[July 31, 2024] In May of 1970, after I started Engineering classes at Texas Tech University, I turned 18, registered for Selective Service, and received my military draft notice shortly after that. The Vietnam War was still going strong with American and NATO participation, and the draft was in full swing, calling up young men to be part… Read More »
[July 10, 2024] Historian Victor Davis Hanson gives us his thoughts on the American military in full panic because they cannot reach their recruiting goals. People, mostly men, make up the bulk of the Army, and when you don’t have the bodies, your ability to fulfill your mission is weakened. I will make a better point, and that… Read More »
[July 3, 2024] Nick Freitas treats us to a discourse on the five categories of a good man. Asked by a moderator, “What does it mean to be a good man,” Nick is quick to answer. Nick Freitas is a politician in the Virginia House of Delegates and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has been described… Read More »
[June 16, 2024] I was reeling in a largemouth bass as hard as my little hands could work the fishing rod. And I was scared of falling out of the boat and into the deep lake water where my weak swimming ability would surely put an end to my life. I’m now a Boomer-Geezer American, raised by combat… Read More »
[June 14, 2024] Each year, on Flag Day, I get to remind my fellow Veterans that today is more than remembering our national flag. ‘Old Glory’ – as many like to call her – is the epitome of a moral good. She links us to America, our past and future. And that is no trivial matter in 2024… Read More »
[June 12, 2024] Tomorrow, I will give a short speech at a ceremony at Rowan College, where veterans will receive a county medal recognizing their honorable military service. Here is a draft of what I will say. Please take a moment to give me some feedback. Thank you. Just last week in Atlantic City, we dedicated a World… Read More »
[June 1, 2024] I recently came across an article written by Dick Conoboy and I was taken by his respect for a good friend. The article, titled “Lewis, I Hardly Knew Ye,” is worth reading in its entirety. His friend is Lewis B. Puller, Jr. and if that name is familiar, it should be. Lewis was a Vietnam… Read More »
[May 29, 2024] People don’t learn much from history, which is unfortunate. My Dad was right about that and was correct in saying that we are much closer to historical events than we might imagine; we are all a step closer to history. I was blessed with family stories of the past, and I was surprised by what… Read More »
Letters to My Granddaughter, Epilogue [November 20, 2024] Here is some good news. That skinny small-town boy from the Deep South – and born on the bayou (like the 1969 CCR song) – turned out okay. I would marry and have two children; the happiest days of my life were their birth and their growing up. Nothing is… Read More »
[December 24, 2023] Four years ago, a small group of men – all acquaintances – were discussing “doing something” for their community. One of these men knew and befriended a World War II veteran and his devoted daughter. The veteran was a highly decorated Army medic. After the veteran passed away, his daughter suggested to the group that… Read More »