Richard and I spent an uncomfortable moment staring at one another. He probably wanted to ask me if I’d recognized his famous guest, but he didn’t. I wanted to ask where the U.S. Marshals that provide security and protection for the United States Secretary of State wherever he might be located, but I didn’t ask my question either.
“How about you call me and we’ll get together for a bit,” I said, trying not to give anything away.
I loved this chapter! It was so exciting to read and I can’t wait to read the next chapter.
Thankyou for that, although I wonder if ‘techyList’ isn’t one of those entities that the spam filter missed. Why did I get the feeling that
you hadn’t read anything. Is this how an A.I. type of rote response is placed? Like, who or what am I asking, anyway?
Semper fi,
Jim
Redemption what a concept, having served a full career,can we acknowledge our sins, errors biasis? To be redeemed we must understand our wrongs, not sure I want to lift the cloak surrounding my service. My memories are intentionally blank, perhaps a self defense mechanism, though if prompted they are crystal clear. I will consider the concept of Redemption… I would like to reflect on all my years in harness with fondness and nostalgic contentment. Currently there is a 40 year cloud, I.m not sure why as I worked with a clear conscience. Perhaps the current agenda to demonise and devalue what we poured our hearts into. Not sure but I am waiting with anticipation your experiences with Paul.
Your journey or cartharsis has me following along raptly, both entertained and enlightened to my own.
Thanks for the great compliment in your writing and also a bit of your experience and history. Great to read such real stuff
written by people who’ve been through the grinder too. Thanks so much for this comment and in putting it up on the site.
Semper fi,
Jim
Mr. Strauss, Sir,
Fascinating and riveting. Thank you for sharing and for the skillful way you write.
Sincerely
Thanks so very much for the great compliment Keith. Getting ready to get into the next chapter, which has to be done by Tuesday in order to go to the printer and be a chapter in my weekly newspaper publication (The Geneva Shore Report), and it was uplifting to read your comment.
Thanks,
Semper fi,
Jim
Maybe one day I will find redemption. Thanks, Jim.
Semper Fi
Those who served, lived and continue paying never find redemption while still on this massively chaotic planet. However, we can find
relief, belief and a rebuilt confidence in ourselves through further service and the acceptance it brings from those receiving benefits of our
service. The world is filled with those who will never understand and never accept the redemptive work as meaningful…in fact, some will find it stupid and absurd. Yesterday, at the boat launch, where sometimes I go to entertain myself while sitting and watching drunken boaters bring their boat back in to put on trailers I ran into he boat pier attendant. It was the 4th of July and she look miserable. I approached to offer a bit of succor but got a torrent of anger in return. I mentioned that it was the 4th of July, which is another of those days that ‘favors’ military service. She said that she hated holidays because she always had to work them. She hated veterans because they get all the attention. I mentioned that veterans had held and died so she could have the job and be out next to a wonderful lake doing it. “I don’t have to talk to you,” she replied so I departed in silence. Today I happened to run into the head of the town board that overseas the pier operation. I told him my story and he was aghast but I made his promise not to fire her. He owes me so he made the promise. In an inside knuckle-ball kind of way I got my redemptive strike of the day. She’ll never know but I do.
Semper fi, and thanks for being so straight with us here Craig.
Jim
No editing suggestions this time James, great chapter and I agree – I was in some kind of trouble indeed.
Glad you had the guts to see “Paul”, often wish I had done the same way back then.
Keep ’em coming !!
Semper Fi
Thanks SgtBob, it was a trying time and I had to do something to get my head right
in this off times, like at night which I still don’t much write about, but I guess I should.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Erlösung kommt zu denen, die warten, Vergebung ist der Schlüssel. Der Wert der Erlösung kann nicht überbetont werden. Die Wunder der Gnade können nicht genug betont werden. Christus ertrug die Hölle, die Er nicht verdiente, damit wir den Himmel haben können, den wir nicht verdienen.
We receive salvation if we wait. Forgiveness must be required. The value of salvation is grand. There miracles of grace are extensive. Christ suffered for those things we can only inherit in heaven.
Or sort of. I can speak the language but the actual translation I can do isn’t that great.
Your friend,
Semper fi,
Jim
You haven’t mentioned Kissinger before in the story as I remember. Obviously, he senses he can trust you based on your comment of only meeting him four time before. Anyone with good common sense would have to wonder what they have gotten themselves into based on Kissinger’s last comment. Future help from someone this powerful could certainly come in handy as you process thru a most unusual life.
JT, actually did mention Kissinger several times, as noted in this chapter, but I also know I write a lot of
detail that might ‘blur’ things a bit.
Thanks for the comment….
Semper fi,
Jim
My but you have had a rather busy day, and that Mr. K will help you when you need it, WOW. That ride must have seemed to last forever. You definitely lived a non boring life, keep them coming LT, Semper fi sir
Thanks Bob, yes it’s been one helluva run and things haven’t changed that much, as I continue on with this model writing career.
Much appreciate the compliment.
Semper fi
Jim
The SSGT was Bill?
That’s correct Michael,
Semper fi, and thanks for asking…
Jim
Wish I had seen this before he passed. Been 3 or 4 years now, maybe more.
Thanks for that comment Michael!
Semper fi,
Jim
Another humdinger. I really look forward to reading each chapter. Thank you.
Thanks for the compliment and the expressed loyalty Tim!
SEmper fi,
Jim
as Kennedy said, in Berlin, I am a doughnut what a tangled web you have a woven
sometime we need to have a separate conversation about our experiences with mental health professionals of all ilks
A great chapter compelling what’s rolling around in my mind is redemption?
how do you redeem it? We all need forgiveness for our character defects, and our faults and omission andcomission?
there was a pop psychology feeling to his comment look at yourself in the mirror
when I first got sober by then, Spencer told me to do a good act for every day for someone without getting caught
so one day I was on the tollway in Illinois long before I Pass was invented and I drove up to the window and I gave the guy a dollar for my $.35 toll and told him to get the two cars behind me as well and handed him a nickel
but I had a wonderful thing then the guy behind me in a BMW comes racing up, waving to me to put down my window and he started screaming at me saying you dumb son of a bitch you don’t think I have $.35 for a toll?
I left, realizing no good deed goes unpunished
Rich: Never have liked that expression about good deeds. Cold and selfish expression.
The guy in the BMW proved himself to be what about twenty per cent of the public is…dissatisfied with life
and merely coasting along and waiting to die. You did the right thing. My redemption also has a selfish side
to it in that I do enjoy the good works and the effect on people who receive them but I never forget that I am
the major recipient of the acts. Thanks for the usual depth of content in your comment…
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I look forward to each new chapter. I am hooked, waiting for the next adventure. Only caught a few typos. The eighth paragraph that starts with “I drove the short distance…” delete the period between the Western White…..In the sentence, further down in the chapter (too far for me to count) “The Staff Sergeant appeared from somewhere and one of the Lincoln”.. should say Lincolns.
Appreciate your sharp eye, Daniel. Think we have it fixed.
Also appreciate the compliment of your helping on this site and making comments….
Semper fi,
JIm
Also appreciate your being on here and making the comments that you do.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks so much for the help Daniel. Means a helluva lot, especially as we get ready to go to print on the second book of the series.
Semper fi,
Jim
Damn. Just sayin’.
One word compliment of significance Doug. Thanks!
Semper fi,
Jim
REDEMPTION, it’s taken 53 years to put that word in my head. Thank you.
So happy you get meaning out of the work and in going through my past life with me.
Smile on my face at your words…
Semper fi,
Jim
The drug rehab center is in a *dilapidated building
a little spellcheckery!
I think it is fixed. Thanks.
The ‘editors’ on here, including you, are a Godsend to me and I cannot thank you enough….
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for the help on here and your attention to detail Tony!
Much appreciated,
Semper fi,
Jim
James/Jim/LT/Sir,
Captivating chapter. THANK YOU.
Now you are trying to both wrestle with your external demons / enemies, as well as beginning to confront the demons that lurk within and inside you.
Funny how some of the people who you expect to be ones who would be enemies, work against you or be roadblocks turn out to be those who will work to help you.
My big question for this chapter relates to the “motives” of the main characters inhabiting this chapter that drives them to do what they seem to be doing. But I did add “where DOES the chief get the money to live in that big expensive house” to my list of side story unsolved mysteries.
WHY would Kissinger care about you and want to engage you is, of course, part of the big MAIN mystery that you–in tantalizing bits and morsels–dribble before your salivating readers who eagerly follow your adventuresome quests.
“Please sir, can I have more?”
Walter, I love the Oliver Twist quotation. Not to mention the rest of the body of your comment.
You are about as true blue as they come if some sort of ‘fan training’ program was underway.
Understated but piercing depth and positive reinforcement all packed together. Can’t thank you
enough.
Semper fi,
Jim
I found only a few things that needed correction [see things in brackets]:
Richard and I spent an uncomfortable moment staring at one another. He probably wanted to ask me if I’d recognized his famous guest but he didn’t. I wanted to ask where the U.S. Marshals that provide security and protection for the United States Secretary of State where ever [wherever] he [delete “was”] might be located, but I didn’t ask my question either.
“If you’re looking for a sheepskin or certificate you won’t find it. Kings University in London, and you’ve never heard of it. Different, like me. Went there to stay out of the war, which is where you should have gone but didn’t have the family, the mindset or the money at the time.” He looked at his watch. “You’re twenty seconds over your time so get out. See you next Tuesday if you raise the money and can handle the kind of truth you just got delivered to you. I liked you, although I have no idea why. [S]o I hope you make it back, or at least, go to work on the redemption.”
I stuck my head around the corner. Pat instantly noticed my presence and smiled, slyly. I didn’t have to motion to her at all, I knew, as I retreated [delete “back out”] to the parking lot and waited by the door.
I didn’t need to go inside for the Bronco keys, as I had the local locksmith make copies for twenty dollars, an exorbitant price but worth it if he told no one, which I kind of thought he might not. Tony ran a shady locksmith/pawn broker and resale shop on El Camino Real. The place looked like a dump from the inside and outside but it served to allow the police department to keep an eye on [delete “from”] real crooks but ignore the little ones. I was a little one, simply because the department
“Auf Wiedersehen und Danka [should be “Danke”],” he said, exiting the car and slamming the door behind him.
Another excellent and stirring chapter . The word Redemption has become a very powerful one in my life since March of this year . I now can look myself in the mirror and say I am a better person than I once was .
Chuck, I am so happy that you have found something that works for you too.
It’s tough out here to find the kind of advice I got from Paul at a very critical time
in my life. You are a class act and I firmly believe that from the time I met you on here.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
“One good act per day.” Good advice. We all need some redemption.
Yes, Ken, I am with you all the way there.
Thanks for thew cogent comment…
Semper fi,
Jim
JIm, this keeps getting better with every chapter. I’m enthralled.
I do have a question, though. Throughout your story, starting in the A Shau, I’ve assumed it is a true story. Certainly, some literary license is allowed to keep things interesting, and to fill out spots where your memory isn’t complete. It was a long time ago. But, essentially, autobiographical.
However, you have recently made two references to the story as “a novel.” And that raises a question: How much is relatively accurate biography, and how much is fiction? Just curious. I’m still hanging on every word, and looking forward to the next chapter.
Thanks for writing this.
Clay
You will note in Thirty Days and Cowardly that there are some things I bring up that have no statute of limitations.
There are also things in Cowardly that are still very hot issues politically (note that all the files on Kenndy stuff
have not been released to this day and that’s after five presidents each promised the release when they got elected).
Novels. There are not ‘admissions’ that can be used against someone from a work of fiction.
You must make assumptions yourself from the detail I provide. The truth has to be discernable
for you not presentable by me.
Semper fi, and thanks for the depth of that comment.
Jim
Jim, thanks so much for the thoughtful and insightful reply. That makes perfect sense, now that I know the logic behind it.
As you may recall from some of my previous comments, during my last year on active duty, 1973, I was working at NSA. I received a request for some analysis regarding Soviet divisions in eastern Europe, from then-Secretary Kissinger. My reply, which had to go through civilian management, was altered after I wrote it. I refused to sign it. NSA then lied directly to the Secretary of State, for purely self-serving reasons. I know exactly how Secretary of Defense Colin Powell got suckered on the WMD fiasco.
So I do have some personal interest in this story!
Thanks again for the reply.
Clay
You make all the sense in the world, Clay. NSA reports to nobody and that’s a huge body of harm to the country. They do what they want to whom they want
and there’s no accountability whatsoever. They don’t even respond to FOIA requests. They simply refuse and there’s no punishment or comment whatsoever.
It’s a shame but it’s what we live with today. The president himself cannot penetrate NSA data and that tells us all we need to know.
Semper fi, and thanks for the straight scoop here.
Jim
Suggestions, we’ll get together not well. dilapidated not delapidated. No period after Western in Western White House. aside from not for. placed directly in front not place. shot three times not time. sort of thing in clinical psychology. I like you not liked. dilapidated. aside from my magical wife not for. keep an eye out for real crooks not from. with or without her not here. also feared for her not fear. came to a cut. overhanging not over handing. one of the Lincolns not Lincoln.
Thanks again for your fabulous help!
I find myself seeing a message rather than grammar!
Redemption or perhaps learning to fit into the World
Comments about DoS later
S/F
Jim
Homan, the usual ‘scratch me head’ kind of a comment. Redemption is, indeed, the exact purpose driven
word I have chosen to use and I’m sticking with it.
Thanks for commenting, as usual.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, What a web of intrigue! I seem to recall Richard saying something like “Play the hand you are dealt and it will all work out.” …and you are still alive these many years later. So it did.
“Help” can mean information or protection. We shall see.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
Secretary of State where ever he was might be located
“wherever” instead of “where ever”
Drop “was”
Secretary of State wherever he might be located
How about you call me and well get together
“we will” contraction “we’ll
How about you call me and we’ll get together
facility built into an old delipidated structure up on the bluff
“dilapidated” instead of “delipidated”
facility built into an old dilapidated structure up on the bluff
cost me at least my job with the Western. White House
Period after “Western” is extra
cost me at least my job with the Western White House
other chair in the room, place directly in front of him
“placed” instead of “place”
other chair in the room, placed directly in front of him
if there really was that sort of thing clinical psychology
Maybe add “in” before “clinical”
if there really was that sort of thing in clinical psychology
I spend some time on discussing my work
Maybe drop “on”
I spend some time discussing my work
I’ had five minutes left.
Extra apostrophe
I had five minutes left.
pull out the two twenties I’d brought for purpose
Add “the” before “purpose”
pull out the two twenties I’d brought for the purpose
when you look yourself in the mirror shaving
Maybe add “while” before “shaving”
when you look yourself in the mirror while shaving
his chair squeezing slightly
Maybe “squeaking” rather than “squeezing”
his chair squeaking slightly
carefully closing it behind me
Maybe “the door” instead of “it”
carefully closing the door behind me
Once outside of the delipidated building
“dilapidated” instead of “delipidated”
Once outside of the dilapidated building
a song I recognized from having heard only recently
Maybe add “it” after “heard”
a song I recognized from having heard it only recently
The lifeguard tower at the base of the pier was closely, by direct surveillance, supported by Tower Zero
Maybe change to
The lifeguard tower at the base of the pier was supported by direct surveillance from Tower Zero
hundred yards from that pier concrete base
Maybe change “that” to “the”
Make “pier” possessive “pier’s”
hundred yards from the pier’s concrete base
and the Dwarf’s aren’t a real organization
Drop apostrophe
and the Dwarfs aren’t a real organization
allow the police department to keep an eye on from real crooks
Maybe change wording
allow the police department to keep an eye out for real crooks
he’d seen me coming from all the way up street
Maybe add “the” before “street”
he’d seen me coming from all the way up the street
Bowman and what I might do with or without here in my life
“her” instead of “here”
Bowman and what I might do with or without her in my life
what was going on in the Dwarf investigation
Possessive of Dwarf
what was going on in the Dwarf’s investigation
I trusted her completely but I also fear for her and Julie
Maybe “feared” instead of “fear”
I trusted her completely but I also feared for her and Julie
sat back at the department in battery charges
Maybe “chargers”
sat back at the department in battery chargers
Bob asked. He lives in a four bedroom house
Open quotes
Bob asked. “He lives in a four bedroom house
tracks as I came to cut that ran up into the forest
Maybe add “the” before “cut”
tracks as I came to the cut that ran up into the forest
The overhanding branches would have been a problem
“overhanging” rather than “overhanding”
The overhanging branches would have been a problem
one of the Lincoln moved slowly
“Lincolns”
one of the Lincolns moved slowly
opened the back door on the driver’s and Mr. Kissinger stepped in
Add “side” after “driver’s”
opened the back door on the driver’s side and Mr. Kissinger stepped in
Once the door was close
“closed”
Once the door was closed
“Drive him to El Toro, and then bring the car back, the sergeant said
Close quotes after “back”
“Drive him to El Toro, and then bring the car back,” the sergeant said
“Yes,” answered, looking into the man’s eyes
Add “I”
“Yes,” I answered, looking into the man’s eyes
Blessings & Be Well
As always, your help is so appreciated,
I think we got them all,
Semper fi
Jim
Too short a reply to your lengthy and most valuable help. The compliments at the start of your corrections are a blessing
as well. This career of being a novelist is lot more meaningful because of the comments on here and also the help I get from
special people like you and there are not words of thanks which fully demonstrate that.
Thanks so much,
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim