Survivors are the true Cost of War

Why do we only understand the reasons for war, but not the total cost of war? Our thoughts are usually focused on the lives, the money, the resources costs of being in the war. Once in a while a single event will distract and the aftermath cost of the war grabs attention. Care of the veterans. Wars create veterans. If we are engaged in war the survivors will be veterans. I want to make sure it is clear what I am saying. Veterans are our love ones who survived.

Marine Corps League

Last year I was the speaker at the Marine Corps League's dinner celebrating the 231st birthday of the Marine Corps in Quincy, Illinois. It was sort of a homecoming, sixty-two years ago I was born in Quincy. I was embraced as a native son, even after I told them my mother took me away from there when I was 6 months old. I had several radio and TV interviews earlier during the day and the turn out was great. I talked about my background, the book "Lost Survivor" and similarities/differences between the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq.

Two years ago the Marine Corps League changed their membership rules so that Corpsmen were able to join. In my remarks, I told them as a Corpsman in Vietnam the Marines always wanted me around, so I was glad to see back home they wanted Corpsmen to be with them. I joined the Springfield Chapter. I was proud to serve with the Marines. I consider it a honor that Corpsmen are the only outside group Marines allow to be among them.

A great weekend lasted a week

My wife and I drove up to LaPorte IN last Saturday for a friend's winter party. The party was the next day. We checked in to the Blue Heron Inn on Pine Lake planning to leave Tuesday. The Inn was a comfortable, friendly place with great food and interesting people in the bar.

At the party on Wedesday we rode in a horse-drawn sleigh, watched people cross-country ski, and enjoyed a big outdoor bonfire. Mostly we relaxed in front of the fireplace, drinking hot mulled wine simmering on an old potbelly stove outside entertained by a D.J. spinning old but familiar tunes.

Then that night the snow started falling, falling, and falling. It stopped at 10 inches. We weren't going anywhere Tuesday. In fact, we didn't going anywhere until three days later. When we weren't snowed in there, the city we lived in was buried in 12 inches of snow. We finally got home late Friday afternoon. Our weekend lasted a week.

It was okay. We were not stuck in a snow bank. We were not cold. Our room had a scenic lake view, even though the blowing snow blended the lake with land and we couldn't tell the difference. The room had a spa tub and fireplace since it was our 20th wedding anniversity it was not a bad way to rough it.

Iraq/Vietnam: Some thoughts

These thoughts are from a combat Vietnam Veteran. There are some similarities between Vietnam and Iraq. In the jungle of Vietnam there was no clear battle front line, nor is there a clear battle line in Iraq. You don't know who the enemy is until you are attacked. The most important question in both wars,what is a win? What is America's expectation of a winning a war? America's involvement in Korea and Vietnam spilt those countries into two nations. We fought to compromise. In the World Wars there was clarity, there was a battle front and the claiming of territory was a win. In Iraq we now have to accept that just getting out is a win? We know that premature mission accomplished is not winning a war. America needs a clear statement of why and what is a win when going to war.

Getting back into the swing of things

I have not posted for awhile on the blog. Illinois elections, holidays (Christmas & New Years) and finishing a manuscript that I had to get editor this week has demanded a lot of time. I work for Illinois state government, so the elections results would have a great impact on my future. Happy to say, my boss got re-elected. There will more on the new manuscript in the coming weeks.

It was a very busy November. I had book signings and speaking engagments throughout the state. I was one of the featured authors in the Illinois State Library annual Illinois Author book fair. A great honor. Had the chance to spend time with other Illinois authors such as Scott Turow (Ordinary Heroes), James B. Stewart (The Call to Duty:Leadership in times of Terror and the Heart of a Soldier) and Kaylie Jones, James Jones daughter, showing of the film A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries.

I was a speaker at the Quincy, IL Marine Corps League birthday dinner and the Springfield, IL Marine Corps League Ball. In fact I joined the league, 2 years ago the Marine Corps League open up their membership to FMF corpsmen who served with the Marines. A small number of corpsmen are able to join.

I will be sharing more through this blog about issues such as the same and difference between Vietnam and the Iraq war. What is happening with our Vietnam veterans and those who are serving our country today.

New Grandson

What a great Thanksgiving. Spend the time with Mom Mack, my ex-mother-in-law, who I respect and love. She is 96 years old and to me a delight to be around. I had the chance to hold my grandson who was born in August of this year. He is a quiet baby, at least when I was around him. Sweet smile, bright eyes and a head full of hair. I figured the hair was my contribution. I loved hold his small body, feeling him breath, watching his eyes follow movement, and feeling his life in my arms. Oh, my daughter had send many, many pictures of him. We teased her, telling her that when two days go by and we don't receive a picture of him, we think something wrong with her. My first time seeing him in the flesh. Indeed, it was a time of thanks during this Thanksgiving.

I also had a chance to spend time with Preston Jackson, an old friend and great artist. His sculptures is on display around the world. His time and words infused me with renewed energy towards my own works.

2006 Illinois Authors Book Fair - Illinois State Library

What a great birthday weekend. It started Friday, November 17th my 62nd birthday. I was honored as one of Illinois' emerging writers at the Illinois Authors Book Fair at the State Library in Springfield. I had a chance to meet and talk with James B. Stewart, Pulitizer Winner and author of "Den of Thieves, Disney Wars and Heart of a Soldier" We were both born in Quincy Illinois. That evening Scott Turow spoke about his book "Ordinary Heroes" and the next day, Saturday, had a chance to talk to him.

On Saturday, I had two author signing periods, sold a few books, had interesting conversations with people, and did a hour presentation on Lost Survivor. The session received very good comments.

Later that evening I spoke at the Marine Corps Ball. The Marine Corps League two years ago changed their rules so that Hospital Corpsmen with FMF training and served with the Marines could join. I told them that when I was serving with the Marines in Vietnam they always wanted me to be with them, so I was happy to see the rule change and I would be joining the group. Even old Marines look good in their dress uniforms.