I didn’t have an answer for the Staff Sergeant, but then I didn’t think he was expecting one. His response might have indicated that he was ready to be a part of whatever action he thought was going to go down but I didn’t know him and if there was to be something physical than I knew I had to have known and trusted entities, not somebody like the Staff Sergeant who didn’t seem to be only a Staff Sergeant.
“Take me to the beach,” I instructed, knowing I was leaving the Volks at the compound, but I had other plans at the moment. I wasn’t ready to go home.
Jim,
sorry we weren’t able to connect while I was in Lake Geneva a couple of weeks ago. I would have really enjoyed some one on one time with you. Just wanted to see how it had changed since I lived there half a century ago.
The old Sandpiper was one of my favorite haunts while stationed at El Toro. They had steak night once a week where we Marines could throw a steak on the fireplace grill, and cook it the way we wanted. Kept the place busy during slow nights.
Your script never ceases to amaze me, I can’t wait to see what transpires next.
Semper Fi,
Troy
Hell, I was upset to have missed you. My phone number is 262 581 5300 for future reference and, as a newspaperman, I always answer.
Thanks for trying and thanks for the compliments here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Linda, what a wonderful songbird indeed. Puff, to those of us privileged to see it’s impact and awed by it, awesome indeed.
You’ll get it done, that’s what you do. I was also picked to deliver messages and somehow got results without violence, one success led to another (opportunity) and thus I became the tool. I do sympathize.
I truly enjoy your story telling, Truth! Thank you
Thanks ever so much for the compliment written into your interesting comment Parker. Also, love that word for a first name!
Funny just how much serendipity there has been to both of our lives, but we’ve rolled with it.
Semper fi, and thanks again.
Jim
Linda, what a wonderful songbird indeed. Puff, to those of us privileged to see it’s impact and awed by it, awesome indeed.
You’ll get it done, that’s what you do. I was also picked to deliver messages and somehow got results without violence, one success led to another (opportunity) and thus I became the tool. I do sympathize.
I truly enjoy your story telling, Truth!
Parker, the same comment but without the ‘thank you’ at the end. a bit of humor there….
Semper fi,
Jim
James this gets stranger with every chapter!!
Harold, stranger does not quite describe it, as I had so many balls in the air that only in retrospect
have I any idea bout what was going on in each of those areas. Thanks for noticing and mentioning that here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Things are heating up.
I too have a habit of recalling song lyrics that in my mind have a relationship to a situation.
For what it’s worth, Goldenn Earring’s Twilight Zone comes to mind.
“I’m falling down a spiral
Destination unknown
Double-crossed messenger, all alone
Can’t get no connection, can’t get through
Where are you?”
Once again, thank you for a great read.
Now that was a song indeed, more popular in Europe than the U.S. but great lyrics.
Thanks for the comparison and putting it up on here for all of us to read and think about.
SEmper fi,
Jim
At least you didn’t say: “go ahead Butch make my day!” Another head scratching chapter in your book!
Thanks Charles. I have enjoyed some of those screenwriter comebacks written for Clint Eastwood, although I’ve found that in
real life that such smart ass comments don’t really work at all. A very soft and quiet introduction to reality, if the prospect
is able to accommodate and understand it, is more effective…that is, if one wants to give any warning at all. The only reason
to do even that is to avoid violence in a culture that punishes violence as a real application in draconian ways…giving any warning
at all is mostly a selfish thing and certainly not always recommended.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Wow! That is a good one, or two or three. Goose bumps popped up when you were writing about Linda, then again about Puff the Dragon. Reading does not usually impact me physiologically like that, so you should know it had an impact. Gularte seems to be a perfect hero counterpart. I always enjoy your writing, this chapter was exceptional.
