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In one of my interviews in my upcoming book, Signs of hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of life, Captain Bob Coury had a company of men stationed in Okinawa. Their only job was to unload the ships as they came into the Okinawa harbor. Sounds easy, except for the fact that Japanese pilots were bombing them, and even flying their planes into the ships.
Come back for more excerpts from the book, Signs of hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. 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? Are you struggling with memories?
FEAR NOT!
There are over 13,890 fellow veterans here who have your back.
If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!
Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highlyqualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.
+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.
+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.
USS Constitution Has Its First Female Commanding Officer in Its 224-Year History
Cmdr. Billie Farrell on Friday became the first female to captain the USS Constitution in the historic warship’s 224-year history.
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Alexandria VA Hospital Unveils New Statue Recognizing Women Veterans
A new statue recognizing women veterans was unveiled at the Alexandria Veterans Affairs hospital campus in Alexandria, Louisiana.
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‘Atomic Veterans’ Finally to Get Commemorative Service Medal
After years spent fighting for recognition, veterans who worked on the US nuclear program will be eligible for a new medal.
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Vietnam Veteran Takes Flight in World War II Aircraft in Mesa
Retired Col. Richard “Dick” Toliver took to the skies the “Amazing Grace” aircraft.
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Meet the US Soldiers Aiming for Olympic Gold in the 2022 Winter Games
They’re already serving their country in the Army. Now, four US soldiers will also be representing their country at the Winter Olympics.
Spc. Frank Del Duca and Spc. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor have been selected to join the U.S. Men’s Olympic Bobsled Team, while Sgt. Emily Sweeney and Airman 1st Class Kelly Curtis will go for gold in luge and the skeleton, respectively.
There weren’t always serious times in the military.
One day after we were done with shooting at the range in basic training, the regular platoon leader had to go to headquarters, and he asked a Warrant Officer to march us back to the buses.
The Warrant Officer had never led a march before and it was very clear that he was not in control. The men whispered to each other that we needed to follow his commands completely, but only if they were Army regulated.
Well, the Warrant Officer had no idea what the Army regulations were for marching troops, so he just told us to start marching. We didn’t move. He shouted, “Let’s go!” We still didn’t move. Then a passer-by soldier told him the wording was “Forward march!”
He said “Forward march!” We started marching. He wanted us to do a turn at a street corner, and said “Turn right!” We kept going straight. He was heading us toward a boat ramp leading down to the ocean. He saw what was happening, and yelled, “Stop!” We didn’t stop! He shouted “You’re going into the water, stop!”
By this time the front of the platoon was in the edge of the ramp and had water over their boots. He was again getting desperate. He ran over to some other soldier watching “the show,” and begged them to tell him what he is supposed to say. He said yell, “Platoon halt!” He did, but by that time there were some men swimming, and laughing I might add.
The platoon leader didn’t get mad when he heard what happened. He even chuckled to himself, and then he called the Warrant Officer to apologize.
Have you ever gotten confused with some orders you have received in the military? Were they in such a way that you had to question them? Let me tell you that it is OK to question a command or orders if you stay with the guidelines of the Army manual.
If an officer asks you to do something you aren’t comfortable with you could say, “No disrespect sir, but could you explain that order to me?” You could also say, “I would like to say “Respectively sir that I will do what you say, but I am not comfortable doing it.”
Any good officer will not chew you out for statements like that. My son, who was a colonel, had times when he had to give soldiers commands, and I am sure if they questioned him, he didn’t punish them or he didn’t become angry. I met many of his soldiers when I visited him on base, and every soldier I met said that my son was a soldier’s soldier. Meaning, they knew he was in charge, but they also knew that he would listen to them if they had a disagreement.
In your life it is wise to be open to others who may disagree with you. It may make you uncomfortable, but in the long run, the other person will respect you for listening to them even if you stick to what you first advocated.
IWILL
It is so easy to demand things for yourself, but that approach may only lead to the loss of friends and family. The “my way or the highway,” philosophy doesn’t seem to fit well with most people.
Think about this
Isn’t it sad that when someone tries to “bully,” someone into agreeing with them, it only hurts them?
