The one thing I’d come to understand about whatever it was I was supposed to be doing for the Western Whitehouse, at first with Haldeman and now no doubt with Mardian, was immediacy. When people in their positions wanted something, they wanted it right now. Physically and psychologically I was beaten down for the day and only wanted to go back to the apartment on Cabrillo Avenue in downtown San Clemente and be with my wife and daughter, at least for a while.
“When?” I asked Mardian.
When is the THE COWARDLY LION, Book Two, Chapter VIII going to come out?
Published late last night.
Love this stories so much. When will the next chapter be out? I’ve found myself past few weeks checking the site twice a day for it!
Jim, I have a big problem with your writing: You attract my attention entirely, making me eager to keep reading – then drop the hammer as the chapter ends, making me wait for the next installment!
You’ve certainly lead an interesting life, in one situation after another. In some ways I don’t envy you a bit, as mine has been also. Hard for me to have put down roots with all the moving hither and yon. And yeah, PTSD surely raises it surly head, pushing here, pulling there. Hard to maintain friendships, or relationships, for that matter.
Ol’ Agent Orange keeps bee-bopping along – sometimes more pain than I feel I can tolerate, then I think of others and what they have been through, and somehow manage to keep hanging in there. Looking at hip joints being replaced in the next month or two. Not a pleasant thought for one who lives alone.
So, I thank you for the distraction, wondering how you are going to get through the next situation, then the one after that. Write faster!
Semper Fi, my friendly author.
Thanks Craig for this very perceptive comment, plus its depth.
Reread it several times. Thanks for the compliments and also for this kind of comment written on here.
Semper fi,
Jim
The A Shau Valley was relentless on everyone it seems LT. I look at any writeup I find to see if it may be someone I knew and found this.
On May 21, 1967, he was shot down in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam while flying as a pilot on UH-1C gunship 65-09480, assigned to the 281st Assault Helicopter Company. Walter was listed as missing in action. During this time he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO).
The town of Freehold established a memorial of crosses near the downtown area for all of the Freehold residents who were killed or missing in action during the Vietnam conflict.
Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being listed as MIA:
Walter F. Wrobleski was the pilot of a UH1C gunship on an extraction mission in the A Shau Valley on May 21, 1967. He sighted the patrol he was to extract and other gunships accompanying Wrobleski established an orbit overhead.
Wrobleski was making a strafing run when his helicopter was hit by a burst from a heavy caliber machine gun, and the engine stopped. The aircraft immediately received more fire, causing it to go out of control and crash. It rolled down a ravine, and because of the intensity of enemy fire, other choppers could not get close enough to see if there were survivors.
At 3:57 p.m. the chopper exploded and started to burn. An Air Force search and rescue aircraft attempted to drop a paramedic team near the crash site, but were unable to maintain a hover to do so. Later, a Marine CH46 helicopter rescued one individual alive from the site. Subsequently, two other men from the incident were hoisted out under heavy enemy fire. Not realizing the two were on the lines, the aircraft, receiving fire, attempted to evade fire, dragging the hoist through the trees. The two men were knocked off the hoist.
Rescue aircraft continued to orbit the area and flashed signals to the ground. Those signals were answered from the recovery area and then from a light from the crash site. Because of the terrain and the short time between sightings, it was believed the signals could have been from the same individual.
On May 22, a Vietnamese Ranger company that had been inserted into the area located one of the individuals and had him evacuated by helicopter. The next day the Rangers located the other individual who walked out with them. Two American advisors who were with the Ranger unit made a thorough search of the wreckage and the surrounding area trying to find evidence of human remains. They believed at that time that the Viet Cong had not visited the site because of items they found that the Viet Cong would normally have salvaged.
No sign of Wrobleski was ever found. He is listed as missing in action.
Wow! Now that’s a comment of worth for certain. Thanks so much for such a revelation of fact and emotion. I got it and I know others on this site will get it too.
Semper fi, and I can’t thank you enough.
