[January 3, 2021] In 1978, I was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Part reward, part professional development, several sergeants from my unit toured the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. We were impressed. Standards of ethical behavior were clear in their Cadet Honor Code. “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal,… Read More »
[January 2, 2021] The grossly irresponsible behavior of the Chinese Communist government allowed the COVID-19 virus to spread throughout China and the world. The spread of the virus occurred primarily as a result of the communist suppression of information. Those who investigated this scandal were mistreated. Chinese Journalist Zhang Zhan was recently sentenced to four years in prison… Read More »
[January 1, 2021] Greetings! So began the letter’s salutation from the U.S. Government draft board. Still, in High School and 17 years old, the letter did not surprise me. However, it was to put me on a journey that ended many decades later. What I learned along the way was that trust is at the core of being… Read More »
[December 28, 2020] As we approach the New Year, I am reminded of my dad who used to say that the upcoming year is like a great movie waiting to be written. This year 2021, there are promises that I have made. Perhaps others should be making similar promises. I had a friend in the 1st Cavalry Division… Read More »
[December 27, 2020] Wilson, a good friend since before the First Grade, called to help him answer a question. His son asked him about starting a military career, and Wilson wanted some advice. What follows is a general outline of our discussion. Many times, I had given advice on starting a military career to High School students but… Read More »
[December 25, 2020] My uncle “DJ” was a cook in the 2nd Infantry Division during World War II.1 He told me many stories of the battles; most intriguing to me was his time during the Battle of the Bulge. However, it was DJ’s wife, my aunt Mary, which I could best associate with as she told us about… Read More »
[December 20, 2020] World War II was the largest and most destructive war ever. It was a time of great upheaval, chaos, and death. However, the war was also a time that saw America’s traditions carried forward onto the battlefields, the hospitals, and homes. Christmas in WWII was given special attention. Our troops did their best to celebrate… Read More »
[December 15, 2020] Yes … I’m a flag-waving American Patriot. My 40 years in the U.S. Army did not make me a patriot. Growing up in a patriotic family did not make me a patriot. I’m a patriot because I lived half my life overseas in 20 foreign countries, on four continents, which made me a patriot. With… Read More »
[December 14, 2020] A Gallup poll in October 1940 found American youth as “a flabby, pacifist, yellow, cynical, discouraged, and leftist lot.” On the precipice of war, the United States was wholly unprepared militarily or socially. We were, indeed, a cowardly, leftist lot. Today, we are no different. We honor and respect the Greatest Generation; those who served… Read More »
[December 13, 2020] Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in actions. Sometimes, you learn this the hard way as an adult, better to learn it through play as a child. I’m reminded of the summer of 1963 when a group of us boys played King of the Hill on a gravel pile left on a… Read More »