It was hard to imagine, much less witness, that everything my wife, daughter and I owned could be fit into the interior spaces of a 1966 GTO. Nothing was attached or tied on the outside. I’d been raised in a Coast Guard family where the frequent moves were paid for by the government. It almost always took a completely full moving truck to move our family of two adults and three children. It turned out, as I surveyed the packing job from next to the car, that the single largest possession we currently possessed was Julie’s crib, which came apart in three pieces or we couldn’t have taken it with us on the move. The front driver’s side of the GTO still had the three-point racing safety belt system Mickey installed, but Julie had nothing to hold her in so I constructed a plywood box to set in just back from the split front seats. She sat, seemingly happy as a tick, inside her low-walled box filled with blankets.
Our route would pass Rockaway Beach, the beach I’d spent every free moment I had running and walking up and down, trying to make my left hip work better. There didn’t seem to be much hope of getting employment if I couldn’t walk right, not once the Marine Corps was done with me, a result that had to be imminent. We stopped at the Thunderbird, the restaurant motel that sat right in the middle of the beach, the restaurant’s deck stretched out over the rocks and sand. We’d never been able to eat at the restaurant as we couldn’t afford it, but we loved wandering around the place every once and a while. I pulled into the parking lot that ran almost the length of the beach. ‘All I have to do is dream’ was playing on the radio. “When I feel blue, in the night, and I need you to hold me tight, whenever I want you all I have to do is dream…”. The lyrics resounded back and forth in my head. I wasn’t thinking of my wife when I listened to the song’s words. I was thinking about life itself. I was trying to make life mine but, like in the song, I was dreaming my life away more than living it. I wanted to be in action. I had wanted to drive the GTO in the race, help prepare it, and then work somewhere other than a gas station where I barely pumped gas, exchanging my minimal services for some small amounts of cash. Now the station was gone and I was headed back toward the Marine Corps, an amazing organization but also one that only seemed to have things for me to do that were not worth doing at all, and those under a kind of supervision that the word ‘draconian’ didn’t seem extreme enough to cover.
James I havent seen anything now for some time on your comments on you time frame for finishing. I have been looking regularly but dont see anything since late July and early August. the Last post I got you said the next chapter might be out that night Aug 3 which would have been XXIII. Am I missing something are has something happened? I have finished all. I have been having a problem myself. I fell and injured both my eyes on May 2and could not see at all I now have most of my vision back in my right but still not my left. I have had 3 surgeries on it soon for and an other pending probably in Dec.
I has been a rough 7 months for me. Hope you are ok and will be back soon Please let me know the status.
Hope like hell you are better now. Sorry I got lost in the crazy health and mental shuffle for a bit here.
I am back and the next chapter, the final chapter of the first book, will be out next week, and then the hardcover novel and the first chapter of the second book
of the TCL series. My right eye is shot too, one little fragment that did its work after so many years. There’s a lot they can do for eyes but not everything.
Your friend,
and Semper fi,
Jim
How much and my address is 3430 Draketown rd
Edinboro Pa 16412. Please email at my address below
The signed hardcover will ship tomorrow. It’s 35.00 which includes shipping.
Thanks so much for wanting to have it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Fascinating work, sir. I enjoy every word, so keep it up!
Thanks Jerry, means a lot to me right now. The next chapter will be up tonight, I believe.
Semper fi,
Jim
Somehow I never received your three most recent chapters. Now I’m caught up. Just one comment on today’s chapter XXII. You and your family are traveling south from the San Francisco Bay area. I’m confused with your reference to taking the exit towards Modesto and heading west to Highway 1. “I exited the freeway where the turnoff sign said Modesto. We headed west toward the coast and Highway One.” Modesto is on the eastern side of the Sacramento Valley. You would have had to be driving south on Highway 99 for this to make sense. Did you mean some town other than Modesto?
You are absolutely correct. It was Monterey. How did I get thet wrong I don’t know.
Thanks for the correction.
Semper fi,
Jim
Your writing style brings my soul peace. I was a grunt with the 3/26, 9th MAB in 1969.
My experiences were not close to your own.
