My wife drove Mickey’s 442, since she wouldn’t let me drive, as we made our way to Highway 280, then 80 across the Bay Bridge, onto 580 to head back south to where the hospital was set back on Mountain Boulevard some distance from the MacArthur Freeway.
“Why do all the freeways from home to here end in eighty?” I asked, inanely from the passenger seat, Julie sitting in my lap.
Wow. .. My God, you can write. …
Thank you
Although your story takes the cake; the bureaucratic system of military medical treatments is legendary! I have stopped sharing mine after reading yours! God bless you!! Thank you for your service and sacrifices!
James – I truly can’t FUCKING believe how the Marine Corps shit on you at every turn! It really pisses me off. I’ve told you before I’m a Marine and a Vietnam combat vet (0331- ’66 – ’67 with Golf 2/1) and you were in more intense combat in 30 days than I was in, in 10 months. I was blessed to be with sone great guys and some very good leaders but we had a our share of shit birds too who I didn’t like then and hope a few of them died slow, miserable deaths after a life of turmoil! It’s too long a story for here but I applied for and was accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program but didn’t accept it for some unbeknown reason today and it sounds like I made the right choice. I’m proud as hell to have been a Marine and served in Vietnam and I’m proud as hell of you and all other Marines who served HONORABLY – but FUCK THE SHIT BIRDS and the Marines are FULL of them. They ride the honor wave of being a “Marine” because of men like us and so many that came before us, but they were useless, malingering skaters when they were in and now want the world to think they were bad asses. You seem to have run into MANY like that when you were more of a MAN and more of a MARINE than ANY of them! JEEZZUZZZ it pisses me off. That staff and buck you ran into at Mickey Thompsons garage were apparently the real deal as far as men and Marines go. God bless you James Strauss – I truly hope I get to shake your hand one day. Semper fi to you and to all “REAL” Marines!
I met some rea deal vets when I got home, but there were not many, because the combat guys mostly didn’t make it.
We combat guys, we just know one another on sight, without talk even. A wry smile, maybe. Waiting at the VA, the only guys
not wearing any military gear. Just us. I once voted on a special court martial board to let the perpetrator go. He was charged with possessing
and taking LSD. He confessed and said he was trying to get away. The chief judge of the court asked him what he was trying to get away from. The kid
said, “Vietan.” “But you’re here in California,” the judge said. The kid looked down. I understood. He wasn’t in California at all but only he and I knew that.
I had to write a minority report because I was the only one who wanted to let the kid go. He’d paid his dues. But I was alone. He was alone.
Part of coming home from combat.
Semper fi,
Jim
What the heck? After what you went through, the Marines still want MORE? Is that normal? Was that normal? I’m astounded, and horrified. Bless you, your wife, and your daughter. (And for that matter, all other service men and women and their families)
Thank you, Keith, for your support.
Semper fi,
Jim
After all, you went through I would have thought they would have given you a medical discharge and turned you over to the VA. Looking forward to your next chapter, Sir.
I was surprised after reading this latest chapter, to find my hands folded and myself saying a prayer for you. I don’t do that a lot. You are one tuff Marine sir.
I appreciate your sentiment, Charles.
There were many times that ‘toughness’ was questioned from within.
Semper fi
Jim
Great read. Another good hook.
Anticipating your meeting with colonel Trainer & the race with the GTO. Your lucky you had your wife in your corner.
Thank you
Treasure Island; I spent two weeks there in 11/1967 waiting for orders. Another place I don’t ever want to see again! Bureaucracy personified!
Another terrific entry. Your memory for details is amazing. I really don’t know how you endured the attitude or indifference of some the staff without lashing out. It appears most of your medical staff and aids know you or your reputation as Junior. Did you ever inquire as to what they actually heard about you and your time in the A Shau Valley?
Some stories do travel through the ‘grapevine’
Thanks for your support and share with your friends.
Semper fi,
Jim
Man oh man LT it does it ever go easy for you, hang in there, life sounds like it might get better. Semper Fi sir!!
Life did, indeed, get better, once I ‘made it through’ so to speak.
Thanks for the comment and interest…
Semper fi,
Jim
Where are you answers to comments showing. I seem to be lost.
I am a bit behind on answering all comments the past couple of days.
Thanks for the support
Semper fi,
Jim
Very happy to have you with us. I’m amazed at what you have had to go through so far in your recovery. Looking for your next installment. God Bless.
Thanks Raymond. Yes, it was, indeed, quite a time of strange adventure, discovery and a good deal of pain.
