The Warren Land Real Estate Photo CD Mailing Campaign
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Google, Yahoo, Wal-Mart, Paramount Pictures, Sony, and Walt Disney Pictures are some of about 40 companies that I sent information about my more than 70 acres of farm real estate for sale.
My wife and I brainstormed ways to find buyers for the land. We did the traditional action of hiring a realtor. Then, we tried to figure out if there was anything that we could do to find a buyer
The Warren Land Photo CD Project
The Photo CD of Warren Land for sale was mailed to several various American businesses for consideration.
We took our cameras and shot photographs of the rural real estate of more than 70 acres. I put the photographs on a cd. I sit down and took a yellow legal pad and an ink pen and proceeded to write a letter to include with each photo cd, that I mailed.
Letter Method Decision
Yes, I could of typed the letter on the computer and printed it out on a printer. My belief was the reader might consider that I took the time to sit down, collect my thoughts and write from the heart by putting my words on paper.
Granted, penmanship is always an issue. I have been complemented through the years on my clear, distinct, legible penmanship, so I felt confident that my words would be easy to read. I have always been naïve and optimistic to a fault. My belief is that your writing should show conscious effort of thought and composition. I believed hand writing the letter using a black ink pen would reveal my effort.
“Location, Location, Location”
“Location, location, location,” seems to be the mantra of realtors. The property borders Missouri State Highway 176. It is farm real estate that serves as pasture for cows. It is near Table Rock Dam and James River, which I figured were a plus for a potential sale.
History of Successful Replies
I remained optimistic as time passed. In high school history, I worked on a term paper on FDR. Former Vice President, Harry S. Truman had retired to Independence, Missouri. I sat down and wrote the former vice president for his comments on FDR’s administration. When your a kid, anything is possible. A few days later, I received the polite “Thanks, but No Thanks” form letter. I was disappointed, but I did get a response. In 1971, people still wrote and read letters and they would reply.
The Nixon Nothing
In college, I believed Republican President Richard M. Nixon got a raw deal. In those days, I was convinced that the Democrats had set up Nixon. I wrote a long,letter and dropped it into the mail to San Clemente. I never got a response.
In college, I took history and politics seriously. My new roommates were Democrats. I threw my full youthful vigor behind the “Georgia farmer, “( who also happened to be a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis) President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr. Watergate had left the stink of Dirty Politics on America.
The Official President Carter Photograph
The American people were ready for change. Georgia Governor Carter represented the change because he came from “beyond the Washington D.C. Beltway Area.” His campaign had played up his “country roots” and the fact that he had begun as a “Georgia peanut farmer.” The message was he was “outside” of the traditional negative influences of “the old boys club politics” of the nation’s capitol.
I, like many Americans, believed President Carter represented a new era for America. A politically active young college student, I wrote a letter and sent it to the White House. I got a nice letter on official White House stationary that thanked me for my congratualations and best wishes. The White House letter writer took the time to include a copy of the official 8 by 10 color photograph of the president. I bought a frame and the photo quickly became one of the prized possessions of my college dorm room.
Official Concern Over The Reagan Letter
I left college and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. I grew up with a passionate belief in the ideas of democracy. Even in uniform, I kept my eyes on local, state and federal politicians. My first year or two in the military, I bought into the belief that the Republican party was pro military. President Ronald Reagan became the Grand Old Party’s pro-military poster child. Like many military Americans of the day I believed the ideology.
I believed Ronald Reagan to be the best candidate. When he won, I wrote the new president a letter of congratulations. I was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. It seemed everyone in the 2101st Communications Squdron at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas knew about my presidential reply before I did.
The White House logo in the corner of the envelope, instead of the U.S. Postage stamp, must have signaled Strategic Air Command alert klaxons all the way to headquarters at Omaha, Nebraska. While the letter came through the standard U.S. Postal Service channels I have no idea how the simple reply became such a cause for concern.
Many branches of the U.S. Government will tell you they are concerned with the opinions of the American public. One of the major reasons that the U.S. Military is sensitive to feedback from the public is the reaction. Compliments are always welcome.
Complaints go through channels. Americans who are unhappy with any of the military services tend to write their Congressmen or their U.S. Senators. An inquiry from a Congressman or U.S. Senator to any of the military services demands an answer. In my experience through the years, these inquiries are always handled seriously and with the utmost attention to detail.
As a young “slick sleeve” airman, with no stripes on my uniform, I was not aware that a simple letter to an elected official would initiate a chain of interest and events.
I explained to my first sergeant that I had written a letter to congratulate the new president.
The Official President Clinton Photograph
I had been on active duty for several years, when President Clinton moved into the Oval Office. I wrote President-Elect William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton a letter to congratulate him on his election. I received a nice response and an 8 by 10 color photograph of the new president.
Sound Off To Politicians
I grew up with a belief in Democracy. I believe citizens should write their elected officials from time to time to let them know how we view their actions. A letter may still be the best way. The irony of the ease of mobile text messages is that the speed and amount might tend to make them a cliché. Email is a method that might be read or might just be a delete keystroke away.
Letters require effort. You bring together your materials, collect your thoughts and then, write.
One Leg At A Time
My naïve nature comes from my mother telling me time and time again, “Son, people are all alike. From the poorest man to the president of the United States; they all put their pants on the same way – one leg at a time.”
