,
the international food organization of the United Nations. It’s across from the
Metro stop at <i>Circo Massimo, </i>the Circus Maximus, where the ancient
Romans held their chariot races. (Yes, Charlton Heston fans, THAT Circus
Maximus)! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">What Amina hadn’t fully prepared
me for was the intense security shield at her building. I’ve grown accustomed to
the increased military and police presence at the landmarks in Rome since my
first<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZDKBLbQn_8/XSruxqBCDRI/AAAAAAAACZ4/dOOa3OnUx-89vZXLdGEUKioynow9Ehe8ACEwYBhgL/s1600/Circo%2BMassimo%2Bdi%2B%2BFAO%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZDKBLbQn_8/XSruxqBCDRI/AAAAAAAACZ4/dOOa3OnUx-89vZXLdGEUKioynow9Ehe8ACEwYBhgL/s200/Circo%2BMassimo%2Bdi%2B%2BFAO%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circo Massimo from FAO rooftop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
trip in 2005. The Italian Army seems to be everywhere in Rome, and I had
to walk by squad of troops to check in at the visitors’ lobby.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As I approached the bullet and blast-proof
wall that awaited me, I had the unnerving feeling that I had a thousand unseen
eyes focused on me. As I passed through the metal detector, I entered a cylindrical
chamber which simultaneously scanned every inch of my body and acted as
containment chamber for any explosive I might have concealed. I passed through
this area only to face a person behind another wall of steel and glass. <i>Do
you have your ID? </i>An anonymous voice asked. I slipped my Passport Card and
my Texas drivers license into the slot. Both were returned a moment later. <i>She
will have to come down and get you. Now, she is not answering her phone,</i> said
the anonymous voice. I was instructed to step to one side and call Amina. A few
minutes later, she arrived with a big smile on her face. <i>Have any trouble? </i>she
giggled.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The view from the top of the
building was breathtaking. After a few pictures, we enjoyed our salads on the
top floor veranda shaded from the sun beneath an awning. The view and the
lunchtime conversation were worth the price of admission.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On Saturday, Michael came over on
his scooter to my place for another father and son outing. We walked to the bus
stop and boarded a bus for the Laurentina Metro Station where we caught a train
for the Coliseum. On the way, the skies opened, and it started raining. By the
time we got to the <i>Colosseo</i> Metro stop, the terminal was jammed with
tourists who had taken refuge from the sudden downpour. We
waited for the rain to stop. When it did, my son gave his dad his best tour
guide’s personal tour of the Coliseum and the Forum. Later, we met Laura for
inner in Rome’s ancient Jewish Ghetto. More on that evening in future Rome
Diaries.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This is my final blog from Rome,
but not my final <i>Diario di Roma Cinque. </i>I’ll post a few more when I get
back to Texas. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Caio,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-68624692277780172552019-07-07T07:40:00.003-07:002019-07-07T08:35:28.473-07:00Giorno dell’Independenza!<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunday July 7, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunny 90°F/32°C in Roma, Latium,
Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To most of us Americans, the July
4<sup>th</sup> holiday is strictly a party that’s thrown for domestic
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qpl1hXq3jzY/XSIBUP17CuI/AAAAAAAACY8/EEAaSBBbiYsyu2n8cc2P1heTrFXDFJK0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Fireworks%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1315" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qpl1hXq3jzY/XSIBUP17CuI/AAAAAAAACY8/EEAaSBBbiYsyu2n8cc2P1heTrFXDFJK0gCEwYBhgL/s200/Fireworks%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" width="163" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">consumption, within the confines of the continental USA. But, that’s not true. First,
if we really want to celebrate the holiday, we should do it on July <i>SECOND!</i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For it was on July 2, 1776 that the
Continental Congress <i>really</i> voted to declare our independence from
England.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, my real point is that
our Independence Day Celebration is not strictly a domestic celebration.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For, all around the world, American
expatriates take their unique holiday with them. For the United States of
America is not just a nation. It is an <i>Idea, </i>whose very future is being
challenged on several fronts. But wherever Americans are celebrating on the
Fourth of July, they take the celebration with them.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>And, that is how I came to be at the American University of Rome…in Italy… on the
Fourth of July this year!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My son Michael earned his degree
at A.U.R. in 2005, after doing his undergraduate studies at <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OWq0e4wyvI/XSIBZ22UIDI/AAAAAAAACZM/qDlL_Y4ou7cybcilIFb2KUH9va6T0xJwQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Beppe%2Band%2BMichael%252C%2BNFS%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1294" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OWq0e4wyvI/XSIBZ22UIDI/AAAAAAAACZM/qDlL_Y4ou7cybcilIFb2KUH9va6T0xJwQCEwYBhgL/s200/Beppe%2Band%2BMichael%252C%2BNFS%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Funny Stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
California State
University – Sacramento. Living in Rome has taught him to maintain those old
school ties. And so, every year he returns with his band – No Funny Stuff! to
provide the music for the celebration. It was a closed affair – reservations
were required. But the American faculty and students invited their Italian
friends and their families, young and old, to join in the festivities.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was an old-fashioned, down-home,
neighborhood, truly AMERICAN celebration where the people of several nations
got together to celebrate an <i>IDEA.</i> But this American picnic definitely
had an <i>Italian accent.</i> As it should. The history of Italians in America
shows that <i>four million Italians immigrated to the United States between
1880 and 1924. </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>New York has the
largest population of Italian Americans followed by New Jersey and California.
Even Texas has more than 360,000 Italians living in the Lone Star State. (That
might account for the fact that my favorite Italian restaurant is Mandola’s in
Cedar Park, near where I live).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Picnickers munched on hot dogs
and hamburgers and drank copious amounts of <i>vino e <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="mso-comment-date: 20190707T1433; mso-comment-done: yes; mso-comment-reference: MB_1;">birra</a></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SzY1WW5wJo/XSIBjFumojI/AAAAAAAACZQ/NdA7RQ-aLkgFIqioTe5ffM16KvmGHxUmACEwYBhgL/s1600/NFS%2BFans%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SzY1WW5wJo/XSIBjFumojI/AAAAAAAACZQ/NdA7RQ-aLkgFIqioTe5ffM16KvmGHxUmACEwYBhgL/s200/NFS%2BFans%2Bat%2BAUR%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" title="Party Goers " width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July Partiers at AUR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(soft drinks and juice for the bambini).</i> Even the band showed off its
international composition. No Funny Stuff! is made up of one American (my son
Michael) and three <i>Italian </i>musicians; Giuseppe “Seppe” Cassa, Fabio
Gabbianelli, and Giuseppe Petti. NFS is what most Americans call a <i>Jug Band!</i>
As the band’s Facebook page states,” No Funny Stuff is a poor man’s hokum –
Bluegrass, Ragtime, Blues, Ragtime, Jug Band.” And, I might add, “with a
pronounced <i>Italian </i>accent.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i>The band played through its jug-band
repertoire right until fireworks time and then had to move away from the area
where the fireworks were to be set off from the rooftop overlooking the
courtyard. The fireworks show was limited to aerial displays. That’s because
the crowded buildings of Rome don’t allow for many wide-open spaces for static
fireworks displays. Limited in scope, perhaps a little. But, overall,
spectacular nonetheless!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bear in mind,
this scene was being played out around the world, as dusk made its appearance
in every time<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZOiMpypT18/XSIBd0__iLI/AAAAAAAACZM/hKRIMFpnLyU4u5LLKmMs3NWLY7qA_eZhQCEwYBhgL/s1600/MikeBo%2Band%2BAmina%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZOiMpypT18/XSIBd0__iLI/AAAAAAAACZM/hKRIMFpnLyU4u5LLKmMs3NWLY7qA_eZhQCEwYBhgL/s200/MikeBo%2Band%2BAmina%2B-%2BJuly%2B4%252C%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MikeBo and Ex-pat Friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
zone around our troubled globe. Americans celebrating the Fourth
with their friends from all over the international community. As I said
earlier, the celebration of American Independence is more of an <i>Idea</i>
than just a celebration.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For me, it was a great evening
because I realized just how many friends I have among the ex-pat community in
Rome and how many connections there are to my life back home in the states.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I am constantly running into people whose
families emigrated to the U.S. about the same time as my grandparents did,
