A Guardian

WONDER IF HE CAN SPELL POTATO (e)

2011-06-24T19:52:00.000-04:00

Obamaism’s

''UPS and FedEx are doing just fine, right? It's the Post Office that's always having problems.''

—Barack Obama, attempting to make the case for government-run healthcare, while simultaneously undercutting his own argument, Portsmouth, N.H., Aug. 11, 2009

''What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith...''

—Barack Obama, in an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, who jumped in to correct Obama by saying ''your Christian faith,'' which Obama quickly clarified

''It was also interesting to see that political interaction in Europe is not that different from the United States Senate. There's a lot of -- I don't know what the term is in Austrian, wheeling and dealing.''

—Barack Obama, confusing German for ''Austrian,'' a language which does not exist, Strasbourg, France, April 6, 2009

''No, no. I have been practicing...I bowled a 129. It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something.''

—Barack Obama, making an off-hand joke during an appearance on ''The Tonight Show,'' March 19, 2009 (Obama later called the head of the Special Olympics to apologize)

''I've now been in 57 states -- I think one left to go.''

—Barack Obama, at a campaign event in Beaverton, Oregon

''Now, what were doing, I want to be clear, were not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money.''

—Barack Obama, on Wall Street reform, Quincy, Ill., April 29, 2010

''In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died -- an entire town destroyed.''

''The Middle East is obviously an issue that has plagued the region for centuries.''

—Barack Obama, Tampa, Fla., Jan. 28, 2010

''One such translator was an American of Haitian descent, representative of the extraordinary work that our men and women in uniform do all around the world -- Navy Corpse-Man Christian Brossard.''

—Barack Obama, mispronouncing ''Corpsman'' (the ''ps'' is silent) during a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2010 (The Corpsman's name is also Christopher, not Christian)

''The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings and inefficiencies to our health care system.''

—Barack Obama, in remarks after a health care roundtable with physicians, nurses and health care providers, Washington, D.C., July 20, 2009

"On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes -- and I see many of them in the audience here today -- our sense of patriotism is particularly strong."

"Let me be absolutely clear. Israel is a strong friend of Israel's. It will be a strong friend of Israel's under a McCain administration. It will be a strong friend of Israel's under an Obama administration. So that policy is not going to change."

Confused Yet?

2011-06-14T23:40:00.000-04:00

Shared Sacrifice.

President Obama calls for shared sacrifice- -but when republicans and governors try to reduce cost by cutting or changing the so called entitlements and pensions Democrats oppose the proposals and call for tax increases. I guess they think “shared sacrifice” means the tax payers need to sacrifice.

Debit Limit.

Speaker Boehner calls for reduced spending before raising the debt limit - - The Republican leadership has been saying that they will only increase the debt limit if Democrats agree to spending cuts. How does that make any sense?

If the debt limit is not increased the Democrats will have to cut spending. If they agree to spending cuts why do they need an increase in the debt limit?

What’s his name says that if the limit isn’t increased we will default. If so how does he think we will be able to pay the debt if he can borrow more?

Since it his responsibility to pay the debt why doesn’t Congress call him before them and ask him to explain why he won’t pay it since we have enough money to service the debt at this time.?

Religious Freedom.

Atheists and the ACLU sue in court about prayer and God in the public. Claiming Christians cannot force their views on everyone quoting the first amendment as proof “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” but leave out the second part of that sentence “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech”,

- - But they seem to think the Constitution gives them the right to force their views on the rest of us and the ability to limit our freedom of speech.

Government Pay.

No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense

Entitlement programs.

If we have to raise the debt ceiling to fund the so called entitlement programs why is this president and administration sending money to Haiti, Chile, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece. Why isn’t the government spending this money on Americans?

Big Oil responsible for price increase - So says President Obama.

Obama went to Brazil in March and offered to help that country expand its oil reserves.

“And when you’re ready to start selling, we want to be one of your best customers,” Obama said.

BUT - - -

So why did the Obama Administration cut these?

The withdrawal of 61 oil and gas leases in Montana as part of a settlement over climate change.

Withdrawal of 24,000 acres in Wyoming from oil and gas leases.

Withdrawal of 77 oil and gas leases in Utah.

Delayed oil shale research and development.

Prohibition on energy production on three million acres of public lands.

The administration also limited 30 million acres of public land with solar potential, to development within only 670,000 acres.

A de facto moratorium on oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico on the heels of the Deepwater Horizon spill was meant to protect the ocean environment, but industry officials say it has decimated the region.