I wish you well and look forward to the next chapter of your life.
Semper Fi
What a great compliment Russell and I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
Semper fi, and the next chapter should be up later tonight….
Jim
Glad to have found the update, you had me wondering. Your time with Mickey seems to have been a pure chance period for some healing. Sounds like he was a stand up sort of guy even though he hung out with a few questionable characters. That was a rough time in our history for all military members. It seemed that only those small islands of those who had been there and offered a moment of understanding made wearing the uniform comfortable.
Looking forward to what comes next and what sounds like another encounter with ‘Lightning Bolt’.
I appreciate the updates, I certainly look forward to your next book. Although I was 11
Bravo Army, I understand and can relate to your various situations. God Bless and keep you and your family.
James…
Good to hear from you. Honestly, I was beginning to wonder… It’s a Covid year, after all.
The four men and Guadalcanal reminded me of a man I met a few years ago at a local organization that’s dedicated to helping Vets get benefits.
It was crowded and the organizer called for quiet and got down to business. He called for anyone who’d never tried to get benefits. One old guy, a row behind me, was raised his hand and smiled.
“What branch, sir?”
Marine and I ain’t a sir.
“WW Two?”
“Yessir. Signed up in 1942, stayed thru 1945.”
(…you could hear people across the room breathing, it got so quiet…)
“Where? I mean, which islands?”
Well, lessee…
And he began to call them out. Began with Guadalcanal and ended with Okinawa. Said he missed a couple, cause he was lucky and in the hospital. Said he got a Purple Heart for each island.
A younger woman sat with him and nodded as he recited his battle history and wiped her eyes.
You could hear people, across the room, breathe. Then rise to applaud. and cheer.
I talked to them later, after I wiped my eyes.
He’d never used any of his benefits. Came home, got married, found work and raised his family. Farmed on the side. He was there to ask about getting a spot in one of the state’s Veterans’ Homes, while he was still able to walk.
His daughter said he was the most cheerful man she knew. Was known for it, in fact.
Made my day, for sure.
It’s been a while but it was worth the wait. I’m doing about the same as you were then. Take care.
James I got the first 3 books of the 30 days in paperback and gave them to my son who’s in the army. I bought the hardbacks to keep for myself, but I only have the first two. Is or will there be a hardback of the third book I can purchase
I have it. That third in hardback. Not many produced.
Send a check to me at 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147,
and Iw ill get it out immediately. Also send your address by email
so I get it right.
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to have you back. Was getting a little worried. Looking forward for more to come. As always enjoy your writing style. Glad to see some people stepped up at key times. We all should be proactive in that way. When what someone once called “God Taps” come a knockin on our shoulder, don’t hesitate, just step up quietly and take care of what needs to be done. I have been on both the recieving and delivery end ot those taps. Your writing, story telling is the giving end of one of those “God Taps” and a lot of people are benefitting.
Thanks for the depth of your compliment and also the accuracy of it as it applies to me.
Really appreciate the friendship and sorry about how long it took to reply.
Semper fi,
Jim
Remember the drive from San Fransisco to San Diego from my honeymoon in a 69 Dodge Charger I bought on returning from Nam.Took Three hours to get through LA. Wrong turn somewhere. Stayed in Tustin, overnight, with a high school Marine buddy who was a navigator flying jets. Wish I had your mapping to avoid LA’s 3 o clock traffic. Love all your published works and hope you eventually have a followup to Boy Warrior in mind. Your Thirty Days series was just awesome.
Welcome back, sir. Was getting worried about you.
Welcome “back”. Thank you!
I’ve missed you and your writings. I’m happy to see you’re back, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter. I hope you’re getting some compensation from the VA for your PTSD. If you aren’t; you should be! Again, thanks for another great read.
glad you are back L T your story still haunts me. I always want more
I was with the 3BN 28th Marines in 1967 at the North Gate near San Clemente after leaving Nam. Nice town great beach. Never had to go to Mainside.
Thanks for all of this, LT. My best friend in High School was an FO attached to Charlie Co, 4th of the 9th assigned to 25th infantry Div. ambushed in May 1968, 49 killed 24 wounded. He was one of the wounded. Recovered except for PTSD. Your work has helped me understand more.
