The Vietnam experience was different than that of all other previous wars. With few exceptions, we came over as individual soldiers – without the benefit of the relationships and camaraderie of an organized unit. Most of us can probably relate to the trauma of being the FNG: alone, confusion, fear, apprehension. It’s like a rite […]
Archive for the ‘reflections’ Category
The F.N.G.
May 6, 2011Triumph and Tragedy: Heroes are Forged in the Fires of Adversity
April 29, 2011I walked through the beautiful campus of my former high school the other day. One cannot traverse that sacred ground without reflecting on the rich history of academics and sports Grants Pass High School has been blessed with. Yes, the structures where I once studied, mingled, and competed during the 1960s are long gone but […]
The Ranger
July 24, 2010Here’s a funny story from my childhood I like to tell when family and friends are gathered around the campfire: My family (Dad, Mom and three brothers) occasionally loaded up the car and traveled around the state of Oregon during the summer, stopping to camp at various sites along the way. At one such campground […]
Holbrook’s Pond
December 27, 2009Funny how some seemingly insignificant moment from the past will stick with a person their whole life. “Your the bestest mom in the whole wide world!” was my excited response to Mom’s affirmative nod and smile. My brothers and I had just asked her if we could walk to Holbrook’s Pond for an afternoon swim. […]
Keeping me humble
October 18, 2009My wife is an animal person. She was raised on a ranch in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Since the beginning of time, a farmer’s worth has been measured in numbers of cattle. Since our small, three-acre parcel won’t support the thundering herds, we have dogs – and a few miniaturized versions of horses […]
Dirty Jerry
October 12, 2009It was the late 1950s – a time before political correctness and environmental consciousness. My brothers and I would often walk the 2 miles to Trowbridge’s Store. It was a treasure hunt of sorts, as we would gather discarded soda and beer bottles along the way, cashing them in for candy money once we got […]