2011-04-07T14:57:00.008-04:00

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Federalist Papers John Jay

2011-03-24T00:44:00.000-04:00

But the safety of the people of America against dangers from foreign force depends not only on their forbearing to give just causes of war to other nations, but also on their placing and continuing themselves in such a situation as not to invite hostility or insult; for it need not be observed that there are pretended as well as just causes of war." --John Jay, Federalist No. 4

And he wasn't talking about the U.N. - - - Did the President just create a new terrorist nation?

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Founders Quote on Democracies And Republics

2011-03-22T22:08:00.000-04:00

"In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example … of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness." --James Madison, National Gazette Essay, 1792

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"What was the primary and principal object in the institution of government? Was it -- I speak of the primary and principal object -- was it to acquire new rights by a human establishment? Or was it, by human establishment, to acquire new security for the possession or the recovery of those rights, to the enjoyment or acquisition of which we were previously entitled by the immediate gift, or by the unerring law, of our all-wise and all-beneficent Creator? The latter, I presume, was the case…" --James Wilson, 1790

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"If we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different forms of government are established, we may define a republic to be, or at least may bestow that name on, a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure for a limited period, or during good behavior." --James Madison, Federalist No. 39

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"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader." --Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, 1779

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"[D]emocracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths." --James Madison, Federalist No. 10, 1787

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"Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them." --Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

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I don't know who wrote this but I agree.

2011-03-22T00:03:00.000-04:00

I Am the Democratic, Republican Liberal-Progressive's Worst Nightmare.

I am a White, Conservative, Tax-Paying, American Veteran, Gun Owning Biker.

I am a Master leather worker. I work hard and long hours with my hands to earn a living.

I believe in God and the freedom of religion, but I don't push it on others.

I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and drive American-made cars, and I believe in American products and buy them whenever I can.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and not some liberal governmental functionary, Democratic or Republican, that wants to share it with others who don't work!

I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!

I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer; it makes you a smart American.

I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it!

I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac or any other item, you should do it in English.

I believe there should be no other language option.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.

My heroes are Malcolm Forbes, Bill Gates, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson, who makes the awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.

I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.

I've never owned a slave, nor was I a slave. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks, and neither have you!

I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country!

This is AMERICA ...We like it the way it is and more so the way it was ...so stop trying to change it to look like Russia or China , or some other socialist country!

If you were born here and don't like it... you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you. I believe it is time to really clean house, starting with the White House, the seat of our biggest problems.

I want to know which church is it, exactly, where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution.

Can I get an AMEN on that one?

I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are, but not just because you happen to ride a bike.

And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my driver's license. I think it's good.... And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money..

I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.

I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause.... Get a job and do your part to support yourself and your family!

I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents....

I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think!

I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA!

If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.

We want our country back!

My Country.....

I hope this offends all illegal aliens and America haters.

My great, great, great, great grandfather watched and bled as his friends died in the Revolution & the War of 1812.

My great, great, great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Mexican American War.

My great, great grandfather watched as his friends & brothers died in the Civil War.

My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Spanish-American War.

My grandfather watched as his friends died in WW I.

My father watched as his friends died in WW II.

I watched as my friends died in Vietnam, Panama & Desert Storm.

My son watched & bled as his friends died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

None of them died for the Mexican Flag. Everyone died for the American flag.

Texas high school students raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole, other students took it down. Guess who was expelled...the students who took it down.

California high school students were sent home on Cinco de Mayo, because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them.

Enough is enough!!

This message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America.

We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough. I'm taking a stand.

I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the American flag.

And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.

AMERICANS, stop giving away Your RIGHTS!

Let me make this clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY!

This statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration!

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY, welcome to come legally:

1. Get a sponsor!

2. Learn the LANGUAGE, as immigrants have in the past!

3. Live by OUR rules!

4. Get a job!

5. Pay YOUR Taxes!

6. No Social Security until you have earned it and Paid for it!

7. NOW find a place to lay your head!

If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM!

We've gone so far the other way . . . bent over backwards not to offend anyone.

Only AMERICANS seems to care when American Citizens are being offended!

WAKE UP America!! !

Made in the U S A & DAMN PROUD OF IT!!!!!

I do beleive the White House is using unions and Acorn to threaten America.

2011-02-28T22:55:00.000-05:00

Over the past 2 years I have written and spoke about President Obama wanting to form a civilian army as well trained and equipped (Armed?) as our military when he was elected.

