My first meeting with Paul, my shrink of questionable credentials and experience, had gone amazingly well. My first act of redemption, which he never truly defined, made me feel better about myself in spite of the fact that I wasn’t sure why. I’d bought in immediately to Paul’s blurted out solution. It was something I could do, didn’t involve drugs and I didn’t have to discuss with anyone, although my wife would have to know eventually, or she’d have me put into an institution for doing idiotically good stuff for people who either didn’t matter or didn’t really deserve whatever product or service I might provide them.
The Kissinger ride out to El Toro had been, and remained, unsettling, like he knew something about what might be going on with me that I didn’t have a clue about, and that something didn’t seem to me to be one that had anything to do with good stuff happening in my present or future. That the brilliantly strange man knew me at all was a bit disconcerting all in itself.
Another fantastic Chapter LT, and I gotta say, man I loved that mercury marauder!!!!
I too, loved the Maurader. Drove the one built for a few years later but it was
a gently beast compared to the initial predator.
Thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
If I have to hold my breath till the next chapter so be it, but , please don’t let me pass out!!! This is getting so deep there doesn’t seem to be anyway out for you. Thanks LT that was an awesome chapter!!
Thanks Bob! Means a lot to get such overpowering compliments, such as the one you just wrote.
Keeps me going and on onto the next chapter as things are, indeed, heading up.
Semper fi,
Jim
The more you learn the murkier it gets?
Thanks for the comment Harold and yes, it was murky even when I was going through it
but sure helped me keep my mind out of that deadly A Shau Valley….
Semper fi,
Jim
I didn’t think this segment of history could possibly be as wild and intense as “30 Days” when our LT first started publishing it. I was mistaken.
Thanks Arn, it was a wild time and, once again, as in the Nam, I found myself thrown into circumstance I had
little understanding of…a different, gentler form of combat.
Semper fi,
Jim
Nice telling about the speeding Porch, and had me smiling about what the heck was the driver doing going so fast and then such a quick stop while trying to figure it all out at a moment’s notice… Strange things happen quickly and you were well-trained in figuring things out.
Thanks Terrance, for the kind words. Being the strange form of ‘shape-shifting’ cop I was allowed for experiencing
some pretty strange events and being sucked right into them.
Semper fi,
Jim
Cliffhangers abound.Another good one. Thank you Jim.
You are most welcome Tim! I don’t write cliffhangers on purpose, and you may not believe that. I simply end the chapters
as best I can with what’s going on. I have no idea, when I write, that readers will see the ends of chapters as what they appear to be.
Or are! Thanks for your comment and the compliment of your being on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
I believe you. The creative process is a tad arcane. When it works, it is just right.
I’m glad to be on here. Although not a Marine, you have my fidelity.
Tim
Glad to ‘have you aboard’ so to speak Tim, Marine or not. Thanks for the neat and
caring comment and the loyalty in sticking with me as we progress…
Semper fi,
Jim
It seems the compound has you in a sirens song, compelling you further in with no clear exit in sight !!
I hate it when people ask about combat and skills when they have no concept of the reality of it. Just my personal feelings…
Another chapter with more questions yet to be answered !!
Thanks James,
SEMPER FI
Dear SgtBob…I am amazed at how well your form you comments, this one being a perfect example.
I am impressed. “It seems the compound has you in a sirens song, compelling you further in with no clear exit in sight.” Wow!
Thanks for that and more. You are a class act and your depth is significant in understanding all this!
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, “You ready?” – Could be completely off in left field here, but seems to me that ‘Bill’ was aware of what Mardian was going to ask you before you even entered the AO & assumed what your answer would be. Or maybe Bill just guessed about the reason you were called to “See the man”. If that’s so, I’d ask Bill about what horses to bet on. If “guessed” is wrong, than somehow, Bill knows things that a regular Staff Sgt wouldn’t be privee to. Than again, as previously mentioned, I could be in left field here, looking back towards the nose bleed seats. Just sayin’. Oh – And about Bill’s “You ready?” comment? Jesus. Doug
Thank you most kindly Doug, for that in depth analysis. Working in that environment, as I was,
taught me that everyone knows something about stuff you don’t while at the same time
coming to understand that you know stuff they don’t….and sharing a lot of stuff isn’t part of
surviving the game (as in job, not life). Another problem is getting to know too much and then
known for likely or probably knowing it!
