Memorial Day
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools
and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled
with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep
and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
-Chief Tecumseh
To my brothers and sisters in arms and those who have gone before us….
E-5 secured. Now I can take it easy for a couple years. Like no damn test!
Serenity
Growing up, I spent many summers at my grandparent’s place in mid Georgia. They tried to make it as fun as possible. It wasn’t their fault I was the only child of a Marine. My Grandfather taking me out to the pecan orchard, telling old stories about Savannah or Atlanta. I regret not appreciating the wisdom offered to me at a young age. My Grandmother spending 7 hours in the kitchen and 1 hour napping. Sneaking off to the pond through the woods and swimming from one side to the other over and over again. I had packed these memories away over the years. Not sure why I chose to forget, but I did. I’ve been back over a dozen times in the past twenty years, each time dreading the seclusion, no A/C, lack of cell coverage, and the most basic of TV. I went back this weekend and something tripped in my head like a switch. Putting the truck in park, I just sat there amongst the pine trees. Off in the distance, dark purple clouds starting to roll in. The first thought I had in what seemed like thirty minutes was, “this is home.” Maybe it’s that I know I will be moving farther away in less than a three months. The next twelve hours were relished. Even the strange combination of string beans, left over ham, fried Vidallia onions, and a box of Mac n cheese all combined into a casserole and complimented with fried corn bread. Thanks to that meal, I will have to run 10 miles! But I digress. Crossing the state line today, I felt a strange depression I haven’t been able to shake. Now I’m alone with my thoughts….thank God for alcohol and classic rock.
Don’t put so much effort into someone who doesn’t appreciate it.
“
| — |
Jonah Hill, “The Sitter”
|
Just drove 115 miles one way to a rifle range in “hick-ville” to put 15 rounds through my new rifle. Yep, that is how you do that! Time well spent at 15 miles to the gallon. Happiness is a truck, new rifle, and 85 degrees of sun shine and the windows down.
The Final Countdown
Not only was and still is a badass song, but it is the story of my life for the next 90 days. 90 days till freedom! 90 days till I give PI the middle finger! 90 days until I hit the fleet with a fresh attitude. And then 90 days after that, I will be disgruntled again. Hey, who cares! Can’t be any worse than this shit hole! Only 20 some odd days until HM2 results come out….we shall see! That will make the following 60 days so much sweeter. Oh yeah, f*** this place.
Found this while looking for my buddies address who is deployed in Afghanistan…..good story. Makes me proud.
The problem with hyping yourself up to succeed is the major let down when you don’t. I was ready. I ate all the same foods, stayed to the same routine, shot the same rifle. I was so close! I missed going distinguished by 4 X’s. If you don’t understand….I don’t know what to tell you. I can shoot two more matches this year and both are dominated by the Army Marksmanship Unit. The rest of my shooting season looks bleek and all I need is two points. I thought I had it in the bag. And to make matters worse, I was beat by a girl.
Reminiscing
Im back in quantico va for a few days shooting a match. It’s been a few months since I stepped on a range and even longer since I shot on one. This one is my favorite. I have a lot of good memories from this area. Just seeing it brings back images of good friends and fellow service members I still miss. I know we are all apart and serving where we’ve been called but hopefully our paths will cross again. Just when life was dragging me down in a dark hole, this trip came along and reminded that it’s not so bad after all. Here’s to those good times and hopefully a final bow and a distinguished badge.
