There Were Some Stressful Times During Basic Training in the Military

+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…

Troops knew ‘an attack was coming’ at Kabul airport but their hands were tied, investigation reveals

‘”If you had been there, you would have seen that an attack was coming.

_____________________

Finding My Calling While Treating a Casualty Inside Friendly Lines

He saw gore and death, but he also saved lives. There are certain things a former Corpsman will never forget or take for granted.

_____________________

A Man of Destiny, Molded by Fate: Lloyd Austin Leads in Time of Tremendous Potential

His actions seem to say he has the morale of the troops as his primary consideration. Far too many in those positions haven’t.


Remembering the Service and Sacrifice of Muslim Veterans Among the Crescents and Stars of Arlington National Cemetery

During a trip to Arlington to honor Muslim veterans, an Air Force officer reflects on how her career of military service began as a Pakistani immigrant.

_____________________

At Least 1 Million Vets Could Get VA Health Care Under Scaled-Back Exposures Bill

As Congress hand-wrings over the $282 billion price tag of a bill to help veterans exposed to burn pits, two senators are proposing a compromise that would still get VA care to more than 1 million veterans.

_____________________

IS Leader Blows Up Self, Family as U.S. Attacks Syria Hideout

The Islamic State’s leader was killed during an overnight raid carried out by U.S. special forces in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, President Joe Biden said Thursday.

_____________________

Seaman Dies After ‘Hell Week’ of SEAL Training, Navy Says

A 24-year-old Navy SEAL candidate died and another was hospitalized after several days of intense training known as “Hell Week” in Coronado, Calif.

________________________________________________________________

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

________________________________________________________________

Sometimes the Answers Are Right Under Your Nose

There was one aspect of basic training that made the times hard for a soldier. That was when it came to making your bed for inspection.

We had regular inspections by our drill sergeant. When he came through the barracks, he carried a quarter in his hand. When he passed your bunk he would drop the quarter on the bed. If the quarter didn’t bounce, he tore the bed up and told you to try again. 

I had some real stressful times of making beds at first. I usually failed. But then I learned some tricks about tucking in the sheets, and even the blanket. There was a double tuck you could do that made the bed tight and quarters bounced on it easily.

There were some guys who never caught on to the tricks that were right in front of them. They were too proud to ask others for help.

I have seen that in life after the military. People struggling to keep up with the world, because they are too proud to seek help.

Are you one of those who could benefit from outside help, but have never taken advantage of it?

I have compiled a very extensive military appendix for your use. It is in the back of this book. Feel free to search through it for help in almost every possible way a veteran or current soldier may need.

It is not “giving in,” to seek help. It is finally agreeing that what you are doing may not be working for you, and you want to find other ways to cope in this unfriendly world.

Many of the sources have proven to reach out to those who suffer with anxiety, fear, depression, and hopelessness.

Don’t hide in your own self-pity. Take that first most important step and seek help today. Go to the back of this book and find the right sources for your needs.

IWILL

The lists in the back can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of sources there. Think about your own special needs and concentrate on that section only. Then narrow down your choices while checking out each resource. Most of the sources are websites.  If you don’t have access to the net, go to your local library, or visit a friend who has access.

Think about this

Isn’t it sad how we know we need help, but hide our feelings?

______________________________________________________________

I am sure many of you had that experience. 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 your 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 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.

______________________________________________________________

+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.

Updates on the Marketing Plan for Signs of Hope

I have started a new marketing plan for 2011. I am now “hitting,” all the bookstores, and gift shops in Oregon that I can, in person, to see if I can place, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” in them.

If you are a store owner, or know someone who is ine in the Northwest area, please make a comment and let me know the contact information.

I will offer a 40% discount just for the store, and even go on consignment. That means no money out of the store owners pocket unless the books sell.

I placed two books in the Oregon State Capital Building gift shop this last week, and I have 24 books placed at the Women’s Assistance league gift shop at the Daue House location in Salem.

I have books in all of the Rainbow West Christian bookstores, which are in Albany, Salem, Gresham, and Oregon City in Oregon, and two locations in Vancouver, Washington. One store is at the Vancouver mall.

There are books at the Eola Hills Winery in Rickreall, Oregon.

On the Oregon Coast, there are book in Newport at the Canyon Way book store, and in Waldport at the New Creations Beauty Salon.

You can order it online at www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com, www.christinabooks.com, and on this website at: www.dougbolton.com.

On my site, I will be changing the price, in the next week. I will let you know when it has been changed. The price will be lowered from $19.99 to $15.99. A four dollar savings.

The books ordered from my website will have a personal note and an autograph.

I will have some exciting news in a future post about a contest for self published books I am entering. (News at 11:00 Pm. 🙂 )

____________________________________________________

Also check back for updates on new signing  times and locations I will doing this year. One is already scheduled at Border’s Bookstore In Salem, Oregon on April 16th, from 2-4 P.M. The location of the store is on Lancaster.

Exciting Events Coming up in Oregon

I have a very busy Christmas month coming up. Hope you can make some of them:

December 7th: Signing at Willamette Christian School 6:30-9:00 p.m.

December 8th: Signing at the Oregon State Capital 4:00-6:00 p.m.

December 10th: Signing at Eola Hills Winery 6:00-9:00 p.m.

December 11th: Signing at Wings of the Soul Christian Bookstore in Salem, Oregon

December 14th: Speaking at a Kiwanis Club breakfast in Albany, Oregon 7:00 a.m.

December 14th: Signing at Willamette Christian School. 6:30-9:00 p.m.

My schedule will be filled in even more as the days go by so stay tuned.

Let me share more information on some of these events:

  • The two Willamette Christian signings will be at a school that two of my granddaughters go to. I am signing on the nights that each of them perform in their Christmas programs. A double dip time for me.
  • The signing at the Oregon State Capital will be with several politicians, and other Oregon authors. It will be a special time to come and see the capital, and but some wonderful books as Christmas gifts.
  • The signing at Eola Hills Winery will be the highlight signing for me this year. If you need to choose one to go to, this would be the one.

I will have many special performers and guests to this Gala event:

  1. Mindy Taylor-Heresy: Local recording artist. She will sing and sign her CDs.
  2. Julie Hoy: National recording artist who will be singing some songs from her latest Christmas CD, and signing  afterwards.
  3. The Investments: A barbershop quartet from Corvallis, Oregon will be performing all night by going from table to table.
  4. Laura Morett: Special guest speaker who was a TV star from the Survivor Reality TV show of 2009. She will sign autographs afterwards.
  5. I, of course, will be there to talk on “Signs of Hope for Christmas,” and signing books afterwards.

The speaking engagement at the Kiwanis Club in Albany, Oregon will be a reunion of sorts, because I was once the president of the club back in the 80’s. There are still many members that were members back then. I will speak on, “The Signs of Hope for Christmas.”

Hope to see some of you at one of these events. If you can’t make one of them, my book, Signs of Hope:Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, can be bought on line at: Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. It can also be bought at: www.winepressbooks.com, or own my own author website at: www.dougbolton.com. If you order from my website you will a personal note, and autograph with the book.

God bless…

Doug