Kemp
H Kemp. I am always surprised by what is said about any chapter. Another vet called me to tell me that the four parts of the chapter had reached him
intently. The Cat, Linda, Sandpiper and then Butch. I was taken aback that this man could recall the exactness of it. Great compliment, like your
comment here. Most appreciative.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Through out my time so far, I’ve overheard guys talking to other folks in a similar manner, without your life experience, hoping not to be called out as they were already to the point of pissing their pants. I hope that Butch figured out that he was in over his head, without the need for a second visit. From the Sandpiper to Butch, I get the feeling that things will be getting “harder” to walk away from. I also, sad to say, get the feeling that the ‘powers that be’ are beginning or already see you filling the role for more ‘Butch’ situations as time goes on. Definitely fubar. Just sayin’. Regards, Doug
Doug, thanks for the depth of your thoughts as expressed here and you are prescient in your thinking.
My career in the CIA goes all the way back to those days and you have gotten the feeling for that and what’s coming.
The Cowardly Lion is a long way from being over although the next series may bear a different title.
Thansks for the great comment and the sincerity of your thoughts and interest.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, “The Awakened Lion” popped in to my head, as it seems, a bit sadly, the “Lion” is ‘awakening’ in this series. Ya’ know, I use to think ‘life’ was like one of those huge ‘domino art’ thing-a-majigs (Whatever they call them – Not the ‘Domino Theory’ of the Cold War thru today.) – Where you knock over the first domino, then flowers, animals, etc magically appear, then narrowing, ending in one last domino falling over. Our lives being like one of those, our ‘paths’ decided on actions/decisions/etc we’ve made, leading to where we are today. I use to think that if I could go back & change the ‘angle’ of just one domino, then my ‘current’ life today would be different, changed to the one I had wanted years ago – Hall of Famer/Military standout, wonderful family, kids, grandkids, very financially secure, etc, etc, etc. A while back, I realized that was BS. I realized that if just one other domino angle was unexpectedly off or another domino was added, my path would change & I could just as easily find myself today living in a van, down by the river. The only thing I could guarantee to 99.9999+, was that my life would be ‘different’ than today. Things could be better or a lot worse. I’m happy where I am today. Just sayin’. Doug
Wow, Doug, now that was a tome and a half of deep thought and expressed reality.
Much enjoy the way your mind works and the truth in your words. The ‘Awakened Lion’ is an interesting
take on the next set in this series of revelations. Thank you. I am thinking…which is exactly what you intended
me and others to be doing in the reading.
Thank you!
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Thank you for your kind words & your continued writings that have indeed led to some of my thoughts. These include “The First Cat”, “Island in the Sand”, “The Duke of Earl”, etc. Of course it was “Thirty Days” that introduced me to you. No longer remember how I exactly came upon you & “Thirty Days”, though I expect it was during one of my rambling searches of the Internet. Could have been luck, though a “decision/action” was required to get on this ‘sub-path’ with you. Holy poop – Just had a thought – ‘sub-paths’. I believe we take some/many(?) ‘sub-paths’ that loop back in to; run parallel to; actually become part of our main ‘path’ through our lives for some period of time, or forever. i.e.: You becoming a Life Insur salesman. Anyway, I made the right “decision/action” with regards to you. Additionally, I found your other writings gave me much enjoyment, & some thinking, as well as being a slight ‘break’ from the your reality driven ‘experience’ of “Thirty Days”. Maybe some for you as well. I believed then & will continue to do so, that “Thirty Days” should be required reading in High School & college for kids to get a first person view, the good, the bad, the ugly & just some of the longer term effects on the men, women & their families this war caused. It would result in some of the kids ‘thinking’ about that time & the sacrifices made then & still being made today. Though being in the Army 74 & 75, I was on a different ‘sub-path’ at the time – one that has helped me to the ‘here & now’. (Sorry – A bit ‘tome’.) Just sayin’. Sincere regards, Doug
There is no question that you can write an interesting and very special sort of responding comment to me and the chapter.
This is one of those wondrous tomes that I am happy to first read and the reread again because it is so full of valuable stuff.
I much appreciate the compliment and agree with you, as far as kids getting the books so they can have a primer if they should be deciding or headed for
combat sometime in their own future. Might get them through those first brutal days.