I have found Momma’s belief to be true through the majority of my years. People are basically alike. We all have hopes and dreams. We all have fears. Great men and women just like the average citizen puts their pants on one leg at a time.
Letter Lessons
I learned if you write the White House, you can expect to receive a reply.
If you write a former Republican president – don’t hold your breath.
I never received a reply that I sent to former Republican President Richard Milhous “Tricky Dick” Nixon, who went to San Clemente. I took great effort, in the days before computers, to make sure I had the correct mailing address, so I’m don’t believe the letter went to the U.S. Postal Service Dead Letter Office.
Letters to American Businesses – A Gamble ?
If you write an American business, my experience teaches, a reply may be based on the probability of a gamble. The hope for a reply might be as unstable as a payout from a slot machine or a lucky roll of the dice.
I mailed out about 40 photo cds to different companies. I received a nice thank you, but we have other interest letter from Walt Disney Pictures. I am grateful that Walt Disney Pictures took the time and effort to reply. There were a couple of other companies and individuals who took the time to reply. One company even returned my photo cd for possible use.
American Businesses Lack Of Feedback
Unfortunately, the majority of American businesses didn’t take the time or effort to respond. Thus, I don’t know if any one at these companies took the time to open the mailer and watch the compact disc or if they simply tossed the mailer in the trash can by their desk.
The Death Of Etiquette
In my lifetime, I have watched the decay of courtesy in my lifetime. Even as a boy surrounded by the Ozarks mountains, my remote location in the United States, did not prevent me from hearing about Emily Post and the idea of etiquette. In my lifetime, I’ve watched Americans become more impatient and as a nation we have become increasingly rude, almost to the point of being vulgar in the most innocent of situations.
Thank You
Still, naïve man that I am, I have learned that some people and American businesses still take time to read a letter from an American of seemingly little or no consequence. I thank them for taking their time to read my letter.
I understood, when I created the photo cds that some people would not take the time to watch them. I had hope that they might even hold on to the disc and use the photos as possible screen savers or clip art.
The Democracy Of Writing
A major concept of America comes down to one determined citizen and a sheet of paper willing to take the time to write. I may not have the eloquence of Benjamin Franklin or the wit of Mark Twain, but I have a Voltaire heart and the determination of Samuel E Warren Jr. Thus, I write on.
Future Potential Of Farm Real Estate
I believe somewhere in America or somewhere on the globe, a citizen, a real estate investor or a financier will study the information on the land, look at the photographs and be willing to see the possible future potential of the land.
“Think Outside The Box”
I believe this will probably take a prospective buyer, who goes beyond the traditional conventions of society and comes up with solutions that allow him or her to “Think Outside The Box.”
- Possible Outside The Box Ideas
- Consider the site as a location for Underground Secure Storage of Domain Servers
- Consider the site as a secluded retreat for a company’s management training
- Consider the site as a secure location to experiment on the genetic engineering of food stuffs.
- Consider the site a natural location to develop and warehouse natural landscaping products.
- Consider the site a geographic location for a series of mid-west warehouses to speed up distribution of commercial products throughout the United States.
- Consider the site for a factory to develop heavy equipment like tractors, bulldozers, aircraft or railroad engines. The Union Pacific Railroad tracks are only about four miles away in Galena, which would allow a manufacturer the ability to ship out large cargo to other points quickly.
- Chicago, Kansas City and Jefferson City were once massive railroad centers that allowed for efficient distribution of livestock and merchandise to other points quickly. The growth of these metropolitan areas would not make it as easy to ship massive inventories of metal and mining materials as easily as in the past. This location would be an alternative.
The Results
The results of the Warren Land Photo CD Mailing Campaign were significantly less than I had hope for. I remain optimistic that American businesses should look at this land as a location to develop an area to their specifications. I believe the Obama Administration is working hard to restore the American economy to a level of stability and future growth.
Sam
Raise The Colors !
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
I love to see a flag flying in the breeze.
The Saldana Family proudly flies their Republic of the Philippines flag in Barangay Baras among the coconut and guava trees.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Thanks to my brother-in-law, Ramon Q. Saldana Jr.,in a matter of days, we had a beautiful, tall, functional flagpole in our front yard.
In the United States of America when a military installation or a government agency is ready to begin business, there is a formal ceremony that focuses on the raising of the United States flag to announce the”official” commencement of operations. Even homes, in the United States, with a flagpole usually has some type of ceremony before the flag is raised for the first time.
Once a flagpole is ready, you need to understand your feelings toward the flag that will rise up the standard. If the banner is a national flag, then, you need to understand your emotions and beliefs about patriotism.
Patriotism involves your love of your country and the respect to honor the memory of the people who have sacrificed their lives for your country. If you don’t love your country or feel little to no emotion for the people who have sacrificed their lives for your country; then, you have no business flying a national flag.
In observing my nephews and nieces, they have shown care, concern and compassion for their community and have demonstrated their responsibility in their schoolwork, which translates to me as responsible citizenship. I’m proud to watch them show an interest in current events and Filipino history, which I also view as personal pride in their country.