early in the Twentieth Century, and what we still have in common.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Spending a Fourth of July in a foreign
country is an experience that I will treasure forever. The American Dream still
shines brightly abroad, even if it has begun to dim back home.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Next time: On the road again with
my favorite Jug Band!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ciao,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span><br />
<br />
<div style="mso-element: comment-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div style="mso-element: comment;">
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_msocom_1"></a></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/hp/Documents/A-1%20BOTULA%20-%20ROME%20DIARY%205%20-%20May%20to%20July%202019/ROME%20DIARY%205%20-%20Independence%20Day%20Picnic%20at%20AUR%20for%20Sunday%20July%207,%202019.docx" style="margin: 0px;">[MB1]</a></span></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-51363106609132938852019-07-03T08:57:00.000-07:002019-07-03T09:30:51.368-07:00Il Mio Quartiere e Benvenuto!<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wednesday July 3, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunny and Hot 93°F/34°C in Roma,
Latium, Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of the
reasons that I love my forays to Italy is that I get to hang out with my son
Michael. After all, as he says, <i>Pop! Just remember. All roads lead FROM
Rome! </i>Which is one of the little-known facts that he like to dazzle the
folks on his tours. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I like to think
that he inherited my love of history, and my appreciation for getting the facts
straight. But, his love of music and his creativity, not to mention his performing
abilities, he inherited from his mother. Donna was dancing and singing and
performing well into her fifties. While she was in the position of marrying a
guy with two left feet. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I like to think
of my son as a renaissance man.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He’s a
tour guide in Rome; he performs in a band; he</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58TSSvIRDbc/XRzOUEP2DeI/AAAAAAAACYg/vxOU5T3h3GEEp5CMdi7VhZHQzPDIvDJTACEwYBhgL/s1600/Padre%2Be%2BFiglio%2Balla%2BBarbiere%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58TSSvIRDbc/XRzOUEP2DeI/AAAAAAAACYg/vxOU5T3h3GEEp5CMdi7VhZHQzPDIvDJTACEwYBhgL/s200/Padre%2Be%2BFiglio%2Balla%2BBarbiere%2B-%2BJuly%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padre e Figlio alla Barbiere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
teaches English; and he is an art
aficionado of the first order. So, our conversations are rarely dull, even when
we go out for a haircut together. On Tuesday, we walked down the little
barbershop on Laurentina for a <i>Taglia e Barba </i>(haircut and beard trim). The
barber had no sooner finished shampooing our hair, when Michael struck up a conversation
– in Italian – with his barber. He then turned to me and reported; <i>he says
this barbershop has been here since 1957. Do you remember where you were in
1957? </i>Sure! I answered that I was a Junior in high school and in my spare
time, I was playing Polka records on the local radio station. My dad had just
bought a new Dodge Custom Royal, and things were looking good for the Botula
clan. Eisenhower was in his second term, and <i>Sputnik </i>had not orbited the
earth yet. It was a welcome break in his incredibly busy career, and a chance
for <i>padre e figlio </i>to catch up on family stuff.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Loosely translated, <i>Il Mio
Quartiere e Benvenuto</i>, means <i>My Neighborhood, and, Welcome to it!</i> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’m away from the heart of Rome by a fifteen-minute
walk to the Laurentina Metro Station, which is the last stop on the system’s <i>Linea
“B.” </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>From Laurentina, all of Rome
lies within a 35- or 40-minute <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMuNdp-negQ/XRzOZO-MJqI/AAAAAAAACYk/k0-mSLInOJoFqInIWj3kJwkyDUkj7rOoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Euro%2BHeat%2BMap%2B2019%2B-%2BLondon%2BExpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMuNdp-negQ/XRzOZO-MJqI/AAAAAAAACYk/k0-mSLInOJoFqInIWj3kJwkyDUkj7rOoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Euro%2BHeat%2BMap%2B2019%2B-%2BLondon%2BExpress.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fa Caldo! (London Express Map)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Metro ride… at my feet, EXCEPT when the mercury
hovers around a blistering 100 degrees!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>That’s when it’s more appealing for me to stay comfortably cocooned in
in the cool comfort of my air-conditioned Airbnb apartment. I must admit that I
am a terrible judge of Rome weather. Last year I arrived in January, which is a
terrific month for avoiding the mobs at the Sistine Chapel. But I got cocky and
decided to stay an extra month and got caught by a rare March snowstorm which
left the city paralyzed for three days. Another time, I arrived in mid-August,
a time when most Romans take their vacations and leave their city to hot,
sweating tourists. It didn’t start to cool down that year until September. Even
this year, I didn’t start my annual trip until mid-May, and by then, it was my
son’s busy season…so I haven’t seen much of Michael on this trip, either. So,
I’ve accepted the roll of the dice and am exploring my neighborhood, practicing
my Italian on DuoLingo and watching a bit of Italian television. Thankfully,
RAI News seems to be bereft of the American News Channels’ fixation on
everything dealing with <i>THE DONALD!</i> Which is just as well…after I am on
vacation, and what’s more I’M RETIRED. All the viewer sees of Mr. 45, is a
quick set-up shot, and then the local announcer translates whatever Trump is
saying into <i>ITALIAN!</i> At which point I ask you to imagine what <i>that </i>sounds
like, especially since what he has to say doesn’t make much sense in English,
either!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Last Friday, Michael introduced
me to Grazia, an English student who is going to help me learn<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Italian through a Language Exchange (cambio
di lingua). We are scheduled to meet every week until I return to Texas, and
she goes on holiday with her boyfriend. It’s much like two years ago when
Michael introduced me to Monica, a career woman who wanted to learn English so
she could deal better with her American clients. Grazia’s goal is to secure a
position with an American company.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The heat has played Hob with my
plans to get around Rome easily. Given a choice between a hot, steaming bus or
subway car, not to mention those other sweaty bodies, and I’ll opt for my
airconditioned pad every time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Subways,
buses and walking were my main transportation during my New York student days,
and a few years later in San Francisco, especially when I got to know the
Gripman on the cable cars on a first name basis.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was approaching 100 degrees when German TV
News carried the story that the U.S. was the only country on the face of the
earth to decline to endorse the Argentine Climate Change Accords at the G-20
Summit. The Argentine Treaty is the follow-on to the Paris Climate Change
Treaty, which the U.S. has already deep-sixed!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Meanwhile, the global temperature keeps going up and up and UP! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Over the past weekend, we went on
one of my favorite trips, up to the neighboring Sabina and the<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd-uSkvacMQ/XRzOdS7PukI/AAAAAAAACYo/qoKa-w_iNQoNCv8uHtGPkalBo0J3nnwBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Dinner%2Bby%2BStarlight%2B-%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pd-uSkvacMQ/XRzOdS7PukI/AAAAAAAACYo/qoKa-w_iNQoNCv8uHtGPkalBo0J3nnwBQCEwYBhgL/s200/Dinner%2Bby%2BStarlight%2B-%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner by Starlight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
village of Selci,
where Laura’s parents have a country home. Even in Selci, it was <i>CALDO!</i>
No sooner than we had taken lunch, it was time for <i>siesta. </i>And so, we
all took naps in the coolness of the house’s three-foot thick masonry walls. It
was dusk before Laura, Michael and I went shopping for dinner. By the time my
son had worked his magic with the barbecue grill, the sun had set. The next day,
Michael headed off with the rest of No Funny Stuff to play at a nearby wedding,
and Sergio, Laura’s dad took us all out to a <i>Festa,</i> so we could munch on
<i>Cingale, </i>the wild boar that roam the hills of Sabina. Then, Laura drove
us back to Rome.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Domani, <span style="margin: 0px;">ѐ</span> Giorno dell indipendenza! I’ll
fill you in on how many Americans who are away from home are spending their 4<sup>th</sup>
of July. Tanks! But, No Tanks!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ciao,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo </span><i></i><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-18929325138221568442019-06-19T01:44:00.000-07:002019-06-19T01:49:11.564-07:00"When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like-a Big Pizza Pie!"<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wednesday June 19, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunny 88°F/31°C in Roma, Latium,
Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My buddy of longstanding – Roger Aldi
gets a well-deserved credit for the title of this installment of my Rome Diary.
