Walk Into a Bar and Yell “Tim Sent Me”

Walk Into a Bar and Yell “Tim Sent Me”

 

If you walk into a bar with me or not on any given night in any given time zone and in any give year of my life… here’s my list of best bars I’ve ever visited in my lifetime…past or present.

First I must preference this by stating why these bars made this list. I’ve either had the time of my life, gotten so drunk I can’t remember having the time of my life …only to be told of it later, met the time of my life… you know what I mean 😉 spent time with a brother, or just felt at home.

 

The Clyde Piper (The Piper), Clyde Oh

The Depot, Fremont Oh

Time Out Sports Bar, Fremont Oh

Pub 400, Fremont Oh

Bud’s Bar, Fremont Oh

Little Bar on the Prairie, Fremont Oh

Shellukes Bar, Fremont Oh

Butch McGuire’s, Chicago IL

The Hangge Uppe, Chicago IL

The Hutt, Treasure Island Fl

McFadden’s, Chicago IL

Goodies Tavern, San Clemente CA

McCabe’s Beach Club, Oceanside CA

McCarthy’s Pub, Santa Barbara CA

The Red Onion, Mission Beach CA

Balloons, Palm Springs CA

The Jumping Cholla, 29 Palms CA

The Stumps, 29 Palms CA

The Trac Bar, Ollongapo Phippines

Tilly’s , Tijuana Mexico

The Texas, Henoko Okinawa

Dublin’s Bar and Grille, Chicago IL

Sunset Grill, St Augustine FL

The Croghan Street Yacht Club, Fremont Oh … How could I not include

Well I’m sure I left some off the list… mainly because I was having such a great time and no one has come clean with me yet. Or, maybe its just because my ass can’t remember that stuff… or maybe I just killed those brain cells last night. Either way if you find yourself in one of those towns… Stop in and say Tim sent you… They’ll probably remember me. Note; if they throw you out with… sorry and if they hand you a bill…sorry. You just might get a free beer too 🙂 They might even say “Who!!!”

 

Disclaimer… Some of these bars may no longer exist and some may have never existed… I can’t remember!!!

 

Tim

Colors

Wow…. I havent done this in so long im nit sure i know how… what inspired this bababling wreck of penmanship is somewhat of my lifes experiences and a couple of events of the last few days.

I joined the Marine Corps the summer between my junior and senior year in hugh school but it wasnt until about a week or two into boot camp when i think I fell completely in love with our country. You see the Marine Corps is all about history and traditions. Everything you do is about and for those who came before you and those that are besude you. How else could you get ordinary men to do the extraordinary. Part of this tradition and part of being a Marine is being the finest fight force that has walked iur planet. To protect and serve those who cannot. Protect the United States and its interests abroad. The symbol of which is our flag… our Colors.

We pay tribute to our Flag by a series of rituals and traditions. Colors is played at 8am and the raising of the flag. Again at sunset colors is played and rhe flag is lowered. You pay this tribute by comming to attention wherever you are and facing the nearest flag and rendering a salute if in uniform or if not just stand at attention. This respect is also paid during the national anthem… which brought me to my Facebook rant today. … if you read it. This is a great honor to Marines… its who we are it pays respect to all that who came before all thise who are with yiu now and to all those to who stand on a wall and say with one voice… no ones going to hurt you tonight… not on my watch! Its the very symbol that we fight for. Its our guide our flag our home.

The National Anthem playing along side the American Flag brings back every emotion of everything we went through. Every moment that you thought you couldnt make it. Every thought of those who didnt and every thought of every Marine that gave their last full measure to protect those who couldnt protect themselves.

So I ask… that when the National Anthem sounds and Colors are unvailed please take that few moments to stand still remove your cap and think about all those who answered that call all those who still do every day and night and especially those in lands far away doing things you cannot even imagine putting their lives on the line day after day.

The Marine Corps has a matto Semper Fidelis… It means always faithful. Faithful to god country and corps.