When he spoke of a civilian army I immediately thought of A.C.O.R.N.. He went so far as to tell a gathering of A.C.O.R.N.
members that he was one of them and they had the Whitehouse now.

When he was forcing the takeover of G.M., threatening share holders and bankers, protesters mysteriously showed up at their private homes by the bus load. More recently in Wisconsin bus loads of protesters (Acorn and Union.) showed up at Republican representatives homes.

When asked about the Wisconsin governor’s bill he immediately took the side of the unions claiming the Governor was “union busting”. During his Governors meeting this week he claims he told the Governors that they shouldn’t disparage or label public service unions. He totally ignored the fact that it has never happened and the disparaging and name calling was being done by the unions.

Now we find out his political committee and the DNC is organizing unions to march on state capitals and that union leaders are going into the White House daily and that the unions are picketing state capitals in an attempt to threaten the legislators before hand.

Looks like he has both. Both before and after the election we have numerous stories of union and A.C.O.R.N. members (thugs) attacking and threatening people the white house dislike. His Justice dept. has refused to prosecute members of the new panther party, and police officers have refused to help Tea Party members under attacked by those thugs. The Wisconsin State Troopers have refused to find the missisng democrat rep.'s and also refused to clear the capital as ordered by Governor Walker.

Homeland security has released a report to all law enforcement departments that declares all veterans and states’ rights advocates as potential terrorist.

Over 30 years ago the government sent us to Vietnam to defend other people’s rights. Even now we have brothers in the Middle East fighting and some paying the extreme sacrifice. Do they think we won't defend our own rights?

How long will he wait until he pulls a Gadhafi and offers arms to these thugs calling them his army, and are you ready for that eventually.

AT some point law enforcement officers and military personnel will have to make a choice between obeying their oath to protect and defend the constitution and enforcing unconstitutional orders issued by this President.

As a veteran I know how I will stand. Do you?

THE MEANING OF BROTHERHOOD NO CIVILIAN CAN EVER UNDERSTAND

2011-02-23T01:12:00.000-05:00

Tonight I received an email from one of my Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Brothers and I thought it worth posting on this blog.

When a Veteran leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased, and others, who may have already retired, wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know.

1. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times.

2. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet.

But..... Once you have put on the uniform of war you can never take it off.

3. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing.

Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

NOW... Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends Comparisons:

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you.

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Will stand by you no matter what the crowd does.

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life.

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences...

VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of...

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CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...

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A veteran - whether active duty, retired, served one hitch, or reserve is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The people of the United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life'.

From one Veteran to another, it's an honor to be in your company. Thank you for your service to our country and defending the freedoms we enjoy.

Agent Orange -The gift that keeps on giving.

2011-02-22T00:07:00.000-05:00

Haven't written anything since September but I'll try to do better now. Starting early last year I began to have problems walking. Heavy cramps in both legs would cause me to fall and actually grunt from the pain. :) Having been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I figured that was the cause but I went out to the VA in Orlando any to get it checked out. Good think I did as my Aorta and major veins in both legs were clogged and blood was only getting through by collateral veins.

The doc was real straight with me. Seems that both diabetes and ischemic heart heard disease are caused by exposure to Agent Orange. So I could either wait for my legs to turn purple from lack of blood and have them amputated or I could get an Aortic Femoral by pass but it would be iffy because of my heart condition. The first thing that crossed my mind was how ironic it would be to die from something I was exposed to over 40 years ago when I had survived that war. Well, maybe a couple of zigs when I should have zagged. But they were not serious and I was back in the fun in no time.

Back to the story. I went in at Tampa VA on September 13. I woke up 8 days later. The operation was a success but the patient wouldn't wake up. Seems I wouldn't breathe when they tried to remove my oxygen. Soooo my wife, son and daughter were called to the hospital to say good bye in case I wouldn't breath when the removed me from the respirator for good. I later learned my 16 yr. old daughter had stood by my bed taping my forehead repeating breath Daddy breath with every tap. But the story has a happy ending. Within minutes after being taken off the respirator I began to breathe on my own.

Just like any other good old southern boy I must have figured why do something yourself when you can get a machine to do it for you.

They let me go home on September 27th with 3 months of R&R. By the way I had lost 20 lbs in the hospital but the R&R put 25 back on me.

I had minimal exposure so you guys who were doused with it need to get checked out for both. During the week I recuperated in the hospital I learned how lucky I was to have been unconscious the first week after the operation. Other guys were brought into the room straight from their operations. They had drain tubes up thru their nose, were restricted in movement because of monitors, hoses and cords plus they only got ice to suck on. They were miserable and a couple was close to breaking. Did I tell you that those who smoked were the most miserable? I was lucky that I got over my cravings while I was under.