Glad to see you’re back at it. Be patient, God will eventually tell you what He wants you to do.
Maybe you already are!
Glad to see you are back picking up the story again.
Quite honestly, James, I have been worried about you, both health wise and writer-wise. And glad to see you back at it, especially with this action packed chapter.
When you wrote that you were in your Class A’s, I thought back to when I returned at the end of ’66. People were down-right hostile to anyone in uniform. I was up at Lemoore, and our CO asked us to please not go off base in uniform, wear civvies.
Tumultuous times.
And many times I think about the gas prices back then. I had saved a bunch of money on the ship, and bought a pretty blue Triumph. Got 30 mpg in it, and Sunoco 260 was 30 cents a gallon.
Your writing sure has the capability of keeping one’s attention on the story – thanks for being such a clear and concise author.
James, Hope all is well with you & yours. Glad to read you again. Look forward to more as well as future writings from your other novels as well. Most sincerely, Doug
Glad to have you back LT, hope that you and yours are well. Semper Fi.
Thanks Mike. Everyone here is good, or at least okay.
I am back getting the books out and then arranging for the Rendezvous visits.Appreciate those who have stuck it out,
so to speak.
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to see you LT. Happy you hit that hotel just right! Regards!
Welcome back Lt. You have been sorely missed!
Thanks Rich, good to be ‘back in the saddle’ so to speak.
Semper fi
Ji
Good to have you back. To tead a chapter of your work, makes the day a better day.
Lt, you are doing something important in chronicling the trip “home” and doing it well. Having known some for years still trying to make that journey, too many finding that home was their own grave, I appreciate that. In memory of Ronnie Simmons and others, thank you.
Thanks a lot Jim. Not many of uw who made it back were given the capability to put it all down…so I am using
that gift as best I can now. Appreciate the kind comment…and the accuracy of remembering those not so lucky.
Semper fi,
Jim
Good to have you back and thank you for another great read.
Good to have you back James, you were missed. I remember listening to Dick Biondi, The Wild Italian, on the big 89 WLS out of Chicago. If memory serves me correctly he was fired for telling an off color joke on the air.
Biondi left WLS in 2017, at the age of 85. and lives to this day. Supposedly he left over a leg injury or other such health-related problem…if Wikipedia is to be believed. I did enjoy his ability to engage between songs…and not many can do that. Wolfman Jack comes to mind.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Jim, Delighted to see you had another chapter up.
Seems like you have streak of running into good people.
An the saga continues. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
I see the bard has awaken in the dog days of summer
Yes, I am fully back and half way through the next chapter in an effort to make the next
pieces reflect a more staccato style of delivery.
Semper fi, and thanks,
Jim
Thanks, it was worth the wait. I enjoy reading and experiencing the LT’s life. You always leave us hungry for more.
James You have been missed SIR !!!! God Bless and thanks that You are still churning out Your memories.
The GTO (GOAT) Memories of ESSO gasoline and putting a tiger in your tank.
Glad You ran into some Marines that Appreciated You !!
Your mention of Dick Biondi bounced some of my Grey Cells I was adopted in Indiana and listened to Dick on WLS top of Prudential Building Rode the South Shore line in went to top and would hold up song requests on the broadcast booth glass He was a class act.
We served different rolls in VN at different times. God has always been there in Your life when least expected.
God Bless You Your Family and The Work of Your Hands !!!!
Thanks George, and yes I would later listen to Biondi on WLS too.
Thanks for the cogent and well written comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Nice to have another great story I have really missed them keep up your very good work,it’s very inspiring to me.
Thanks Ron, finished another chapter last night that ought to go up today.
Middle of next one as I move to end the first book of the recovery and go on into the second.
Semper fi,
Jim
How I remember packing my family in our car with the cheapest U=haul on the back and miles in front of us,
N.J. To ‘Savanah and back, with a stop in Vietnam in between. Then to Kentucky and Texas and at last Louisiana. So broke I couldn’t afford a pet peeve. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Biondi. Yes, I used to listen to him later in life on WLS too. What a talent he had.
Thanks for the short review of your own travel odyssey. How did we do it back then, knowing almost not a damn thing.
On a wing and a prayer!
Semper fi,
Jim
He’s back, thanks LT, and I see life can be good at times. It always seems to take you down roads to where you don’t know what is coming next, and lots of surprises too. Keep it going and thank you sir!
Thanks Bob, I am indeed back and ready to finish The Cowardly Lion and begin book II of the continuing sage of Vietnam and beyond.
Appreciate the compliment of your delivery and tone…
Semper fi,
Jim
Loved your response, I have possibly mentioned before I myself did not get to serve due to a back injury, even tried to enlist in 1970. But my Dad was a Marine in WWII 1st Marines , first invasion of the Solomon Islands, only lasted there days before coming home on a Mercy ship and spending a extended time in SFO VA hospital, got a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, lost hearing in one ear and partial in the other, but made it home! And to finish, Thank You and welcome home Sir
I am so happy that you did not go to Vietnam. I am always positive about that, not because of anti-war feelings but because almost invariably I am communicating with the guy that didn’t have to go.
Communicating one way with the most of the guys who went with me is sort of unsatisfying and relatively fruitless. Combat guys of all types and services are very rare because most did not make it, die when they get home
relatively quickly or are so mentally maladjusted that stye are basically incapable of normal conversation or relationship. Glad you are here. Glad you do not suffer guilt for not going.
The live, the country, the relationships here in this culture are so worth being among. Follow your bliss…and thanks so much for the complimentary response.
Semepr fi,
Jim
Nice NICKNAME SIR !!! keep up the good writing !!
Thanks for the compliment and the appreciation.
Means a lot to me these days…
Semper fi,
Jim
You have an Angel or more looking after you.
Yes, I do feel the wings wafting a bit now and then…although, even after all the reading and living and such
I truly don’t comprehend the whole of the teachings…or which ones to follow or believe or what.
Semper fi, and God Bless you…
Jim
Great to see you back to the story.
Thanks for the comments you write on Facebook, and here H. Kemp.
Appreciate the time and trouble and the compliment of your continued presence.
Semper fi, and thanks…
Jim
Did you ever think from surviving horrendous wounds that living and all the positive coincidences on your journey were a sign you were in Gods care?
Not until recently Rich. I know I am God’s child but for the hell of me I can’t ever seem to figure out what I’m supposed to do
about that. Thanks for the reminder, which all of us need as life keeps coming at us full speed ahead.
Semper fi, and God Bless you…
Jim
Welcome back James,
Seems as if the support you need is automatically coming from unexpected directions. Super!
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
/>A small group of older men
Looks like some extra symbols stuck in there.
A small group of older men
kept track of the mileage we’d put on from ‘Hank’s station.
Single quote in front of Hank’s seems extra.
kept track of the mileage we’d put on from Hank’s station.
named Phil Phillips, not this real name,
Maybe “his” instead of “this”
named Phil Phillips, not his real name,
leaning his elbow on one of the hairs arms.
Maybe “chair’s” instead of “hairs”
leaning his elbow on one of the chair’s arms.
he’d just made up the numbers while we were sitting. The town doesn’t much like Marines, especially those fresh back from the Nam.”
Add quotes in front of “The town”
he’d just made up the numbers while we were sitting. “The town doesn’t much like Marines, especially those fresh back from the Nam.”
I couldn’t relax without Mary and Jules being taken care of
Jules or Julie?
I couldn’t relax without Mary and Julie being taken care of
Blessings & Be Well
Thanks as always, Dan
Jules has been her nickname forever…
Semper fi,
Jim
I thought that might be the case. How can a dad forget the name of his daughter.
The adventure continues. May your family be protected.
Blessings & Be Well
You are such a help to me Dan that I don’t really know how to reply…except carefully so I don’t need so much
correction and interpretation assistance! You are terrific.
Semper fi,
Jim
I really like your written word.
Thank you very much Ernest. The smile you give me by your own writing helps me move along with the prose…
Semper fi,
Jim