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.

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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

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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.

More Medal of Honor Recipients Who all Gave Their Lives to Save Others

+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.

Now that many of you are veterans and retired, here are some fun and diffrerent places to travel to:

  1. American sign museum– Yes there is a museum that just has signs. Thousands of them. Many will bring back memeories. It is in Cincinnati.
  2. Salvation Mountain– This is man made mountain that has painted flowers, stripes, and many other designs. It has been featured on “Ripley’s Believ it out Not.” Nilen, California.
  3. World’s largest ball of twine- It is 20,000 pounds and growing. Locals keep adding to it. It is in Cawker, Kansas.
  4. Carhence-There is the local version of Stonehedge but it is made of cars. 39 of them. It is free. It is in Alliance, Nebraska.
  5. South Carolia Peachoid– It is a water tour that is 135 feet high. Some say it looks like the rear of someone’s anatomy. It is actually is entended to remind you that peaches are the states top crop. It is at Gaffney, South Carolia.

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More Medal of honor Heroes:

  1. PFC John Barnes- Barnes manned a machine gun after its crew had been killed. He then eliminated 9 enemy soldiers who were assauting his position. While retreving more ammo, Barne saw that a grenade had been thrown near some severly wounded comrades. He emmediatley dove on the grenade ending his own life, but saved many.
  2. PFC Carlos Lozada- Lozada stayed behind and poured deadly machine-gun fire on an advancing enemy force. This allowed his company to safely withdraw. When surrounded Lazada jumped from his covered position and fired his M-60 from the hip. This provided further protection for fellow soldiers. He was mortally wounded.
  3. Major Charles J. Watters Chalain– Watters repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in oreder to aid fallen men outside the premimeter. Five times he did this. Five times fellow troops tried to hold him back. He persisted in aiding and carrying the wounded back to safety. On one of his trips, he was hit and killed.

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Vietnam Vterans Memorial

  1. 53,318 names there
  2. 1,604 names of those missing action.
  3. 376 names added since 1982.
  4. 160 Medal of Honor recipients.
  5. 120 individuals from other countries.
  6. 31 sets fo brothers.
  7. 16 Chaplains
  8. 8 women (All nurses)
  9. 3 sets of fathers and sons.

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How are you today my friend?

Has it been a scary ride on the roller coaster of life? Do some days seem hard to bare? You are not alone. There is now 9,545 veterans here on this site and growing fast. Just in the month of september this site has gained 330 new follwers. All of them have your back.

If life is getting too hot to handle, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number for you to call 24/7. It has highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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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 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!

Heroes Go Way back to WWI, Saving Lives

+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.

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Going to start out by sharing some stories about heroes. Not iraq, not Afghanstan, not vietnam, not WWII, or even Korea. These stories are all about WWI.

  1. PFC Charles D. Barger 0f L company, 354 Infantry, 89th Infantry Division, was a soldier from missouri who endured the harships 0f combat service on the Western Front. He had the best cheerful atitude possible. On October 31st, 1918. (Halloween at home) while fighting in the Banthevillle Wood, Barger along with PFC Jesse Funk made two trips in front of friendly fire to rescue two wounded officers left behind during a reconnissance patrol.
  2. PFC Jesse Funk of the same group, was a cowboy from Colorado when he entered the Army in early 1918. Although wounded earlier that day, he volunteered to join Barger in rescuing the two officers. They both crawled through no-man’s land twice to bring the comrades back to safety.
  3. Army !st Luetenant Howard A. Furlong– After German machine-gun fire killed his commanding officer, Furlong moved out from a protected area in the Banthaville forest. He manuvered behind a German line of machine-guns and engaged them with his rifle. He killed a number of enemy soldiers, knocked out four machine-guns, and captured 20 prisoners.

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Some stats or WWI:

  1. Hostile deaths 53,513
  2. Non-hostle deaths 63, 195
  3. Wounded 204,002

+ Most of the Non-hostle deaths were do to an influenca epidemic that swept through stateside Army Camps.

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Here is th new Veteran’s Creed:

  1. I am an American Veteran.
  2. I proudly served my country.
  3. I live the values I learned in the miitary.
  4. I continue to serve my community, my country, and my fellow veterans.
  5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline.
  6. I continue to lead and improve.
  7. I make a difference.
  8. I honor and remember my fellow comrades.

+Read this several times and see how you are doing.

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I shared an interview with you from my book, Signs of hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. Now I am going to share an endorsement. This endorsement is from a General.:

Most of us are fortunate not to have experienced the stress of combat.  Words cannot adequately define the grinding daily pressure of knowing that every time you step outside the gate the enemy will try to kill you and your buddies.  You are constantly alert, on point; but how can you protect your team from the instantaneous blast of the IED?  You are part of a highly-trained team poised to execute, but what has prepared you for the mental toll of being on edge every moment.  The skills that helped you survive….have taken a toll and are now working against you when you return home.  What do you do now; where do you turn?  Whether you are dealing with PTSD, TBI, depression, homelessness, or recovering from wounds; Doug Bolton has answers…..this book has answers!

Jim Jaeger

Brigadier General, USAF, ret

San Antonio, TX

Member of the Board, Victory for Veterans

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How are you doing today my friend? Life is a little rough? Too many fires burning at once? Feeling a bit overwhelmed? You are not alone. There are 9,485 fellow veterans on this site who have your back.

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

Here is a toll free number for you to call. It has has 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!