Category: friendships

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Vietnam Veteran Tragically Loses His Best Friend in The War

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Military news…

UN Command to probe North Korean drone flights into South Korea

The U.N. Command is launching an investigation into the North Korean drone incursion that prompted South Korea’s military to reassess its defensive capabilities.

Japan tests all China arrivals for COVID amid surging cases

Japan on Friday started requiring COVID-19 tests for all passengers arriving from China as an emergency measure against surging infections there and as Japan faces rising case numbers and record-level deaths at home.

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Biden pardons 6 convicted of murder, drug, alcohol crimes

The pardons, announced Friday, mean the criminal record of the crimes is now purged. They come a few months after the Democratic president pardoned thousands of people convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law. He also pardoned three people earlier this year and has commuted the sentences of 75 others.

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Evidence of Russian crimes mounts as war in Ukraine drags on

As Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, told the AP, “Ukraine is a crime scene.”

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Putin, unaccustomed to losing, is increasingly isolated as war faltersWith the Russian president refusing to back down in Ukraine, Russia’s elite is split between those who want the war to end and those supporting further escalation.

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I am sitting in my den and typing this post. I am watching a bowl game between Tulane and USC. The game was just tied by Tulane, 14-14. This is my way of working. Love it.

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I am going to share a story about a Vietnam soldier that lost his best friend. He asked me to not share his name which I always honor.

I decided to stop at a hamburger place on my way home one day. I got my food and was walking to my table, when I saw a Vietnam vet. I knew that, because he was wearing a Vietnam hat.

I thanked him for his service, and sat down. I could see him eating. He was in pain. He finished his meal and got up to throw his garbage away. He walked right by me.

I asked him if he could sit and talk for a little bit. He looked like he didn’t want to do that, until I told him I was a veteran. He sat down.

We talked idly for a few minutes, and then I started asking him questions.

I asked him what he did in Vietnam. He said he was on a ship off the coast of Vietnam. Their job was to send supplies to the troops, and bring out the wounded in helicopters.

I asked him what was his worst moment. He said that lost his best friend who was a pilot of one of the helicopters. On one takeoff the engine died and the helicopter went straight down into the water. There was another soldier on the Helicopter. They never recovered the bodies, because the water was too deep.

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I had many other question to ask him, and You can see the full interview in my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

Keep coming back to see more what is happening for the book. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will go directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?
FEAR NOT!
There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.
If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!
Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up.

+Now there is an easier way to get help. Just dial 988, and you will have help ready for you.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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Drill Sergeants in the Military Can be Very Tough When Needed

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Military news…

The Pentagon wants to get rid of 24 ships and more than 150 aircraft

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The Air Force wants to spend big bucks replacing its decades-old surveillance plane

“It just really takes miracle workers … to keep these airplanes in the air.”

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‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is finally coming to theaters — and Russia may be the villain


Maverick is still, presumably, in the danger zone

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Russian Forces Halt Kyiv Advance as Kremlin Says Donbass Was Only Goal All Along

A month into its invasion of Ukraine, Russia appears to be reducing its war plans from annexing the entire country to holding the region called the Donbass. A top Russian military officer said this has always been the intended mission.

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Marines Barred From Traveling to Ukraine as Americans Try to Join Fight

The Marine Corps has barred its personnel from traveling to Ukraine and the neighboring countries of Belarus and Moldova amid reports of U.S. military veterans going to assist Ukrainians.

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National Medal of Honor Museum Breaks Ground in Texas

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation broke ground on its future campus in Arlington, Texas, in a ceremony attended by 15 veterans who received the Medal of Honor for actions in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

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Russian Troops’ Tendency to Talk on Unsecured Lines is Proving Costly

The Russian military possesses modern equipment capable of secure transmission, but troops in Ukraine have picked up simpler-to-use but less-secure lines because of sketchy discipline and an apparent lack of planning for long-term combat operations.

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Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

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You Never Know Who Your Friends May Be In the Military

I had my basic training at Fort Ord California, which is now closed. I enlisted with two buddies, and we all were in the same company. It was kind of fun, because we all did things together. I could write another book on just the happenings at basic training. Many of the stories are humorous, others not so humorous. 

A few of the soldiers were people that were drafted, which were still going on in the early sixties. Those people didn’t like being there and even marked their calendars until the day they got out. They only had two years, and their first year was nearly over by the time they got to MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) training.

The soldiers seemed to separate each other into enlisted, and draftees. Not in the form of gangs liked you see on the streets, but there were a definite divided feeling in the two groups.

I remember one incident that made me admire my drill sergeant a great deal. One of the draftees was complaining about being in the military, and my drill sergeant told him to straighten up and quit being a baby. The draftee challenged the drill sergeant to a fight. The drill sergeant was a short and thin guy, and the draftee was a linebacker sized guy. We all thought it would be over quick, with the draftee winning easily.

The sergeant told the draftee they would fight in the platoon leader’s bedroom. (I wasn’t sure why that was the choice, because those rooms are pretty small.)

Then we heard a lot of crashing and groans coming out of that room. The door opened, and we were sure it would be the draftee coming out, but it was that tiny drill sergeant. He was bloodied up, but the draftee was unconscious and lying face down on the floor.

We realized that our drill sergeant was the toughest man on the planet and we were to do what he said or pay the price. Surprisingly, all of us loved and respected him after that. Even the draftee was very respectful to the sergeant.

What do we need to do to gain respect? It probably isn’t a good idea to fight someone to gain respect like my drill sergeant did. What things would gain respect of others?

How about putting others first? Maybe it is being a friend to someone who really needs support. It could be going that extra mile for someone. It says in the Bible, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6: 31 NIV) Keep that in mind each day you are interactive with others.

There is a, “I am tough,” type mentality in the military. However, we aren’t always out in the trenches. We aren’t always threatened by the enemy. You have times when you can think about things and maybe reach out to someone around you who you know is hurting. Many of your buddies never want to tell you that they are depressed. That is a “sissy,” approach in their mind.

However, you can tell they are hurting, because you may have felt hurt yourself. When two people are on the same wave link, they can help each other through the storms of life.

Try this approach and see if your friendships develop into best friends forever (BFF) type situation.

IWILL

God knows what loneliness and depression is. He sent His only Son down to this earth to face the whole world on His own. He knew His Son would feel alone. He knew that his Son would be rejected. Yet, God did all of this for you and me so that we can know that we have eternal life if we believe in Him. He will help you with your own depression and loneliness if you let Him. 

Think about this

Isn’t it sad how we allow bad things to rise up in our heads, and cause us to feel depressed?

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There may be more excerpts in the future, so keep coming back to check this site out. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Did you lose some friends while in the military?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,200 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Posted on

In the Military the Best Ships Are Friendships

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

________________________________________________________________

Military news….

4 US Marines killed in Osprey crash in Norway

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Legion of the damned: Inside Ukraine’s army of misfits, veterans, and war tourists in the fight against Russia

Every war has its own dynamics which can be equally lethal to veterans and beginners if not properly understood. 

Video appears to show Russian troops caught in ambush and doing everything wrong

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Marine Corps to curtail usage of Amtracs in wake of deadly accident

The Marine Corps will no longer send its amphibious assault vehicles on regular deployments or training in water except in crisis response, the service said Wednesday.

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The 13 U.S. service members killed in a bombing at Kabul’s airport as they worked to evacuate thousands of Americans, Afghans and allies ahead of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan will receive the highest honor from Congress, the White House said Thursday.

Service members killed in Afghanistan evacuation attack will receive Congressional Gold Medals

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Norwegian vessel teams up with US carrier strike group, maintaining trend toward cooperation

The Fridtjof Nansen and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, U.S 6th Fleet said Tuesday in a statement.

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UK restores presence in Germany with hub for army vehicles

The United Kingdom is taking a page from the US Army playbook, sending hundreds of tanks and fighting vehicles back to Germany so its forces can maneuver more freely around Europe.

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Here is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

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The Best Ships are Friendships

After the rough ride on the ship on the way over to Korea, I kept some good friendships going. I had two weeks stuck in the hull of a ship full of sick people. I was lucky and didn’t get sick so I was constantly looking after the guys that slept around me in the bunks. They really appreciated me being there for them. There is nothing more terrifying than to be somewhere that no one knows you or seems to care, and be sickly besides all of that.

Once we landed some of the guys thanked me, even though some of them were going to other parts of Korea.  We remained friends at a distance.

I just happened to hook up with a couple of them when we had our R and R (Rest and recuperation,) time in Tokyo since we had the same length of time together.

It was a fun time going to see the Pagodas, the gardens, and seeing the nightlife while I was with them.

We came back to our companies refreshed and ready to work hard again.

Have you had a time when you wish you could find friends to be with you during an ordeal that you were having hard time facing?

Did you have to meet with a doctor to see the results of a very serious test they had done. I have.  Did you feel left alone when you had a divorce, and people frowned on it? I have. Have you lost loved ones and mourned the loss? I have. Have you been accused of something that wasn’t true? I have.

Through all of these trials and storms I had a core of friends and family around me to console me and hold my hand. Without all those friendships and a circle of love ones, I may not have been here today. 

I have battled depression, and self-doubt, but through the consistency of family and friends around me, I was able to realize I wasn’t walking the path alone.

IWILL

Never take on a tough moment alone. Always lean on your family and friends. There is nothing shameful about seeking support for you when you are going through some horrific times. God is also there for you. He is never farther away than a prayer.

You will be surprised how well you can withstand the storms with an army of people, and God, fighting with you.

Think About This

Isn’t it interesting that if you have God on your side you can take on anything?

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There may be more excerpts coming up in future posts, so keep coming back. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will directly to your inbox.

______________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Did you battle some loneliness while in the military?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,150 veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255

_______________________________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

_______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.