Semper fi,
and much appreciate, my friend,
Jim
Jim, Ya know, something else occurred to me after reading your reply to my second ‘tome’ – Your experiences, lessons learned about superiors, subordinates, ‘co-workers’, others from ‘outside’ your direct command (Flyboys, Supply drops, Arty, etc, & your current writing as well) could be applied & beneficial by/to anyone, in any field, any where – As long as they would think ‘outside the box’. Just sayin’, Regards, Doug
Thanks for that Doug. Yes, all of that was quite effective when I was speaking to writing conferences…back when there still
existed real writers conferences that is. I was quite popular but not by publishers, agents or any of the professional
and supposed supporters of writers.
Semper fi,
Jim
maybe he could bail(.) me out without some (remove the .)
I walked (sought) to the path leading up along (South ? )
compound parking (lion) ( lot ? )
Staff Sergeant hadn’t returned (int he) staff car ( into the ? )
Good grief, another odd twist to the people of the beach !!
Keep ’em coming James 😉
Semper Fi
Thanks for the help and the continued loyalty and interest Sgt Bob. Much appreciated, as I work
to follow the directives of my ‘editors’ like you.
Semper fi,
Jim
No matter what LT, you gotta protect your family. Be a hardass badass
Thank you most sincerely Tony. You are correct, although it can be hard to ascertain when exactly the family
may be endangered….and then act before it is too late.
Semper fi,
Jim
OK
seems your situational awareness saved you again
thank God for those lessons
they serve one wellinany situation because all you can do is deal in the moment
one
no need to intimidTe or name drop just make clear a disussion is inthe future
you can deal then and do what is needed
most oeoe fo not know how and arent comfortable dealing in the moment
resolutions comein different manners
not everyti g requires an answer immediately
contrary to commombelief
waiting is mot only ok. ut often the best choice
but you have the training and selfassurance to survive
Thanks Rich. You are correct, of course. It has been part of my life’s learning that
if one is truly talented in certain aspects of controlling and manipulating life’s situations
and actors then one does not have do much more than present a foundation of real future malice,
backed up by a solid belief by the deliverer of such data, in order to redirect activities.
Thanks for saying the same thing in a different way.
Semper fi,
Jim
The biker dude , Special Forces with the Big Red One ? I will run that one past my my buddy who was in SF in Nam and get his take on that . Otherwise another chapter with the usual twists and turns of a maze .
Chuck,
My brother was with 1st SFG attached to the Big Red One before he was hit in September 1968 outside of Bien Hoa.
I don’t know how the army organized it’s intra-divisional forces though or whether my brother, trained in Special Forces
was independent of that force at the time. Records are so shitty from this times.
Thanks for the interesting comment and question, however, as usual.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
“Intimidation” of the unknown…saying you have been to hell and survived and having the ability to project the certainty on you statement! Also, being the only person I know that describes your place obeying in Nam as “Ashau” not a Unit or Base! You went to war and almost immediately descended into the Valley and it appears like you have survived ever since….” Just saying”
My friend Homan. You flew over the valley and dropped bombs quite accurately. Thank you! You went back to your unit and your base where you got t recover (hot that that isn’t a hard thing to do on many occasions). My identity was all tied up in surviving what I saw as the monster of my life and that was the valley and all it ‘offered.’ The units were immaterial as were the bases outside the valley. And they are immaterial to me to this day. The A Shau has been turned into a commercial stretch of bridges and businesses so it’s totally gone. It’s lives and breathes in my very being and daily and nightly life, however. If that’s any kind of understandable response here….
Semper fi,
My friend,
Jim
James, Good to see continuity with chapter 37 is now established.
Some minor editing suggestions and issues follow:
if there was to be something physical than I knew
“then” instead of “than”
if there was to be something physical then I knew
“Take me to the beach,” I instructed.
At the end of chapter 37 you met the Staff Sergeant leaning against your car. Does this mean you left your car at the compound and he is driving you in another vehicle?
having dismissed the sergeant without comment.
Again this seems to indicate he was the driver and you got out of the vehicle.
Steed and Rodriquez were entertaining
Earlier you said Steed was training Turner
Steed and Turner were entertaining
worries were centered, why I didn’t know.
Two sentences
Period after “centered”
Upper case “W” in “why” to start new sentence
worries were centered. Why I didn’t know.
the small cliff began to led up to the edge
“lead” rather than “led”
the small cliff began to lead up to the edge
maybe he could bail. me out
Remove period
maybe he could bail me out
Location seems an issue as this first part puts the tent far away from the water’s edge. Then we have:
Linda Ronstadt said nothing, turning to face the breaking waves hitting the beach not fifty feet away.
You have no ‘minor’ changes or corrections here to me. They are all major and I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to
make them. The schedule I am keeping to, one chapter a week is more difficult than most might understand and I could not do it without your and Chuck’s help (and a few others not to be forgotten too). Thanks, my friend,
Semper fi,
Jim
LT/Sir/James/”Cliff (Hanger)”,
Thanks for another episode full of nutritious, tantalizing tidbits for us to consume, digest and ponder in our minds, and to figure out how this fits into the big–multiple mysteries inside other mysteries–picture.
I love that ‘nutritious’ word you have used to describe the chapters! How novel and sort of applicable for some who
constantly keep up with the reading. Thanks for the usual litany of compliments Walter!
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I pulled out a ten-dollar bill from my front pocket, all the cash I had with me.
Where did the twenty come from when they were leaving the bar?
Damn good, and cogent, point Paul!!!!
Semper fi, and thanks,
Jim
Watched “Puff” one night from 8-10 miles out in the Tonkin Gulf – very impressive, like Thor wielding a sword of fire from Heaven. We were doing night ops, and my buddy called it to my attention. Made me happy to be out at sea on the carrier.
Jim, the “situations” that embroil you never cease to amaze me. Mostly in the way you handle them. Were I a “mud Marine”, I wouldn’t have minded being under your command.
From the heart, Semper Fi!
Thanks Craig, and I would have loved to have more Marines like you but I also would not have wanted to lose you like I did most of my men.
Thanks for that and making me smile.
Semper fi,
Jim
Well it’s all clear as mud now, this is all following a plan you didn’t hatch, someone else did. Love the Linda part of it all, you seem to be a man who uses his words before his actions. Great read thank you Lt, Semper fi
Dear Bob, thank you for the compliments and yes, I did not, and do not, want to take action if it can at all be avoided without violence. It’rather selfish, in that I don’t want to add any more ephemeral characters still with me in those darker hours. I am not God, but I’ve acted like God, an those moments are hard to either come back from or life with the results of.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, I don’t see any continuity from the last chapter. Where did you go with the Staff Sergeant? What did you do? Or are we to be left in the dark?
Good to see that Bozo the cat has integrated into the family.
Seems as if there are layers of intrigue with the White House folks ranging from petty personal to national in scope. …and here you are in the middle of it. All the while unknowingly auditioning for yet larger roles. We shall see.
—–
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
looking like a prowling predator in her heart.
Maybe “of” instead of “in”
looking like a prowling predator of her heart.
Linda Ronstadt said nothing, turning the face the breaking waves
Change “the” after “turning” to “to”
Linda Ronstadt said nothing, turning to face the breaking waves
with nobody moving among everyone at the beach party, including me
Maybe change
with nobody moving among the beach party attendees, including me
experienced before astounded me, particularly since it was performed
Sounds like two sentences.
Period after “me”
Drop “particularly”
Begin new sentence with “Since”
experienced before astounded me. Since it was performed
I did wonder if she’d not chosen that particular hit song
“not” seems unnecessary.
I did wonder if she’d chosen that particular hit song
I stood, transfixed, next to the Bronco
What are you wearing? Police uniform or White House clothes?
or visiting much liked or respect security personnel
Change “respect” to “respected”
or visiting much liked or respected security personnel
plans to respond to enemy attacks or to surrounded or impossibly indefensible positions.
Maybe rephrase
plans to respond to enemy attacks while surrounded or in impossibly indefensible positions.
I’d never used the Stone Pony song
Seems “The Stone Poneys”
I’d never used The Stone Poneys song
that feeling was both wonderful and horrible, both at the same time.