I want to thank my family and friends for the prayers because they helped. Also my brothers and sisters at Rolling Thunder florida Chapter 8. http://www.rollingthunderfl8.com/

I would also like to thank my friends over at the Florida Veterans net for linking my blog. Please visit them at Florida Veteran's Network (FL Vet-Net).

If you want to understand what the Tea Party movement is really all about, watch this short video about 9/12 | Washington Examiner

2010-09-11T18:31:00.000-04:00

If you want to understand what the Tea Party movement is really all about, watch this short video about 9/12 Washington Examiner

Thomas Jefferson Tried to tell us!

2010-09-09T21:48:00.000-04:00

How did Jefferson know?

John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time.

He made this statement:

"This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Especially read the last quote from 1802.

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe we shall become as corrupt as Europe . Thomas Jefferson.
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff109181.html

The democracy will cease to when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. - Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff122881.html

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. -Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff136389.html

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.- Thomas Jefferson.
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff136410..html

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
http://www..brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff157220.html

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. -Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff125076..html

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. -Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff100991..html

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff109180.html

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. -Thomas Jefferson
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjeff157246..html

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802_

'I believe that banking institutions are _more dangerous to our liberties_ than standing armies. if the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property -until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

Flashback

2010-08-17T02:30:00.000-04:00

A involuntary recurrent memory in which an individual has a sudden, usually powerful, re-experiencing of a past experience or elements of a past experience. The term is used particularly when the memory is recalled involuntarily, and/or when it is so intense that the person "relives" the experience, unable to fully recognize it as memory and not something that is happening in "real time".

Rain and the septic tank cover.

50 Cal - Belfrey

Go Cong ride. (1st heart.)

Bien Tray FF.

5th SF ride back (2nd Heart.)

Waiting and hearing them die.

Bodies in the river.

Cantau - mike force and bloodless body.

BB guns and frogs on perm.

Incoming and fire in living area. (Ladder climb.)

Taubrouk movie and AK sound.

Run from Cambodia. (Heli load.)

Tracer rounds at HQ W/Parker.

Death of Lunganess.

Frenchie death.

Tower falling.

Navy front loader.

Fast boats.

"Hello Darkness, My Old Friend."

Ammo dump explosion.

Name Change

2010-06-29T15:03:00.000-04:00

Since I will be writing about my life and experiences as well as being a soldier I will change the title.

I welcome any input as to the name.

I am considering the name "Rogue". My life seems to be one of contradiction after another moving between normal, lawless, rage and defiance.

Darkness

2010-06-25T22:44:00.000-04:00

I recently spoke with a friend from back in the day. He looked at my blog site and we talked about a lot of things. I think we were in a contest to see who could hold back the emotion the longest. Seems he went to drugs while I went to alcohol but there were a lot of similarities in our lives. We have agreed to keep in touch and maybe even look up others for a reunion.

He also reminded me that my favorite song "in country" was "The Sounds Of Silence." I had a reel to reel tape recorder and every night we all lay in our bunks listening to Simon and Garfunkel. He told me how I would play it over and over.

The words as I recall were ---

"Hello darkness, my old friend - I've come to talk with you again - Because a vision softly creeping - Left its seeds while I was sleeping - And the vision that was planted in my brain - Still remains - Within the sound of silence."

Now that I think back I realize these words were not only poetic but prophetic.

Not only were my thoughts and memories hidden in the darkness of my mind, the darkness was a blessing in disguise since I could hide from life in it. I have always felt safer in the darkness and even hated it when a flare was lit. To this day I find myself moving, at night, from shadow to shadow so I can remain undetected. Perhaps that is how I have lived my life. Moving from one shadow to another.

Each time I went back to Dong Tam I slept in the NCO barracks. Every night I could hear what I thought to be a Front Loader working down by the docks. For some reason whoever was operating the machine would stop and turn off the engine just before a rocket attack even before the siren sounded. It happened so many times that I would be cognoscente of the absence of sound even in my sleep and would come fully awake and sprint to the bunker. V. Veterans seem to have a common reaction and that is to not fully go to sleep and always wake around 3AM

When I came back we lived in a duplex close to the volunteer fire department. They would sound the siren to summon volunteers to the department when there was a fire. I seem to remember being asleep next to my wife when the siren sounded. In my foggy memory I think I jumped from the bed and ran smack into the apartment wall.