When you fly a national flag, you should always be aware of your nation’s flag protocol. In the United States Armed Forces, I was taught customs and courtesies, which addressed guidelines for the use and display of the United States flag. And, I know there are detailed procedures for the use and display of the US flag at embassies, consulates and official government agencies. I would theorize that most governments probably have similar procedures and guidelines for the display and use of their national flags.
I explained to my nephews and nieces that proper display of the flag is their responsibility and suggested they ask a teacher or go online and research Republic of the Philippines protocol for the display of the national flag.
Ramon Q. Saldana Jr., and Marife Saldana Roa adjust the flagpole line.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Before we raised the flag, Ramon and Fe asked me if we were going to do “a formal flag ceremony ?” I smiled and answered, “I’m retired. My days of military protocol are behind me.” The truth is before putting together anything like a formal flag ceremony, I wanted to be sure that the flagpole and the flag would work without any flaws.
Christy Warren and Ramon Saldana hold the banner while Marife threads a tie through the top grommet to tie the banner to the flagpole line.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Since I had not tested the flag raising procedure, I didn’t want to risk the kids being assembled for a flag raising and have the line hang up so that the flag did not rise or discover that the grommets were not tied properly and have the flag come loose and fall to the ground. My favorite “Uncle Sam” had taught me to always hope for the “Best Case Scenario” and to be ready to expect the “Worst Case Scenario.” Without a “dry run” to test the procedure, I suggested that we just try to raise the flag the next morning.
Ramon and Fe make sure the top grommet is securely tied to the flagpole line as a part of the process to raise the banner.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
I simply hoped that we would have the colors flying when the kids returned home from school the next day.
Nephew Marlon Saldana climbs up a nearby guava tree to snatch the flagpole line which came loose from the bottom of the banner and did not allow it to rise in the first attempt.The failure revealed that the line should pass through the top grommet and the bottom grommet. To keep the banner attached to the line, then, the bottom grommet would also have to be tied to the nylon flagpole line to allow the flag to rise with the line up to the pulley at the top of the staff. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
February 1, 2012, Christy, Ramon and Marife, three of the adult children of Ramon and Nenita Saldana, raised the colors in the front yard for the first time. I, of course, photographed the event.
Murphy’s Law – “Anything that can go wrong; will go wrong,” seems to pinpoint first time events. The initial flag raising did not go smoothly.
None of us had ever tied a flag to the line before. The tie at the bottom grommets of the flag did not hold and the bottom of the flag came loose as it was raised.
Fortunately, the flag did not touch the ground. U.S. Flag protocol states that if the flag falls and touches the ground, then, that flag must be destroyed.
When we attempted to lower the flag, too much of the line came through the pulley at the top and the line rushed through until the knot at the end of the line caught in the pulley. My nephew, Marlon Saldana climbed up the nearby guava tree and retrieved the knotted line caught up in the pulley and brought the line back down.
By the second attempt, the glitches had been remedied and the colors rose up the line to the top of the flagpole.
Ramon Saldana examines the flagpole line to make sure it passes through the grommets of the banner to allow the cloth to rise up the line. Christy Warren straightens the material, so that the cloth should rise like the sail of a ship up to the top of the mast. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
The colors raised – there was only one item missing – a breeze.
The flagpole line raises the flag up to the top of the flagpole on the second attempt. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Time passed. The kids returned home from school, but the flag was not flying. That fact was a disappointment. Unfortunately, there was no breeze.
The irony is ,it was about, a week and a half later before the flag waved. Typhoon winds off of the ocean actually spawned enough of a breeze to unfurl the colors.
The colors unfurl. The Republic of the Philippines flag flies above the Saldana Family residence in Barangay Baras, Tanauan, Leyte.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
If you pass through Barangay Baras, keep looking through the tall coconut trees. When you see a flash of colors in the trees look for the flagpole. The Saldana Family flagpole stands proud and unfurls the colors of the Republic of the Philippines against the sky.
The Flagpole Quest
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
For 48 of my 56 years I had hoped someday to have a tall flagpole in my front yard. My wife, Christy and I moved half-way around the world to the Republic of the Philippines and in less than 48 days I had my flagpole.
Now, each morning I can have a cup of coffee and look out the window to see the flag flying in the breeze from the tall flagpole.
An orange PVC pipe is set inside a rebar framework within a plywood form for the concrete before the 20-foot pole is lowered into the PVC pipe.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Since I was eight years old, I always wanted a tall flagpole in the front yard. In my mind. I could see the large flag flapping in the breeze.
My dad, Samuel E. Warren, had served in the United States Army, during World War II. To me the American flag waving in the breeze from a flagpole has always symbolized, pride, patriotism, honor and devotion to duty.
Once I went on active duty in the United States Air Force, I really wanted that tall flagpole in the front yard.
But, the Real Wold intervened and the daily concerns of earning a living and putting food on the table pushed my flagpole idea into a storage room of my mind.
Home on leave and after I retired, I would get those six-foot flagpole kits and try various locations to try and give the flagpole a center stage presence, during patriotic holidays like the Fourth of July, Flag Day and Veterans’ Day. It always seemed I ended up with a flag kit that had a flag that had to be displayed at an angle.
I always kept my eye open for the tall flagpole.
I attended Veteran’s Day observances in Branson, Missouri and found tall flagpoles for sale that seemed to match up with my dream of the “Ideal Flagpole.”