Jim
So it seems you weren’t really flying solo to D.C. after all Lt.,
you just didn’t know it at first !! Good catch seeing that young man in the back of the plane and putting it all together as you did.
The mystery days lay ahead…. ??
Can’t wait 🙂
SEMPER Fi
There was a lot going on back then that was mostly behind the veil kind of junk.
It was interesting to sort of a ‘house mouse’ there and now to relate small details that
are never brought up or brought to light by anybody else…not that I’ve read anyway.
Thanks for the enthusiasm and compliment in your writing….
Semper fi,
Jim
LT/Jim,
Great chapter!
Dirty tricks division of the Nixon administration…
Can’t wait to read more–and see how you trapse through this dung filled barnyard and keep your boots clean.
*************
Having thought about YOUR life (as glimpsed through “Thirty Days Has September” series and “The Cowardly Lion”) as well as my own life, I came to the conclusion a few years back that life’s pivotal events and happenings are chucked full–in some combinations–of being in the 1. right place at the right time, 2. wrong place at the wrong time, 3. right place at the wrong time and 4. wrong place at the right time. How we handle each of these four situations will make or break us.
Even in those “wrong place at the wrong time” situations that are thrust upon us, some of us can–and do–manage to successfully navigate those horrid and hellish situations and make the best of (or at least survive) those situations.
We all experience and navigate each of those combinations of “time/place.” I must say that your writings of events in your life should be required reading for the younger generation. Your personal story is inspirational. What you have faced and how you rose to the various “time/place” occasions and tackled what was placed before you and how you made the best of even bad situations is commendable, to say the least.
You are an astounding character, for sure. And a most admirable one who uses his thinking and analytical skills to the fullest.
I would suggest that when we–your readers–are facing thorny problems and moral dilemmas in our personal pathways of life, we should all say to ourselves WWJD (“What Would Jim Do”). How you have lived your life gives us a good blueprint to follow.
Keep the chapters coming!
Walter, I put this comment up on the Facebook site that gets much more traffic. It’s about the most complimentary comment I’ve ever
gotten. WWJD. Unreal! Through this litany of life that I’ve been writing about (all the books published and the ones coming are mostly about the realities I have lived through, rather than fiction) there are plenty of sequences where I not only got into pretty tough situations but also made some really bad or dumb decisions. Real life. No matter how smart a person is, there is always the element of life experience, and you can’t accumulate, hold or retain all life experience out here. The most brilliant person in the world can fall prey to the simplest of bar room tricks…unless the person’s brilliance allows them to know enough not to play the game. I was with a true genius in New Orleans once who thought he could beat a bar room trickster. The man bet him a hundred dollars what he could tell the genius where he got his shoes. My genius buddy trotted out a hundred dollar bill and whispered to me that he’d purchased his shoes in England at a private shoe maker on New Bond Street. I told him not to play. He asked me why. “Because this is what he does.” My buddy lost his hundred when the man said: “You got them shoes on your feet.”Thanks for much for this great compliment and also the loyalty and continuing support you have given me through these last years….
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Thanks for keeping them coming. Always the high point of the day when I get a new chapter!
Now that’s a great compliment, if I may say so. It does take a great deal of motivation to continue…as the more I publish the further I get behind,
except for that I make signing the books. Amazon and Barnes and Noble now pay so terribly to authors. Anyway, I’m just finished with the first two
pages of Chapter VIII…and people like you Brad are making it all happen.
Semper fi,
Jim
You’re slowly being drawn into the snake pit of foul play. My guess that they chose a Marine because they knew you could be trusted. I, too, share all things with my wife! Keep your head up Jim, you’ll come out ahead!!
Thanks Leo, and yes, obviously I made it on through because I am here writing on this site.
Appreciate you being so inside the story, though!
Big compliment to the writing. Much appreciated too.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks for another great chapter. Semper Fi!
Thanks a lot Michael, as compliments like yours keep me going on into the next chapter when I finish one. I am writing VIII right this minute,
with only a break to reply to comments, which I do as soon as I can.
Semper fi,
Jim
I have been wondering about The Boy series. Enjoyed this book. Hoping to see you writing a follow up to this first novel as it seems to have a lot of legs left. When you have time-Ha. Great story .
The second novel in the series is published and can be had at Amazon or by letting me know and sending a check if you want a signed copy.
The second novel is called the Warrior, the third is the the Chief and then there’s one more to be written to finish.
Thanks for asking about it and thanks for liking the story.
Semper fi,
Jim
Man, talk about twists and turns, webs we weave, etc
I am hoping to find out if the aircraft lavatory was was really out of order, or another player just stepped onto the stage!! From what I recall from the time, I never did take a liking to Haldeman, always thought he was a sneaky so-and-so! Thanks LT.
Man oh man, I do enjoy getting some of these comments. Back then, through time and even near this present I never considered the fact that the broken bathroom might be another ruse,
maybe by some opposing force. Interesting to think that deeply and that twisted!
Thanks for that. I don’t know the answer to that, of course, as the flight was never discussed again with anyone.
Semper fi, and thanks for the great comment.
Jim
I was fortunate enough to be busy enough not to check my email. When I did there were 2 not 1 chapter waiting for me!!! If they came any faster I would never get anything done! Thanks again for keeping me on my toes and for another awesome segment to read!!!
Thanks a lot Johnny, as I put your comment on my other sites. Nice compliment, I’ll say!
Semper fi,
Jim
Reminds me of a story a good friend told me. He was at that time an Army Captain ready to leave the service. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do but saw an ad recruiting for the CIA. He applied and was told to meet at a certain room in an office building for his interview. He arrived and went to the floor but the room number did not exist. He walked the hall several times but there was no such number. He started to leave, hesitated, and said to himself nah no way. Went back down the hall and opened the janitors closet door. A man was sitting there on a barrel and said. Mr F……. I presume? He had passed his first test.
Thanks for your personal stuff on here. Always helps to be fully involved and I’m so happy that my writing makes you recall such things!
Semper fi,
Jim
Holy cow, Jim! I’m about to fall off of my seat almost like when one of my pilots decided to make a tach approach on one of our DUSTOFF missions without giving anyone notice. That was the closest I came to falling out of our helicopter. Great writing!
Thanks Cary. Neat, concise and meaningful compliment, as well as some of your own personal stuff.
Much appreciated.
Semper fi,
Jim
Getting fast paced and curiously interesting. LT, you do know how to captivate and keep an audience. Hopefully we will be reintroduced to the Gunny again soon.
The men that survived the Valley had this weird way of coming back into my life at later times.
Unexpected and always faintly disturbing, although always welcome. Much better than going to a Basic
School class reunion…an experience I will forego on into the future.
Semper fi,
and thanks.
Jim
KEEP US WANTING MORE. JAMES
I shall endeavor to persevere in that regard Robert and I thank you for making that statement, which is a compliment for certain.
Semper fi,
Jim
Enjoyed the story. Happy to see you are busy with the book.
Thanks H. Kemp. You have been a trooper for a long time with me here. Much appreciate the short but meaningful comment and
compliment lightly but sincerely delivered.
Semper fi,
Jim
I enjoy your stories.
Thanks for the brief laconic compliment. Helps me and makes me smile.
Thanks for that.
Semper fi,
Jim
You are always so spot on with your sharp editing, Dan.
One thing to know “Jules” has been a nickname ‘forever’ ~~Smile
Great read. Glad your feeling better and writing again. I look forward to each chapter.
Thanks Ted, and yes, I’m feeling much better. Even better as I read some of these comments and then make
time to answer them…one and all. Thanks for the compliment and I am hard at writing Chapter VIII.
Semper fi,
Jim
Incredible look inside at the events most of us saw only from the outside..way outside 🙂
Riveting as your telling usually is .. Thank you ..
When I laid here on that gurney in the Yokosuka Naval Hospital I prayed to God that I would not survive to lead a regular
boring life. I think He heard me and then pointed his Godly finger down and said “You Got It Little One.”
Here I am writing about what my prayer result has wrought…
Semper fi, and thanks for the compliment.
Jim
Oh boy Lt, you seem to be getting deeper and deeper into who knows what! And off to a second mission too!!! Sounds like your wife knows better what is going on than you. Never doubt the power of a women’s intuition!! Keep the chapters a coming, am on the edge of my chair. Semper Fi sir!!
My wife and I were so very young, although gaining life experience at near light speed.
Funny that when you get really older and have all that life experience it is nearly useless for other people because
it is mostly not believable. Hence, or common current condition as a nation.
Semper fi, and thanks for the great compliment.
Jim
Wow.Getting tested big time James.
I always have wondered what would have happened if I had opened the envelope. It it was empty, then what? If it was not?
But, here I am with the mystery of that event never to be revealed to me or anyone else.
Semper fi,
Jim
wow this is very thought-provoking I’ve read it once and I have two initial reactions one what is with this cloak and dagger stuff? The second is when you saw the tag commander it’s funny how when we were young and just out of the Corps where rank and importance were displayed visibly when we got to the so-called civilian world those little things that determine that incredibly important level of being somebody were different yet speaking only for myself they were very important to me
you certainly hung out with some shady characters isn’t it funny though how this drive to seem important at least in our own minds was often done by the exterior demonstration of our importance in the outside world at some point in my life I realized that when I went to the grocery store or the gas station nobody asked for my title my business card how large was my office they just wanted the cash to pay for the bill this one is definitely going to take another reading and some more thoughtOnce again you have stimulated the brain cells and at our age that is no laughing matter Semper Fi my good friend
Rich, you and I both have enjoyed the upside and downside of not being famous. Famous people have no choice at being recognized, even at the grocery store. People like you and I can ‘hide’ in plain sight and that’s a gift that is not only subtle but relaxing. It does not pay the bills, however. Famous people trade in the benefit of always being able to pay the bills but doing so while being followed, photoed, harassed and asked for stuff for the entirety of their lives.
Semper fi, my unknown but beloved friend,
Jim
James,
For me, there are two elements in your writing that keep bringing me back. First, is your attention to detail wording that tells the story through pictures and images, especially in your thought process as you work through your actions.
But second, you have been thrown into some incredible unique situations that, to an outside observer, are just so damn interesting!
Years ago when I first started working through the beginning of the 1st 10 days, you got dropped into a inter-company race war while simultaneously striving to survive combat against the Vietnamese. Then you come home to heal up and get befriended by Mickey Thompson! Now your story is centered around the cloak and dagger of the Nixon escapades!
Lt, you’ve lived a very colorful life!
My life has been so uncommonly strange Bruce and I’ve rubbed shoulders with so many who’ve gone so far…some dragging me along with them.
I think I chose to have a colorful life following my survival from the Valley, but it’s not something I ever really thought about except for requesting that kind of favor from God on that gurney back in 1968.
Thanks for the great comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Well this is certainly getting more intrestinng by the the minute . You just had to run the fact through your mind that you have become involved in the dark side so to speak Sir . Cannot hardly wait for the next adventure to start ! Stay alert and revert back to ” JR ” ,you may need ” him ” again !
With the kind of PTSD I was issued, Junior remains down there and patiently waiting for life. I have spent some considerable energy and concern keeping him ‘down there’ so to speak for most of my life. Most successful at it too. There is some satisfaction in having him still around though. Macho men, and America and the world has plenty of them…have no clue, and, coupled with my rather innocent looks and personality, have no warning wither. Advantage in!
Semper fi,
Jim
Play with your mind, knowing what happened in later Nixon years, can’t wait for more info. Must have been legal as I guess you never went to prison.
Pete, as usual right on top of things when you comment. Not always accurate, but who the hell is. Six prisons.
Thanks for the compliment in your words…
Semper fi,
Jim