[September 14, 2020] My first tour of duty in the U.S. Army was in West Germany; the year was 1974 and before the wall came down. While in-processing on a military base in the city of Bad Wimpfen, I was given a 12-hour pass that I used to tour the old city. There I met an old man… Read More »
[September 13, 2020] Yesterday, I attended an outdoor Salute to Veterans event in my town’s local park. It was a pleasure to be present at a hometown-style ceremony and to see so many friends and veterans, those I’ve not seen since March. Just to meet again so many who came to pay tribute to our veterans indeed made… Read More »
[September 12, 2020] Who was John “Black Jack” Pershing? I remember my dad talking about how he met Pershing in Hot Springs, Arkansas, during the 1930s and how impressive and focused the retired Army General was at the time. But John Pershing is, at best, an elusive figure in American history, where the fog of time obscured his… Read More »
[September 11, 2020] Every time I read an article or watch television about the Islamic terrorists’ attacks on September 11, 2001, it makes me angry. I very rarely get mad about anything, but the attacks this day were the single largest terror attack by far on any country.1 Today is the 19th anniversary of these attacks on 9/11,… Read More »
[September 10, 2020] Laid out before us was a bounty of food and drinks, all in honor of our visit to Honduras. Our advanced party had been sent to determine the needs of our local military counterparts in their war against illegal (and very dangerous) drugs coming across their border from Nicaragua. Our soldiers were going to eat,… Read More »
[September 9, 2020] A few days ago, on September 3rd, we celebrated our happy seventh anniversary here at www.theleadermaker.com. Usually, I would start by thanking everyone who reads my blog, for their continued loyalty and for their input to make the blog so successful. Thank you! It is not easy to attract and keep intelligent folks. I’m satisfied… Read More »
[September 8, 2020] In early 2007, I was selected for command of a Brigade. When I was notified, I was in the middle of planning and executing U.S. President George Bush’s troop “surge” in the Iraq War. I was never busier, and yet, I had dropped into my lap one the most important assignments of my career. What… Read More »
[September 7, 2020] You’ve probably been told that Labor Day in the United States is a unique tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America. And, yes, that is true. But another perspective says that it’s also about hard work and family. We should ask ourselves why. Why is it that… Read More »
[September 6, 2020] There is not a person I know that hasn’t been surprised by something coming at them out of nowhere. One day, you get up and run out the door to work and, while driving along minding your own business, a car sideswipes your new pickup truck. Indeed the car was in your blind spot, and… Read More »
[September 5, 2020] I don’t do movie reviews, but I do comment on them occasionally. My wife told me that doing a “war movie review” might be a good idea, and I should consider starting. Here is my first attempt. The movie I chose today for a review is We Were Soldiers (2002) starring Mel Gibson. The movie… Read More »