The salesman even assured me that the different heights had survived recent hurricanes at different locations in the United States. But, the price tag for the flagpole was in the neighborhood of $300.
Since my wife, Christy, and I had decided to move to the Philippines, I decided it wouldn’t be wise to spend the money on a flagpole that I might not even get to use before we left the country..
We arrived in the Philippines before Christmas Day 2011. Christy’s family and friends came to visit us. As December passed into January and the New Year began, of course, we began those little home improvement touch ups to make the house feel like a home.
Our new yard had coconut trees and banana palms, instead of, rose bushes and sycamore trees. As I looked around I thought, “I think a flagpole would look good in the yard.” I mentioned the idea to Ramon about January 15, 2012. A few days later, Ramon and I went to the Leyte Sports Emporium and bought three flags.
Ramon mentioned that the local flagpoles like they were constructed of 20 foot pipe, two inches thick.
I knew from having shot photographs of flags that there had to be a way to raise and lower the flag, but I couldn’t remember how that part of the flagpole was constructed. I sketched out a rough idea on paper that involved a pulley device up near the top, but I couldn’t be sure.
In our quest to learn about flagpoles, we sought out the type of rope to use. In the States, I thought the line was a white type of rope. In Leyte, we visited different hardware stores, but could only find colored nylon lines in orange, green and blue. I had noticed that some of the local government flagpoles had the blue nylon line.
Since neither Ramon or I had ever built a flagpole we had questions, but not many answers. One evening when Peter, Ramon, Marife, Christy and I were passing through Tanauan, I saw the sign : PULIS.
Across the bridge from the Tanauan Public Market, the PULIS sign is visible to motorists and pedestrians. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
As a child, in the United States, my father and mother had friends in the Houston Police Department in Texas, so I grew up respecting and trusting police officers. I saw the flagpole in front of the police station, so I suggested to Ramon we visit the police station. 
A glance at the police station, during a late Sunday afternoon drive shows the flagpole in front of the station.. But to see the specifics, you need to be closer to look at the flagpole. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
We explained to the police officers that we were trying to build a flagpole but were not certain of how to arrange things to be able to raise and lower the flag. They smiled and were very helpful at explaining how their flagpole was set up.
Ramon rented an arc welder and a welding helmet and set to work welding the pulley to one end of the flagpole, 
Then, Professionals who build flagpoles for a living probably have the designs that work best for them. In our flagpole, the pulley is welded to a rebar rod that is welded to the side of the 20-foot pole at the top. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
The blue nylon line passed through the pulley allows you to easily raise and lower the flag. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
The curved rebar rod welded to the flagpole is in a shape that reminds you of an angel’s harp or a pork chop. But, welded near the bottom of this flagpole the design provides plenty of room to use the rope to tie down the lines. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Ramon finished the flagpole by welding a piece of rebar near the bottom to tie the flag lines to. By January 31, the flagpole had already been set in concrete.
My childhood dream had come true.
I had a flagpole in the front yard. When we first began talking about the idea, my nephews and nieces gave me a puzzled look. While there are numerous flagpoles in the yards of families in the United States; the idea really hasn’t taken off, yet, in the Philippines.
We got the flags and the nylon lines, then, the nephews and nieces seemed more excited about the idea. Thanks to all those protocol sergeants and officers I worked with over the years, I explained to the nieces and nephews that there were proper ways to display a flag and suggested they should go online to research flag protocol.
Once the flagpole was set up among the banana palms, guava and coconut trees even the kids smiled. Of course, there was only one thing left to do: “Raise The Flag.”
“Ten-hut !” I got my tall flagpole in the front yard. And my nieces and nephews got a flagpole to proudly display their nation’s colors. Because the lessons of patriotism that I learned from my father and the military is a citizen should always be proud of who he or she is and be grateful to the nation that he or she grows up in. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
My Momma Is A Welder
My Momma Is A Welder – Opal M. DeLong Warren served as one of the welders in the Todd Houston Shipyard, in Houston, Texas, during World War II. Momma encouraged me to refine my welding skills when I took vocational agriculture in high school. And, now, Ramon, in Leyte, is using his welding skills on the farm. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
My mother, Opal M. DeLong Warren was a welder in the Todd Houston Shipyard, in Houston, Texas, during World War II.
Today, February 28, 2012, is momma’s birthday. She was born on this day in 1920, the year the Show Me State gave women the right to vote.
Born in Peach Tree Holler, near Reeds Springs, Missouri. She rode a horse called, “Shorty,” to the Bear Den school.
She grew up on the farm in southwest Missouri. During World War II, momma and a friend got on a Greyhound bus and decided to see where it would take them. They did it on a whim. The girl got off the bus in Dallas. Momma didn’t like the looks of Dallas so she got back on the bus. When the bus stopped in Houston, she decided she liked the looks of Houston and got off the bus.
She knew no one in Houston.
She would often tell me the money she had in her pocket only allowed her to eat bread and drank water until she got a job about a week later. She saw an ad in the newspaper for welders.
She didn’t even know what a welding machine looked like.
First Day Of Welding School Story
Todd Houston officials sent her to welding school. “The first day of welding school all I had to wear was a white satin blouse. The sparks from the welding rod burned several holes in my blouse. I had to ride the bus back across town home. I was so embarrassed,” said Opal Warren.
