The introduction was written 62 years ago. The "Great Beyond" is my age from 17 to 80. This book reveals what can be done. It answers the question, "Who am I?"
The Miller genealogy is traced to Adam and Eve. The "Miller Code of Ethics," "Curriculum Vitae", and a "Broad Mentality" are defined.
Famous people travel. I have circled the earth seven times, traveled to Japan 40 times, to Pearl Harbor 25 times, and I have driven thousands of miles in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. "Study the world's cultures. Learn the motto God gave us, "Faith, Hope, and Love."
My life is working and learning. Read and learn without working. Plan your life "NOW." Thirty years in advance I planned a sabbatical every ten years. I had three planned concurrent careers: Academic Neurosurgery, United States Naval Reserve, and Founder of a Neurosciences Center with an academic interchange with 25 countries.
After seven days a week for 40 years in neurosurgery, I feared retirement. At age 70 I retired to the unknown. I elected a new life. In our 34-foot Sea Ray we traveled to all 36 yacht clubs in the Florida Council, from Destin, the Keys and to Jacksonville. There is much time on a boat. I memorized the "Teachings on the Mount."
We returned to Apollo Beach, Florida. I became busy and coined a new term, "Retirement Career." (Career as "go at top speed") I authored seven books, am on the voluntary faculty of the medical school, deacon and teacher at church, and continued "Permissive Orders" for the Navy. Recently I became the first 80-year-old drilling reservist. We have a pool man and yard man. (Our lot is covered in rocks and palm trees.) My responsibility is to keep the boat dock mosquito free by filling the Mosquito Magnet with propane, service the jet boat, and keep the garage in order. Read on and learn what one can do.
Eighty Years Behind the Masts
The Great BeyondBy Joseph H. MillerAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 Rear Admiral Joseph H. Miller
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4567-2007-0Contents
Introdution.................................................................................................................................................................................1The Great Beyond............................................................................................................................................................................1A Broad Mentality...........................................................................................................................................................................2Joseph H Miller, Jr. Genealogy (Back to Adam and Eve).......................................................................................................................................6Where Did I Come From?......................................................................................................................................................................6The Millers of Tennessee....................................................................................................................................................................12My Father and Mother........................................................................................................................................................................16World War II Started!.......................................................................................................................................................................21College.....................................................................................................................................................................................36May King, Mars Hill College, 1949...........................................................................................................................................................40Medical School..............................................................................................................................................................................44The Miller Coat of Arms.....................................................................................................................................................................46The Miller Code of Ethics...................................................................................................................................................................47Curriculum Vitae (A Professional Life Revealed).............................................................................................................................................58Neurosurgical Residency.....................................................................................................................................................................73Trigeminal Neuralgia and the Historical Evolution of its Treatment, 1956....................................................................................................................82Demonstration of a Method of Brain Modeling (1961)..........................................................................................................................................91Learning: A System of Threes................................................................................................................................................................109The Miller Knowledge Relativity Theory (KRT)................................................................................................................................................116First Concurrent Career.....................................................................................................................................................................118Neurosurgery (Surgery of the Brain, Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerves, and Spine that covers the Spinal Cord and Nerves).......................................................................119Second Concurrent Career....................................................................................................................................................................164The United States Naval Reserve.............................................................................................................................................................164Summary of 160 Sets of Orders for Mandatory Retirement......................................................................................................................................198Commands and Command Staff Positions........................................................................................................................................................199Letters of Commendation and Certificates of Appreciation....................................................................................................................................201Promotions (Ensign to Rear Admiral).........................................................................................................................................................206Letters Of Congratulations When Selected as Rear Admiral....................................................................................................................................207Personal Notes Received Concerning My Selection To Rear Admiral.............................................................................................................................208Military Medals And Ribbons.................................................................................................................................................................222Navy Retirement (Orders, Ceremonies, Pay, Letters and Citations)............................................................................................................................223A Review Of Some My Notable Experiences