All this has meaning to me and the events if the past couple days have made me think. I talked to one of my brothers today whos “down range” putting his life on the line to protect our way of life and I feel helpless that I cannot be by his side.

Take care my brother I will carry the flag for you.

Tim

Happy Birthday Marines! Semper Fi!

Today, November 10th, Join me in celebrating the Marine Corps 239th Birthday.  Raise a drink to the Marine Corps and to all my Brothers who served with me and to All those who gave their last full measure of devotion to our country.

For the Marine Corps this a tradition that dates back to the beginning to Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the birthplace of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775. For me this is a tradition that started in 1985 and a tradition that I carry on to this date and hopefully many more to come.

From Wikipedia….According to tradition, Tun Tavern was also where the United States Marine Corps held its first recruitment drive. On November 10, 1775, the First Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nichols, a Quaker innkeeper, to raise two battalions of marines in Philadelphia. The tavern’s manager, Robert Mullan, was the “chief Marine Recruiter.” Prospective volunteers flocked to the place, enticed by cold beer and the opportunity to join the new corps. The first Continental U.S. Marine unit was composed of one hundred Rhode Islanders commanded by Captain Nicholas. Some three million U.S. Marines have been exposed to the significance of Tun Tavern. Each year on November 10, U.S. Marines worldwide toast the Colonial Inn.

One night while I was in Marine Corps bootcamp in the summer of 1985 my drill instructor Sgt Thompson talked about the traditions of the Marine Corps and he passed on something that was told to him by his drill instructor…he said…on this day (November 10th) whether you are a lifer (a Marine who stays in until required retirement age) or you do your 4 and out. Whether you love or hate the Marine Corps, once you make it through bootcamp and bare the title United States Marine; you will find yourself in a bar and you’ll pick up a glass a bottle and raise it above your head and toast to the Marine Corps to your Brothers and to all that have given their life so that yours could be free.

On this Thursday November 10th if you’re in your local bar…look around, you’ll a group of Marines or maybe the older quite guy at the bar taking his drink…under his breath before each sip he will utter the names of his brothers. He might even tell you a story or two. But either way, he’ll be there…remembering honoring those who have served.

On this day I will be honoring the following;

Gunnery Sgt Mike Wolf (my brother)

Major Sam Hotz

Lcpl Jim Bock

Cpl Tom Coffman

Cpl Ashel Mathew Ammons

Pvt Don Franz

Cpl Glen Young

Cpl Rick Chirigotis

SSgt White

SSgt Byron Coates

Cpl Pena

Cpl Ski

Lcpl Schwamburg

Lcpl Stonecash

Cpl Travino

Cpl Draper

Cpl Manony

Cpl Hodge

Lcpl Billy Coin…RIP

Lt Ralph Croce

Cpl Tim Etter

Cpl Phillips

Hank Pelton

Mitchell Jessie

Hiro Persons

Sat Persons

K-Boy Kamiola

Chris Mancini

Cpl Cordona

Pvt Diaz

Hi I’m LCpl Roy Ernest Gordon from Vardaman ,Mississippi, sweet potato capital of the world!

Rhodes

Paffenburger

Arthur J. Davey

Guy

David Scheck

To all those Brothers that I left off my list, only because of my poor memory I honor you! Feel free to leave in your comments the names of Marines and I will honor them as well!

Happy Birthday Marines

Semper Fi

Sgt Tim Honaker USMC

I’m A Blogger

Non-Practicing at the moment! I might have to come up with something…. But then again Hank will be back on in a few weeks. He always make me remember an old Marine Corps tail or two….

I Like The Fair Time Of Year

its that time of year again!

Thoughts From The Tragically Flawed Mind Of Tim

I like this time of year….It’s cooler during the day but still warm enough to wear shorts and flip-flops. It’s still warm enough to do all the summer things…boating cookouts etc. The nights are cooler and you can sleep with your windows open or wear a hoodie with your shorts. It’s also Fair time. Sandusky County Fair that is.