Momma loved to tell her “First Day Of Welding School” story, especially years later when I took welding in vow-ag in high school.
She said she was proud of the U.S. Navy ships that she welded on, but admitted that it was sad when they launched because with the war on she knew “some of the boys that served on the ships probably wouldn’t be coming home.”
Momma would have been 92 today.
“Momma’s Boy”
But, she left this life Friday, June 11, 2004 in Springfield, Missouri. Being a “Momma’s Boy,” her spirit lives on. Today in Leyte, Philippines, my wife, Christy and I talked about momma to her brothers, sister, nieces and nephews. Now, The Legend Of Opal Warren will live on – on two continents – the United States and the Philippines.
In the United States, I had adopted the Filipino Death Anniversary custom to observe my mother’s passing each year. But, since her passing, Christy and I usually just talk about Momma and light a candle at 6 p.m., to honor her memory.
The Death Anniversary Custom involves placing a favorite drink, a plate of food or a favorite food, by a candle. If the person smoked a pipe or cigarette then the custom suggest that tobacco also be placed by the food. This year, the candle burns, in front of a small Santa Nino and a larger Santa Nino. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
In her lifetime, momma always commented, “I’m too old to celebrate birthdays, so, I just quit having them.” Still,if it looked like we had forgotten momma’s birthday, then, she would get solemn. Of course, when the guests started showing up, a smile would come to her face. Regardless of what she said, momma did enjoy celebrating her birthday and she truly enjoyed friends and neighbors stopping by to share her day.
Beyond Birthdays
My mother was always important to me. She still is. And the lessons she tried to teach me, I now pass on in the form of Stateside wisdom to my nieces and nephews.
We went to the open air Tacloban City Public Market, the Palo Public Market and shopped in Tanauan today.
A Lantsa boat is tied up in the waters of Pedro Bay in Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. The Tacloban City Public Market is in the background. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
The Tacloban City Public Market Fish Section is located beside the bay. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Stroll along the corridors of the Palo Public Market to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, rice and other merchandise. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
When we returned home, Christy, her sister, Marife, cousin, Pina and Ann Ann prepared supper : Pork sticks, pancit bihon,pancit canton, rice, sweet and sour fish, cake and ice cream. At dinner, Christy and I talked about Momma.
Pina Gempis
Marife Saldana Roa serves the chocolate cake. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
I’m convinced Momma’s spiritual presence showed up early this morning. Yesterday, we bought a welding helmet and Ramon rented an arc welder. Today, was the day he placed together pieces of pipe to weld a gate for his hog pen. In my childhood, momma raised 25 head of hogs on 10 acres and each one of the old sows usually had a litter of 8 to 17 pigs. Momma had Yorkshire, Hampshire and Duroc hogs.
Here in Leyte, Ramon has a Yorkshire sow that has six pigs, (or piglets as they are called in the Philippines). I can imagine that when Ramon was welding the gate today there was probably a presence looking over his shoulder and whispering, “Not so fast. Take your time. Make small circles with the molten metal. Concentrate and you can run a nice bead.”
After all, My Momma Is A Welder.
Happy Birthday, Momma.
Into The Garden Of Eden
Into The Garden Of Eden Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. You may have an idea of what The Garden of Eden, Paradise, or Shangri-la is suppose to look like. Fortunately, for me, February 2, 2012, I was strolling through the jungle with my Canon EOS 40 D camera, when I came upon this earthly road into a heavenly paradise on earth.
The beauty of this photography is I didn’t have to try and find an angle to shoot it. I simply raised the camera like a tourist and looked through the viewfinder and clicked the shutter. When I got back to the house and begin looking at the photos, this one caught my eye because of the colors and vegetation and the trail seems to simply disappear into the horizon of the jungle.
This trail into the jungle is in Barangay Baras, Tanauan, Leyte Philippines. The tropical climate offers a wide variety of coconut trees, banana palms, jackfruit, guava, ferns and other vegetation. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Flickr Tags: Garden of Eden, Heaven, Heaven On Earth, Shangri-la, Paradise, Paradise On Earth, Barangay Baras, Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines, coconut trees, jack fruit, guava trees, ferns, tropical, tropical vegetation, trail, nature, Mother Earth, tropics, photo, Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Rafael’s Caribou
Rafael’s Caribou
Rafael Saldana
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
My brother-in-law, Rafael Saldana, is a rice farmer in Barangay Baras, Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines.
In rural Leyte, the beast of burden is the caribou. A caribou is an bovine animal in Asia that combines the best features of farm pickups and tractors.
While farmers in the United States may own a Case, New Holland, Ford, White, Allis Chambers, Kubota or John Deere tractor, rural Filipino farmers can rely on the plentiful and much less expensive caribou to get the job done.
The land in front of the house is covered with the traditional thick tropical vegetation. Unfortunately, during the monsoon season, it becomes obvious that the soil under the plants is . . .mud. And, that mud is effective in pulling the rubber boots and shoes right off your feet and leaving you standing almost knee deep in mud.
The caribou stands ready to move more scrap coconut tree lumber into place.