Roger and I toiled long ago in the newsroom at KRLA, Pasadena under our
erstwhile News Director Ron Robertson, whom I had known from my San Francisco
days at KFOG radio, and he worked for archrival KPEN. So, that means that Roger
and I worked together back in 19-ought-71. (I no longer refer to my <i>friends
of longstanding</i> as <i>old friends</i> any longer, because, at my advanced
age…they keep dropping like flies!) So, here’s the story of how my title came
to be.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was having dinner with my once
and future Rome landlady, Mia, last Sunday night when I<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib_xyF3Qm9o/XQnxvOKUgmI/AAAAAAAACX8/z6imnWP__usRR5UxZjitEq1f7JvQQ10HwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Moonlight%2BIn%2BRoma%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ib_xyF3Qm9o/XQnxvOKUgmI/AAAAAAAACX8/z6imnWP__usRR5UxZjitEq1f7JvQQ10HwCEwYBhgL/s320/Moonlight%2BIn%2BRoma%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaro di Luna a Roma!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
happened to look over
the parapet of her top-floor terrace and gazed upon the largest moon I had ever
seen in my life. I was so moved by the sight, that I unholstered my IPhone
camera, and squeezed off a series of photos, which I posted on Facebook, the
minute I returned to my own top-floor apartment. The next evening, I looked out
from my own balcony and saw an even BIGGER moon. (They don’t even have moons
that size in TEXAS!) I duly snapped another series of photos and duly posted
another picture on Facebook under the title <i>Moonlight In Roma II.</i> In
response, my buddy of longstanding – Roger - posted <i>When the Moon Hits Your
Eye, Like-a Big-a Pizza Pie…that’s Amore! </i>That song was a hit for the late,
great Dean Martin many more years ago than I care to remember. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Speaking of more years ago than I
care to remember, the <i>Citt</i><i><span style="margin: 0px;">à</span> di Roma</i> is fast approaching it’s
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrC4vmNlgzA/XQnyP5FVoTI/AAAAAAAACYM/o0ZUab8Dd087I-HkMcIXX0qMrvyCluDkgCEwYBhgL/s1600/SPQR%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrC4vmNlgzA/XQnyP5FVoTI/AAAAAAAACYM/o0ZUab8Dd087I-HkMcIXX0qMrvyCluDkgCEwYBhgL/s200/SPQR%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
3,000<sup>th</sup> Anniversary! (Put another candle on YOUR birthday cake!) To
honor the occasion, my son the tour guide loaned me his personal copy of
historian Mary Beard’s scholarly tome, <i>SPQR. (Senatus, Populusque Romanus –
The Senate and the People of Rome!)</i> I quickly purchased the Kindle version
of the book and downloaded to my IPad so I could avoid lugging the actual book
around.<i> </i>To this day, you can see SPQR emblazoned on every manhole cover in
Roma. In truth, Benito Mussolini had a lot to do with wanting to restore the
Roman Empire to its previous glory days during his heyday back in the 1930s. In
fact, massive archaeological excavations dot the city along with massive
examples of <i>architettura fascista</i> that still dot the landscape of Rome, especially
in the neighborhood known as EUR, which was established specifically for <i>Il
Duce’s</i> ill-fated quest for glory – The 1940 Rome World’s Fair. Too bad that
Mussolini’s buddy, the German, spoiled everything for <i>Il Duce, </i>by
invading Poland and starting World War Two, in September 1939. Mussolini had drained
the massive swamp that covered what is now EUR, and everything, to prepare for
HIS big show, but Hitler upstaged Mussolini with disastrous consequences,
ultimately, for both. But, in terms of the History of Rome, WW2 passed in the
flick of an eye.</div>
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My Italian teacher, Patrizia
would be happy to know that I seem to be getting along in the language better
on this trip than I have in the past. Since I finished Patrizia’s class last
semester, I’ve signed up for Duolingo Plus, which involves a small fee, so I
can practice my vocabulary every day. Then, I have the Google Translator on my
IPhone, IPad and computer. I have a few key phrases on my IPhone so I can at least
alert a stranger that I’m still learning the language. Italians, like Spanish
speakers tend to talk faster than me, so I’m still taking baby steps with the
language. I can go shopping for groceries, order at a restaurant comfortably
now, but when I need to do a specific task at a neighborhood shop, I prepare
the appropriate phrases with the translator. Now, I can get tickets for the bus
or Metro at the <i>Tabaccaio or</i> buy more time for my internet service. For
example, before I had dinner with Mia on Sunday, I stopped at the flower shop
on way, as is the European custom, to buy her a plant. Knowing that she likes
orchids, I crafted my request orchid, feeling proud.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve rented Mia’s apartment
several times now through Airbnb. Mia is Moroccan by birth and has now lived a
considerable length of time in Italy. She speaks four languages including
Arabic, French, Italian and English. She is, by far, one of the most
interesting people I’ve met since I’ve been coming<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_z6xFW9KHg/XQnx3Ugw8zI/AAAAAAAACYE/hz80cf5RPyUS3OXJ_kKhZE5g8xB8YAAnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/AMINA-%2BCROP%2BFeb%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1253" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_z6xFW9KHg/XQnx3Ugw8zI/AAAAAAAACYE/hz80cf5RPyUS3OXJ_kKhZE5g8xB8YAAnQCEwYBhgL/s200/AMINA-%2BCROP%2BFeb%2B2018.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Bella MIA!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
to Rome.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I now have a repertoire now of three
apartments that I can stay at when I’m in Rome. I like the neighborhood. It’s
within walking distance of Michael and Laura and 30 minutes from the center of
Rome by Metro. (Just like when I used to live in Queens and would catch a bus
or subway into Manhattan). Another apartment is owned by a retired Tunisian
diplomat named Mohamed who lives in Rome part of the year and rents his place
out when he is not in Rome. Last year I decided at the last minute to stay for
another month, but Mia’s place was already booked, so we shopped around and found
Mohamed’s apartment right down the street. This year, BOTH places were booked
by the time I was ready to travel, but Laura was able to find a place to hang
out for two months, close to the other two apartments in the same neighborhood,
which I have come like very much. My third apartment – the one I’m staying in
this time is owned by a woman who lives in Sweden. She has her brother and
sister look after it when she’s not in Rome.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I like to stay for extended visits,
in a place of my own choosing. I find my hosts to be more welcoming, and I am
free to come and go as I please. Mia, for example, is rated as a <i>Super Host </i>by
Airbnb. She gets consistently good reviews from renters for her hosting skills
and the cleanliness and convenience of her apartment.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>On the Airbnb website, her apartment is
listed under: <i>ROME, E.U.R. Comfort For Two. </i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A few years ago, I even flew to
Amsterdam to visit an old flame. The years had passed, and we were both single
again. It was a great visit, and she is gone now, but the days we had together,
at that moment in our lives was indeed a treasure. Now, I have a craving to
take my son and visit my grandparents’ hometown in the Czech Republic. But it
is not to be this trip. Michael is simply too busy with his own work. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Too many people visit Italy on their
holiday without really experiencing the people or the country. Since my<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>first visit in 2005, I have been to
Florence, Naples, Milan, Pisa, Venice and points in between like Sabina and
Pompeii. I have gotten to know some key members of Rome’s expatriate community,
like Marsha De Salvatore, the one-woman powerhouse behind <i>Rome’s Comedy Club.</i>
Marsha started her brand of ex-pat humor in Rome and is now expanding the
concept. As she says, <i>First stop Naples! Look out Firenze and Bologna! </i>Marsha
is already on tour with her one-woman comedy show up and down the length of
Italy.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am meeting some wonderful and
interesting people here in Rome. Each new day is an adventure.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">More, in the next exciting
chapter of my Rome Diary Cinque (5).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ciao!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-49786239070939851472019-06-11T23:50:00.000-07:002019-06-11T23:56:44.699-07:00That Was The Week That Was!<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wednesday June 12, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunny 85°F/29°C in Roma, Latium,
Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata, </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">(Writer’s Note:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I have been <i>senza internet – without internet
service since last Friday, </i>hence the delay in posting my Rome Diary.