I love the fair. It’s almost like a class reunion. You see all your friends from school that you don’t get to see often. My friend Kirk and his brothers always do a Chicken BBQ (sadly not this year though). They always did this on Friday night of the fair…friends would come to the fair just for this occasion to see each other. It was a gathering of lately young and old (we’re getting older). A place were conversations range from high school football, nascar and who’s winning at the local…

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I know it’s hard to believe that its already been a year….it soon will be. The greatest spectacle this side of the Mississippi north of the Ohio River south of Lake Erie West of the Sandusky River East of Freddy’s Car Wash north of Ballville  South of the CSYC next to the hospital….it is back!!! Yes my friends I am talking about….

The 2^nd Annual Fremont 4^th of July Downhill Office Chair Race

We had so much fun (those who raced and those who watched) that we just couldn’t disappoint this year. If the rumors are true…this year will be bigger and better than last year. For those of you who did not get to witness or participate in the inaugural race last 4^th of July, this is your chance. Show up Stand up and grab your lawn chairs blankets picnic baskets and red solo cups!!!!!!!!!!    Fremonters get ready… stand by… to see the unbelievable. Be prepared to be entertained or humiliated whichever comes first.  Grab that old office chair out of the basement attic or garage…or borrow your bosses. ..Return condition not guaranteed. It’s time to start having fun in this city of ours.

Sound like Fun???? Of course it does! Aren’t you tired of the same old 4th of July activities??? Well get off your ass and join in the fun. Read on for info…. The Date and Time 4th of July  10am. Location (see course below) THE OFFICE CHAIRS Each competitor will ride a non-motorized version of a modified office chair. That’s right every racer must begin as an ordinary office chair. This is where the similarity from office chair to racing vehicle ends. The racer must have the following but not limited to… at least 2 wheels and the seat. This is where rules end. Optional accessories may include but not limited to; more wheels, steering wheel or handle bar, streamers, flags, rockets, desk, sail, sidecar, passenger and breaks if you like… you get the point? And that point is… there is no point. Any modification you can dream up is acceptable…except the unacceptable…motor. You may choose to build from the office chair or start off with an existing form of transportation such as skateboard, tricycle, lawnmower, wheelchair, dolly or the famous radio flyer.  Then add the office chair to it. The Rules (What Rules) Aside from following and the above guidelines you should be at least 16 (don’t need to act like it)(not mandatory though); each racer may receive a 1 step push from a friend. The rest is left up to gravity and the survival skills of the racer. The first one to cross the finish line is the winner. If there are more entries than room to run, there will be heats with the top racers to compete in the championship race. However there will be at least 1 All competitors all out no holds bar race to survive; final race….Provided the office chairs and drivers survive the first races. Helmets encouraged but not mandatory…so are knee pads, elbow pads, pillows, vicoden, alcohol, bubble wrap  …etc. The Prizes Other than bragging rights until the next year…I’ll think of something. The categories for prizes are…but not limited to; 1^st Place Championship Race 1^st Place All out no holds bar Survival Race Best original design Office Chair Craziest Office Chair And 1 “I just couldn’t make it to the bottom” conciliation prize….TJ J Or…whatever I say is a prize….. The Course Memorial Pkwy … You got it next to hospital….just in case, Yes the brick road. The race will start off just before the crest of the hill and finish slightly past the bottom. Note: this race is unofficial and this is a street…. This is a One Way Street…and thats good…we’ll only be going One Way (hopefully). On lookers are encouraged to slow traffic 🙂

The Goal To have as much fun as possible, survive uninjured and entertain the public and yourselves! Disclaimer By participating in this event either by competing or viewing you agree not to hold the organizers (me) or anyone other than yourself responsible for any type of injury that may occur or any embarrassment you might feel. So get to work!!! See you at High Noon! …..I mean 10:00 or if you want the pre-game at the CSYC for Bloody Mary’s!!!!   WHO’S IN Tim