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
The quick fix landscape solution became some way to cover over the mud. Commercial landscapers in the United States would have a variety of heavy duty power equipment like the Bobcat and Ditch Witch bulldozers ready to tackle the problem. In rural Leyte, my wife, Christy and I have. . . Rafael’s Caribou.
Neptali “Endoy” Abano readies the caribou to get another load of coconut tree scrap lumber. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Thus, Neptali “Endoy” Abano hooked up Rafael’s Caribou to the yoke and the bamboo drag to bring more scrap coconut lumber into the yard to place over the growing mud swamp. While the trail could probably stand a few more pieces of scrap lumber, for now, you can walk into the yard, rather, than wade into the yard – Thanks to Rafael’s Caribou.
Rafael’s Caribou Up Close
Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Caribou Power
Caribou Power – In the United States, automobile companies brag about the horsepower of the engines of their vehicles. In Asia, automobile manufacturers should consider calculating the strength of their automobile engines in “Caribou Power.” The Caribou is a common sight in Asian countries. This well-known beast of burden – plows like a tractor and can be ridden like a horse. In Ormoc City, Leyte, Republic of the Philippines, Case, New Holland, Kubota and John Deere tractors are common sights on the roads and in the fields of some farms, but in the rice farms of my neighborhood, in rural Baas, near Tacloban City, Republic of the Philippines – it is the caribou that “puts the pedal to the medal” and plows the rice fields. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Story Behind The Photo – I took the “Caribou Power” Canon EOS 40 D photograph January 17, 2012 on the way to Tanauan and Tacloban City. If you look at the edge of the photo you will notice the reflection in the side panel of the Starex van. I leaned out the passenger side and shot this photo as we passed the farmers. Photographer Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Home Sweet Home
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
During the Holidays of 2011, my wife, Christy and I moved to the Republic of the Philippines. In the front yard is tall coconut trees and banana plants.
The move from the United States to the Philippines means that, in addition. to having a different place to live there are different expectations in different countries. I will try to show some of these differences in pictures in future blogs. But, that is for future blogs. For now, I have some photos to look at for the next edition.
Sam
“ I Have Returned !”
“ I Have Returned !”
- Maria Cristina Saldana Warren
“I Have Returned ” Christy Warren Assumes Command At MacArthur Landing Memorial Park,in Palo, Tacloban City, Leyte, Republic of the Philippines – After 21 years in the United States, Christy Warren “returns home” to her native country and her family. Like General MacArthur and the Allies, she pursued her determination to turn her objective into reality, Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
MacArthur Landing Memorial Park
Tacloban City, Leyte, Republic of the Philippines
January 1, 2012
July 20, 1990, Christy Saldana married United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Samuel E. Warren Jr., at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines. Permanent Change of Station Orders for the Warrens came through and with Mount Pinatubo sending aftershocks through Clark, the Warrens left for the next Air Force assignment.
Leyte Landing Plaque -Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. October 20, 1944- Before General Douglas MacArthur, Philippines President Sergio Osmena and the other members of the official party waded ashore four hours of heavy naval gunfire strafed and bombarded targets, while 6th Army troops hit the designated beaches, Meanwhile, X Corps troops landed on the four-mile stretch of beach between the Tacloban City airfield and the Palo River, XXIV Corps troops, 15 miles to the south, came ashore on the 3-mile beach between San Jose and the Daquitan River. By 1:30 p.m., Red Beach Sector was secure. General MacArthur, President Osmena and the official party waded ashore.
Mount Pinatubo erupted. Christy’s teenage brother, Ramon, and her teenage sister, Marife, had been living in Angeles City, near Clark. In the days following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Christy was unable to find out any information about her brother and sisters in the Philippines, She feared the worst. But, she never gave up hope.
Taking Command – United States Army General Douglas MacArthur and the official party wades ashore at Palo,Tacloban City, Leyte, Republic of the Philippines October 20, 1944 to signal the Allies active Liberation Of The Philippines from the enemy and hasten the end of World War II. These statues commemorate the determination and heroism to allow Filipino citizens to rebuild their government and lives. Three days after General MacArthur and the official party waded ashore, the Allies engaged the Axis Powers in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, whish is considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and some criteria suggests the Battle of Leyte Gulf to be “the largest naval battle in world history.” Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
For 18 years, Christy pursued every lead, clue or idea to try and find her family back in the Philippines. By 2008, computers, the Internet and the technology of Local Government Units in the Philippines came together. She signed an electronic guest book for Tanauan and the administrator Eugene Ramos replied by email that he thought he knew her brother, Ramon.
Quickly, communications with her family back in the Philippines was restored and soon the idea of a trip evolved into the idea of a move: a “return to the Philippines.”
The Grandchildren of Pedro Saldana of Palo, Leyte and the children of Ramon Q. and Nenita Quezon Saldana of Barangay Cameri, Tanauan, Leyte. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. Front Row Left to Right – Ramon Q. Saldana Jr., Maria Cristina “Christy” Saldana Warren, Back Row – second person) Peter Saldana, (Front Row- third person) Mariafe Saldana Roa,. (Back Row – first person)R.G. Saldana, a great grandson of Pedro Saldana and the son of Sunny and the late Linda Saldana of Bulacan, Manila. The woman in the pink blouse is Liling Redona, a first cousin. The man in the white striped polo is Ninoy Roa, the husband of Marife Saldana Roa. Not in the picture is Sunny Saldana, of Bulacan, Manila, the eldest son of Ramon Q., and Nenita Saldana as well as Samuel E. Warren Jr,, the photographer and husband of Christy Saldana Warren. The family stands in front of the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park plaque.
