Reported by Vic Gideon POSTED: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 11:02:13 PM UPDATED: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 11:12:28 PM
CUYAHOGA FALLS -- A member of Ohio's 5694th National Guard Unit in Mansfield legally changed his name to a Transformers toy.
Optimus Prime is heading out to the Middle East with his guard unit on Wednesday to provide fire protection for airfields under combat.
"On Sunday, we were awarded as the best firefighting unit in the Army National Guard in the entire country," said Prime. "That was a big moment for us."
Prime took his name from the leader of the Autobots Transformers, which were popular toys and a children's cartoon in the 1980s.
He legally changed his name on his 30th birthday and now it's on everything from his driver's licence, to his military ID, to his uniform.
"They razzed me for three months to no end," said Prime. "They really dug into me about it."
"I got a letter from a general at the Pentagon when the name change went through and he says it was great to have the employ of the commander of the Autobots in the National Guard."
Prime says the toy actually filled a void in his life when it came out.
"My dad passed away the year before and I didn't have anybody really around, so I really latched onto him when i was a kid," he said.
"next to of course god america i love you land of the pilgrims' and so forth oh say can you see by the dawn's early my country tis of centuries come and go and are no more what of it we should worry in every language even deafanddumb thy sons acclaim your glorious name by gorry by jingo by gee by gosh by gum why talk of beauty what could be more beaut- iful than these heroic happy dead who rushed like lions to the roaring slaughter they did not stop to think they died instead then shall the voice of liberty be mute?"
This is the best thread I have read ever. Thank you Shem The Penmen,you rock. The big question I have is how does this affect him on the dating scene. Hey girls I'm Prime, Optimus Prime, can I buy you a drink? Who said Rappers, Band Members, Video Directors can snag all the cool ass names? I think I might change my name to Starscream.
I got dibs on Gigantor. Or Johnny Sokko's Giant Flying Robot.
Just can't decide.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -- Theodore Roosevelt
I'm glad that my 900th post goes to a thread about such a wacky guy.
Well Mr. Burns had done it. The power plant had won it. With Rogers Clemens clucking all the while. Mike Scioscia's tragic illness made us smile. While Wade Boggs lay unconscious on the barroom tile. We're talkin'... Softball. From Maine to San Diego. Talkin'... Softball. Mattingly and Canseco. Ken Griffey's grotesquely swollen jaw. Steve Sax and his run-in with the law. We're talkin' Homer... Ozzie and the Straw.
If I was going to change my name to a cartoon character, it would definitely be to that of the coolest (some say the only cool) good guy in cartoon history.
Originally posted by Shem the PenmanOptimus Prime is heading out to the Middle East with his guard unit on Wednesday to provide fire protection for airfields under combat.
I can't help but smile every time I read that sentence...
ADDITIONAL: How come if a man legally changes his name to "Optimus Prime," we think he's cool, but when a man legally changes his name to "Warrior," we think he's insane?
(edited by The Great Thomas on 20.3.03 1636) Now Playing: Megaman Battle Network
Because this guy doesn't legitimately think he has the powers associated with having his name (turning into an 18-wheeler, commanding an army of robots). At least, I hope not.
Besides, at least with Optimus Prime, he has a last name.
I apologize for being a Buffy/Angel mark.
EddieBurkett 316 says "If you can't see my avatar, please tell me. Thank you.".
Plus, I don't think Optimus believes in Destrucity, or whatever, unlike Warrior (I mean, whether or not he's against destrucity or for it or whatever, the-man-formerly-known-as-Jim-Hellwig is just... out there!).
It weirds me out that this soldier, now known as Prime, actually got a letter from the Pentagon from a general who's DOWN WITH THE AUTOBOTS!!! That rules like ten different ways! Give that general an energon cube.
I remember, quite a number of years ago, that there was a guy who loved to fish so much he legally changed his name to 'Trout Fishing In America.' I kid not!
Oh, and BTW, does Bruticus K. McMullen sound pretty cool?
David Crockett sez it best, folks: "Look at 'im, Tony! Look at 'im!"
Guys....... Saddam wouldn't be Megatron, Unicorn, or Galvatron. He's pretty low on the food chain. I'd say he's more at Frenzy or Brawl's level.
RIP Curt Hennig: Yeah, they call me a redneck, but you know---that's a beautiful thing!
You don't get it boy, this isn't a mudhole... it's an operating table. And I'm the surgeon. Something tells me to stop with the leg. I don't listen to it. But where in the world is there in the world A man so extroardinaire?
What can I say that everyone else hasn't already said -- that's just damn cool. Might have to change my sig from a Megatron quote to the Optimus motto after all. "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings"....indeed...
And as for who Saddam is? Let's see:
Megatron: "Everything is fodder." or Galvatron: "My power is everything, defeat is absurd!"
hmmm...gotta go with Saddam being Galvatron on this one. That Galvy quote sounds like something he'd say.
Power flows to the one who knows how -- desire alone is not enough.
Cobra Commander placed in charge of Iraqi defense.
Government War 2003-03-18 11:07:49 Aquillion 28 Comments Cairo - Saddam Hussein's second son, Qusai Hussein, has the reputation of being a low-key and ambiguous figure moving in his father's shadow.
But his nickname among Iraqis - Mr Snake - indicates it's mainly a difference of style that separates him from his more widely known, ruthless brother Odai Hussein, who gives himself the name of Abu Sarhan, an Arabic euphemism for a wolf.
Now, all we need a few soliders with the code-names Duke, Snake-Eyes and Quick and Saddam reffering to himself as Megatron, then we could have one of the worst crossovers in history.
i remember go-bots from the 80s...it was a transformers rup-off and the dude in charge was a transforming f-16 i think. it was some kind of war plane, but it didn't transform that much, not like the robotech/macross VFs...
I think there are crocs in the sewers. Great big honking ones...
I think that called a concession. Wow- email is getting better - we can sned MP3 files to each other and our friends now. I shock that the record firms aren't complaining about it.