Getting a “Dear John Letter,” While in the Military is Very Tough.

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Military news…

Austin won’t rule out sending more US troops to Europe as Russia’s war on Ukraine nears one-month mark
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is not ruling out sending additional U.S. troops to Eastern Europe as Russia’s war on Ukraine nears its one-month mark, a senior U.S. defense official said Tuesday.

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US poised to have three armored brigades in Europe at once as troop numbers climb 

The Army soon is likely to have three armored brigades in Europe for the first time in well over a decade.

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Russia sends more warships through Japanese strait, halts peace treaty talks after sanctions

In a move Japan’s prime minister called “totally unacceptable,” Russia has halted talks over a post-World War II peace treaty with Japan and ended visa-free entry for former residents of four Russian-controlled islands.

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Ukraine thwarts Russian advances; fight rages for Mariupol

Ukrainian forces fought off continuing Russian efforts to occupy Mariupol and claimed to have retaken a strategic suburb of Kyiv on Tuesday, mounting a defense so dogged that it is stoking fears Russia’s Vladimir Putin will escalate the war to new heights.

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CMC Berger: Russian Logistics Failures in Ukraine ‘Should Give Pause’ to Taiwan Invasion Planners

The stalled advance of Russian forces in their invasion of Ukraine “should give pause” to Chinese military planners eying a potential invasion of Taiwan, the Marine Corps commandant said last week.

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Slovakia Preliminarily Agrees to Send Key Air Defense System to Ukraine

Slovakia has preliminarily agreed to provide Ukraine with a Soviet-era air defense system to target Russian aircraft. The US and NATO are still grappling with how to backfill that country’s own defensive capabilities.

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Inside The Transfer of Foreign Military Equipment to Ukrainian Soldiers

With Ukrainian factories closed by the conflict, the country’s troops rely increasingly on ad hoc supply chains in Eastern Europe for vital gear, including body armor, medical supplies, and the pickup trucks and SUVs they use as fighting vehicles.

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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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There’s a Tear in My Beer Since You Left Me My Dear

The title for this chapter is actually some lyrics from a Country Western song. Country Western songs always tell a story, and unfortunately one person dropping the other person like a rock, is an all too common story in the military.

One of the hardest things for a soldier to go through is receiving what they call a, “Dear John Letter.” This is a letter where their significant other is telling them they no longer love them and have moved on to someone else.

I certainly went through that while I was in Korea. I personally got a letter from a girl that I was very much in love with that said her parents felt I wasn’t good enough for her. So this was a double whammy. I lost my true love at the time, and I was told I wasn’t good enough.

This was devastating to me. I loved this girl so much I had the picture of her she sent me. I had a local painter paint an eight by ten size painting of her that I kept by my cot to look at every day. After I got the letter and stop having pity parties for myself, I put the picture in my trunk I kept at the foot of my cot. I put it in the bottom part so I wouldn’t be able to see it unless I tried to find it.

This “tragedy” led me to having some hard times with drinking. I thought that drinking would get my mind off of what was happening to me. The opposite happened. The more I drank the sadder I got. Drinking brought out my inner feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, failure, and rejection.

After a month or so of that, I turned to prayer, and God helped me get back on the right track. I bought a Bible, and read it every day. It was my connection to finding the courage to go on and be a productive person again.

I am sure some of you faced that while you have been in the military. There is not a way to get around the pain of facing it, but please realize that there is always someone who loves you very much no matter what happens on this not so friendly planet. God will be there for you. He will wipe away the tears, and give you comfort.

He did it for me, and I went on to getting married and having three wonderful children. I now also have seven grandchildren.

I look back on what I had to go through in Korea often. Believe it or not, I thank God for the storms I had to face while there. I was beaten up mentally several times, but I came out a much stronger person because of it.