The Warren sold the family farm in Stone County, Missouri and began working the paperwork through the Philippine Consul General in Chicago. December 17, 2011, Christy, Sam and pets, Sarge, Smiley and Sunshine boarded the American Airlines flight out of Springfield, Missouri.
Freedom Fighters Legacy – Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. Only the capital city of Warsaw, Poland suffered more destruction than Manila in the Philippines in World War II. Manila and Stalingrad, Russia are considered the sites of the fiercest urban warfare of World War II.
These statues of General Douglas MacArthur and the official party are a constant reminder that the freedom to live your life and the liberty to make the choices on how to live your life is a God-given birthright that no human, government or nation can take away. The statues welcome visitors, who may not be aware of their birthright, but should always find the courage and inspiration in life to rise up and enjoy each day of their life. The Freedom Fighters’ Legacy is each person should have the right to freedom and liberty to live their life and that legacy should be inherited by each generation.
A Memorial For A Filipino Promise Plaque – Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered General Douglas MacArthur to leave the Philippines during the invasion by Japan. In Australia, on the radio, General MacArthur promised Filipino citizens that he would return. Meanwhile, freedom fighters opposed to the occupation began aggressive guerilla tactics designed to drive out the invaders.Subversive groups organized on Luzon, the Visayas and in Mindanao. The United States military used submarines to smuggle food, guns, ammo, explosives and radios to the freedom fighters resistance movement to defeat the invaders. By the end of World War II, there were 277 guerilla units in the Philippines composed of some 260, 715 people. The heroic acts of the freedom fighting guerillas provided information to the Allies and effective acts of sabotage that paved the way for General MacArthur to keep his promise and allow the Allies to achieve the Liberation of the Philippines.
December 19, 2011 – Philippines Air Lines Flight 107 landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and after 21 years in the United States Christy could finally hug her brothers and sisters.
United States Army General Douglas MacArthur, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, promised Filipino citizens, during World War II: “I Shall Return.” The general kept his word and the Allies brought an end to World War II in the Pacific.
Like General MacArthur, Christy Saldana Warren always intended to return to her native country and her family. She never gave up her faith or hope.
Photo by Christy Saldana Warren
January 1, 2012, she stood on the beach at the MacArthur Landing and faced the statues that are symbolic of the men who “returned” and waded ashore in the Philippines, October 20. 1944.
Facing the General MacArthur statue, Christy smiled and saluted. Christy words rang out on the morning breeze: “I Have Returned !”
“Thank You ,General MacArthur for the lessons in courage and determination.
Thank You, God, for the faith to never lose hope to turn the dream into the reality” – Christy
Stroll Through The Surf – Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
Fate had General MacArthur’s landing craft run ground off the shore of Leyte. The determined general ordered the ramp lowered and he stepped into the waves of Pedro Bay. A United States Army Signal Corps photographer clicked the shutter that captured the famous moment in history that would one day become large statues that would commemorate the steps in The Liberation of the Philippines from the enemy and the horrors of World War II. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr,
Once More For The Photographer – Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. Historical rumors claim that when General Douglas MacArthur saw the original World War II photograph taken by the United States Army Signal Corps photographer that the general was so pleased that he reenacted the landing to try and improve on the historical moment.
MacArthur Landing Memorial Park Continues To Attract Visitors and Tourists. Photo by Samuel E. Warren Jr. October 20, 1944 A Day By the end of A-day, the Sixth Army had moved 2 mi (3.2 km) inland and controlled Panaon Strait at the southern end of Leyte. In the X Corps sector, the 1st Cavalry Division held Tacloban airfield, and the 24th Infantry Division had taken the high ground on Hill 522 commanding its beachheads. In the XXIV Corps sector, the 96th Infantry Division held the approaches to Catmon Hill. The 7th Infantry Division took the town of Dulag, which forced Gen. Makino to move his command post 10 mi (16 km) inland to the town of Dagami. The initial fighting was won at a cost of 49 killed, 192 wounded, and six missing, according to Wikipedia’s Battle of Leyte article. The monument is a reminder that the Liberation Of The Philippines began with the Leyte Landing.