Explanation to follow!)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Prima Domenica</b> (My First
Sunday)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was rather rudely awakened from
my jet-lagged induced slumber early on my first Sunday morning in Roma, by the
roar of low-flying jet aircraft near to my top floor apartment. Since Fiumicino</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kziij5Y_OV0/XQCW0_FYzYI/AAAAAAAACXI/WW7rTH6EakQXiTKROLR0ORXNJvDKnNcpwCEwYBhgL/s1600/frecce-tricolori-livorno-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="717" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kziij5Y_OV0/XQCW0_FYzYI/AAAAAAAACXI/WW7rTH6EakQXiTKROLR0ORXNJvDKnNcpwCEwYBhgL/s200/frecce-tricolori-livorno-43.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frecce Tricolori - Over Locarno</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
International Airport is not too far away, I wrote the sound off to some
changes in the airport’s take-off pattern and momentarily ignored the sound. It
wasn’t until the third or fourth time that the tranquility of my Sunday was
interrupted by the jet noise, that I even thought to look through the glass
door to my top-floor balcony. There, in precise formation, was a squadron of
the Italian Air Force’s precision aerobatic team, the <i>Frecce Tricolori!</i> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The <i>Frecce Tricolori </i>is the Italian Air
Force’s equivalent to the U.S. Navy’s <i>Blue Angels,</i> or the U.S. Air Force
<i>Thunderbirds, </i>both of which I have seen perform. So, I stood transfixed watching
the <i>Frecce Tricolori</i> demonstrate the maneuvers that make them one of the
top aerobatic teams in the world, over the city of <i>ROMA!</i> Obviously, the
pilots were concentrating on their close quarter flying skills on this Sunday
morning practice flight. There was not any trace of the colors they normally
favor when <i>Frecce Tricolori</i> cast their multi-color smoke across the
skies to form the Italian Tricolor flag across the heavens. No. On this recent
Sunday morning, the pilots’ thoughts were focused on the basics of close
formation flying, and none of their theatrics. But what a show they put on,
just with their basics! Later, when I mentioned my early Sunday air show
experience, my daughter-in-law, Laura, told me they were probably rehearsing
for the Liberation Day festivities in Roma.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Please forgive my little side
notes in <i>Italiano, </i>but I am in ROMA, and what’s more, I AM attempting to
learn the lingo in these here parts.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
am NOT trying to infuriate some yokel whose life’s mission is to exhort all who
are living in the US of A to <i>SPEAK AMERICAN!</i> I am, however, trying to
learn the language, so that if I move here to live out, what I hope will be my
long life, I will be able to chat up my new neighbors. So that is my reason for
the occasional sprinkling of Italian in my Rome Diaries. <i>Capisci?</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Venerd</b><b><span style="margin: 0px;">ì</span> Scorso
</b>(Last Friday)</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZTsa_g7CU0/XQCZb5VYkuI/AAAAAAAACXg/CETTAadbKc08KG6-Whm7Cl1U4X9eSaICACEwYBhgL/s1600/La%2BVia%2BAppia%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZTsa_g7CU0/XQCZb5VYkuI/AAAAAAAACXg/CETTAadbKc08KG6-Whm7Cl1U4X9eSaICACEwYBhgL/s200/La%2BVia%2BAppia%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Via Appia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was having a second cup of
coffee at my apartment and admiring the view from my balcony when the
tranquility of the day was interrupted by the insistent buzz of my cell phone.
It was my son, Michael inviting me to join him as he took his dog, Sofia, for a
walk. I replied in the affirmative, and moments later, he texted me from
downstairs that my chariot awaited. I quickly went through my usual ritual of locking
my apartment. (With practice, it takes me only TEN minutes, now). And, off we
went for a ride through the countryside, until we came to <i>Parco Regionale
Appia Antica, </i>which has the Via Appia, the Apian Way, ancient Rome’s first
highway as its centerpiece. <i>La Via Appia</i> once ran from the Roman Forum…350
miles south…to modern day Brindisi. Contrary to popular myth, as my tour guide
son delights in telling his guests, the saying is NOT <i>All roads lead TO
Rome,</i> but, <i>All roads lead FROM Rome! </i>As the Roman Empire expanded, Roman
engineers connected the new colonies with home base through a network of
military highways, that quickly became useful for commerce, like Germany’s <i>autobahnen</i>
or our own <i>Interstate Highway System.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Narrow by modern standards, roads
like the Appian Way were the superhighways of Antiquity, two thousand years
ago. Along some parts, the original paving stones can still be seen, complete
with the deep grooves worn by countless chariots and wagons over the centuries.
Along this stretch of the Appian Way, modern villas share the landscape with
the ruins of ancient tombs and towers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rome’s Comedy Club</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For me, no trip to Rome is
complete without a visit to Marsha De Salvatore’s brainchild and gathering
place for English-speaking expatriates from around the world. <i>Marsha
Cincinnati,</i> as she</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1r6AZOVq9k/XQCXDPhRXrI/AAAAAAAACXU/lqoETyXRkAoC-ZkyfTyGgHj___iPuKKDwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Romes%2BComedy%2BClub%2Bin%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1r6AZOVq9k/XQCXDPhRXrI/AAAAAAAACXU/lqoETyXRkAoC-ZkyfTyGgHj___iPuKKDwCEwYBhgL/s200/Romes%2BComedy%2BClub%2Bin%2B2018.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsha and RCC Troupe - 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
likes to be called, is the driving force behind <b><i>Rome’s
Comedy Club,</i></b> which convenes monthly at the Makai Surf and Tiki Bar, which
is a short walk from the <i>Piramide Metro Station</i>, (which is how I measure
distance in Rome). Among his other talents, Michael has done his stand-up comedy
routine several times with Marsha’s troupe of regulars.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In addition to being the motivating force behind
Rome’s Comedy Club, Marsha is on tour up and down the Italian peninsula with
her own one-woman show. Marsha’s audience is drawn from Rome’s large ex-pat
community, but all are welcome at her shows. The routines are always changing,
as are the comics who may come and go, depending on their own career tracks,
but are always welcome to return to try out a new routine, or simply renew old
acquaintances.</span><b></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Sabato Scorso </b>(Last
Saturday)</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYOTgpIjvTg/XQCXL8TfqgI/AAAAAAAACXU/kVWmirQQrJ4yzBjC--hu7FDD29W3ghLMQCEwYBhgL/s1600/NFS%2BPerforms%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYOTgpIjvTg/XQCXL8TfqgI/AAAAAAAACXU/kVWmirQQrJ4yzBjC--hu7FDD29W3ghLMQCEwYBhgL/s200/NFS%2BPerforms%2B-%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Funny Stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">How have I managed to NOT mention
<i>No Funny Stuff! </i>until now?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well,
my son and his three Italian buddies have not performed since my arrival. This
night, the <i>Pride of Italy Jug Band,</i> is doing a benefit performance at a
symposium on “Saving the Planet Through Recycling.” (My words, not theirs).