With the Navy During the 59 Years...................................................................................................................238A New Phase of Training, Research, and Military Service.....................................................................................................................................241Third Concurrent Career.....................................................................................................................................................................250Founder and Director of the Memphis Neurosciences Center....................................................................................................................................250Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................251International Centers Associated with the Academic Interchange Program with the Memphis Neurosciences Center................................................................................253Interchanges Initiated But Not Completed By The Time Of My Retirement.......................................................................................................................255Travel......................................................................................................................................................................................257To India and Around The World (My First Big Trip-1966)......................................................................................................................................258Examples of Other Activities: 1978-2010.....................................................................................................................................................2862001-2002: First Year of Retirement in Apollo Beach, Florida (We traveled all around western Florida, The Keys, eastern Florida and the Bahamas)...........................................3032003: Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy..................................................................................................................................................3042004: July 5-29, Queen Mary 2 cruise from New York, Europe and the North Sea (Scotland, Norway, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Netherlands)............................................................3042005: Marbella, Ronda, US Navy Hospital , Rota, Spain, Tangier, Morocco; Granada, Denia, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona Spain; Mallorca, Andorra.............................................3052006: January 9–14 March, QE2 65 Days, "World Cruise of the Seven Wonders" New York to Hong Kong......................................................................................3052009: 4-25 October, 30 Year Anniversary Trip Tribute to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Paris (Lunch at Eiffel Tower), Disneyland (We have been to all the Disney Parks).....................3062010: A Big Year............................................................................................................................................................................307Books.......................................................................................................................................................................................308Important Books I have Read From Cover to Cover.............................................................................................................................................308Books I Have Read On Islam..................................................................................................................................................................333Other Books Of Note.........................................................................................................................................................................334The So-Called Reformation (Nothing Was Reformed, But Protestantism Was Born!)...............................................................................................................335War Books...................................................................................................................................................................................341Books I Cannot Do Without...................................................................................................................................................................343My Favorite Songs...........................................................................................................................................................................346Lectures, Speeches, Writings, Teachings.....................................................................................................................................................352Religious...................................................................................................................................................................................352Non-Religious...............................................................................................................................................................................626Epilogue....................................................................................................................................................................................759Elmwood Cemetery, The Miller Plots, Memphis, Tennessee......................................................................................................................................759
Chapter One
1948: "The Great Beyond":
The purpose of this book will be to define the title, as the author would have the reader understand it. In order to understand the content of the ideas presented, it is necessary that the theme be viewed from the mind of a youth or in the mind of an older person who can in some way reverse the thinking of their mind back to the days of their youth and think and dream without the aid or pitfalls of their own experiences. The subtitle of this book when read alone will have different understanding to different people depending particularly on the age of the reader, but also on their surroundings and training thus far. To an elderly Indian "The Great Beyond" would of course mean, "The Happy Hunting Ground" with the "Long Journey" yet to come. The religious philosopher would perhaps interpret "The Great Beyond" as being Heaven. The Christian who knows, dreams, and lives for the promise of God will make this interpretation, which is indeed an excellent one. Within these covers "The Great Beyond" will refer to the time certain young men and young women have before them in this life. If history continues to repeat itself there is a "Beyond" for all young people, but "The Great Beyond" is only for a few. Certain questions are discussed:
• "Why just a few"? • "Am I predestined for a· 'Great Beyond'"? • "What do I need to know to have a· 'Great Beyond'"? • "When does this 'Great Beyond' begin"? • "When will it be too late for me to have a 'Great Beyond'"?
The intellectual minds of modern medicine nor the vast expanse of the field of science can not slow down, stop, or reverse one second of the "Beyond". Life can only be handled by medical doctors while it is present. The mystery of life is the same secret that it was in the beginning of time. With this in mind it seems fitting to present ones ideas about "The Great Beyond" if it can be obtained by those who know of it in time and who desire the possibilities it presents. This is a challenge to the author's generation to think on these things for the time is at hand. We are destined for one thing and one thing only. Moral obligations and tremendous responsibilities will soon be ours. If we are prepared it will be a Great Beyond, but if not history will again record a generation that failed not only itself, but also those who taught us and those we will teach.
Consider these ideas with the hope that we all may see "The Great Beyond". May God have mercy on those of us who do not. Joe H. Miller, Jr. (In 1948, while at Mars Hill College.)
8 November 2010, sixty-two years later:
"The Great Beyond," as we now suppose is from that moment in 1948 unto the end of my days of life on earth. In 1948 I could not write it, but could only live it from moment to moment.
What is a "Great Beyond"? It is a life of happiness and service.
Sixty-two years later instead of looking toward "The Great Beyond", I am now looking back at it. I have seen my Great Beyond. Read on and see a Great Beyond unfold for one person! I challenge you, every young person, to plan and do your own "Great Beyond" Develop a "window" of yourself for the future. "Man is not born, but made." (Erasmus).
Develop a Broad Mentality
I have defined it as a knowledge of:
1. The Bible, (One is illiterate without a knowledge of the greatest book of all time.) 2. God 3. Man 4. Salvation of man from death. 5. The Church 6. The Lord's Day (Who does not know the meaning of Sunday?) 7. God's Kingdom 8. The Last Things (The end of the world.) 9. Social Order 10. War 11. Religious Liberty 12. The Family 13. Education a. Learn from study and experiences b. Their professional qualifications (Doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, etc.)
If one does not have some knowledge of these 13 Things they cannot claim to have a Broad Mentality. All knowledge is relative as will be mentioned further in this book. A Broad Mentality will widen your vision of all the things to follow. As one specializes in life they are likely to learn more and more about less and less, and develop a "Narrow Mentality."
Why write an autobiography and why commit one to three months of your life after age eighty to do so? All of my life I have asked the question, "Why?" Forty years ago at the home of a friend he related an action. (I do not remember what). I asked him, "Why?" He replied, "Why? Why? Why? Do you always have to ask the question `Why' on ever issue?" He was obviously not tuned into the "Why of Things." This person does not care about why or even why not? Last year I heard the question asked, "Why do you go to see the Swiss Alps?" The thoughtful answer was, "Because they are there."
Why write an autobiography? I can say that after one "puts their life on paper" the reasons will be clear. My life has been one of working and learning. One can read my autobiography and learn without working. One of my many messages is that everyone should do it. If you do not your beliefs, knowledge, experience, and your life's message will die with you. Sooner or later in life each of us will wonder the questions,
• "Where did I come from?"
• "What made me what I am?"
• "Have I made my family name better?"
• "Is the world better off because of me?"
• "Am I going to die face down in the ground or be looking up to the sky?"
• "As one gets older their body slows down, but is my mind slowing done or running faster?"
One of the many traditions of the American Indian was to put their old people in an empty Hogan, which is a round hut with a hole in the top and as they starved to death their spirits would go through the top and find the spirits in Heaven. (Today we get on disability when we are not disabled and our spirits are on their own and leave us to wherever? We don't care where!)
Writing an 800 page autobiography forces one to become a philosopher with many of life's questions. Do you catch up with old age or does old age catch up with you? Do you keep everyone around you so busy that they will be glad when you are gone? My secretaries used to call my wife (both of them loved me in their own way) and say, "Please take him out of town so we can catch up!" I will never voluntarily allow old age to catch up with me, but it does not fight fair because I can feel its weakening close behind.
