The wait for coffee has my nerves on edge. I check my phone for messages, but there are none. That process took ten seconds of waiting time, so it is pure downtime until the soothing brew hits my cup. Ah, there they are, the first drops of the life-giving fuel followed by a full cup. With my brain fully functioning, it is time to turn to the clock. The year is 1924, and the day is September 13th. The location is Washington, D.C. The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves at the retirement announcement of General Pershing.
General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing GCB (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948), nicknamed “Black Jack”, was a senior American United States Army officer. He served most famously as the American Expeditionary Forces(AEF) commander during World War I from 1917 to 1920. In addition to leading the AEF to victory in World War I, Pershing notably served as a mentor to many in the generation of generals who led the United States Army during World War II, including George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Lesley J. McNair, George S. Patton, and Douglas MacArthur.
Upon reaching the age of 64 (as required by Department of War regulations at the time), The General was granted full pay and allowances for the rest of his life, as well as continued use of his office at the SWAN Building in Washington, which served as the headquarters of the Department of State, the Department of War, and the Department of the Navy. Pershing was succeeded as Army Chief of Staff by Major General John L. Hines.
Before the drinks were served, the alarm went off, and back on the couch, we landed. Checking my phone, a text has come in from Linda Hill. It reads:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “phone.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
Visit Linda’s blog to read what others have done with the prompt. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2024/09/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-14-2024/
Phone by John W. Howell © 2024
“Well, at least you nailed the prompt.”
“Is there a problem?”
“We never stay for the drinks.”
“That shouldn’t bother you.”
“Why’s that?”
“You know a VooDoo Ranger is pretty close to the end of the history lesson.”
“That’s true. I just would like to stay around a while and socialize.”
“I’m almost afraid of what could happen.”
“I would behave.”
“Said the impulsive one. Get on the phone and order an Uber.”
“Already done. It’s over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“Now you are talking. A 1936 Ford DeLux sedan.”
“I thought you would like it. You can have a shotgun; I’ll take the back.”
“You are so generous.”
“Naw, I just know where my bread is buttered.”
“I almost think I should wear gloves.”
“I think it will be okay unless you are eating fried chicken.”
“Where do you come up with some of the things you say?”
“I have no idea.”
“it really doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”
Fiction Favorites 
Good job on the prompt, John. Did Pershing teach at West Point? He certainly had influence over a fine crop of generals. We were lucky to have that group in WWII.
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Pershing was an instructor at West Point on 2 different occasions.
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Thanks GP!
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Thanks, GP.
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Yes, he taught at West Point for a few years. An amazing man. He turned down the Medal of Honor and chose four stars as his insignia. He could have gone up to six.
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Wow!
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He did accept the Silver Star though.
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Great job, John. And you do know I am in love with that Uber!!
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I would love to have one as well. 😊
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That’s a very shiny car.
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Almost looks like stainless steel.
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Fascinating trip, John, even though you didn’t stay for drinks. Riding in that cool Ford to drink some VooDoo Ranger would make up for it.
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I think you’re right, Tim. Add a cheese burger to the mix and it is perfection. 😁
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That is one sweet ride, John. Yes, please wear gloves. And try not to breathe too hard, either.
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Good advice, Lois. 😁
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Thanks for the lesson on Pershing, John. I’m not a big WWI or WWII history buff, but it would have been awfully interesting to sit in on the meetings with the generals and President during WWII.
Love your ride this week! You and your better half should have been dressed 1920’s style, had a chaffeur, and went to the Ritz for the Voodoo Ranger.
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Thank you, Mary. I agree it would have been fascinating to be in on those conversations. I like your vision of pulling up to the Ritz for a VooDoo Ranger.😁
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An interesting moment in history and a great acknowledgement of General Pershing. I adore the Uber ride!! What a jewel!
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Thank you, Jan. it is a doozie for sure.
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That is a beauty!! And I love the fried chicken reference. It made me think of the movie The Green Book 😉
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I can’t imagine touching that metal with greasy fingers.
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That would be punishable!
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Yes it would.
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When I lived in San Diego, the Pershing name was uttered with such reverence on the naval base. Most folks in the service who were based there thought of him as a god. Great job on the prompt and that Uber ride was something else!
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Thank you, Monika. 😁
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That’s right, it doesn’t matter where those ideas percolate, as long as they just keep coming for our enjoyment. Well done. By the way, the General tutored a fine list of soldiers.
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Yes he did. Thanks, Steve.
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Hi John, a great post. I actually know a lot about General Pershing because I am writing a book (it’s been languishing) about the USA’s involvement in WW1).
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He wss a very interesting person for sure. 😊
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Thank you for the very interesting information about the names of the missiles that the Germans almost did not have on their ground a few decades ago. Now we will get new ones very soon, could they be named after one of the former presidents? 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you, Michael.
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Maybe you can revisit Black Jack and chase Pancho Villa through the desert. Might have to switch to mezcal for a day, and ride a cavalry horse for an Uber. That is a sweet vehicle. It looks like it’s just been made ready for paint.
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I think you have pointed out the reason for the finish on the car. They must have taken it down to the metal and ten gave it a clear coat.
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That’s a fancy uber and I love it! In my mind, I live in the 30s and 40s. LOL 🙂
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I wish I had. I would love to write like Dashal Hammett.
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That would be fun! 😀
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I like felt fedoras too.
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Oh, yes, they look very smart. 🙂
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Fab!
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Thanks
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“Now you are talking” was my exact thought before I read your dialogue. 👍🏻 Do you have a background in history or is it a personal interest?
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I was a history minor in college but have always been interested in history. I think history can teach us lessons so I continue to dabble in it.
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Absolutely, yes, thank you for the reply. 🙏🏻
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😊
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This is interesting. Pershing is a name I’ve heard in my life. Your history lesson is short, but does fill in a blank or two.
Thank you, John.
By the way, your VooDoo pal must have some of that ol’ black magic in him.
He charms you out of VooDoo every week.
Who do voodoo? He do!
OX OX OX
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He has always mooched off of me which has become a custom now. I suppy him with VooDoo Ranger with eyes wide open.
🍺X 🍺X 🍺X
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Ahh… M ox ox ch.
Although, he’s not like Wimpy, because he never promises to ay you back on Tuesday!
💋🍺X 🍺X 🍺X💋
(mooch is almost smooch!)
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Yeah he is a good guy. Smooch back 💋🍺X 🍺X 🍺X💋💋
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💋🐂🐖💋
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🐂🐖🐖 🌺
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🐂🐖🐖 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
Good idea! Makes scents after the OinX.
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Ha ha ha. 🦨X
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🏆💋🏆
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Yay. 😁X
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I had no idea he mentored generals in WWII. Great history, and an even greater Uber!
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That is quite a list isn’t it. Since he died in. 1948 he lived to see the results of his efforts.
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Yes, it is. Win-Win!
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😁
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That Uber is one sweet ride!
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I would love to have that car.
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I’d require a chauffeur if I were to own that car.
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Yes. One with jodhpurs and leather boots.
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No food or beverages of any kind should be allowed in that ride. Fried chicken? That merits a night in the clink!
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Thanks Pilgrim. I agree on the food and drink. Clink.
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Salud!
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😊
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