World War II In The Philippines
Sources of Information
Wikipedia Battle of Correigdor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Corregidor_%281945%29
Wikipedia The Battle of Manila http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_%281945%29
Wikipedia United States Army General Douglas MacArthur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur
Olive Drab United States Army General Douglas MacArthur Returns To Leyte, Philippines October 20, 1944 http://olive-drab.com/gallery/description_0081.php
You Tube United States Army General Douglas MacArthurs Return To The Philippines Speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6WioCDbC-A
Wikipedia Manila Massacre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Massacre
Military History Online Failure And Destruction Of Clark Field In World War II http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/articles/failureanddestruction.aspx
Wikipedia Clark Air Base http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Air_Base
Wikipedia Bataan Death March http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Death_March
Wikipedia History of the Philippines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Philippines
Wikipedia Battle Of The Philippines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Philippines_%281941-42%29
Wikipedia Japanese Occupation Of The Philippines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_the_Philippines#Resistance
Wikipedia Hirohito http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito
Wikipedia Philippines Campaign http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines_campaign_%281944-45%29
Wikipedia The Battle of Leyte Gulf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf
Wikipedia United States Navy Fleet Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey Jr., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Halsey
Pacific Wrecks.com http://www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/philippines/clark/index.html
United States Army Center of Military History http://www.history.army.mil/
United State Navy Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/
United States Marine Corps History Division www.history.usmc.mil/
United States Air Force = National Museum Of The United States Air Force http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_the_United_States_Air_Force
United States Coast Guard Historian’s Office http://www.uscg.mil/history/
United States Merchant Marine http://www.usmm.org/
Armed Forces Of The Philippines http://www.afp.mil.ph/
President of the Philippines Manuel L. Quezon http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_L._Quezon
President of the Philippines Manuel Roxas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Roxas
President of the Philippines Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Marcos
Listverse Top Ten Little Known Events of World War II
http://listverse.com/2011/03/02/top-10-little-known-events-in-world-war-ii/
Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Editorial
A Day That Will Live In Infamy
Pearl Harbor
70th Anniversary
by Samuel E. Warren Jr.
The Folded Flag Of A Grateful Nation - Photo by Samuel E Warren Jr
I grew up hearing my mother remark, “Sunday, December 7, 1941. I will never forget that day. I was in a theater in Springfield, Missouri. They shut off the movie and the house lights came up. They announced over the loud speaker the attack on Pearl Harbor.” Opal M. DeLong Warren always told the same story every time anyone mentioned, “Pearl Harbor” or “World War II.
She later got on a Greyhound bus, on a whim, and got off in Houston, Texas. It was during the war and she knew no one. She saw a newspaper ad for welders. In a few days, she was a welder at the Todd-Houston Ship Yard in Houston, Texas. “We were always sad when we launched out a new ship. We were proud to see the ship finished, but it was sad to think of the boys who would serve on that ship were sailing off to the war,” Opal said. She helped to build United States Navy and United States Coast Guard Ships.
Samuel E. Warren was a short-haul truck driver and the son of an east Texas farmer, until December 7, 1941. After that day, Uncle Sam “drafted” Sammy and he served in the United States Army Signal Corp in the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations.
The attack on Pearl Harbor signaled the United States active involvement in World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor changed lives long after the war ended. My father never spoke of his service in World War II, I got my information from my mother and my dad’s military records.
On active duty, in the United States Air Force, I had the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor and read the names on the wall. To stand at the site of the sinking of so many American battleships is an experience, even years later, that I can only describe as filling you with “a sense of humility.”
Standing at Pearl Harbor, made me extremely “proud to be an American.” As an American, on active duty and in uniform, standing at Pearl Harbor, reminded me that freedom and liberty are living ideals that have to be defended everyday in peace or war, in uniform or out. Many men and women from my father’s generation paid “The Ultimate Price For Their Nations.”
In my generation, many men and women have paid “The Ultimate Price For Their Countries,” in Vietnam, Panama, Granada, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.
If human civilization sincerely believes that a nation should defend the ideas, concepts and ways of life of a democracy in the interest of freedom and liberty, then, Pearl Harbor will always serve as a reminder that a nation’s blood and treasure will be required to defend that way of life. A nation’s sons and daughters will have to be willing to put on the uniforms and take up arms to defend freedom and liberty. Seventy years after, The Attack On Pearl Harbor, the United States Naval Base remains an active reminder of the commitment and professionalism required to protect and defend freedom and liberty with each rising sun of a new day.
God Bless The Men And Women Who Gave Their Lives In Defense Of Their Nation A Pearl Harbor, Sunday, December 7, 1941
God Bless Our Allies Who Share Our Passion For Freedom And Liberty
God Bless The Men And Women Of The United States Armed Forces Who Maintain The Legacy And Vigil Of Freedom And Democracy.
Sam
World War II Military Trivia – During World War II, The United States Government in the Philippines had 26 bases. United States Army Fort Stotsenberg and United States Army Air Corps Airfield, Clark Field would eventually be combined into Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines. One of those bases was a United States Coast Guard station at Capas Tarlac on the island of Luzon.
Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Links
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/pearl-harbor-attack-remembered-at-70th-anniversary-ceremonies-120-survivors-to-participate/2011/12/07/gIQAzLukbO_story.html
http://www.pearlharborevents.com/pearl-harbor-day-70th-anniversary-commemoration.html
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/06/photos-archival-footage-reveals-horror-of-the-pearl-harbor-on-70th-anniversary-of-the-attack/
History Link 101
http://historylink101.com/index.htm
(Editor’s Note: In your prayers for men and women in uniform, remember the military historians, who chronicle the deeds of America’s sons and daughters. If you have the time, you might want to remember those American military combat photographers that document the actions of America’s sons and daughter in peace and under fire in the heat of combat. Sam)
Stone County Missouri’s First Snow of 2011 Tuesday. December 6. 2011 the sun
Stone County Missouri’s
First Snow of 2011
Tuesday. December 6. 2011 the sun rose over a blanket of white in Stone County, Missouri. Definitely, time to throw another log on the fire.
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