The best way to make enemies is to be religious and to speak and write about it. Herman Melville in Moby Dick asks an interesting question, "Would you rather sleep with a sober cannibal or a drunkern Christian?" Pick any of the 138 religions in the world almanac and they are all potential enemies. The Baptists of which there are over hundred different kinds are second only to the Muslims and Catholics as potential enemies. (In the London telephone book I counted over one thousand churches with different names. There were none listed as Southern Baptists.) Flavius Josephus was named after Emperor Flavius Vespasianus, who later became Emperor as predicted by Josephus. Josephus was opposed to the Jewish war with the Romans because he knew they would lose. He fought with the Jews as a commander. Vespasian, a commander for the Romans liked Josephus and gave him the courtesy of a valuable prisoner. When Vespasian became emperor he gave him his freedom, a life pension, and two large estates. He also freed over one hundred of his friends. The Jews and most Romans did not like him. Josephus wrote an autobiography (Vitae, his life) with 76 sections trying to vindicate himself. In his own time he was not popular. Outside the Bible Josephus is by far the most important historical source of the entire Biblical era. He gives 300 times more information about Herod the Great and ten times more about Pontius Pilate. Josephus provides fascinating perspectives on Biblical characters such as Archelaus. Herod Antipas, the two Argippas, Felix, Festus, John the Baptist and Jesus' half brother, James. He also quotes many eyewitnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Soon after Josephus died he was honored with a statue in Rome. If one wants to know about the Jewish race they must read his, "The History of the Jews." He traces their history from Adam to the Jewish revolt in 66 A.D. If you read Josephus' complex autobiography (Vita) you will be happy to return to mine!
Why? Learn what will prolong your days.
The Promises of God that will prolong your days:
1. "Keep my commandments." (Deuteronomy 6:2; Proverbs 4:4, 10)
2. "Learn my sayings." (Proverbs 4:10)
3. "Get understanding and wisdom." (Proverbs 3:13, 16)
Learn what will bring:
1. Happiness or "a merry heart". (Proverbs 3:13, 15:15)
2. Honor (Proverbs 4:8)
3. Glory (Proverbs 4:9)
The Bottom Line:
In the first book of the Bible God says, " I am with thee and will keep thee in all places where you go ..." (Genesis 28:15)
"God's faithful ones are preserved forever." (Psalms 37:28) "God will deliver me and preserve me for His Heavenly Kingdom." (II Timothy 4:18)
Why does a boy want to kiss a girl? Why does a girl want a boy to kiss her? My limited research on this reveals that they both want a kiss for different reasons. Since this is my autobiography I am not going to explore that question extensively. I will tell you that many Orientals do not like to kiss. The first kiss was by the Neanderthal men who were searching for "salt" on their girlfriend's face. I will tell you that salt was very valuable at that time. Men would kill for a kiss. I assume because they would die without salt.
The only invention that I know that I created before anyone else is what I call the "Fish Kiss". This is accomplished by tucking your cheeks with the circular muscles around your mouth so that the effect becomes pointed lips resembling a fish. With the lips strongly pulled together so they are pointed forward make small slow jerky movements with the lips. Have your girlfriend or wife do the same thing. Then touch your lips together and you will feel a dry nibble that sends sensation through each of you like a tickle. It is impossible to do and not laugh. This can be done with very little experience and it is perfectly safe. Keep in mind that I am not writing about you. This is an autobiography so I am writing about me, but it is also for you. If you don't know about the "Fish Kiss" you are missing a part of my life. I have only practiced it on Cathy, my wife, and she seems to love everything I do.
Can you believe I started an 800 pages plus book with the story of a "Fish Kiss"? I can't. The rational is to psychologically prepare the reader for the fact that this is written for me and not the reader. I challenge each of you to write your autobiography. It will open up your world that you have made for yourself. As I was making my world I felt I was just sailing through it. Looking back it looks like a world of day-to-day survival. I have worked all my life since I was a small boy. I had a 40 hour per week job at night my freshmen year in medical school. I worked every third night the other years. In my forty years of practice, twenty-three of these years, I did not take a trip that was not professionally deductible and always satisfied the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). I wrote eight medical papers during my neurosurgical residency. Read on, this is the story of a man who worked, but more important for the young reader, it is a story to show you what you can do if you plan and work for your plan.
Now back to the question, why write an autobiography?
