DocWard

Coming from a person who did the child abuse, neglect and dependency docket for our county's CPS for a decade or so, I would need a bit more information. Why was mom arrested? If mom were arrested for child endangerment, child abuse, drug charges, or any number of other offenses, then yes, the courts can take the child, put the child in the custody of CPS and into foster care. The court will be obligated to attempt to locate and serve the father. From there, it will depend on whether mom is incarcerated for an extended period of time, or whether she can work a reunification plan. Found not guilty? She might still need to work a plan, because the burden of proof is lower in the civil action. So, let's say mom attempts the reunification plan and fails. Or is going to prison for a very long time. Again, assuming no father or appropriate family members, CPS would likely file for the involuntary termination of parental rights, so that the child might be adopted. At this point, the foster parents would have an edge if they wanted to adopt, based upon the bonding of the child with the family, etc... However, it is not a given, based upon a matching process that is done according to statute and administrative law. Most likely though, the foster parents would be the adoptive family.

I decided on my alias because I served for years as a medic in the field artillery. Combat arms types have a tendency to call their medics "Doc" if they like and trust them, so I picked up the nickname Doc Ward. Thus, when I started shooting, I knew I would answer to it. As for a back story, it has been fleshed out over a few of the group stories we've done around here in times past. I decided to try to duplicate to the extent possible, my real life if I had been born 180 or so years earlier. Born in Eastern Kentucky, Benjamin Ward's father was a Methodist circuit rider, who, against his better judgment, managed to get him into a Methodist college in Delaware, Ohio. [I graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University] There, instead of leaning toward seminary, he started reading law and working with a local attorney. [I'm a lawyer by training and licensure]. He also met a girl that attended the Ohio Wesleyan Women's College in Delaware and spent some time courting her. [My wife also graduated from OWU] Not long after graduation, the Civil War broke out, and Ben went down to Camp Chase, in Columbus and mustered into the 1st Regiment of the Ohio Light Artillery, Ohio Volunteer Militia. [I spent most of my career in the 1/134th Field Artillery which traces its lineage back to that unit]. After a number of battles, Ben became a Hospital Steward when one of the surgeons learned of his education. [Hence, a medic]. Staying in the Army, Doc was sent out West with the 11th Ohio Cavalry to work under a curmudgeonly Scottish surgeon. Meeting his family, Ben was surprised to find out his daughter was the same redheaded girl he had met in college. It seemed like fate and the two were married, with her father and mother's approval. [My wife is indeed a redhead, and her father was a doctor of Scottish ancestry, who prided himself on being a curmudgeon]. After leaving the Army, Doc and his wife went East only briefly. His mother had passed away, worrying about her son, and his father passed shortly after his return. He and his wife had grown fond of the West, so decided to return there. After an incident, people saw him tending to and patching up some injured, he gained the nickname "Doc" because they thought he might be one. Doc practiced law briefly, before deciding it wasn't for him. From there one can go with Doc becoming a rancher, or running a livery, depending on the story. Or perhaps rancher then livery, if one so chooses. @Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 and a few others can double check me on the accuracy of my backstory per the group stories that have been written, but that's it as I recall it.

I would agree we are talking two different things. I was specifically referencing the internal mechanism. The fact that they resemble the Nambu or Luger physically is undoubtedly an indication of his aesthetic / ergonomic preferences. My guess is that he was bright enough to change things like grip angle, barrel, and the like if he wanted to. Edit: I would add that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that, since he made drills circa 1946 to 1949, that he had handled those Nambu pistols he got from that Marine and liked the feel. Especially since he had also made a straight drill without the handle.

I was young enough during her tenure on Battlestar Galactica to develop a bit of a crush on her.

I won't say you're wrong, and that it isn't just urban legend, but a lot of people who should know better disagree. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/i-have-this-old-gun-ruger-22-pistol/ https://www.ssusa.org/content/5-facts-about-ruger-you-probably-didn-t-know/ https://americanhandgunner.com/handguns/handguns-of-ww2-part-2/

I have a Mk II and IV. Interestingly, it is my understanding that Bill Ruger reverse engineered and improved upon the Japanese Nambu pistol. Yet, when people look at it, my self included, they think "Luger."

Sure, but we know the "what did" part. I've often enjoyed bits of alternate history and discussing and debating what may have happened. Civilly, of course.

An interesting tidbit. I obtained my history minor from Ohio Wesleyan University. One of the history professors there that I studied under briefly was Dr. Robert Kragalott, who got his PhD from the University of Belgrade, where he studied under Vaso Čubrilović, one of the assassination conspirators. Unfortunately, Dr. Kragalott was advancing in years and having heart trouble during my time, and needed to retire about about halfway through the semester. From his fire even then, I would have loved to have taken courses from him when he was younger and healthier.

Ya think?!?

No stainless. Blued

Oh, I have a .380, but it's a Beretta.

Mine pretty much do too, but do you have ones that aren't expected to, or are lesser known but should be better known?

I would love to have a Langdon Tactical PX4. And a 92, come to think of it. I've handled the P-07 plenty, but never had the opportunity to shoot one. I did like the ergonomics though.

What? No seventh one? Or do you have a fancy Sunday-Go-To-Meeting pistol? 😃

If I ever get the urge to get another, I'll try a Bersa Thunder 380 instead.

No, no YouTube video this time. What guns do you believe are seriously underrated? I'll start. The Beretta PX4 Storm. A DA/SA polymer frame gun with a rotary barrel system that has great ergonomics, seeming less felt recoil, and good accuracy. I've never heard of anyone having any complaints about reliability, and mine has been dead on reliable for me.

Most overrated gun? Walther PPK. I've owned two. I really, really wanted to like them. I don't regret selling them though.

Both of my grandfathers were coal miners in the coal camps of Eastern Kentucky.

Sad news, indeed! I was listening to some Sly and the Family Stone just the other day. RIP Sly.

I'm not 60 yet! I did serve in the Army Reserve and National Guard for 23 years and learned very early on to iron my uniforms and get a pretty good shine on my boots. I also worked in my weekday job in a career field that required shirt and tie before wrinkle free cotton became a thing. Ironing shirts and chinos was no big deal compared to the old BDUs. My final few years we had the wash and wear uniforms. I hated them for a variety of reasons, but would take an iron to them on occasion. I didn't attend last night's banquet for the state match, but I planned to, so I broke out the iron and put it to my white shirt.

Another Ohio State Match is in the books. I'm still in no danger of beating anyone, I simply don't get out enough and practice enough to be competitive in a sport that is built on speed and rock solid fundamentals. The important thing is I am improving and having fun. As for the thread title, there is a picture of me hurrying, shotgun in hand, exhibiting good trigger finger discipline. Some things stay with you.

I'm afraid not. My parents' indulgence evidently only went so far!

The first album I remember getting as a gift as a kid was by Fess Parker The first albums I remember buying with my own money I bought at the same time. I believe the second two may reside in my youngest daughter's collection somehow...

One of the best, in my book.