Semper fi,
Jim
Mr. Strauss, Sir,
I read your line – “I’m told that in actual combat you think and then act, and how you act is determined partly by how much time you have to process what’s going on before you act.” – over and over and over again. I taught in a school near Chicago, and late one parent night on November 11, Frank the custodian stopped by my room to chat. One thing lead to another, and after having had similar chats over the years, this night he finally he shared with me a snapshot of his time over in the war. He mentioned that he was often sent out at night to patrol and late one night in the dark of the jungle, a guy popped up about 25 feet away pointing a gun at him – then Frank got silent. He didn’t have to say anything more. I think that between Frank and your line up above, maybe I understand a little bit better. A very deep thank you to you and all the guys like you and my friend Frank who experienced these and other unimaginable horrors.
Thank you so much for adding to the story by supplying some of your own.
There are a lot of people reading who have a ton of life experience and the wisdom that comes with that acquisition and
I get a lot of enjoyment in reading the comments, like I have in reading your entry here. Can’t thank you enough.
Semper fi,
Jim
he said I call in combat “ you think, then you act”
what is the clear lack of experience in that type of situation is that this is not the thought that one is into it is almost an instant instinctual response
you look to your right your mind instantly says that’s where the NVA is and you empty the clip
normal thinking, would require thought assessing options, making sure that you had a reasonable plan
but now it’s a much shorter sequence enemy, empty the magazine, maybe even faster than that
what is going through my mind, as I certainly understand your reply to him, but what in the situation would require a person with that skill set?
it is clear from everything I study that there was a lot of planning
I will not done by particularly start people that went into the Watergate mishaps
I suspect combat skills would not have been very useful to E Howard Hunt in the hotel across from the breaking very compelling writing particularly when you and I both know that there are no coincidences
Richard: Combat skills allow one to use fatal force without compunction or evaluation until after the combat.
Combat skills allow one to act without warning, without honor or internal evaluation. Combat skills
are terminal, over time, in the short term for those fought against successfully and then for the
agressor throughout life. There it is, as simple as I can describe.
Semper fi,
Jim
Heating up ! Its burning a hole in the paer!!!!
Thanks Joseph, means a lot to me to get such compliments.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another outstanding chapter James. Your excellent story telling is spellbinding. Keep up the great writing. What is your address so I can send a check for the book, I seem to have misplaced the address.
Thanks for the neat compliment and the address is James Strauss, 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147…
and I don’t know what to say about your sending the check. Nice. Really nice.
Semper fi,
Jim
Absolutely amazing beyond any imagination! I was stationed in Panama with a small MI Unit in ‘72-73. That’s all we heard about on the Armed Forces Radio.
Your work is riveting. I’m glued to the stories you send.
Thanks so much.
Just put your comment up on my Facebook writer’s page, Steve, loved it that much.
Thanks so much for the help, the loyalty and liking the work…
Semper fi,
Jim
I keep comparing your “Redemption” to my emergence into the world from the Matrix. It was every bit as episodic but mine was either camouflaged by my imperial view or amazing naivety! You are plagued by the ability to remember all the detail and biblical requirement to process every bit of it! I very glad you are getting to purge and for an audience able to accept it.
Dear High Flying Colonel Homan (flying to Hawaii as I write):
I do not write to purge, as the stuff stays with me forever or until dementia overwhelms me.
You are correct about that two-edged sword of great memory. I’d like to shed some stuff, but
as Paul taught me so long ago that is not possible it is only possible to accommodate it.
So, accommodating through writing may well be what I am doing.
Newts Hat Store in the Royal Hawaiian. The Aloha Tower Aloha shirt, the version with the tower on the left breast.
Mahalo and Semper fi,
My friend,
Jim
Every chapter more intriguing than the last! Looking forward to the next.
By the way, I have not received my copy of book1 yet; hope it is coming soon.
Bob: Have no idea what might have happened. Send me your address on here immediately and I’ll get a book off
right quick. Thanks for the comment and I’ll stand by for your address. My personal email is antaresproductions@charter.net and my personal cell
is 262 581 5300.
Semper fi,
Jim
Another cliff-hanger ending!
Can’t wait to see the next installment.
Thanks a load Christopher…helps me keep going this morning…
Semper fi,
Jim
The cigarette was a Marlboro.
Michael, you are most correct…as usual. Thanks for the help
and writing about it on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
He had a succession of Rottweilers, all named Edelman!
Very true, Michael and thanks for pointing that rather odd reality out to all of us…
Semper fi,
Jim
I am going to give you another nickname:
“Cliff Hanger.”
Thanks for another heart pumping, mind churning chapter.
Going from a 140 MPH chase involving the personal physician of the president, to a mundane task involving a stray cat. What a roller coaster.
Fascinating.
And we have MORE mysteries to add to the pile.
Thanks Walter. I think I write those two words after every chapter lately! You are the man!
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
James, I suspect that Bozo will turn into a purr machine and a valued member of the family. When a cat decides to adopt you then it is a done deal. At present we don’t know what he looks like.
