One if by land, two if by sea?

[flyerthom]

"Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.

He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,--
One if by land, and two if by sea; ..."

the British are coming!


British Officers Invade Kansas

By JOHN MILBURN – 13 hours ago

HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — Now roaming the nation's heartland: British soldiers. But, like the Beatles four decades ago, these British invaders are friendly.

Some 200 British army and Royal Marine officers are currently in northeast Kansas, training and building relationships with American officers they are likely to see again.

"It's all about developing skills, knowledge, attributes and motivation for the troops," said Maj. Jo Bell, spokeswoman for the British Defense Academy traveling with the officers. "It's all about building up their confidence."

[mikeylikey]

I attended Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses with British Officers.  Some I still email on a weekly basis.  A few I visit when I get to the UK.  In fact, I actually worked with one in Iraq 4 years ago.

However one thing about Regular British Officers, they still use the system of Commissioning their Officers based on what family you are from.  There is a Reserve type system that anyone can try to be an Officer in, but for the Regulars, it is about who you know, where your money is, and your family background.  I do believe entry into Sandhurst (their West Point) is also based on family. 

So The United States stopped that practice after the Civil War, other countries still do it.  But, figuring a country still has a Queen and a monarchy way of government, you would expect your place in society to be based on who your parents are and how much money you have.

[Walkman]

I was impressed by the recent news about Prince Harry wanting to serve with his men in combat. Not what you'd expect from a Prince. Good stuff.

[Johnny Yuma]

Holton's a nice little town about 25 miles North of Topeka.  Between the terrain up there, the precipitation and the lousy topo maps of the area I can imagine the shock.

I suspect they were reconnoitering the local Indian casinos more than they were the terrain, that's what the last batch did.

[Fifinella]

Send 'em down to N'Awlins!  We know how to take care of the British.  http://www.rhapsody.com/johnnyhorton
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/classic-country/battle-of-new-orleans---johnny-horton-14929.html