My Favorite Old G.I. Recipe

Treasure Found

It has been years since I was able to walk into a Dining (Mess) Hall and feast on Chipped Beef (really hamburger), preferred title S.O.S. (Those who know the meaning need no explanation.) Let me tell you that this is a prized meal by those who can look past the image sitting on your plate on top of toast. As is often said: "Looks can be deceiving." In this case it is definitely so. "Um mm good." But, it has to be made properly, according to the recipe book set up for hundreds of hungry uniformed personnel.

Now, having said all that, let me share with you my recent discovery. I can shout "Eureka! I found it!" Yep, I found the long lost recipe for S.O.S. in an old Recipe Book of years gone by. And, as you have learned by now, if you are a visitor to my blog(s), I find satisfaction in sharing those things I really enjoy in life. Today that does not cover lots of territory, however. Nevertheless,I find that that makes my blogs more valuable for the reader. Naturally you always have the choice of whether or not to read them. They are all FREE.

All right, for those of you who have hung up your uniform and can still remember your morning visits to the Mess Hall; or those of you who have a veteran in the house, or know of a veteran in the family, or a neighbor who might just drool in knowing the recipe for S.O.S. here is how to make a friend of that person or persons in your life or in your neighborhood. Incidentally, this dish, found in this old recipe book, with the title Chipped Beef, is claimed to be a classic Sunday supper in New England. I honestly do not know about that, having spent my first 17 years in that part of the world; I had never heard of it until my (fond) military Basic Training hundreds of miles to the south.

NOTE: Though inexpensive (which today is an attraction), you can make this with chipped beef BUT I prefer hamburger (i.e. ground beef). So substitute hamburger for chipped beef and we will be correct for the G.I.'s sumptuous breakfast. Adjust for the amount preferred. Here's the basic: Prep time: 5 Min. Cooking time: 12 Min .

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or margarine
• 5 ounces ground beef
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 21/4 cups low-fat (1% milkfat) milk
• 1/4 teaspoon each black pepper and paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 2 slices white bread, toasted.

1. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the beef and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the flour until the beef is well coated. Gradually stir in the milk, then the black pepper, paprika, and ground red pepper.

2. Cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, for ten minutes or until thickened. Spoon over the toast. Makes 1 servings.

Now you can never, never say that I did not do you a special favor. I did. I shared my most important old G.I. meal recipe with you for the 4th of July. If you will take on the responsibility for making S.O.S. surprise someone you know that would understand by asking "What do you know about the G.I. favorite meal S.O.S.?" (Then, let them speak.) Good skill!

Thanks for visiting. - Bob

Have a wonderful Fourth of July 2008!

Military Veteran News

This message is particularly for "un-uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans." It appears that Congress has finally heard the expressions of discontent with present practices dealing with the Hand Salute. Quasi-military, veterans and other organizations, and their members, are asked to pass the following informational change along to their fellow members and all other veterans they know and meet. And, if you are not a veteran but know someone who is, relative or neighbor, please share this information with those who qualify. Thank you.

Here's what's new:

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to allow those I described above, to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S. Flag. The amendment does not address saluting the flag during the playing of the national anthem, pledge of allegiance, honors (i.e.Taps), or any other saluting situation. (I am of the opinion that there is no wrong time to Salute. You be the judge at the time and at the situation.) The excerpt from H.R. 4986 reads: "SEC. 594. CONDUCT BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS OUT OF UNIFORM DURING HOISTING, LOWERING, OR PASSING OF UNITED STATES FLAG. "Section 9 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by striking 'all persons present' and all that follows through the end of the section, and inserting the following: 'all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or, if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.'"

A Sign/Gesture of Respect

The Hand Salute is perhaps the first command a recruit in uniform learns to render and obey. And, it is likely to stay with him/her the remainder of their lives. People in uniform and former military understand the respect the Hand Salute represents. Many of us did not relate 100 percent to placing our hand over the heart. We are more accoustomed to rendering a sign of respect and as is often the case, acknowledging a direct association with a smart, respectful hand salute.

Military/Veteran Related Holidays

Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, have come and gone for this year. Dead ahead is Flag Day, June 14th. A wonderful time to exercise your right to fly the flag, and encourage others to do so; stand tall and proudly salute for all that you have been through, for all those who have gone through the protals of freedom's defense goals; for all those missing in action/prisoners of war (MIA/POW); and for the hundreds of thousands who have died so we my live; for many reasons, plus those of your very own.

American Military Cemeteries

In the course of my military life - and after - I have visited a number of American Cemeteries in Europe, representing the horrific human cost of the European War campaigns to hold back the brutal advances made by Hitler to change the world; and the huge memorial cemetery located in a dead volcano high above Honolulu, Hawaii, representing the Pacific campaigns to stem the foolish attempts by the Japanese to overcome America. That war also demanded a terrible human toll.

White Crosses, Row Upon Row

In each visit, I humbly rendered, not my hand over my heart, but a Hand Salute with the utmost respect for each and every soul represented by a white cross row upon row.

National Colors are The Red, White and Blue

Yes, of course, there are those who will look at you askance, as you render the hand salute. That is their problem. Not yours. If they ask why, that is your and my opportunity to teach them the proper respect and courtesy due our National Colors of Red, White, and Blue. Colors that have proven again and again that they do not run. God bless America! Thanks for visiting. - Bob