If Dr. Longren had slowed down and made his exit at Christianitos then he would have never passed by you (If I understand correctly).
It appears you have repaired Mrs. Beasley.
Bit by bit you are drawn into murky situations. We shall see.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
I sat down, pulled my previously made-up schedule
Maybe “pulling” rather than “pulled”
I sat down, pulling my previously made-up schedule
leaving his keys carelessly in it.
// Then why did “Gates threw a set of keys at me.”
Maybe better to go with the thrown set of keys and drop the part about the keys being in the vehicle.
the Marauder was could run significantly above that number.
Drop “was”
the Marauder could run significantly above that number.
slow to the side of the row so quickly, I had a hard bringing the Marauder down
“road” instead of “row”
Add “that” and drop comma after “quickly”
Add “time” after “hard”
slow to the side of the road so quickly that I had a hard time bringing the Marauder down
as if I stopped Porsche’s every day
Drop apostrophe
as if I stopped Porsches every day
it beginning to dawn on me
Maybe “began” instead of “beginning”
it began to dawn on me
Western White House and your headed there
“you’re” instead of “your”
Western White House and you’re headed there
bar of the gate and waved. Bill toward me.
Drop period after “waved”
bar of the gate and waved Bill toward me.
I’ve got to rush back and sit at the overpass
Maybe “on ramp” instead of “overpass”
I’ve got to rush back and sit at the on ramp
guys on duty at the compound, whomever they were, had sent in backup
“whoever” instead of “whomever”
guys on duty at the compound, whoever they were, had sent in backup
a guy not unlike you, to handle the situation.
Maybe drop “to”
a guy not unlike you, handle the situation.
I felt it unlikely, he knew Kissinger
Drop comma after “unlikely”
I felt it unlikely he knew Kissinger
giving up and getting out of the Mercedes.
// Earlier “I parked behind the Mercedes and walked over to the passenger
door…” You never said you got into the vehicle. Maybe add the detail.
right off the entrance to offramp.,
/ This is an “on ramp”
Add “the” before “offramp”
Drop period after “offramp”
right off the entrance to the on ramp,
The woman who’d trapped it when it was coming up to scrounge food
Maybe drop “who’d”
The woman trapped it when it was coming up to scrounge food
there was no way I could or would shoor it.
“shoot” instead of “shoor”
there was no way I could or would shoot it.
I was behind the car and the man driving it and getting away.
Maybe reword some:
Drop “and” before “getting”
I was behind the car and the man driving it getting away.
OR add “him” before “getting”
I was behind the car and the man driving it and him getting away.
// “behind” can mean position or responsibility
Maybe
I was responsible for the car and the man driving it getting away.
I’d locked him inside a trunk.
“the” instead of “a”
I’d locked him inside the trunk.
went inside to let me know what my intentions were about keeping a cat
Maybe “Mary” or “my wife” instead of “me”
went inside to let Mary know what my intentions were about keeping a cat
OR
went inside to let my wife know what my intentions were about keeping a cat
the cat followed Julie up and on into the open door
Drop “on”
the cat followed Julie up and into the open door
whatever else they do to wild animals.
Close quotes
whatever else they do to wild animals.”
animal and then getting his soaked and washed
Substitute “him” for “his”
animal and then getting him soaked and washed
wife know where I was going and then to get the patrol vehicle back
Drop “to” before “get”
wife know where I was going and then get the patrol vehicle back
Three dogs were waiting, while sitting politely
Maybe drop comma and “while”
Three dogs were waiting sitting politely
I waited from Bob to say what it was he was going to say.
“for” instead of “from”
I waited for Bob to say what it was he was going to say.
if that makes any sense.
Close quotes
if that makes any sense.”
Once gain I had no question to answer
“again” instead of “gain”
Once again I had no question to answer
Blessings & Be Well
As always, Dan your sharp eyes are Godsend.
Semper fi
Jim
Dear Dan: Got a breather for a bit so I thought I’d write. Your corrections, by the way, are never taken as advice. They are treated
as directives to be followed! You know how much I appreciate what you are doing and how much time you have to spend to do it. Nobody like you out here. Artificial Intelligence is not going to come close to what DanC can do!
Your friend
and Semper fi
Jim
James, I certainly appreciate the compliment. The story remains yours and in your voice. A community has formed around your work. Some of us do editing work. Others write comments that speak deeply of personal experience. And yet others write comments that just leave one amazed at their craftsmanship and profundity. May it continue.
Very interesting comment, DanC. The formation of something special here is something I’ve thought about for some time.
These comments are special in so many ways and I don’t know how to describe their effect on me, really.
Deep, emotional and very very touching. Thanks for describing it to perfection.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim