George H Thomas 125 Years -- March 28, 2020

150 years ago today, on 28-March-1870, General George Thomas, USA died. This post is adapted from a 2013 item about General Thomas:
https://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2013/08/nickname-28-august-17-2013.html

I recently read a wonderful essay by Lt Col Robert Bateman: The Meaning of Oaths and a Forgotten Man.  He talks about how Robert E Lee "was a traitor who should have been executed."  This is because Lee and other Regular Army officers who had sworn to protect and defend the United States should be regarded as traitorous opportunists who had violated their oaths and given up their honor.  He points to the example of George Henry Thomas of Virginia, a Regular Army officer who thought long and hard and when Virginia seceded and decided that "my oath of allegiance to the Federal government always came uppermost."

Colonel Bateman points out that Lee is idolized even though he killed tens of thousands of American soldiers, while Thomas, who remained loyal to his country and earned the nicknames "The Rock of Chickamauga" and "The Sledge of Nashville" by being one of the most effective generals on either side, is largely ignored except by historians.

General Thomas and his men stood fast at Chickamauga, preventing a Union defeat from turning into a rout.  Thomas destroyed Confederate General John Bell Hood's army at Nashville.  He continued to serve his country during Reconstruction. General George Henry Thomas died while serving as Commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco. 

Memorial Day, 2015 -- May 25, 2015

On Memorial Day it is fitting and proper to remember the men and women who gave their lives, who continue to give their lives, to give us the country we deserve.

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. -- Joseph Campbell

I took this photo on 14-December-2007 at the National Cemetery in the Presidio. 

Brunch at the Garden Court -- February 3, 2014

Yesterday when we woke up it was raining hard.  We had not heard that sound for a year.  We drove to Fifth and Mission to park, then walked down Mission and up New Montgomery to the Palace Hotel.  We were 15 minutes early for our 11am reservation, so we sat on a couch.  The concierge immediately asked if we were ok. 

At 11, we were shown to a nice table near the large plant visible under the clock.  The service was good.  We had orange juice and champagne.  My wife tried the sushi, the dim sum and the paella.  I went more traditional, with a crepe and small pancakes and waffles.  All was good.  Then my wife had chicken and risotto.  I had scrambled eggs and bacon.  We each picked a pastry.  I don't get scrambled eggs and bacon very often, so I enjoyed them thoroughly.  Then we went to the dessert table.  We both had crème brûlée and tiramisu. I also had a really good macaroon.

The server was surprised when we said we thought we had eaten enough.  We never got to the seafood table with the oysters. 

We walked up Market and Geary to Macys where my wife did some shopping.  We had something to drink at the Starbucks on the fourth floor. 

Walking down Stockton, we passed an air vent.  We could hear the machine boring the Central Subway tube. 

We got in the car and took a drive out to the Presidio.  They now charge for parking all around the Main Post.  That is terrible. 

International Orange -- October 27, 2012

Today we went to Fort Point.  Traffic was horrible in the Presidio, especially on the road to the fort.  The International Orange art exhibit will close tomorrow.  16 artists created installations to honor the 75th birthday of the bridge.  The bunting in the casemates is Alison Smith's Fort Point Bunting.  On the back of each bunting is a photo and a quote from a veteran.  Other exhibits included a camera obscura, video, photos and a mock store that included only International Orange items.

Up on the barbette tier, we were shocked to find that it was warm and windless.  I don't think I have ever been that warm at Fort Point.

We went to Laurel Village, had lunch at AG Ferrari, and visited Books Inc.  At mass my wife and I took the October census again.  After mass we went to Rockin Robs for dinner.

The Giants beat the Tigers 2-0 in Detroit in the third game of the World Series, the second shutout in a row.  Ryan Vogelsong started and pitched well.  Tim Lincecum and  Sergio Romo relieved.  I'm happy. 

Murphy Windmill -- November 6, 2011

Yesterday our daughter took an exam at George Washington High.  After we dropped her off, we went to the Safeway at the Beach, then stopped by the newly restored Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park.  We went on to Stonestown and had pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks.  My wife shopped a bit.  We drove on to Best Buy at Geary and Masonic and looked at a potential Christmas present.  We went to Office Depot and picked up some presentation boards.  We went to the Presidio and looked at the view.  The Officers' Club is being renovated.  We drove through Lincoln Park, and then our daughter called to say she was done.  We drove down to Bill's Place and found a parking space on the next corner.  It was very busy.  I had a Jazzbeaux.  We went to 5 o'clock mass at Good Shepherd.