Since No Funny Stuff builds its own instruments out of life’s leftovers like
olive oil cans and old suitcases, not to mention the bells and washboards …. It
seemed like a great idea for a symposium on recycling. So, there I was, in the
front row snapping pictures, while the dialogue swirled around me … <i>in
ITALIAN!</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Well, <i>No Funny Stuff!</i> will
be performing in Switzerland this weekend, since their van only holds the four
of them and their equipment, I will be stay behind in Rome. But I can’t help
but wonder how the Swiss customs officials will react when they spot all that
recycling that makes up the <i>No Funny Stuff! </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>instrument collection.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>Giovedi </b>(Thursday)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Took the Metro down to <i>Colosseo</i>
to meet Michael for lunch during one of his tour breaks. The famous Flavian
Amphitheater is just steps away from the Metro Station. I had taken the Metro
train</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_cbdR_yHHk/XQCf3Xe39zI/AAAAAAAACXo/0OOF3KuYpkEcYsc2YOyubpigsGD78NiQACEwYBhgL/s1600/Padre%2Be%2BFiglio%2Bal%2BCollosseo%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_cbdR_yHHk/XQCf3Xe39zI/AAAAAAAACXo/0OOF3KuYpkEcYsc2YOyubpigsGD78NiQACEwYBhgL/s200/Padre%2Be%2BFiglio%2Bal%2BCollosseo%2BJune%2B2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padre e Figlio al Collosseo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
down from the <i>Laurentina</i> Metro Station, and I arrived slightly before
my son showed up. So, I did what any other tourist would do. I sat on a nearby
wall and people-watched until Michael showed up. In front of me, signs on a
construction fence informed that the front of the Coliseum would soon host the
site of <i>Il Colosseo’s</i> new terminal for the long-awaited <i>Linea C, </i>the
Rome Metro’s “C Line.” The new subway line has been delayed for years because
the excavation work has unearthed thousand of ancient artifacts. So much so,
that any time there is digging, an archaeological team watches closely to
assess whatever may be found.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Coliseum is probably one of
Rome’s greatest tourist attraction. It was the first place I headed on my first
trip to Rome in 2005, and I’ve been since many times since then.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Each time, Michael has managed to dispel some
of the myths that have been woven into the fabric of its history. For instance;
while gladiators did fight to the death, and condemned criminals <i>were </i>torn
to shreds by wild animals, most of the persecution of early Christians took
place at nearby <i>Circo Massimo, </i>the Circus Maximus, the site of Charlton
Heston’s great chariot race in the movie <i>Ben-Hur! </i>(Don’t forget the silent
film version starring Ramon Navarro). Another tid-bit. A thumbs down by the
Emperor did NOT signify the death penalty for the hapless gladiator. That was
reserved for thumbs UP. And a thumb displayed to the side meant <i>Ugula. </i>If
that sign was displayed, it meant that the hapless combatant would quickly be
dispatch by a quick slash to his <i>Jugular!</i> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Following my briefing on the
finer points of gladiatorial combat, we walked over to a restaurant called <i>Propaganda,
</i>where we ordered two tasty salads and a bottle of mineral water.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Later on we stopped for an ice cream at a <i>gelateria</i>
on our way back to the Metro. My adventure by subway to <i>Roma Centro</i> was
complete!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ci vediamo! (See you soon!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ciao,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-13222926437083189042019-05-29T02:48:00.002-07:002019-05-29T02:52:31.178-07:00ROME DIARY 5: A Man's Home Is His Castle!<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">La Casa di un Uomo </i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">ѐ il Suo
Castello!</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wednesday May 29, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Partly Cloudy 64°F/18<span style="margin: 0px;">°</span>C
in Roma, Latium, Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">First of all, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tanti Auguri e Buon Compleanno </i>to my
daughter Dana Lynne on her completion of another orbit around the sun! Happy
Birthday, Mia Cara! May you have many more!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now, on with my Rome Diary! The
next time you see a Detective Danny Reagan, or any other TV <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxS_mlSzfUM/XO5Sp9LcJNI/AAAAAAAACWY/rlVNr95txXkEi0mdFcgaaaPhbhzBYo-6gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Serious%2BDoor%2B-%2BMy%2BRome%2BApt%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1217" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxS_mlSzfUM/XO5Sp9LcJNI/AAAAAAAACWY/rlVNr95txXkEi0mdFcgaaaPhbhzBYo-6gCEwYBhgL/s200/Serious%2BDoor%2B-%2BMy%2BRome%2BApt%2B2019.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Front Door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
cop effortlessly
break down a door using his shoulder or his leg, allow me to show you MY door
to my Rome apartment. Now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that’s a real
door!</i> There’s no opening my Rome door with a credit card. No sir! There are
F-I-V-E…count’em… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cinque</i> …. deadbolts
built into this steel entryway portal! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s the perfect addition to a masonry wall.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(I guess they’re serious in these parts when
they say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a man’s home is his castle!</i>
Back home a front door is lucky to boast one dead bolt and a chain lock
(flimsy). A movie about New York City, however, always gets a chuckle with the
display of multiple deadbolts mounted vertically on the inside of the door. I
think Italians are more artistic. They build the deadbolts <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">into the door.</i> And, it’s always a steel door. It takes me the
better part of five minutes just to lock and unlock my door as I come and go.
And if that weren’t enough, each window is covered by the built-in steel shutters
the Germans call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rölladen.</i> Behind
this security screen, a guy can feel quite safe in this big city. Add to that,
that I live on the top floor of a seven-story building, it feels pretty safe around
here. But then, Rome is considered one of the safest cities in the world. The
only time I feel nervous in my comings and goings are the inevitable trips in
the apartment buildings’ claustrophobic elevator. Snug doesn’t even begin to
describe it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve mentioned that I was once a
first-time traveler, too. But now, since I will be in Rome a little more than
two months, I am going to take advantage of the fact that my son is one of the
finest<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F3HREb4iso/XO5S08PrRCI/AAAAAAAACWk/WAqQqVp_YWYuLJObXwhzKS_2UW_HtZFJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Pranzo%2Bat%2BContesstaccio%2B-%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F3HREb4iso/XO5S08PrRCI/AAAAAAAACWk/WAqQqVp_YWYuLJObXwhzKS_2UW_HtZFJgCEwYBhgL/s200/Pranzo%2Bat%2BContesstaccio%2B-%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, MikeBo e Laura a Pranzo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">guida turisticas </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>in the city, to visit some of the high points
I missed during those frenzied first days in<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Rome.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you bear in mind that
Roma has been functioning as a city, through good times and bad for more than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">twenty-seven hundred years,</i> then you
will appreciate the section known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Testaccio,</i>
Rome’s ancient Tiber River trading <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>center,
which is just a short distance upstream from the equally ancient Port of Ostia
Antica, which in itself is another jewel in Rome’s treasure chest of
places<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>to see. Laura and Michael took me
to lunch at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mercato Testaccio,</i> an
immense open-air food court designed to dazzle the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">street food aficionado! The <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These days, the wine and olive oil that are
still traded here are more likely to be brought to market on trucks in glass
bottles from around the European Union, than they are shipped by barge from
Ostia Antica in large, terra cotta <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amphorae</i>
as they were more than 2,000 years ago.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once they were used, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amphorae</i> were discarded at a dumpsite
adjacent to Testaccio. Over the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeUYGiklpL4/XO5S-UE_QvI/AAAAAAAACWo/Lx7IhGcVTPohv8FDs6hjt_1U8dHrIN8gQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Monte%2Bdei%2BCocci%2B%2Bal%2B%2BTestaccio%2B-%2B2019%2B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeUYGiklpL4/XO5S-UE_QvI/AAAAAAAACWo/Lx7IhGcVTPohv8FDs6hjt_1U8dHrIN8gQCEwYBhgL/s200/Monte%2Bdei%2BCocci%2B%2Bal%2B%2BTestaccio%2B-%2B2019%2B.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monte dei Cocci</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
centuries, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amphorae</i> broke apart under the weight until a large, mountainous
pile of terra cotta shards was formed. Today, trees cover the terra cotta
mountain, and, it has a name – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monte dei
Cocci! </i>Instead of recycling as modern-day Romans are expected to do, they
were merely tossed on what has become a huge archaeological site. Nestled
beneath <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Monte dei Cocci </i>is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Il Mattatoio al Testaccio,</i> a more contemporary
slaughterhouse dating back to only the latter 19<sup>th</sup> and first three-quarters
of the 20<sup>th</sup> centuries. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Il
Mattatoio</i> is being recycled for use by the University of Rome’s
Architecture and Engineering Schools and an exhibition hall for a Museum of
Contemporary Art.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I think I’ve told you about the
Italians and their disdain for dryers among their appliances. The apartment I’m
renting through Airbnb has been newly renovated with all new appliances, EXCEPT
for a dryer to accompany my new washer and dishwasher and other new appliances.
Instead, a folding clothes-drying rack was left in my closet along with a
random</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qlauhZNYmU/XO5TDxr4n7I/AAAAAAAACWs/Da5n_qGEA_gDnEYdFrCvKAyFUGkvYck_gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Laundry-Italian%2BStyle-2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qlauhZNYmU/XO5TDxr4n7I/AAAAAAAACWs/Da5n_qGEA_gDnEYdFrCvKAyFUGkvYck_gCEwYBhgL/s200/Laundry-Italian%2BStyle-2019.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clothes Dryer Italiano!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
collection of clothes pins. For guys like me, who are old enough to remember
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their</i> mom running a load of laundry
through the rollers of an old-fashioned agitator washing machine, and then
hanging everything on a clothesline in the back yard, this is not a real big
deal. BUT, to most Americans, it is. So fair warning, my fellow Americans.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My language skills are definitely
improving, thanks in large part to my tireless <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">insegnante di italiano, </i>Patrizia Papi, at the adult education center
at Austin Community College and my daily practice sessions on the on-line app <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Duolingo Plus.</i> This week, when Laura
made an appointment for me at a manicurist for me in my new neighborhood, I was
able to communicate well enough to guide the cosmetician through both a manicure
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> a pedicure. For instance, when
she spotted my missing toe, I was able to assure her that I am NOT diabetic,
but the missing toe fell victim to an infection after a blister broke following
four days of walking all over <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venezia! </i>I
was able to tell the lady that I now live near my daughter and five grandchildren
in Texas. (She really perked up when I mentioned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TEXAS, </i>as if there is some special mystique for Italians that Texas
has that is not shared by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">California </i>or
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York).</i> I have advanced from total
ignorance of the language, as in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Io non
parlo italiano, </i>(I don’t speak Italian) to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sto appena iniziando a parlare italiano. </i>(I am just beginning to
speak Italian). My plea of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dov </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">ѐ</span> il bagno, </i>(where is the bathroom?)
has softened into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scusami. Posso avere
usare il bagno. (</i>Excuse me. May I use the bathroom?)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Last evening after Laura drove Michael
and I downtown to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roma Centrale </i>for
an informal meet-and-greet with a group of mutual ex-pat friends, we taxied
back to my neighborhood for dinner. Along the way, Michael pointed out that the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ristorante</i> we were going to was fewer
than 300 meters from my apartment. And, so it came to pass that I was able to
experience <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oster</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">ì</span>a
Pizzeria NURAGHE!</i> As in any <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ristorante,
</i>dinner is served in courses. We opted for pasta from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Primi,</i> meat skewers from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Secondi, </i>and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Salate di Polpo </i>(squid) from a selection of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Antipasti, </i>along with some salted chips made from Pizza crust. I originally
requested the pasta and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real clams, </i>but
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cameriere</i> told me that that item
was very popular and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">la cucina</i> had
just run out of the item. Undaunted, I immediately was persuaded to try <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pasta di porcini. </i>(Pasta with Porcini
mushrooms). The bill for the two of us, including the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grande l’acqua frizzante,</i> came <span style="margin: 0px;">to €44.00 ($49 USD).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span>Il Nuraghe is a small, one-room
restaurant with a neighborhood clientele. It was packed with obviously happy
diners.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’ve heard my son tell his tour
guide customers at the conclusion of their excursions to get off the tourist
track in Rome and go out into the neighborhoods to experience dining out at it’s
tastiest! On that, I heartily agree with my son. (Osteria-Pizzeria NURAGHE, via
Icilio Bacci 2, Roma).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Next time, another small
adventure of an American traveler loose in Rome. For now,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Caio,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-48070962819352991382019-05-26T01:11:00.000-07:002019-05-26T01:23:11.311-07:00A Special Memorial Day!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Roll of Honor: </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">LST 921, LCI(L)99,
U-667</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Brushy Creek Journal</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Memorial Day</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Monday May 27, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cloudy 61<span style="margin: 0px;">°</span>F/ 16<span style="margin: 0px;">°</span>C off Falmouth, UK</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Partly Cloudy 62<span style="margin: 0px;">°</span>F/ 17<span style="margin: 0px;">°</span>C off La Pallice, France</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span></i><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We have a shared responsibility
to look directly into the eye of history,</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">and ask what we must do
differently to curb such suffering again!</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="right" style="margin: 0px; text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">President Barack Obama at
Hiroshima, May 27, 2016</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I was a little boy, Memorial
Day was still called <i>Decoration Day</i> and it fell on May 30<sup>th. </sup>My
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyHhm8Jzu3k/XOpJUBetLcI/AAAAAAAACWE/b49sJ-l9XzYJkhMM_vkVC4GbQt9pvaUmgCLcBGAs/s1600/LST%2B920%2B-%2BCOVER%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyHhm8Jzu3k/XOpJUBetLcI/AAAAAAAACWE/b49sJ-l9XzYJkhMM_vkVC4GbQt9pvaUmgCLcBGAs/s200/LST%2B920%2B-%2BCOVER%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Edition Cover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
mother told me it was a memorial event that started at the end of the Civil
War, because that’s when Americans would pay tribute to the fallen who wore
both blue and gray by decorating their graves with flowers. The observance
actually began with former slaves celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation by
decorating the wartime graves of African-Americans who fought for their freedom
from slavery. Decoration Day quickly became a memorial day honoring Americans
who fell in all of our country’s wars. After World War I, we honored the fallen
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great War </i>on each November 11<sup>th.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></sup>For many years, November 11 was <i>Armistice
Day, </i>and on the 11<sup>th</sup> hour of the 11<sup>th</sup> day of the 11<sup>th</sup>
month of the year there was a moment of silence to commemorate the end of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The War to End All Wars.</i> In 1968
Congress revamped our national holidays, combining these hallowed days into a
pair of three-day weekends. <i>Decoration Day </i>is now <i>Memorial Day </i>and
<i>Armistice Day </i>is now <i>Veterans Day. </i>Today we will again<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>honor those who fought and died for their
country. But, as the years pass, the real meaning of both days is sometimes
lost in the holiday atmosphere that accompanies any long weekend. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When my father returned from his
US Navy service in World War II, he told my brother and I a story that is retold
to each new generation in my family as every new Memorial Day approaches. It
begins with a few terse lines from the LST 920’s Ship’s Log:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">LST 920 Ship’s Log: Monday 14 August
1944</span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1654 hours:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>First hit on LST 921,
directly astern of us. Presumably by torpedo.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1654 hours: General Quarters sounded</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1656 hours: LCI #99 (British) hit by torpedo presumably</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1657 hours: All stations manned and ready; approximate position…50°54’
North, 4°45’ West</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1657 hours: Relieved on conn by Captain Schultz and went to GQ station</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ensign John J. Waters, Officer of
the Deck</span></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My father, Lieutenant Charles
Botula, Jr. died in 1965 without ever knowing the full story about the
afternoon of August 14<sup>th</sup> 1944 off the west coast of England. It’s
taken me years to research it. Neither my Dad nor his Captain – Harry N.
Schultz ever knew which enemy submarine attacked them or what happened to that
U boat after the LST 921 and HMS LCI(L)99 were torpedoed. Most of the survivors
of that terrible afternoon have also faded from our midst, but their story is
well worth the retelling. For in the retelling, we can pay them a long overdue
honor.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Monday, 14 August 1944 -16:54
hrs. - USS LST 920, commanded by Lieutenant Harry N. Schultz and USS LST 921,
under the command of Lieutenant John Werner Enge were underway in convoy EBC 72
from Milford Haven, Wales to Falmouth, England. They were suddenly attacked by
the German submarine U667, was under the command of Kapitӓnleutnant Karl-Heinze
Lange. LST 921 was hit by the first torpedo and broke in two with the aft
section sinking minutes later. Some survivors scampered to safety on the bow
section. Others went overboard into the chilly water. When the aft section
sank, it took half of the ship’s crew to the bottom. <i>General Quarters </i>was
sounded on the LST 920 and Captain Schultz came to the bridge. Seeing survivors
in the water, Schultz ordered his radioman, Seaman Fred Benck to send a request
for permission to turn his ship around to pick up survivors. Permission was
denied and the LST 920 was ordered to proceed to Falmouth. Shortly after
receiving these orders, Schultz ordered Radioman Benck to send the message again.