The Day I Die…A Story of Fiction Truths and Slight Exaggerations

In 1983 I joined the Marine Corps as a part of the delayed entry program and a special project conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency known as Program 224. They took the name from the number of recruits involved in the program. Program 224 was a government program designed to take ordinary Marines and train them to be operational in the event they were needed. Even though I did not leave for boot camp until after graduation the summer of 1985, I would meet with my handler at least once a month and then again during the summer and winter breaks from school. It was at this time I would meet with others like me in the area and we would study codes, communication skills, weapons and marksmanship.

The goal of Program 224 was to develop a Marine that could assimilate himself inside a Marine Corps unit and operate as one of them without notice. To function as a mediocre Marine not bringing awareness of himself  or his abilities to his fellow Marines and command….until called upon. The training continued once on active duty. Specialized weaponry training, surveillance and evasion, survival training and finally SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) training. They went to great lengths to hide this from the units and fellow Marines in which I was stationed with….my friends.

In 1987 I was contacted by my handler Mr Jacobs. I was to schedule leave (vacation) the following month for two weeks, purchase plane tickets to travel back home to visit my family. I packed my bags picked up my ticket and headed to the Palm Springs airport as anyone would who was leaving for a trip. I approached the counter and passed my I.D. and my ticket voucher to the ticket agent. She handed me some papers a ticket and a boarding pass. She said my plane would be leaving through Gate 224 and would be located at the end of Terminal B. I arrived at my gate and found 2 others waiting. We didn’t speak as we waited. The same women who gave me my ticket arrived at the gate and opened the door and down the ramp we headed towards a plane with no markings awaiting on the tarmac. It was an all white jet about the size of a small passenger airliner. Once inside I proceeded to my assigned seat. There were only the 3 of us on the plane but each seated apart as to not speak to another, the window blinds were closed and we were seated in the middle seats. Our flight seemed to last about 3-4 hours and when we arrived out our destination it was dark. As the door opened we stepped out on the tarmac that was lit up by bright lights from every direction. I couldn’t determine where we were by our surroundings but I could smell the desert air as though we never left our origin.

On the tarmac I was greeted by Mr Jacobs and ushered away from my 2 travel companions. I was taken to a building where Mr Jacobs showed his ID and we walked through a heavily guarded doorway. Once inside we walked down a dim lit hallway that reminded me of a hospital hallway in a horror movie. We walked through another doorway guarded only by a tall lanky man in a suit. The room had a conference style table in the middle and was surrounded by chairs. I could tell that someone was seated at the back of the table but because of the poor lighting I could not make out his face. I was instructed to sit at a seat in front of me. As I took my seat, I was handed an envelope and was instructed to open it. An overhead slide came on the screen across from me…the slide was that of the same face that was on the picture inside the envelope I had just opened. Once the slide came on the gentleman at the end of the table began to speak. The slides began to changed showing the man from different views and various looks. I was given a description of height, weight, hair color, with or without a mustache/beard. I was also briefed about a meeting that would be taking place between this man and another “high value target”.

My instruction; Stand over-watch to insure the meeting takes place eliminate hostiles that appear.