Prejudice and Patriotism -- January 16, 2010

Today we went for a walk in the Presidio and went to see the current exhibit at the Officers' Club "Prejudice and Patriotism," which talks about the experiences of Japanese Americans who went into the armed forces during World War II. I remember about 2000 when the US declassified the story of the language school in the Presidio. Military Intelligence veteran Cedric Shimo was speaking about his experiences while we were there. There was an extensive section at the end with current photos of vets and a little write-up about the experinces of each. Most were from MIS or the 442nd. The exhibit closes at the end of January.

It started to rain lightly while we were on our way home.

Before dismissing us after mass, Father Piers pulled out a rolled up cord and said that in all his years as a priest he had never seen anything like this: someone pulled down the rope from our church bell.

Disney Family Museum -- October 25, 2009

Today we visited the new Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. The print-at-home ticket came with almost a full page of tips and dos and don'ts. We had tickets for 1-1:15 pm admission. Driving through the Presidio from the 25th Avenue gate was tricky because of traffic diversions for the Doyle Drive replacement project.

We walked around a bit and looked at the area behind the museum. The family visited the gift shop. When the time came, we went in and found ourselves in a room full of awards that Walt Disney had received over the years. From there, we joined a line waiting to have our tickets scanned to enter the galleries.

The first gallery talked about the first Disneys coming to Canada, then the US, and the birth of Walt and his siblings. From there, we went to a gallery where it talked about Walt's early work experience and his volunteer service in WWI. The display included a Model T ambulance, like the one he drove. The next gallery talked about Walt's early exposure to animation, and included some of the Laugh-o-Gram productions on screens. There was a Universal camera, like the one Walt used. From there, we entered an elevator. Santa Fe heralds were on the doors. Inside, it looked like a train car, with windows on the sides. As we rose to the second floor, Walt talked about his trip from Kansas City to Hollywood.
The first gallery upstairs talked about Walt's early experiences in Hollywood, with the Alice in Cartoonland films. There was a nice Pathe camera, and a Bell and Howell. The next gallery talked about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and the beginning of Mickey Mouse. The favorite item there was an opportunity to watch part of "Steamboat Willy" and try to supply the sound effects.
From there we went to a gallery which talked about Silly Symphonies and the growth of Mickey Mouse and other characters. After that was a section on the multiplane and other technical innovations. A large gallery talked about the pre-war features. After that was a section on the strike, which featured beautifully drawn and lettered picket signs, and the war and the South American tour.
The next gallery talked about the post-war features, animated and live action. At the back of the museum was a long ramp with a display on the True Life Adventures, and huge windows with a beautiful view of the Golden Gate. After that was a gallery on the Carolwood Pacific, Disneyland, and television. The family was very excited by the large model of Disneyland, which featured old and new attractions. The display ended with a gallery on Walt's death.
There were many home movies, family photos, and other mementos of the family throughout the museum. I enjoyed those.
The museum was worth a visit.
Update 26-October-2009. In the earlier galleries, people used old-fashioned phone receivers to hear audio at certain stations. The clips for hanging the receivers were set up wrong, so that the big end of the receiver was held, rather than the small end.

Memorial Day #2 -- May 25, 2009

On Memorial Day it is fitting and proper to remember the men and women who gave their lives, who continue to give their lives, to give us the country we deserve.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -- John F. Kennedy

Disney Museum -- April 27, 2009

Yesterday we took a drive to the Presidio and took a look at the Disney Family Museum, which is being built in one of the barracks along the main post parade ground. They are making progress. The family is excited. It was cold and windy yesterday and today.

Firehouse #16 -- February 5, 2009

This is Station One of the Presidio Fire Department, near the Main Post. The Department now serves the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Station Two is in Fort Cronkhite. The Department was founded in 1917 after a series of serious fires, including the one on 27-August-1915 which killed General John J Pershing's wife and three of their four children. Pershing was in Fort Bliss, Texas at the time, making plans to send for his family. The Presidio Fire Department helped to save the Marina District after the Loma Prieta Earthquake on 17-October-1989.


Lux Interior of the Cramps died. I first heard them on KUSF.

Happy Flag Day -- June 14, 2008

I took this shot of the flag at the Parade Ground in the Presidio on 14-December-2007.

I worry about the museum that the Fishers want to put on the Parade Ground. It's going to look out of place.

Vizquel made a straight steal of home yesterday. He scored the Giants' only run.

Memorial Day #1 -- May 26, 2008

On Memorial Day it is fitting and proper to remember the men and women who gave their lives, who continue to give their lives, to give us the country we deserve.

I was not downtown at the end of last week to buy a poppy.

Carl Nolte, in a nice article in the SF Chronicle, quoted General George S Patton: "In my mind, we are here to thank God that men like this lived, rather than regret that they died."

I took this photo on 14-December-2007 at the national cemetary in the Presidio.

The new lander made it safely to the North Pole region of Mars.