[December 31, 2023] As I type this article, my last blog post of the year, my dog Bella is at my feet. She is sleeping there but also in her protective mode, guarding me from any danger lurking and unknown. A few days ago, she returned to the veterinarian’s office for a second emergency visit in a week. … Read More »
[July 4, 2023] America’s Independence Day is special. It is more than Americans recognizing their independence from the British Empire 247 years ago; it is seen by all those who want the freedom to practice a religion of their choice, raise a family as they see fit, elect a government of their choosing, and going about their daily… Read More »
[September 26, 2021] Americans love their pets. Some pets are more than just creatures to be loved but also help us by providing necessary care. Veteran service and guide dogs are those trained to assist Veterans in their everyday life. They are companions and helpers, and many of us would not function without these dogs. Just this past… Read More »
[June 22, 2020] Starting college was a major decision for me. No one, other than my mother, had any college time, and she only went for a short time. My family could provide no guidance or suggestions for me. My main problem, like so many, was that I had no money to pay for it. So I got… Read More »
[January 20, 2018] My cousin was recently contacted by a dog rescue organization located in northeastern Louisiana. They wanted her to help get the word out about their adoption services for abandoned dogs. It appears that there has been an epidemic (her term) in abandoned dogs across the U.S.; somewhere around 75 to 90 million dog are abandoned… Read More »
[September 24, 2017] During my first assignment with the 1st Cavalry Division in the Iraqi War, one of our early engineer tasks was to design and build a military dog facility. Dog handlers and their canine friends were part of our unit and were responsible for local security. The Iraqi insurgents we captured called them the dogs of… Read More »
[September 07, 2014] While World War I started in 1914, it was not until April 1917 that the United States entered the fray and only after a number of incidents lead the American people to distrust the Imperial German government. Many do not know the U.S. role was decisive but late in coming. When the U.S. entered the… Read More »
[June 19, 2025] For some reason, I seemed to have a bunch of time on my hands as a little kid. That meant my friends and I were also given opportunities to get into trouble, often by starting fistfights with each other. Preceding any fight, however, there was the obligatory taunting: sticking your tongue out, name-calling, “you hit… Read More »
[June 1, 2025] On Sunday afternoon, July 9, 2006, a small group of Soldiers in civilian dress waited at the airport in El Paso, Texas, for pickup. Arriving at Ft. Bliss, we were dropped off at our barracks, found a bunk, dropped our travel gear, and reported to Building 500A for ACU uniform fitting. After a formation in… Read More »
[May 27, 2025] As a young Army Captain, I worked with some great people in my Infantry Company. But one of my Sergeants was a holdover from when our standards were not as high as they should have been. So, it wasn’t easy to slot him in the right job. Unfortunately, my Battalion Commander – a tough disciplinarian… Read More »