This time, Captain Schultz disregarded the order to proceed and ordered the LST
920 to turn around to rescue any survivors of the attack.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As my father watched from the
bridge of the LST 920, he spotted a torpedo coming straight at him. Just then,
a British escort vessel, LCI(L)99 came alongside, took the full brunt of the
torpedo and was blown out of the water. There is no way of knowing if the
Captain of that British escort vessel deliberately<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>steered his ship into the path of that
oncoming enemy torpedo or if it was happenstance that put the crew of LCI(L)99
into harm’s way. Either way, the Skipper, Lt. Commander<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Arthur John Francis Patrick Reynolds, Royal Navy,
died a hero.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The 920 came about and Captain Schultz
ordered two small boats into the water with Ensign John Waters in one and
Ensign Harold Willcox in the other, along with nine other sailors to rescue
survivors. Willcox tied a line around his waist and jumped into the water
numerous times to help pull survivors aboard. In his After Action Report,
Captain Schultz singled out Waters and Willcox and the nine seamen for
outstanding performance during the action. In all, 48 survivors were rescued
and brought aboard the LST 920. Seaman Joe Wallace tells this part of the
story<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, I remember one of the 921 crew
members coming up to the bridge all wet and oily. I gave him my locker keys and
location, and he showered and put on some clean dry clothes. By this time it
was dark. We gathered the survivors and were on our way to Falmouth. There, I
had the task of counting the departing survivors - 42 walking and 6 stretcher
cases.</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A number of other
survivors from the 921 as well as the LCI(L) 99 were rescued by a British ship
that joined in the rescue operation. All told, about 65 survivors were picked
up, but fully half of the LST 921’s complement of 107 officers and crew had
been lost. Years would pass before a dusty and forgotten archive* would reveal the
names of the sailors – Americans, British and German who lost their lives on
that August afternoon more than seventy years ago. I would like us to remember:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<u><span style="font-family: "calibri";">LST 921</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Baker, Thomas
A.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Banit, Roman J.,
USNR Seaman
Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Bennett, Frederick W.,
USNR Seaman
First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Bent, Eugene E.,
USNR Seaman
First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Clements, Charles M.,
USNR Seaman
First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Dove, Raleigh J.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Feeney, Lawrence E.,
USNR
Fireman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Fitton, Edward Joseph,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Freely, James Joseph, USNR
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Furino, Louis A.,
USNR
Coxswain </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Guthrie, Edward J.,
USNR
Ensign </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Guziak, Walter V.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Hoak, William K.,
USNR
Gunner's Mate Third Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Jerzewski, Chester R.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Jones, Oscar R.,
USNR
Coxswain </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Kozlik, John H.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Lowe, Samuel M.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Micheline, Carmine A.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Mindlin, Daniel,
USNR
Ensign </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Monaco, Robert Chester,
USNR
Radioman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Moore, Charles H.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Mulholland, William P.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Newberry, Clyde,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Pizon, John J.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Potasky, Joseph E.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Progy, Henry,
USNR
Motor Mach Mate 3<sup>rd</sup> Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Richard, Donald James,
USNR
Gunner's Mate 3<sup>rd </sup>Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Siring, Ronald John,
USNR
Ship's Cook Third Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Smith, Kenneth J.,
USN
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Smith, Lee I., USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Smith, Ray R.,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Sprague, Herbert K.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Suazoe, Ray M.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Totulis, Albert G.,
USN
Gunner's Mate 3<sup>rd</sup> Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Trachsel, Ernest W.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Van Why, Henry,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Verity, Edward C.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Vitense, Glenn,
USNR
Seaman First Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Widmer, Richard C.,
USNR
Seaman Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
Yavornitzky, Andrew J.,
USNR
Shipfitter Second Class </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The British escort vessel –
LCI(L) 99 was a much smaller ship than the wounded LST 921. It was about 150
feet long compared to the LST’s 328 feet. And, instead of a ship’s complement
of 110 officers and crew, LCI(L) 99’s casualty list shows a crew of eight – two
officers and six enlisted men, including the 19 year-old ship’s cook, Able
Seaman William Todd. Todd’s great-niece, Gillian Whittle told me in an email,</span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bill as he was known was only 19 when he died, and he
came from Chorley, Lancashire, England. I imagine he was called up when he
turned 18, I don't know his birthday. He was acting able seaman and he was
actually the ships cook. We as a family are very proud of him and I go to Kent,
England when I can to lay flowers at the naval memorial. I am afraid I don't
know much else about my Uncle, but I have his medals and I had the privilege
of wearing them proudly on remembrance parade for him one year and we
keep his memory going.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also aboard the Escort Ship LCI(L) 99<i> </i>on
that deadly August 14, 1944 were:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk532995023">Lt. Commander <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Arthur John Francis Patrick Reynolds, RN,</a>
Age 24</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sub-lieutenant
Douglas Edwin Swatridge, RNVR, Age 25</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Leading Seaman
Gordon Henry Astor House, RN, Age 21</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Able Seaman
James Quine, RN, Age 21</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Able Seaman
Francis Ernest Dennis Shacklock, RN, Age 19</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ordinary Seaman
John Shields, RN, Age unknown</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ordinary Seaman
Donald Maurice Thompson, RN, Age 20</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Able Seaman
William Todd, RN, Age 19</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Toward the end
of November 2018, I received an email from Able Seaman William Todd’s great-niece,
Gillian Whittle. In her correspondence, she admitted that she never really knew
her great-uncle, but she thanked me for my efforts to keep the memories of all
who died that day fresh in the memories of Americans and Britons alike. She
wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We as a family are very proud of
him and I go to Kent, England when I can to lay flowers at the naval memorial.
I am afraid I don't know much else about my Uncle, but I have his medals and I
had the privilege of wearing them proudly on remembrance parade for him
one year.</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The attacking submarine, U 667,
had sunk four ships including the LST 921 and LCI (99), the Liberty Ship SS
Ezra Weston and HMS Regina on what turned out to be its most successful cruise,
as well as an RAF bomber on a previous mission. But as it headed back to its
base and a hero’s welcome, its jubilant crewmen could not know that their luck
was about to change. In all of the research I did for this story, the US Navy
and German <i>Kriegsmarine </i>archives revealed only that U 667 struck a
mine on or about August 25<sup>th </sup>on the way back to its home base.
But, as I researched further, I found the answer on a specialty internet
site: <i>uboat.net,</i> which is devoted to the archives of the <i>Kriegsmarine</i> and
its <i>unterseebooten. </i>According to the archives, the RAF had carried
out a series of aerial mine-laying missions off the coast of France in an area
code-named <i>Cinnamon</i> right after the U 667 left port on its final cruise.
The RAF dropped mines into the U 667’s inbound route back to base. An
RAF report that I read showed that the coordinates of that August
1944 mine-laying sweep matches the location where the U 667 was finally
found and examined by diving crews. The loss of the U 667 was recorded by
the <i>Kriegsmarine</i> after it missed a scheduled radio check-in on
August 25<sup>th</sup>. When any U boat failed to meet its daily radio check-in,
Admiral Karl Dönitz’ high command assumed that the sub had been lost. And so it
was when U 667 missed its scheduled radio check on 25 August 1944. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The exploding mine sent U 667 to
the bottom of the Bay of Biscay, where it remains with its entire crew. Along
with the U 667’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kapitӓnleutnant
Karl-Heinze Lange</i>, the identities of the other sailors in his crew are
listed from the roster of all the sailors who served aboard her. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They are:</span></div>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-image: none; border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Name</span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rank (In German)</span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Age</span></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lange,
Karl-Heinze </span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kapitӓnleutnant</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">26</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bauch,
Walter</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Omasch</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">30</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bensel,
Rolf-Rudiger</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Olt.z.S.</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Borowsky,
Helmut</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Br</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ü</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">bach, Friedrich</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Brunk,
Kurt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOFfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Drewes,
Gustav</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Eder,
Franz</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ederer,
Hans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OfkMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">24</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ehrenfeld,
Kurt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OfkMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">25</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Erasimus,
Johann</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Faust,
Erich</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Olt.z.S</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Fickert,
Wilhelm</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Figlon,
Herbert</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MechOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">22</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Flach,
Hans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OsanMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Grimm,
Kurt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hagelloch,
Hans-Georg</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OLt.ing.d.R</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hahl,
Adam</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hantel,
Artur</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">22</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hochstetter,
Wilhelm </span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OMaschMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Holle,
Oswald</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kabs,
Helmut</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Kr</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ӧ</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ller, Helmut</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Olt.z.S</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Laschke,
Kurt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Leisler-Klep,
J</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ü</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">rgen</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lt.z.S</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">n/a</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Matthias,
Heinz-Karl</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OMaschMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">25</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">M</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ӓ</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">urer, Ludwig</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">FkOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mittler,
Arnold</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mrziglod,
Heinrich</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">BtsMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">22</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Oehler,
August</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrHGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">38</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Proske,
Walter</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Rei</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">β</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ach, Werner</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">StOStrm</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">30</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Reitor,
Emil</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MechOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Richter,
Georg</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OMasch</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">32</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Richter,