“both” twice. Maybe drop second. Also drop comma.
that feeling was both wonderful and horrible at the same time.
window was now constantly left open for the thing to come and go.
Maybe “creature” instead of “thing”
window was now constantly left open for the creature to come and go.
Maybe drop “as he”
we called him that, worked his way
particularly Julie, who ordered him uncomfortably just for the fun of having something
/ Hmmm That word “uncomfortably” appears later in the chapter /
Maybe change some
particularly Julie, who spoke to him in a disagreeable manner just for the fun of having something
arroyo or valley wars that existed so overgrown
Maybe end sentence after “wars”
Start new sentence with added word “Arroyos”
arroyo or valley wars. Arroyos that existed so overgrown
visit the Sandpiper on Wednesday night when the place
Could add “a” before Wednesday
OR change “night” to “nights”
visit the Sandpiper on a Wednesday night when the place
OR
visit the Sandpiper on Wednesday nights when the place
so the beers on the house
add apostrophe
so the beer’s on the house
I pulled out a ten-dollar bill from my front pocket, all the cash I had with me.
Later you give the entertainer a twenty.
Maybe drop the “all the cash I had with me” part
I pulled out a ten-dollar bill from my front pocket.
“Hue Phu Bai,” Gularte followed
Add comma after “Hue”
“Hue, Phu Bai,” Gularte followed
“but I was Special Forces down with the Big Red One out of Bien Hoa.”
I’d call bullshit on that.
1st Infantry was in III Corps in various locations. Di An, Phu Loi were larger bases. Other locations like (Quan Loi, Song Be, Bu Dop) had 101st Airborne initially then Big Red One.
(I’ll accept correction from anyone who was in the Big Red One.)
While SF might have coordinated operations with Infantry units they certainly would only identify as SF. Maybe mention camp location or special unit such as Mike Force or Sigma.
Now, if you just want to provide some dialog – maybe something like:
“but I was Special Forces sitting on Nui Ba Den in Tay Ninh province.”
Puff the Magic Dragon
Open quotes
“Puff the Magic Dragon
the name given to a cargo plane that had several rotary cannons lining one side
Good as it stands. Or could add some detail.
the name given to a C-47 aircraft that had three 7.62mm miniguns lining one side
either saw or felt the effects
Add “heard” / Puff did roar! /
either saw, heard or felt the effects
“You didn’t seem to have any hesitation about going in anyway.”
Who said that? Mike or Gularte?
Maybe
Mike added, “You didn’t seem to have any hesitation about going in anyway.”
“Got a minute or two,” he replied, looking around
Seems like a question.
“Got a minute or two?,” he asked, looking around
or about something about the Beach Patrol
two “abouts” drop the first
or something about the Beach Patrol
I walked down the stairs, turned, and then led against the garage door
I’m not sure about “led” Maybe “leaned”
I walked down the stairs, turned, and then leaned against the garage door
even in the construction earliest days
Possessive for “construction” “construction’s”
even in the construction’s earliest days
The mission, or whatever it was, was set in stone already, and not me.
Maybe add “by” before “me”
The mission, or whatever it was, was set in stone already, and not by me.
having. No plan, other
Drop period. Lower case “N”
having no plan, other
mobile home right over that near where
Change “that” to “there”
mobile home right over there near where
That young man would be whom?
“who” instead of “whom”
That young man would be who?
what I didn’t know but probably should have or at least been expected to be.
Replace “be” with “know”
what I didn’t know but probably should have or at least been expected to know.
I said with a long sign at the end of the sentence.
“sigh” instead of “sign”
I said with a long sigh at the end of the sentence.
At our next meeting, if that should occur
Open quote
“At our next meeting, if that should occur
all.”I walked away.
Add space
all.” I walked away.
Blessings & Be Well
Ah, what a great editor you are. I went back and read the two chapters again, and then added quite a lengthy segue. You are correct.
My thoughts recalled were separate instead of integrated. Once again, DanC comes through.
Semper fi, and thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone in this.
Your friend,
Jim