The briefing ended, Mr Jacobs and I left the room leaving the gentleman still seated. We proceeded to another room where I packed my gear; a light pack (20lbs)…water, radio, side arm with 6 mags, my riffle…bolt action Remington 700 with suppressor and Leupold scope and plenty of Lapua .308 Winchester rounds capable of reaching targets 1000 meters away and 2 Snicker bars. I was met by my spotter….I was told to be a Silver Olympian in the 84 games. We didn’t talk much as we awaited transportation by helo to our staging area….from which point we had 3 hours to hump (hike or walk) to our nest (position of concealment  that provides line of site to our target). We set up position 620 meters away from a makeshift runway in the desert….and wait. We ranged the runway at various points and several avenues of approach that could be used by hostiles. My spotter takes first watch as I rest. The meeting was to take place in approximately 3 hours.  I awake and re-range the kill points taking in account for wind, trajectory and spin drift. I wake my spotter, as I hear the plane approach. He checks his figures again against mine and we make the adjustments. Mr Jacobs gives us the stand-by as the plane descends; in the distance I can see a vehicle approach. I can see 3 men, one of which is the face of the man in my envelope. The plane lands as the “High Value Target” emerges from the door the car pulls up. The 3 men get out and proceed to meet the other. They talk for a few moments as 1 man returns to retrieve a package from the car…he returns. They inspect the package shake hands and as they turn towards their vehicle I hear the first shot…then the second. My spotter calls out the targets….I locate, range fire target down. He calls another target…I locate range adjust windage and elevation…this one will be hard. In one second I take my breath relax aim stop squeeze target down.

The “High Value” Target is down and one associate in the car is down along with 2 hostiles. The car races off as the plane starts it’s engines a missile impacts on the plane and it erupts in a fire ball. Mr Jacobs signals “burn it down, burn it down” (code to take out the car) I shift positions range the target fire the driver is down, the car overturns. Target down I radio…as I hear a helo approach; it lands near the car. A Team gets out take up positions and retrieve the package…another shot..this time from the Team….the man in my photo is down. I continue to over-watch as they clean up the sight. A heavy lift helicopter lands, they hook up the car and fly off. The team boards their helo and leave the area. Mr Jacobs signals again….Buster I say again Buster as I pull my side arm and fire one shot into my spotters head. I pack up, clean my nest and head to the extraction point.

After debrief I return to my base as if I just came home from leave. It was then that I realize….nothing will be the same. It has all been paper targets until that point. It was at this moment that I changed, I know longer felt remorse, guilt nor did I have that moral trigger that said this may be wrong. I did and acted as my government told me as they trained me to do….it was at that point that something in me died. I don’t feel pain, compassion is something I no longer feel. Feel…that’s funny, I can’t seem to feel anything anymore!

Its up to you to determine the Fiction Truths the Exaggerations

Tim

 

This Oath I Swear

December 7, 1941; When I reflect on this date, I wonder what was going through the sailors mind moments before the attack. Me, I imagine they were thinking about their family, girlfriend, best friends their brothers. Maybe what they would do that evening or tomorrow….for some it would be their last thought…for others their thoughts would be forever changed. I once entered Pearl Harbor by Naval Ship…the summer of 1988. It was a hot sunny day and we maned the rails while entering the harbor…past all the ship markers (each ship that sank in the harbor has a marker in its place). Manning the rails at attention is an honor paid to those who lie beneath the surface and was an honor of mine to do so.

When I reflect on this date, I think why I couldn’t do more… not on this date ( I wasn’t born) but why didn’t I stay in, why didn’t I do more when I served. Why when I had the chance at the end of the Gulf War didn’t I re-enlist or extend another time??? Maybe it’s because after the Gulf War I thought my job would be done…who would have thought that after the devastation we laid upon our enemy that anyone would challenge us again.

Then came September 11, 2001…. On this date I felt useless watching the events unfold on TV while at a food show in Detroit. I wished I was still in the Marine Corp I wish I could have been there in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 or in Iraq that day in March of 2003. It’s hard to watch TV sometimes when they talk about the attacks and when I hear of my brothers in arms dying, I feel guilty that I am not there beside them. After all that is what we do…we who took that oath in June of 1985 and all that came before and after.

I often wonder what that oath means to others who said those same words. Did they know what they were saying did they think that one day they would have to do what they swore… will they again? I guess for myself, it meant that I would protect my family and those of my friends that I would protect those who could not protect themselves. I gave my word and swore my allegiance to the United States of America to the Marine Corps and to my brothers and to all who could not stand as we do.