I also seem to remember my brother meeting me at the airport and taking me to the apartment. My wife was there in a, well, never mind. My oldest daughter was at her grandparents and my youngest asleep in her crib. I seem to remember having to see her right away or my wife taking me into see her and being torn between waking her up to hold her and holding my wife. I think the wife won that one. Most soldiers live for there children. I wonder how many faced the same memory.

I can see now that there are good memories if I will just let them in.

His Battle

2010-06-13T00:21:00.000-04:00

It is June 1969, a ¾ ton truck slides through the gate into the early morning fog then accelerated for the mad dash down the mountain to the base in the valley. Just a few clicks down the road to a helicopter ride back to My Tho. The worried faces of his friends watching as he left is etched on his mind. Frankie “T” yelling in bravado “It’s a fine day to die!” Danny just raising his hand. The rest of the camp is visible, preparing for battle unaware of the truck leaving them alone.

The driver and front guard are unusually quiet and concentrating on the jungle flashing by. The soldier riding shotgun in the rear of the truck peers nervously into the jungle. He is setting on highly classified instruments the Army was worried about falling into enemy hands. Armed with only a 45 cal. pistol, an M79 grenade launcher, several thermite grenades and orders to destroy the equipment rather than let it fall into enemy hands. But no orders about the safety of his men just an implication that they are his responsibility and not as important as the equipment.

Get it back here. How you do it is your responsibility, it would be nice if you all came back but only with the equipment.

Still shaken from the nightly rocket attacks memories of the morning briefing intrude on his concentration. “Enemy in area preparing for attack.”; “Tanks moving south.” “Hostiles impersonating locals.”

Then, “maybe I should have waited for the supply chopper” interrupts those thoughts. He rationalizes his decision by telling himself that it is only a short 20 minute run and the enemy could attack the camp before the chopper arrives. Besides patrols are out and reported the road clear.

Forty years later as he types these words hazy memories and flash backs interrupt his thoughts. His body can feel the truck slowing as it enters a turn then accelerate past a line of Vietnamese soldiers. One near the rear of the line steps out clear of the rest and levels his M60 machine gun. The soldier in the rear instinctively launches a grenade in their general direction. The truck veers wildly and crashes into a paddy but he is aware of the grenade landing near the machine gunner and its explosion as he is ejected from the truck..

As he comes to he sees the Vietnamese regrouping to attack. Gasoline vapors surround him. He pulls his 45 but is shaking so badly he has trouble cocking it.

Then God began to pour rain on him and across the road. Not a rain of water but a rain of shell casing as a gunship passes over strafing the Vietnamese. The ship banks to the right as another come over finishing the job.

His mind is confused and there seem to be hands pulling him from the mud calling for him to lie down. Being strapped to a stretcher, looking around and wondering where “they” are why aren’t they on the chopper? Then the pain starts. First the hands then the crotch and legs followed by relief and a feeling of not being there.

The briefing comes days later along with the guilt and anger brought on by the words, “This didn’t happen.” Apparently the equipment had disappeared during the confusion but they were sure that it was not in enemy hands and were covering their ass. The morning after the soldier had left, the camp was overrun with all defenders killed or captured so the brass just reported the equipment as destroyed in the battle.

Later his calm bearing hid the anger, guilt and rage inside of him, brain fogged with alcohol the soldier’s battle began….. He Lost.

His description of events hides the flat, sharp edged memory of the event. Maybe some how putting it into fancy words will help.

The Wolf

2010-06-09T23:22:00.000-04:00

Over the last few years I have become fascinated by wolves on seeing the wolf picture I use as my logo. I see the wolf as a watcher. Showing no fear just evaluating everything it sees and classifying it as a threat or not a threat. The wolf watches and waits with inhuman patients, silently going about his life unmolested and unmolesting. A predator to a food source only, not wantonly destroying as we humans do.

Some say the wolf will slink away on seeing a human but they read the signs incorrectly. Since the wolf does not see you as a danger he lowers his tail to show he means no harm and avoids contact by sliding into the brush. His howl puts fear in men but he is only calling his pack to the hunt for food. He is furiously loyal to his pups and pack. The pack is led by a alpha male and female, the guardians, and the pack returns the loyalty submitting to the dominance of the pack leaders.

The next time you are in the woods and hear a slight rustle of the bush. . . it is not a wolf for the wolf makes no sound as he approaches. He will pass you by without your knowledge leaving neither foot print nor scent.

Learn from the wolf.