Gularte and I worked back and forth across our interconnected plots of sand, rolling over the state beach area without stopping, as the state guards didn’t much appreciate the beach patrol’s existence much less the mostly reserve officers that manned it.
“It’s a turf thing,” Gularte commented, after I said a few uncomplimentary words about the state guard force. “The Highway Patrol gets bored when there’s nobody on the freeway coming through town on week nights so they enter San Clemente and patrol the bars and stuff in order to have something to do and justify their existence.”
Enjoyed this chapter very much, thanks!
You are most welcome William and thanks for saying so on this public site!
Semper fi,
Jim
Great story telling Sir!
Now you have assumed the role of necromancer in controling the collection of malevolent spirits swirling about you. The COS, Mardian, Dept Supervisors, the magnificent 7, the claymore, the 3 lost marines…
An impressive array of forces all demanding something different and you holding onto finding yourself in this confluence of purpose. It is truly hard to find yourself when you have to be something different to everyone else in your world, you become a constellation of compartments. To only open the box when you need it.
I find myself checking my email everyday for the next chapter! What extradordinary experiences and truly gifted writing, keep em coming!
Wow! such a terrific comment in every way. A great pleasure to read and the compliment as well.
Thanks so much for putting your opinion up on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
So many forks in the trail with lots of interesting souls traversing them ,really makes my 70 year old mind work to keep it all sorted out and in order. I have neve read anything this interesting chapter after chapter! What a life you lived then Jim.
thank you from the depths my friend. I pout both your and James Johnston’s comments up on my Facebook pages. Who gets compliments as an author like that these days? Hell, any days?
Much appreciate the impetus you give me to continue on into this night. Writing away….
Semper fi,
Jim
Yup, that picture in my mind of the Porshe sitting three fathoms deep in the basin was correct. Still haven’t figured out the expected results or potential repercussions. You do have some great friends there. To have trust in someone to do those things with you is very much like the trust you have to have in those around you in combat. Someone to cover your six. You are on a roll, Lt. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thanks, Rick! Much appreciate your expectancy of this coming chapter, which is seventy-five percent complete as I write on into this night.
With a smile on my face, I might add. You and the ‘crew’ out here sure as hell keep me going….
Semper fi,
JIm
JIM THIS IS AN EXCITING CHAPTER! Can’t wait till the next one.
Thanks Jim, really appreciate the ‘atta boy’ and the get up and go that compliments like your own infuse me with!
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
What a brilliant chapter. Your writing tells an exceptional story, but if one looks closely, you leave little Hansel and Gretel tidbits. It is like an onion, you can remove the thin brown skin, and eat the onion; but if you peel back more layers you get the sweetest part,
You are allegedly an anthropologist versed in the mores and rituals of Indigenous peoples. So “cargo cult “becomes the start of the trail.
A cargo cult is a term used to describe a phenomenon observed in certain societies, particularly in the South Pacific region, where people develop rituals, beliefs, and practices centered around the expectation of receiving material wealth or “cargo” from more technologically advanced societies or supernatural forces.
The term “cargo cult” originated during and after World War II when Indigenous populations in the South Pacific witnessed the arrival of Western military forces with advanced technology, goods, and supplies. When these forces departed after the war, some Indigenous groups, not fully understanding the source of the material wealth, began to engage in rituals and activities aimed at attracting similar cargo from the skies or from supernatural beings.
Cargo cults often involve the construction of symbolic runways, airplanes, control towers, and other structures mimicking Western technology, as well as rituals and dances meant to summon the arrival of cargo. These beliefs and practices are rooted in a desire for economic prosperity and improvement in living conditions.
It is important to note that cargo cults are typically seen as a form of cultural misunderstanding and adaptation in response to rapid social and technological changes. They reflect the desire for a better quality of life but are based on a misunderstanding of the causal relationships involved. Over time, many cargo cults have either evolved, adapted, or faded away as societies have continued to interact with the modern world.
The message is hiding the Bronco, using the Marauder to reach the “cargo,” i.e., Porsche is telling. However, no one was surprised as it slipped into the depths.
Next comes Catholic guilt. You know you done wrong, but it was right.
Anticipating a reprimand for a transgression that a person had no way of knowing about can create anxiety and stress.
I have an example from my own experiences. When I was in college, we lived in jock dorm, and a group of my roommates were suspected of academic credibility issues, namely, cheating.Suspicion bounded all over the house of fifty and everyone wondering who had leaked to the dean of students.
I knew of what they were doing, but it was a topic it was unconcerned to me, because I was in a beautiful place with the course and did not need to cheat to achieve a superior grade. No one wants to be thought of being a snitch or accused by his peers so I went to see my academic advisor a professor in the Phys ed department. I laid everything out for him in complete confidence and I trusted him 110%. He gave me advice on how to manage my meeting with the dean because we were all going to see him.
Number one he said listen as you receive information about the transgression, you will be able to see what they are talking about. Then he reminded me to seek clarification if make sure I understood any questions completely, and stay calm easier said than done, and I knew that there was no way they suspected me of being part of the cheating ring, but sometimes being a rat is worse than the actual crime amid social pressure.
So, I attended the meeting and he started by asking me if I knew anything about cheating going on in physiology class. I said I have heard rumors, but that was the extent of my knowledge then he said to me Well we know you are not one of them because you have shown nothing but phenomenal work in this class and keep it up. Do you have any idea who the culprits might be?
I said to Dino’s friend, even if I knew it would be unethical for me to say anything, because I have no proof nor knowledge that anything is going on and there is nothing worse in this world than being falsely accused.
he told me you are a man of honor and integrity, and you are a wonderful example of student athletes at this university I said, thank you, and got the hell out of there.
A short postscript they never accused, nor caught the cheaters, but they began to assign seats in the lecture hall for people to take the exams.
We are not there in the story but I am sure you oversaw it well.
Didn’t you? I mean you are still alive.
Dear Rich, I am not alleged in anthropology. I hold a Ph.D in ethnology, which used to be called cultural anthropology until they changed it. I studied cargo caults, however, all the way back to the erly sixties when I was under graduating in sociology and anthropology. Your understanding of later cultural theory about the phenomenon and then the transfer of that theory over to explain some forms of social behavior is flawed, as are some of those theoretical pursuits. The cargo cults were simple manifestations of the old hoard phrase “if the technology is advanced enough then those viewing it will come to see it as magic.’ Airplanes were magic to those people fortunate enough to have a loaded cargo plane land or crash among them under such near genetically uneducated tribal situations. We could go on, I presume, since apparently you do have some alleged anthropology credentials of our own. Thanks for the great essay on your experience with that cheating scandal situation. As Snowdon, Ellsberg and Manning proved, being a ‘snitch’ even when the results are beneficial to the entire world around you can be harshly punished by that same benefiting collection of societies. Sounds like you guided yourself well on through that one.
Thanks for the compliment of your extensive writing of interest and applicability on this site.
Ssemper fi, my friend,
Jim
Well, that chapter was too short.
That song got a second mission. One lesson from back in the Valley was to not return over previously covered ground. Maybe this doesn’t end like the return to the top of the cliff, but repercussions could be around the corner. Your tactics are becoming more refined, though.
Next to Mary, Gularte is your closest confidante. Overlooking him in the trust conversation might mean that your level of trust extends to a point in your subconscious that is truly safe.
(Im) patiently waiting….
Todd F
Thanks for your patience, Todd, and your ability to deftly and elegantly describe some of what has to be going on behind the scenes as things continue to develop.
And the compliments, of course.
Semper fi,
Jim
Again I drop everything to read the next chapter. Left with another cliff hanger. Keep them coming
Thanks Phil, some of the stuff that was going on was pretty damned funny, although very edgy at the time.
I had not truly inculcated just how punishing the U.S. society could be to outliers who might have no real
understanding that they could, doing such things as I did, be putting their whole life on the line for
things that were relatively meaningless. Thanks for the dropping everyone. Made my day…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT the chapter was as good of an attention grabber as all the rest! I check my email daily looking for the next chapter!!@
Sgt Johnny Applewhite USMC 81-89
Johnny Appleseed, or rather Applewhite (which you’ve never heard the juxtaposition before) please stand by for the next installment, as life was throwing changeups at me nearly every day back in those days. Thanks for being on here with the rest of us, by the way.