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt, you are an amazing person. Your emotional and physical strength is beyond imagining. I am so glad that you made it to the point that you can share your story with us. Bless you and your wife.
Clay
Sp4, USA, 1971-74.
Thank you, Clay
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
After my surgery for a ruptured appendix and perforated bowel, I was much the same way. I was in CCU for most of 4 days and my billirubin count was astronomical. Once, when I did wake up, I asked the Nurse why I was so drowsy and she pointed and said, Morphine drip, all I could say was OK. on the evening of the 4th day, I was moved to a general floor and went home the afternoon of the 8th day. This all happened in 1997, so obviously way different than your experience.
Damn, but I hang on your every word. Have since you started writing 30 Days. Don’t know what it is, but your story inspires me.
Finally (more or less) on your own two feet once again !!
SEMPER Fi
Hey, James – So great that Dan saved me all that typing!
Knowing the Naval service as I do, the bureaucracy doesn’t surprise me, nor the haste to get you back to earning your keep.
Wondering if your new duties include keeping the gears wound up in the lighthouse.
Coming along great on this Cowardly Lion book, we all appreciate your efforts at digging into the old memories.
Semper Fi
You and Dan Have been a fabulous help.
Thank you
Semper fi,
Jim
Look’s like things are changing , and Marines take care of each other. You deserve the best care and more good things coming to you . We wait to see , Sir !
Jim, just want you to know that I have the utmost respect for you and what you went through.
I have read everything twice.
If there is ever another gathering I would like to meet you personally and get real signatures for each of the books.
Your wife was extremely brave and loving of you. I admire her.
I know about Oak Knoll. Not impressed with them at all.
Your writing has let me feel all of your emotions and fears. All the smells, bug bites, noise, quite and poking from a lot of it.
Talk to you later. Wingnut.
Your story continues to amaze me Jim…one of my thoughts really fits your story….the Marine Corps accomplishes it mission at the expense of its Marines….I look forward to each new segment….you are my hero….
Recommendation: 1. My mind went back to the First Med in Da Nang when the priest had been administering the Last Rights to be as my gurney was wheeled into surgery. My fear back then had been much
Maybe change Last Rights to be….me may be better than be
2. The surgeon had said that I’d be under for a few hours just before I’d gone the anesthesia mask had been strapped over my nose and mouth……maybe put and after gone….I’d gone and the anesthesia mask..
3. Colonel ‘Lightning Bolt’ Trainer, sounded an awful like the man himself, if he went by or allowed such a nickname, was likely nothing…
Maybe insert lot….sounded an awful lot like the man…
Your story captivates me…well written…thank you for sharing your story…
I still have not received my three signed copies o Thirty Days has September that were ordered last year….I look forward to receiving them…thank you…Semper Fidelis….John Kosinski
Only the friggin “Crotch” would send a man back that quick. Great chapter L T.
I just went through my own medevac last wk on a chopper a little bigger than a Loach. I remember snickering at your description of Chiclet lights as I was being wheeled into ICU. Very accurate description lol.
“Just when i thought i was out they pull me back in”
-some mafia dude in some movie
What was that the biker sergeant said? Shit hole, Oak Knoll? They sure didn’t seem to be real pleasant there. But at least you’re done with them, hopefully for good!
The paragraph right after Mary told you that the surgery was 12 hours may need a bit of a rewrite. It doesn’t flow quite right.
Thank you for another great chapter!
Thank you for your support and suggestion, Monty.
I am working on a few details for a smoother delivery
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, The first part of this chapter showed how strong Mary was – how lucky you were to have her love. Cannot imagine the pain you went through, the time in recovery & the pain you were still in, the knowledge of the pain ahead. And then being released back to duty until “the board met”? Well, I do remember spending 2 months in hospital w/ a back issue & getting 90 days ‘light duty’ back at my job. But then again, I wasn’t shot to shit & slit stem to stern. Enough for now – Still trying to ‘digest’. Regards, Doug
I am a blessed man to have been chosen by Mary.
Thanks, Doug
James, Good to hear your surgery left you in an improved state and able to function. You
hint that you verbalized during that unremembered time after surgery … and that Mary was aware of it. What a strong lady! You are truely blessed.
I’m appalled by the bizarre bureaucratic regulations you had to endure. “Thanks for your sacrifice and service. Take that!” These many years later prove “This too shall pass.”
Some editing suggestions follow:
I was fine to walk the longer distance to visitor parking
Maybe “from” instead of “to”
I was fine to walk the longer distance from visitor parking
and I carried swung my small bag of shaving and toothpaste stuff as we went.
