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To the Editor:
This was written by son Scott MacAlpine when he was heading to the Persian Gulf on the USS aircraft carrier, The Forrestal, which is now retired. This was during the Person Gulf confrontation. It is rather deep and may be beyond my understanding, but it does express our sailor's thoughts prior to going into battle.
Scott left the Navy after 12 years to work for Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. He was an instructor at Great Lakes Training Center when he decided to pursue a civilian career. He is now doing very well.
I would appreciate your printing of this in the Gazette. Thanks.
A proud father,
Malcolm MacAlpine, Victoria, Minnesota
Naked Soul
by Scott MacAlpine
Son of Malcolm
I try to chart these uncharted waters, thinking I can control my thoughts, yet they wander into new unexplored territories. I'm wondering if I have the helm or is fate the master as the wind carries me like a feather.
I'm under the spell of life itself and what it has in store. I try to control my destiny and yet have lost the battle with nature. How does one stay the course when the desire is no longer wanting to control, but to be part of the beauty that unfolds when you learn to ease that which you think is controllable.
I haven't the slightest clue as to the direction of this journey. This storm has no direction. I feel comfortable as it unfolds. I try to sneak a peek like a child at Christmas, and flounder in my success.
I want to have control, yet I want to experience it for what it is, a mystery. I want to share my strengths and warm desires, yet I want to hide that unknown reality of what could happen. I'm willing to take up my armor and remove my sword, dueling with the unknown.
Let it be understood you are part of the fury that gives this confrontation the life and heart of chivalry itself, one that is taken up without pretense.
I feel an uneasy rhythm in my chest, one that harbors existence itself. I welcome this that swings the pendulum in both directions, one of grief, the other, which is sought and so rarely captured, and when it is thought to have been caught, that moment which I now have the pleasure to be in its presence.
I hope to holds its proximity until I'm forced to release it to the course it truly steers. I welcome pain if only to know the latter of which is so rarely understood. I question that which I do not understand and refuse to fail or abandon that which holds my heart.
However, I equally release the spirit when I no longer hold its flame. For it is then I bow to life itself.
Kicking it up! Three years ago, they didn't exist. Today, the Holy Family Catholic High School Danceliners are the Class A Champions, courtesy of the December 14th competition at Lakeville High School. On January 25th they placed second out of eleven schools competing at the Waconia Invitational, which took place at Waconia High School.
The Holy Family Catholic FIRE dancers, who range from seniors to fresh-men at the Victoria school, have been working at their act since October, 2002. There are 17 dancers on the team, along with the head coaches Kelly McGinnis and Tracy Ronhovde. Members of the FIRE come from throughout the southwest Twin Cities area.
The team competes in the jazz/funk category. Last year they worked their way into the state tournament. They now look forward to the Winter Carnival at the Chaska High School.
Click here for more Victoria Moments.
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