So on this day December 7, 2012 I swear that same oath I swore in the summer of 1985

“I, Tim Honaker, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

I only hope that the time will never come again I hope that it never comes to our land I hope that it never comes to my door….but I will when called either by nation or neighbor this I swear!

Semper Fi

Tim

Happy Birthday Marines! Semper Fi!

This Saturday November 10th, Join me in celebrating the Marine Corps 237th Birthday. I start out at the CSYC around 6:30 and then off to a few local bars to drink to the Marine Corps and to all my Brothers who served with me and to All those who gave their last full measure of devotion to our country.

For the Marine Corps this a tradition that dates back to the beginning to Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the birthplace of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775. For me this is a tradition that started in 1985 and a tradition that I carry on to this date and hopefully many more to come.

From Wikipedia….According to tradition, Tun Tavern was also where the United States Marine Corps held its first recruitment drive. On November 10, 1775, the First Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nichols, a Quaker innkeeper, to raise two battalions of marines in Philadelphia. The tavern’s manager, Robert Mullan, was the “chief Marine Recruiter.” Prospective volunteers flocked to the place, enticed by cold beer and the opportunity to join the new corps. The first Continental U.S. Marine unit was composed of one hundred Rhode Islanders commanded by Captain Nicholas. Some three million U.S. Marines have been exposed to the significance of Tun Tavern. Each year on November 10, U.S. Marines worldwide toast the Colonial Inn.

One night while I was in Marine Corps bootcamp in the summer of 1985 my drill instructor Sgt Thompson talked about the traditions of the Marine Corps and he passed on something that was told to him by his drill instructor…he said…on this day (November 10th) whether you are a lifer (a Marine who stays in until required retirement age) or you do your 4 and out. Whether you love or hate the Marine Corps, once you make it through bootcamp and bare the title United States Marine; you will find yourself in a bar and you’ll pick up a glass a bottle and raise it above your head and toast to the Marine Corps to your Brothers and to all that have given their life so that yours could be free.

On this Thursday November 10th if you’re in your local bar…look around, you’ll a group of Marines or maybe the older quite guy at the bar taking his drink…under his breath before each sip he will utter the names of his brothers. He might even tell you a story or two. But either way, he’ll be there…remembering honoring those who have served.

On this day I will be honoring the following;

Gunnery Sgt Mike Wolf (my brother)

Major Sam Hotz

Lcpl Jim Bock

Cpl Tom Coffman

Cpl Ashel Mathew Ammons

Pvt Don Franz

Cpl Glen Young

Cpl Rick Chirigotis

SSgt White

(Gunny) SSgt Byron Coates

Cpl Pena

Cpl Ski

Lcpl Schwamburg

Lcpl Stonecash

Cpl Travino

Cpl Draper

Cpl Manony

Cpl Hodge

Lcpl Billy Coin…RIP

Lt Ralph Croce

Cpl Tim Etter

Cpl Phillips

Pelton

Mitchell Jessie

Hiro Persons

Sat Persons

K-Boy Kamiola

Cpl Cordona

Pvt Diaz

Hi I’m LCpl Roy Ernest Gordon from Vardaman ,Mississippi, sweet potato capital of the world!

Rhodes

Paffenburger

Arthur J. Davey

Guy

David Scheck

To all those Brothers that I left off my list, only because of my poor memory I honor you! Feel free to leave in your comments the names of Marines and I will honor them as well!

Happy Birthday Marines

Semper Fi

Sgt Tim Honaker USMC

For the Marine Corps Birthday this Saturday I reblog this;

Thoughts From The Tragically Flawed Mind Of Tim

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share. Ned Dolan

A Marine is a Marine.  I set that policy two weeks ago – there’s no such thing as a former Marine.   You’re a Marine,  just in a different uniform and you’re in a different phase of your life.  But you’ll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico.  There’s no such thing as a former Marine.

General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps

I come in peace, I didn’t bring artillery.  But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes:  If you fuck with me, I’ll kill you all.

Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

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