IWILL

During your time in the military, there may be times of disappointment and hurt. Much of that can be avoided if you turn all your worries and hurt over to God. Many times life is too much of a burden to carry. If you let God guide you through the trenches of life, you will be able to withstand all the garbage that seems to come up.

Think about This

Isn’t it interesting that you can’t have a positive life and a negative mind?

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I may share some more excerpts in the future. Keep coming back to check it 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 face tough times while in the military?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 14,190 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.

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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!

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There is Never a Time When You Don’t Have a Choice

+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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Military news…

Survivor of four Nazi concentration camps is killed in Ukraine, foundation says

Boris Romantschenko eluded death at Hitler’s hand, surviving forced labor and detention in four concentration camps as Europe became a killing field in the 1940s. Last week, his life was snuffed out by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s onslaught in Ukraine.

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EU slams ‘war crimes’ in Ukraine, mulls fresh sanctions

European Union countries on Monday accused Russia’s military of committing war crimes in Ukraine, but appeared unlikely to target the country’s energy sector with sanctions soon despite a clamor across Europe for those responsible for attacks on civilians to be held to account.

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They own the long clock’ — How the Russian military is starting to adapt in Ukraine

“They own the long clock,” a senior Ukrainian officer recently admitted. “We are calculating time not in weeks or days – but in lives.”

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‘We strike at night, when the Russians sleep’ — How Ukraine is stalking Russian armor with drones

For a fleet of Ukrainian drones, it’s a target-rich environment. 


How pairing ‘female engagement teams’ with battle-tested grunts changed the US military forever

“Women will play a critical role in the next conflict, not in spite of the new roles they fill, but because of them.”

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US Navy pilot-turned-gunmaker is supplying hundreds of rifles to Ukraine

[T]he X-factor here not isn’t necessarily what equipment you’re holding. …. It comes down to the will to fight.”

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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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There is Not a Time That You Don’t Have a Choice

In the military you are faced with many orders. Go here. Do this. You expect that in the military, and since you decided to enlist, you should live the life that is given to you while you are there. 

However, out in civilian life it is a different story. People will also be barking at you do this and that.

I have heard people say, “I had to do it because I didn’t have a choice.” They felt trapped and thought they had no way out.

There is always a choice!! We never have to accept our fate because we feel there is no choice.

We need to acknowledge that we have the same rights as others around us.

Have you had a boss threaten you if you didn’t do what he said? It is OK to give out directions, but never OK to threaten.  The people in the private sector need to realize that they are all working together just like a unit in the military. They need to respect each employee, and have their back when they need it.

Jobs are important for the soldier, but they shouldn’t be degraded at any time just so they can keep the job.

When I came out I was treated pretty badly by a boss who didn’t like any
“youngsters,” trying to infiltrate his group of workers he loved working with. He did whatever he could to make my day miserable.

When there was a job that was somewhat dangerous, he would make me do it. When it was time for a break, he will tell me to sit somewhere else than with the men. I allowed it to happen by my own choice, because I didn’t have any way to find another job quickly enough to provide for my family that was with me at the college I was going to.

So I fell for the trap, “I didn’t have a choice.”

In this day and age that type of leadership is not allowed anymore. Back in the 50’s there weren’t too many discrimination laws. There weren’t too many places to go for help. 

Today, you have choices. You have your rights. You can respectfully disagree and not fear of losing you job.

Going out into the civilian life can be daunting, but you don’t have to let it overcome you. Stay strong, and have courage, just like you had to do when you served you country.

IWILL

You may be asking what on earth this chapter is all about. It is about learning to be able to withstand the forces that try to overcome you and cause you to want to give up. It is about giving you thoughts and ideas on how to cope in a sometimes unfriendly world. You have equal rights as much as anyone else on this planet. Do not let anyone tell you that you have no choices.

Think about this Isn’t it sad how some people get into a power struggle, just to proof they are tough?

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Not sure how many more I will share 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.

________________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Did you battle sometimes in your work place?

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 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.

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.