How many times has Punxsutawney Phil been right ?

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:43:36 -0500

Well he didn't see his shadow. So Punxsutawney Phil is calling for an early spring. Do you believe in this lore ? I didn't realize this has been going on since 1887.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 7:48 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:48:24 -0500

I don't know, but a deployment in Afghanistan feels like the movie Groundhog Day. 270-365 days that are exactly the same. Same food, same people, same bed, same shower, over and over and over and over, all for no good reason.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 2 at 2016 7:48 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:48:37 -0500

Being from PA and not that far from Punxsutawney, the lore behind this over-sized rat has been something I've heard about all the time. In fact, he was at the last Pens game I attended before the All-Star break. Do I believe in it? Not really but if it means an early Spring then I will take it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2016 9:51 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 09:51:48 -0500

It is cloudy in Minnesota, so I guess that means six more weeks of winter here on the tundra.
But in the Army, every day is Groundhog Day.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 2 at 2016 12:25 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:25:29 -0500

That reminds of questions about the dog known as Lassie SGT John " Mac " McConnell. There were many dogs who played lassie some female and some male. There have been many groundhogs known as Punxsutawney Phil over the decades. The reason the legend has persisted is that the interpretation by the human observers has been right more often than not. For teh same reason teh farmer's Almanac has been a trustworthy and interesting book for generations.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 2 at 2016 5:56 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 17:56:56 -0500

When I was stationed in PA, I found out the innder circle of men that put this on get together over a few the week before, and make up the lore for the week. I went there one time and nearly froze everything off. The funny thing is, the other 364 days of the year, if they see a groundhog around there, they shoot it because it is a nuisance. This one brings in a lot of tourism though...good for the community. Got love local folklore...it is what makes America great.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2016 1:39 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 01:39:09 -0500