Helmut</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OMechMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">24</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 36;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sauer,
Helmut</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 37;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Sch</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ӓ</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">fer, Richard</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">19</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 38;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Scheit,
Reinhold</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">ObstMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">27</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 39;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Sch</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ӧ</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">metzler, Rudolf</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 40;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Schr</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ӧ</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">der, Gerhard </span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 41;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Schr</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ӧder, Günther</span></span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Olt.z.S</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">30</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 42;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Schulz,
Kurt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">OMaschMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">24</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 43;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Seeliger,
Willi</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 44;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Senden,
Wilhelm</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 45;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Steigerwald,
Wilhelm</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">FkOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">20</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 46;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Warmbold,
Adolf</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MtrOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 47;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">Wei</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">β</span><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">, Rudolf</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MaschOGfr</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">21</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 48; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.35pt;" valign="top" width="200"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Witzel,
Hans</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.3pt;" valign="top" width="202"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">BtsMt</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 147.85pt;" valign="top" width="197"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">23</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Christophe Moriceau, the French
diver who has explored the U 667’s final resting place and photographed the
site extensively for his dive organization <i>L’Expédition Scyllias</i><span style="margin: 0px;"> and its web site <u>w</u></span><u>ww.scyllias.fr</u>
explained to me that unlike the United States and Great Britain, France has no
legal protection for wreck sites that might contain human remains. War graves
carry the protections of international law. But that protection does not exist
in France’s territorial waters.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s fitting that we remember all
who perished.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <i>Eternal Father, strong to save,<br />
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,<br />
Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep<br />
Its own appointed limits keep;<br />
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,<br />
For those in peril on the sea!</i></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span style="font-family: calibri;">US Navy Hymn</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b>[Mike Botula, the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LST 920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target!</i>
is a retired broadcast journalist, government spokesperson and media
consultant. Mike’s book is available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
Books. You can read more about Mike Botula at </b><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/f9babbe45976f1ad/Documents/A-1%20BOTULA%20-%20MIKEBO'S%20BLOG%5eJFACEBOOK%5eJ%20LinkedIN%20FILES-2017%5eM2018/BLOG%20%5e0%20FACEBOOK%20POSTS-2018/www.mikebotula.com"><b><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.mikebotula.com</span></b></a><b>]</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">*LST 921; LCI(L)99; U 667
casualty lists via <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">US Navy Archives,
Royal Navy and Uboat.net.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px;">©
By Mike Botula 2019</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534831511361722395.post-73876020316787206322019-05-23T03:12:00.000-07:002019-05-23T03:16:15.855-07:00Getting Settled In Roma!<span style="font-family: "calibri";">DIARIO DI ROMA V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thursday (Giovedi) May 23, 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sunny 67°F/20°C in Roma, Latium,
Italia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buonagiornata,</span><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It always takes me a few days to
get over my jet lag on a transatlantic flight! Never mind that I saw Dr. Young
twice for what turned out to be a bad cold mixed in with my allergies. Then
there is the acclimating that’s needed moving into a new apartment.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I have a top floor apartment that my son
found on Airbnb. I’ve had good luck with Airbnb. It’s the third apartment I’ve
rented…. In a nice neighborhood close to Michael and Laura. Stefania, the lady
that owns the place, just renovated it with all-new appliances and dual-pane
windows. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Il sesto piano</i>…the sixth floor…sits seven stories above a quiet
street lined with those ubiquitous<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EY1BX1cgNE/XOZvzCVE83I/AAAAAAAACV4/U8FGeLVuU-YXTOIf-EsumVa_JVyVKCehACEwYBhgL/s1600/Rome%2BView%2Bfrom%2BMy%2BApt%2B-2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EY1BX1cgNE/XOZvzCVE83I/AAAAAAAACV4/U8FGeLVuU-YXTOIf-EsumVa_JVyVKCehACEwYBhgL/s200/Rome%2BView%2Bfrom%2BMy%2BApt%2B-2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
My Roma View!</div>
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Umbrella Pines that seem to be everywhere
around Rome. Respighi immortalized them in his symphonic work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pines of Rome.</i> The effect for me is
overlooking an urban forest from my balcony.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The neighborhood is in the EUR district, about 35 minutes by Metro from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roma Centrale,</i> the historical heart of
the Eternal City. EUR was developed under Benito Mussolini as the site for the
1940 World’s Fair. But, while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Il Duce</i>
famously drained the swamp that EUR was best known for at the time, World War
Two broke out and Mussolini’s World’s Fair died on the drawing board. EUR
itself survived and is now a bustling borough of the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve metamorphosed from
first-time tourist in 2005, when I first arrived in Rome expecting to visit
Naples, Pompeii, Florence and Venice in ten days, to the present and my status
as a part-time resident. I’m limited only by the 90-day window that comes with
a European Union tourist visa. From day one, the kids have lobbied hard to
persuade me to move here full time. That’s a tempting thought, and one that was
very far from my mind just a few years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One thing that I did in settling
into my new digs – change out the old, one-cup-at-a-time percolator <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YMGUPQmgmo/XOZv-J1bPSI/AAAAAAAACV8/9x6N8PWnpFciduBX58aHe7uW8WK5kEDzACEwYBhgL/s1600/New%2BRome%2BCoffeemaker%2B-%2BMay%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1381" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YMGUPQmgmo/XOZv-J1bPSI/AAAAAAAACV8/9x6N8PWnpFciduBX58aHe7uW8WK5kEDzACEwYBhgL/s320/New%2BRome%2BCoffeemaker%2B-%2BMay%2B2019.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caffe Italian Style: Old v. New! </td></tr>
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style
coffee pot for a brand-new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nespresso</i>
coffee maker. You know, the type that George Clooney touts in those TV
commercials. I’ll just leave it with Mike and Laura until I come back to Rome.
I did that with my laptop computer and a suitcase full of clothes last year. If
you’re Italian, and you grow up with a coffee pot like that, it’s one thing!
But if you’re an American who grew up on the likes of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mr. Coffee,</i> then an Italian-style coffee pot is going to be way
beyond your abilities.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The same of
cultural chasm exists between what most Americans consider a good, full <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cuppa cawfee,</i> and what most Italians do,
and we have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">G.I. Joe</i> to thank for the
course correction. Back during <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the
latter days of World War Two, when Rome was aswarm with thousands of American
soldiers all looking for sex and coffee (not necessarily in THAT order), the
GI’s decided that they would have to drink at least <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eight</i> of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">demi-tasse </i>cups
that the Italians drank from to get just ONE American-style <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cuppa cawfee</i> out of the deal.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And so, another wartime compromise was
negotiated between the occupiers and the occupied and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caff</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">é Americano</span></i><span style="margin: 0px;"> was
born.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now when I go into a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bar, trattoria or ristorante,</i> I can get
a full cup of Joe. Since I drink my coffee black with a little sweetener, I
order a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caffѐ Americano nero, con
dolcificante.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Michael and Laura popped around noon
to pick me up for a stroll around my new neighborhood and to have a spot of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pranzo </i>(lunch). Since, the sun had decided
to make an appearance after several days of thunderstorms, a pleasant stroll
was had by all, even Sofia, Mike and Laura’s black <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Volpino.</i> Knowing that I am good for a few random table scraps,
Sofia nestled her muzzle on my leg and looked up at me with her best <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feed me </i>gaze. Italians bring their dogs
with them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everywhere.</i> So, it’s not
unusual to see the family pooch in a restaurant, at all.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Back home, the mere sight of a pooch in a
restaurant would most likely cause a run on torches and pitchforks. We checked
the shops restaurants within a few blocks of my <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>apartment. Laura wanted to orient me to the
location of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elite Mercato, </i>which lies
several short streets away from me. This market is not to be confused with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elite SUPERMercato</i> which lies beyond the
junction of Laurentina and Viale dell’Oceano Atlantico on Via Giacomo Debenedetti.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now, my goal with this series of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rome Diaries,</i> is not to dazzle you with
a typical travel log. After all, the likes of Rick Steves and Samantha Brown
can do that, with much more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">panache.</i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rather, my objective is to target the first-time
traveler who has taken the kind of tour that drags a poor tourist <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CL5ZUxiXKxM/XOZv4kZ38GI/AAAAAAAACV8/eZj0aXI5muQ_ICibGg8J2FxwW50Y2LnsACEwYBhgL/s1600/Rome%2BLiving%2BRoom%2B%2B-%2B2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CL5ZUxiXKxM/XOZv4kZ38GI/AAAAAAAACV8/eZj0aXI5muQ_ICibGg8J2FxwW50Y2LnsACEwYBhgL/s200/Rome%2BLiving%2BRoom%2B%2B-%2B2019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
through 15
cities in 12 days and leaves him or her wondering, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wow! What a vacation! The castles. The ruins. The museums. The wine.
The food. And, the people! </i><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh! The people! What a wonderful trip! Oh,
how I would love to go back THERE! </i>Wait just a minute, Pilgrim! Do you have
any idea where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THERE </i>is?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That was ME on my very first trip to Italy. I
had just two weeks, during which – I figured – I<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>could visit Rome and Pompeii, see Naples, hop
the high speed train to Florence, with a side trip to Pisa, and wrap it up in
Venice, AND be back in Rome in time to catch my flight back to California. PS:
I never left Rome! Too many interesting things to do in Rome. Besides, my son
is one of the best tour guides in Rome. So, it was a no-brainer. In 2013, I
came for Christmas and stayed nearly three months. That was where we started
following a pattern where I would rent a place of my own. So. Life in the Big
City – Roman Style! It’s designed for the first-time traveler who want to go
back. IF he can figure out where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THERE</i>
is!</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Caio,</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">MikeBo</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">[Mike Botula, the author of LST
920: Charlie Botula’s Long, Slow Target! is a retired broadcast journalist,
government agency spokesperson and media consultant.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mike’s book is available from Amazon Books.
You can read more about Mike Botula at www.mikebotula.com]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">© By Mike Botula 2019</span></div>
Mike Botulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03280479229678291508noreply@blogger.com4