In the last 40 years I have spoken to more than twenty-five Rotary Clubs and other clubs, etc. I have met Navy aces, the submarine commander that sank more tonnage in WWII than anyone else, and a pilot whose chute did not open at 20,000 feet. (In the dark he hit the steep slant of a heavily covered snow mountain and slid down the slope until he stopped unhurt.) The doctor that did more neurosurgical operations than anyone else in World War II was searched for after the war and found completing his last year of neurosurgical residency. This experience has been lost by his death. There are many stories of heroes that will die with them. I proposed to my Rotary Club and others that historical documents be developed. It was never done. In all of my Sunday School Classes through the years I have asked godly men to write a short story of their life for their family. I asked them to write their deepest beliefs so they would not die and this information be unknown to their families. I know of this being done only once on my urging and that was more history than personal beliefs. These things should be written down and preserved for the family. Generations come and go. We may be in part of two generations and by the third one not be remembered by anyone. Many great events, beliefs, and actions may have eternal results in Heaven, but not be remembered on earth. What can a man create that lasts forever? - A book or A song!
Our family will never know us, our hearts, our dreams, and our beliefs by visits on Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Christmas only. My advice to all that read this is to write something so that your beliefs will pass through more than just your generation. They deserve it.
Writing my autobiography has been on my mind for years, but situations and at the request of many friends and family I am now inspired to do it. May God be glorified. At my age I do not care about personal glory. I have had more than I need. I got over the "ego trip" years ago. Write for others!
Now for the end of the story on why? It has forced me to look at myself and I can keep the good and throw the other away.
In the process of leaving your words to your family be sure they are "Born Again" Christians truly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit.
The rich man in Hell was able to communicate with Abraham who was in Heaven. He wanted to warn his brothers about Hell. Abraham refused and replied it would do them no good now. "If they do not hear Moses or the One raised from the dead neither will they be persuaded." (Luke 16:27-31) This is reasonable since Hell and the way to get there is clearly described in God's Word and related by many of God's spokesman. There is no information to suggest that anyone in Heaven has ever wanted to communicate with anyone in Hell. In Heaven all is joyous and happy therefore, if your loved family goes to Hell, God has worked it out so that you will not even know it. Everyone is happy in Heaven because they have no knowledge of family members in Hell. So alert them before they go!
Joseph H. Miller, Jr. Genealogy (Back to Adam and Eve)
Where Did I Come From?
Isaac Miller my great, great, great, great-grandfather was born in Ireland, about 1775, and died in Tennessee in 1806. He appears to have been married twice, but the name of his second wife or any record pertaining to her has not been found. His first wife was Margaret with whom he migrated to America about 1781 and settled in Western Pennsylvania. He and his first wife had nine children.
Matthew Miller, my great, great, great-grandfather was born in Pennsylvania about 1784 and died at Millersburg, Rutherford County, Tennessee, in 1813. He married in 1799, Mary Frances Johnson (who was called "Polly").
Hardy Miller, my great, great-grandfather was born in 1803 and died in 1857, he married twice: first in 1820 to Sarah Taylor; second on February 11, 1839 to Sallie Mayfield. He died at Millersburg, Tennessee. By the first marriage he had seven children. By his second marriage he had eight children. My great, great-grandmother was by his second wife, Sallie Mayfield Miller.
Hardy Hindman Miller, my great-grandfather was born September 22, 1852 and he died April 28, 1881. He married Hattie Lucretia Gregory on February 22, 1872.
Hardy E. Miller, my grandfather was born January 26, 1875. He married Della May Crawford on August 8, 1902. They had four children including my father.
Joseph Hardy Miller, my father, was born on December 26, 1907. He married my mother Leta Elsie Caddell who was born March 12, 1908, in Electra, Wise County, Texas. My father died on May 16, 1977 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, listed on the National Historic Register, in the Miller plot on Miller Circle just as you enter the cemetery. Mother died August 27, 1989 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and is buried next to Dad in the Miller plot, at Elmwood Cemetery.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Eighty Years Behind the Mastsby Joseph H. Miller Copyright © 2011 by Rear Admiral Joseph H. Miller. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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