That was of the fun times in the military,but we all know there were not so fun days. Come back often to see more excerpts. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future posts will come directly to you inbox.
Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling with memories?
FEAR NOT!
There are over 13,825 fellow veterans here who have your back.
If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!
Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highlyqualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.
+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 yournbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.
+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…
Navy Separates 23 Active-Duty Sailors for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine
Twenty-three active-duty sailors were separated for their refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The ranks of the sailors were not immediately clear.
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U.S. Air Force Ramps Up Intel Flights, Weapons Shipments to Ukraine
U.S. and allied reconnaissance flights in Eastern Europe have been ongoing since at least Dec. 24, dispatching multiple types of planes to listen in on communications signals and shoot high-altitude images.
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‘We’re Always Ready’—Meet The Soldiers of America’s Go-to Rapid Response Force
The 82nd Airborne Division makes up the core of the Immediate Response Force, a contingent of mostly soldiers tapped to deploy in under a day to respond to crises around the globe.
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Fort Bragg MP Charged With Dereliction of Duty For Allegedly Moonlighting as a Drug Dealer
A military police soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, faces a general court-martial in May for multiple counts of using and selling Oxycodone while on duty.
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Alexandria VA Unveils New Statue Recognizing Female Veterans
A new statue recognizing female veterans was unveiled Friday at the Alexandria, Louisiana, Veterans Affairs hospital campus.
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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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It’s Tough Being the New Kid on the Block
After basic training I was accepted into the Army Security Agency, which is a unit of soldiers who, in my case, monitored radio/teletype transactions to make sure there were no breaches of security.
I was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia, for my training for that. I was separated from my two buddies there. I began to feel the loneliness again. Yes, there were hundreds of other soldiers just like me, but they weren’t from my home area. They were from all over the United States. They all had their own ways to approach people. Some didn’t want to have anything to do with the people around them.
I didn’t see why it was happening, and went out of my way to “cross the center line,” to the other side to get acquainted with them. I made some good friends on both sides, and didn’t get in trouble for doing it from either side.
Do you have family members, or fellow soldiers that you feel are isolating themselves from you? Are there those who want to be alone, and not mix with others?
I have felt that while I was stationed in Korea. There was a breakdown of short timers, (those with a month to go or less,) new guys who were “outcasts,” until they proved themselves, and the regular group who were in between.
I went through all three stages while I was there. However, I couldn’t let myself treat the new soldiers as outcasts. I learned that my first week there myself.
I was just settling in when two guys came walking up to me in my Quonset hut, (metal shelter.) They were both big and strong looking guys. One was African American, who looked like a linebacker, and the other was “tall drink of water,” from Texas.
I was every worried as they came towards me. Why would they fool around with a “newsikky,” (new guy) like me? They both had smiles on their faces and shook my hand. They greeted me like I was somebody important.
I figured they were the welcoming committee, but they weren’t. They were just two soldiers who had gone through the gauntlet like all new soldiers had to do, and they had decided that they would make sure no one else had to.
That was the one main factor that helped me cope while I was in Korea. I became very good buddies with those two guys. (Besides they were big and tough and they protected me!) They set the pattern that I used the whole time I was there. I felt it was my duty, because of these two men, to make the new soldiers feel welcome.
If you have been through some feelings of rejection in your world, reach out to someone who is in the same boat as you are and help them cope. Be like my two “angels” who came to make me feel welcome, and make others around you feel important and special.
You will not only feel good about what you are doing, but you will help someone who is struggling a great deal.
IWILL
There are times when you have “down time,” in the military. Use that time to get to know some of the soldiers that don’t seem to have any friends. It may seem uncomfortable at first, and they may reject you, but they will never be the same. They will know that someone cares, and they will walk a little taller.
Think about this
Isn’t it great that when we smile at someone they smile back?
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Hope you have been enjoying all these excerpts. There will be a few more, but not many. Keep coming back to see the last of the excerpts. Better yet…go to the top of this page and click on “Subscribe.” When you do all future post will come directly to your inbox.
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Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling?
FEAR NOT!
There are over 13,735 fellow veterans here who have your back.
If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!
Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highlyqualified counselors there to help you, and they will no 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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+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.