Semper fi,
Jim
U Boat Porsche submarine! I’m still laughing
I like that ‘U-Boat’ analogy and smile right along with you…now.
Thanks for the compliment inherent in your single sentence.
Semper fi,
Jim
I find it very interesting that you are working very hard to assimilate back into a “World” environment that as critically intensive & different from normal as the Ahsau experience….7 West Pointers; Watergate & California Western Whitehouse! Honored to be listening! The Bug in the Bronco is just as pertinent now! Can’t imagine this laundry will stay in the defilade! Always have you back Brother….
Thank you my great friend. For over there and over here. The truth will out and its been a long time in the coming.
Semper fi,
My friend,
Jim
Sometimes your own fellow citizens are far worse enemies than those you are facing on a battlefield .
Thanks Chuck, for a deep comment. That short bit of writing could be one whole nights discussion.
What do you mean by the word worse? Your point is that it can sometimes be as dangerous back here in
the supposed civilized home ground as it can be down in the A Shau. I can’t disagree with that one,
particularly for combat vets coming home and thinking there are no dangers back home because they did
not have enough life experience to know about them before they went to war.
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh you have really stirred up a hornets nest haven’t you!! And you appear as cool as a cucumber. Awesome read Lt can’t wait for your meeting with Charlie Oscar Sierra!!
I waited to appear before Charlie Oscar with a bit more trepidation at the time, Bob! Thanks for being so physically and mentally invested in the series.
I could only hope that the ‘rest of the story’ would not be ignored because 30 Days was such a shocking piece of literature.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, The Porsche sleeps with the fishes as expected. You still have to wax and polish the Marauder for Gates.
Interesting that Gularte thinks Steve Bro might have placed the Claymore.
If so, that’s sorta good news. Steve wouldn’t have access to a live munition nor any sane reason to blow you guys away.
The line about tadpoles growing into frogs and the following paragraph contain great wisdom.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
poaching on our turf,” for no good reason
Quote mark after “turf” unnecessary
poaching on our turf, for no good reason
nothing going on out on along the surf line
Two “on” Drop second
nothing going on out along the surf line
we could hear radio transmission from inside
Maybe “transmissions”
we could hear radio transmissions from inside
“Gentleman,” in Spanish,” I answered
Think we need ‘Gentleman’ in single quotes
All within the quoted sentence
“’Gentleman,’ in Spanish,” I answered
Gularte said, hist tone going submissive and controlled
“his” rather than “hist”
Gularte said, his tone going submissive and controlled
Gularte’s anger toward Bro was the same as I had toward the insulting conduct Little Mardian had committed, yet I was willing to do nothing to correct his conduct.
/ “his conduct” What I get is – you are paying back Little Mardian for his conduct but are not supporting Gularte in paying back Bro for his conduct. My guess is “his” refers to Steve Bro. Maybe make that specific./
Gularte’s anger toward Bro was the same as I had toward the insulting conduct Little Mardian had committed, yet I was willing to do nothing to correct Bro’s conduct.
The Marauder burst into it’s low growling start
“its” instead of “it’s” no apostrophe
The Marauder burst into its low growling start
Gularte asked when the Marauder pulled across the parking lot so he could drive it back.
/ Context seems that Gularte drove the Bronco back, while you stayed in the Marauder./ Maybe reword.
Gularte asked when I pulled the Marauder across the parking lot so he could drive the Bronco back.
Bob was waiting at the headquarters like he knew were coming
Add “we” before “were”
Bob was waiting at the headquarters like he knew we were coming
“Sorry about Bro,” his mom is having some medical issues.”
Drop quote mark after “Bro”
“Sorry about Bro, his mom is having some medical issues.”
Gularte has ‘hidalgo’ skin as thick as a lizards
Add apostrophe to “lizards”
Gularte has ‘hidalgo’ skin as thick as a lizard’s
Dana Point high tides usually never an above five feet
Maybe add “were” before “never”
Drop “an”
Dana Point high tides usually were never above five feet
ramp extended down from turning the lights out as I went
Drop “from” add comma in its place
ramp extended down, turning the lights out as I went
I was wont to return the Marauder to Gates with any damage
“wont” doesn’t seem to fit.
Maybe “loath” or “reluctant”
I was loath to return the Marauder to Gates with any damage
OR
I was reluctant to return the Marauder to Gates with any damage
while we weren’t anywhere near to our area of operations
“to” seems extra
while we weren’t anywhere near our area of operations
two men showed up on an unmarked Lincoln
“in” instead of “on”
two men showed up in an unmarked Lincoln
more than surprising.
Close quotes
more than surprising.”
pulled the Door’s tape from inside my tactical shirt
Don’t think we need apostrophe in “Door’s”
pulled the Doors tape from inside my tactical shirt
Gularte leaned into this side of the vehicle
Maybe “his” rather than “this”
Gularte leaned into his side of the vehicle
and you didn’t wear nay gloves yourself
“any” instead of “nay”
and you didn’t wear any gloves yourself
Porsche when its finally pulled
Add apostrophe “it’s” It is
Porsche when it’s finally pulled
then putting the tactical stuff in the back seat
“put” instead of “putting”
then put the tactical stuff in the back seat
my heart’s still beating like a drum?
Close quotes
my heart’s still beating like a drum?”
Blessings & Be Well
Great work and great conclusions and suppositions my friend. The chapters click off now, gathering heat and steam as they go.
Thanks for all you do to make all of this possible.
Your friend,
and Semper fi,
Jim
James/LT/Sir,
You of all people should know that well-laid plans still have uncontrollable outside factors that can be a monkey wrench that can derail them.
Hope you have not gotten your keester in a grinder with this caper.
You sure give the impression in what you wrote in this chapter that you think you have pulled it off without any monkey wrenches being in play that will make this turn out badly for you. Hope you are right. You DO have a lot to lose. A lot of risky shenanigans here for questionable benefit? Guess you did not see it that way and felt your mission had a necessary purpose.
Thanks for getting another good chapter served up to your readership.
Time to mull this chapter over while I stay tuned until your next installment of enlightenment.
The Walter Duke! The mission did have a necessary purpose, or rather, several, as yet unrevealed. Things made senes back then but only as time went by.
It was almost impossible to see things as they truly were as all I would get was pieces of mosaic art work, and not be able to stand back and see
the entire work, until time had gone by. Thanks for the usual perception and support.
Your friend,
Semper fi,
Jim
WOW, what a chapter. The next chapters are going to be even better. Can’t wait. As I said before somebody close to you are not who they pretend to be. But who is the big question.
Thanks JT, for your expectation of even better, and, of course, more.
Lots of questions still unanswered but we are proceeding at flank speed.
Semper fi,
Jim
Gularte eased the Bronco along in first gear low register (range?)
“……set for sundown, took place, Gularte and I ware (were) back, waiting”
….little question that Little Marxian had no care or feeling (awkward) toward his father
leather gloves, “and you didn’t wear nay (any) gloves yourself.”
Thanks Sam, for the help here and making a comment on the site…
Semper fi,
Jim
Nice mission, neatly done. I miss the “Thirty Days” mission names.
I had some catch up reading to do, where does the time go?
Take care and keep cranking them out sir.
Tim
The mission names had real meaning and there are some still here in the series, but you will have
to pay attention very keenly…oh, and thank you most sincerely….
Semper fi,
Jim
Fantastic twist and turn chapter James. A real head scratcher
.
Thank you so much, Charles. Always good to read what you write on here. My great friend up there
in Green Bay, where I never seem to get!
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, this episode reminds me of midnight shopping and the five finger discount of the old days. It seems that getting caught doesn’t really phase you!
Thanks Leo, for that thinking on your part and my laughing to go with it.
Much appreciate this comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
hist* tone going submissive (*his)
headquarters like he knew (*we) were coming. The giant garage door on the left, where he’d been
Gularte and I ware* (*were) back, waiting outside the third door at the lifeguard headquarters
Ok then, one high $ Porsche in for a saltwater bath with a tape that may or may not become a focal point in the not too distant future !!
Oh boy the game is now truly afoot Lt. 🙂
Keep ’em coming James !!
Thanks, SgtBob, as usual. And for the help too. Your compliment is well taken and enjoyed, as well.
I am keeping them coming and the next chapter is almost ready to go and it’s only Saturday night.
Semper fi,
Jim