Interesting Stories From the Military Trenches

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I was thinking back to my military days. Some days were OK, but others not as much. Today I am going to share some of the times I had while enlisted. I am not sure how much I will share, because some are pretty intense.

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While in basic, There was a scary, but good outcome that happened. We had a Native American who was drafted into the Army. He was not a happy camper, and let everyone know about it including our drill sergeant.

Finally our drill sergeant told him to stop whining. He told our drill sergeant to &%#! off. Sergeant McDonald told him to give him ten pushups for saying that. The soldier wouldn’t do it. So Sergeant McDonald told him to come into his room at the head of the barracks.

We all assumed there was going to be a fight. We were right. The native American was strong looking, and SGT MacDonald was only about 5′ 8. We all thought the native American would win. WRONG!!

We heard crashing and groaning. More crashing and groaning. Then it got very quiet. The door opened and SGT Macdonald came staggering out. He looked like he had been hit by a truck. We assumed he had lost.

Then we looked in into his room and the native American was out cold. Our drill SGT won the battle!! SGT MacDonald won all our praise. Even the native American liked him after their fight.

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While in South Korea we had what was called R&R (Rest and recuperation. ) It was me and another buddy’s turn to go. It was a full week, All paid by the military including air fare and a hotel room in Tokyo, Japan. We were pretty excited. We knew we earned it so we didn’t feel bad about doing it.

We we got there, we did a lot of sight seeing. The pagodas, beautiful gardens, and incredible food.

About half way through we decided to visit a disco bar. We got there and we were drinking pretty heavy. I was feeling no pain, when a belly dancer came out on to the floor. They announced that who ever held onto her sequenced skirt the longest would get a prize.

She started around the edge of the floor near the tables. Several other soldiers tried to hold on to her while she shimmied. One or two could do it for a while, but let loose when their hands started hurting.

She came near our table, and I couldn’t resist. I held onto her hips while she wiggled. I kept holding on after she went faster. I still was holding on when she stopped. She was too tired to keep going.

I looked at my hands and they were a bloody mess.

The announcer said that I was the winner, and the prize was free drinks for the rest of the night. Just what I needed right? That was about the last thing I remember from that night.

__________________________________________

Both of these stories are in my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of he Trenches of Life.

There are many pages of similar type of stories. All of them have a personal story like above and then they relate to how we all can benefit from it. This is done on purpose to try to reach out those those veterans who may be suffering from PTSD, TBI, Depression, war wounds, etc.

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Time to check on you. How are you doing? Have the rough times we are going through right now caught up to you? Would you like the world to stop and let you off?

You are not alone. There are over 9,800 fellow veterans here who have your back.

However, if it is just too much right now, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there for you who will never hang up until they know you are OK.

!-800-273-8255 ) Option # 1

___________________________________________

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 for the site, please let them know about it. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

Stories From the Trenches of Life that will Shock you

+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 for the site, please let them know about it. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

________________________________________

I am in the mold of seeing doctors a lot. Saw one today, and later today I have a CT scan done. Then it off to another doctor’s appointment on Monday and yet another one next Friday.

They all know me by my first name down at the clinic. LOL

________________________________________

Today I am going to go back to telling you more about my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

I will remind you that the book is in five sections:

  1. Basic Training.
  2. Deployment to Korea.
  3. Ft Bragg.
  4. Interviews.
  5. Complete index

Each section will have some humor; some sadness, and deep some thoughts. Some of what I wrote was extremely difficult. Brought tears to my eyes as I typed sometimes.

________________________________________

Here is one of many endorsements. This one is from a CEO from a Nonprofit that I love called, Victory for Veterans:

Although ‘Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life’ wasn’t written for men only, it brings honesty and openness to veterans, military personnel and men in general about feeling ok to express fears and emotional challenges in a difficult world.  US Army Retired Veteran, Mr. Douglas Bolton brings his personal stories to life in a way we all can relate to and gives a big “you’re ok” for revealing our shortcoming and encourages us to open up and talk.  A must read for those seeking healing and forgiveness from ourselves and those wanting a fresh look on life. 

Steve Durgin, Founder & CEO with Victory For Veterans Foundation. 


Here is another one from a retired woman Colonel. She was a head flight nurse while enlisted. She is now the director of the NYC nurses.

Signs of Hope for the Military: in and Out of the Trenches of Life, is a must read book for any military, which are hurting from PTD, TBI, anxiety, depression, etc. It has extensive valuable and doable suggestions for successful cope mechanisms. I have also enjoyed Doug Bolton sharing his own stories about his time in the military. He shows that he has been there and done that. This makes him very qualified to offer his advice, guidance and support.  

I applaud Doug for his insight and wiliness to share. I know you will too.

Colonel Dona Marie Iversen

United States Air Force

NYC, New York

________________________________________

Now I will share a story from the actual book.:

I lost two great friends while deployed to South Korea. When I enlisted, I did it on the buddy plan. Two close friends and myself signed up the same day. We went to the same high school.

We went through basic training together. Many funny stories there. Then we went to Signal school at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. There we learned how to do Morse Code. We were placed in the Army Security Agency because of our good scores. All three of us. The ASA looks for security branches, like the CIA in public areas. Not as secret as the CIA, but we monitored the air waves for breaches in security. (I have another story where I had a Colonel busted for doing a breach.)

We we shipped out to Korea on the USS Mitchel. It was some rough times because of storms. One of my buddies lost 20 pounds just while we crossed the ocean.

Now for the sadness. Three of us we stationed at different places in Korea. Only two of came back home. One of my buddies caught some serious virus and died quickly. I was stunned for months after that happened.

Then I was stationed at Camp Red Cloud, near Uijeongbu. When we were stationed there in 1960 it was just a tiny village. Now is is a large city.

One night a close friend of mine got severely drunk coming home from the village. He was walking very erratically. He came by a rice field, and right by the road was a “Honey Bucket.” A honey bucket is a big hole in the ground that the farmers put human waste in of fertilizer for their rice. My friend fell into it and suffocated. Devastating news when he wasn’t there for our morning formation. The Captain had to tell us why.

__________________________________________

I have lost friends like many of you have. I know your pain.

After those two very sad stories, I need to see how you are doing. Have you lost a friend while in the Military? Has it stuck with you like it has for me? You are not alone! There are over 6.700 fellow veterans on this site that have you back.

It was pretty unbearable for me for a while. I battled big time depression, and had thoughts of ending my life. I was strong enough to overcome that, I am here writing to you to let you know I am here for you.

________________________________________

If it is just too overwhelming, GET HELP! Here is a toll free number to call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will never hang up until they know you are OK.

________________________________________

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 for the site, please let them know about it. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

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They all know me by my first name down at the clinic. LOL

________________________________________

Today I am going to go back to telling you more about my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

I will remind you that the book is in five sections:

  1. Basic Training.
  2. Deployment to Korea.
  3. Ft Bragg.
  4. Interviews.
  5. Complete index

Each section will have some humor; some sadness, and deep some thoughts. Some of what I wrote was extremely difficult. Brought tears to my eyes as I typed sometimes.

________________________________________

Here is one of many endorsements. This one is from a CEO from a Nonprofit that I love called, Victory for Veterans:

Although ‘Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life’ wasn’t written for men only, it brings honesty and openness to veterans, military personnel and men in general about feeling ok to express fears and emotional challenges in a difficult world.  US Army Retired Veteran, Mr. Douglas Bolton brings his personal stories to life in a way we all can relate to and gives a big “you’re ok” for revealing our shortcoming and encourages us to open up and talk.  A must read for those seeking healing and forgiveness from ourselves and those wanting a fresh look on life. 

Steve Durgin, Founder & CEO with Victory For Veterans Foundation. 


Here is another one from a retired woman Colonel. She was a head flight nurse while enlisted. She is now the director of the NYC nurses.

Signs of Hope for the Military: in and Out of the Trenches of Life, is a must read book for any military, which are hurting from PTD, TBI, anxiety, depression, etc. It has extensive valuable and doable suggestions for successful cope mechanisms. I have also enjoyed Doug Bolton sharing his own stories about his time in the military. He shows that he has been there and done that. This makes him very qualified to offer his advice, guidance and support.  

I applaud Doug for his insight and wiliness to share. I know you will too.

Colonel Dona Marie Iversen

United States Air Force

NYC, New York

________________________________________

Now I will share a story from the actual book.:

I lost two great friends while deployed to South Korea. When I enlisted, I did it on the buddy plan. Two close friends and myself signed up the same day. We went to the same high school.

We went through basic training together. Many funny stories there. Then we went to Signal school at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. There we learned how to do Morse Code. We were playced in the Army Security Agency because of our good scores. All three of us. The ASA us a security branch, like the CIA in public areas. Not as secret as the Cia, but we monitored the air waves for breaches in security. (I have another story where I had a Colonel busted for doing a breach.)

We we shipped out to Korea on the USS Mitchel. It was some rough times because of storms. One of my buddies lost 20 pounds just while we crossed the ocean.

Now for the sadness. Three of us we stationed at different places in Korea. Only two of came back home. One of my buddies caught some serious virus and died quickly. I was stunned for months after that happened.

Then I was stationed at Camp Red Cloud, near Uijeongbu. When we were stationed there in 1960 it was just a tiny village. Now is is a large city.

One night a close friend of mine got severely drunk coming home from the village. He was walking very erratically. He came by a rice field, and right by the road was a “Honey Bucket.” A honey bucket is a big hole in the ground that the farmers put human waste in of fertilizer for their rice. My friend fell into it and suffocated. Devastating news when he wasn’t there for our morning formation. The Captain had to tell us why.

__________________________________________

I have lost friends like many of you have. I know your pain.

After those two very sad stories, I need to see how you are doing. Have you lost a friend while in the Military? Has it stuck with you like it has for me? You are not alone! There are over 6.700 fellow veterans on this site that have you back.

It was pretty unbearable for me for a while. I battled big time depression, and had thoughts of ending my life. I was strong enough to overcome that, I am here writing to you to let you know I am here for you.

________________________________________

If it is just too overwhelming, GET HELP! Here is a toll free number to call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will never hang up until they know you are OK.

________________________________________

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 for the site, please let them know about it. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

Scary Interview With WWII Veteran

+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 for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

Found some more interesting facts. These are from the 9-11 attacks:

(We should never forget!)

  1. 19 highjackers.
  2. 2,977 people killed in New York City, Washington D.C., and outside Shanksville, PA.
  3. 2,753 people killed at the World Trade Center.
  4. 343 firefighters who died in the initial attacks and during the collapse of the towers.
  5. 23 police officers who died.
  6. 37 Port Authority officers during the attacks and the collapse.
  7. 184 people when flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
  8. 40 people died when flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, PA.

A total of 6,320 people lost their lives on that horrible day.

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I am switching my thoughts to my up coming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In an Out of the Trenches of Life.

I am going to give you the outline again. It has been awhile since I last did that:

  1. The first section will stories from my basic training. This will have humor, some tense moments, and proud moments. At the end of each chapter I will be sharing thoughts on how you and I can survive in the not so firendly world as civilians.
  2. The second section will have stories from my deployment to Korea. It also will have some humor, tense moments, and unfortantly some very sad moments.
  3. The third section will sotries from my time at FT. Bragg. again, a little humor, but a few very scary moments.
  4. The last section is my favorite part. It is full of interviews from veterans who have been there and done that. Some of these stories are very scary, sad, humorous, and fansicnating. I have WWII, Korean, Iraq, Vietnam, and Afghanstan, interviews from soldiers.

I am going to share you an interview today. It is about a WWII veteran who had a near death experience.

I will name him in the book, but not now.

He was in France and he and four of his buddies were pinned down. I mean really pinned down by enemy fire. You can think about trenches to hide in, but these poor guys could only lay flat in furrows. Those are what is left after a plow comes through. If they stuck up any part of thier body they were dead.

My friend heard something coming up behind him. It was the tank Corp. They pulled over the top of him; opened the hatch, and pulled him in. They did that with the other four buddies as well. They didn’t know heroes had their backs.

________________________________________________________

I hoe you are getting excited about this upcoming book. It is perfect for all veterans, and even current military. It will give you hope and answers. Some of the chapters talk directly about issues:

  1. PTSD
  2. TBI
  3. War wounds
  4. depression, Suicidial thoughts
  5. People left behind after deployment
  6. Much more

_______________________________________________________

There will be a great index as well. It will be full of places to get help for any of your issues.

_______________________________________________________

Now let’s talk about you. How are you doing my friend? Is the world spinning too fast? Are you having a hard time coping? You are not alone. There are over 9,485fellow veterans here who have your back.

If it is just too overwhelming, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number to call. They have highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

________________________________________________

+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 for the site, please let them know about it. You may be saving a life. Your comments will not be seen by other people, just me, and I will connect with you to see if you are OK to share it.

_______________________________________________

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!