Maybe drop “carried”
and I swung my small bag of shaving and toothpaste stuff as we went.
the most ambient space in the hospital, that we’d found so far
comma after “hospital” seems extra
the most ambient space in the hospital that we’d found so far
the Last Rights to be as my gurney was wheeled into surgery.
Maybe substitute “me” for “be”
the Last Rights to me as my gurney was wheeled into surgery.
The surgeon had said that I’d be under for a few hours just before I’d gone the anesthesia
mask had been strapped over my nose and mouth.
“I’d gone” seems extra.
The surgeon had said that I’d be under for a few hours just before the anesthesia mask had been strapped over my nose and mouth.
My I.V. had been pulled the previous day, the catheter bag with it,
Seems that last comma should be a period
My I.V. had been pulled the previous day, the catheter bag with it.
Johannson said, as that information shouldn’t make much difference to me.
Maybe add “if” after “as”
Johannson said, as if that information shouldn’t make much difference to me.
my experience with the Corps was so limited I had almost idea how it all really worked as a military force.
Maybe add “no” in front of “idea”
my experience with the Corps was so limited I had almost no idea how it all really worked
as a military force.
Colonel ‘Lightning Bolt’ Trainer, sounded an awful like the man himself, if he went by or
allowed such a nickname, was likely nothing more or less than a macho pail of crap.
Maybe add “lot” after “awful”
Maybe change the comma after “himself to a period.
Capitalize the “i” in “if” to start a new sentence.
Add “he” before “was”
Colonel ‘Lightning Bolt’ Trainer, sounded an awful lot like the man himself. If he went by
or allowed such a nickname, he was likely nothing more or less than a macho pail of crap.
was hurt again, and I just wanted to getaway.
Space between “get” and “away”
was hurt again, and I just wanted to get away.
Where ever I was going
Maybe merge “Where” and “ever”
Wherever I was going
I pulled out my orders, only to discover that the address, the lighthouse on Yerba Buena
Island,
Maybe substitute “was” for the comma after “address”
I pulled out my orders, only to discover that the address was the lighthouse on Yerba Buena Island,
May this find you enjoying the changing of seasons heralded by the returning birds.
Blessings & Be Well
As always, Dan, we appreciate your awesome editing.
You are a godsend.
Semper fi,
Jim
Dan C Your suggestions for rewrite are always spot on! By chance were you a English teacher? Thanks once again for assisting James
William, I have no history as an English teacher. I did attend a Jesuit High School. I seem to have a knack for close reading. If a sentence doesn’t flow I look to see why. A second reading sometimes finds additional minor issues. Other folks make suggestions I miss.
Editing our own work is difficult because we read what should be there – not what is actually on the page. A second pair of eyes is useful. Even after reviewing my own compositions multiple times there can be mistakes – found after the e-mail is sent.
James is doing the heavy lifting by remembering traumatic times and skillfully recounting them for us. I just do my little part by making suggestions. I never re-read the segment later to see if they result in changes. It remains James’ story.
Thanks for the attaboy. Folks have written such heartfelt and/or well crafted comments to these stories that I am left in awe. What a brotherhood / sisterhood! Be Well.
Really good. I can’t wait to read about the race. I didn’t catch you saying whether Smokey, was the real Smokey Yunik, but that is what I assumed. You certainly had an angel guiding you whether you knew it or not. Thanks for your service and the great reading.
James,
Your roller coaster ride continues…
Thank you, for continuing to open our eyes to realities.
KEEP THE CHAPTERS COMING!
Always appreciate your comments, Walt, and thank you for the support.
Semper fi,
Jim
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Another tough go but you got through it. I am thinking upcoming duty might be a surprise.
Man, looks like they continue to screw you over, unbelievable that you were treated like that, one would hope today things would be different. It appears you were just an inconvenience for the Corp, one would hope things will improve, maybe you should have tried to contact General Puller. It has to be painful for you reliving all this. How you keep your head straight I’ll never know. Semper Fi Junior. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🥰
Another great post. Thanks!
great, keep em coming!!
Glad you made it home and you’re healing do you know what happened to your company ? All 3 books of 30 days has September had me spell bound and I’ve reread them.
Typical military bullshit JAMES !!! Never changes !!!!
So proof of what a slacker you were
Somehow, except for my lack of physical wounds, I relate exactly to your situation….like being birthed into a different demention where each turn is a revelation! I am glad I don’t carry your detail memories….but we both just kept moving forward!
S/F