My eyes snapped open, and I took in a quick deep breath. The sound that had awakened me was that of a fifty-caliber machine gun firing at close range. The crack of it, with following cracks and echoes, assured that I was downrange from the muzzle blasts and the shockwave reflecting off of the projectiles exiting that muzzle at supersonic speeds. I was downrange. It could only be enemy fire. I came alive, jerking my sleepy slow body upward, the adrenalin beginning to kick in, as I pushed aside the water streaming mess of my poncho cover to face up into the pouring night.
“They’ve got their fifty-caliber set up,” Fusner said, needlessly, his face only inches from my own, like he’d been there waiting for me to come out all along.
We can wait for a while longer. Your health is far more important. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for your support, Mike
Semper fi
Jim
You are still in my prayer of healing from your heart “incident.” Take care of Number 1 first. The rest of us will wait further; on pins and needles from this segment, but surely we will wait. God Bless you and Yours.
Thanks for your caring and support, Bob.
Semper fi,
Jim
This chapter is missing from the Kindle version. How do I get it?
Send your address and I will send you the insert.
Semper fi, and sorry,
Jim
Jim, I have throughly enjoyed your writing. As a former US Air Force pilot and officer, I fully understand the need to make sure the troops are taken care of FIRST. As such, you need to take care of yourself as well. I saw that you have had a cardiac event. Your health is job one. You can get back to writing when that has all been taken care of. Be well, my friend.
Angiogram this morning, to check out the pump and see why it is complaining.
At laast it was complaining. Now it seems fine but they have to do due diligence.
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
Please concentrate on getting past your health issues. Your story can wait. Don’t discount your symptoms even though you may feel better now. My Father ignored or wouldn’t accept what was happening to him and he almost died.
I appreciate your input, Dave.
I am looking forward to being back on track.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT I read and re-read random chapters. In the comments on Day 26 you wrote “I visited the parents of one Marine and tried to tell them what really happened. My wife was right and I should
not have done that. I was too hurt myself and their violent rejection added measurably to my own low self worth. Never did I try that again.”. In ’67 I was home before my 2nd tour. A HS classmate and neighbor was home before his 1st tour as a chopper pilot WO. We had a few beers at each others home. Neither of us completed that tour. He was KIA. I got home the day before the burial and before my discharge. He had an honor guard on both sides of his casket. The only respectful clothes I had that fit was my uniform. When I showed up at the funeral home his mother went off on me. I left quickly and never went to another military funeral.
Thanks so much for your experience on here. Yes, coming home we had no idea of how deeply hurt and effected were those who
lost their important companions, sons, daughters and more.
Thanks for making me feel better about that bad experience.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, hope you are well. On behalf of all your fans on here, ‘We Miss You!” You left us in the middle of a battle; I’ve been checking daily. Understand the creative process takes time, plus revisiting deeply personal and emotional memories is another factor. Just letting you know we are patiently waiting and anxious to see the ending. I hope the Hollywood types are lined up with a movie or Netflix deal for you upon completion. Great characters. Look forward to the next installment. TJ
Yes, and I apologize. I had a heart issue but it has been resolved. Thanks for waiting.
Semper fi,
Jim
Great to hear you’re feeling better James. We can wait another few weeks. It’s only taken 50 years for your memories to land on paper. Pat (Chu Lai 68)
Thank you, Patrick.
Semper fi,
Jim
No apologies necessary. Your health is more important than the next chapter. We will be here when your able to complete this saga. Thank you James, get well.
I really appreciate your support, Phil.
Getting ‘back in the saddle’ soon.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, you certainly involve all of your readers in this fast-paced autobiography. We all (those of us who were involved) suffer in one form or another, but your writing is very difficult to stop reading.
Thank you for relating so very much. And the comments indicate the truth of “all of us who were there left the good part of our souls behind when we returned.
I have my Service Dog, Sunny, to help me with the phantoms in the dark, and hope all my brothers – and sisters – have some help with theirs.
The A- 1’s were all weather attack planes, but not “all-terrain” in the dark!
Yes, the Skyraiders! I can still hear them sometimes on a very windy but quiet day.
They had their limitations but they were there and they stayed on station almost no matter what.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hope all is well and new chapters will be coming soon. Fully understand the need to step back from time to time. Plus, life’s demands on time do get in the way.
Just a quick note of thanks bundled with a ton of encouragement as you push through those last few days.
Sincerely,
Jim
I really appreciate the support from you and so many readers.
There are so many factors involved in writing about those 30 Days.
Semper fi,
Jim
10 November 1775. Semper Fi !
HooRah!
happy Birthday Marines!
October 3, September 30 has come and gone and the story has not come to an end. I can only say I am not disappointed because I didn’t want the end to come. Maybe September 2020?
Semper Fi Sir
I meant to finish at the end of September but, real life comes at me and it is not always allowable for me
to step away from it long enough to finish the next segment.
Thanks for caring and things for expressing that care here…
Semper fi,
Jim
I read the 28th day part 1 two days ago, now unable to pull up or find ?
I have not posted the Twenty-Eight Day Part One.
The most recent is
Twenty-Seventh Night, Third Part
We
will wait Sir !!
update soon?
Working on it, Eric.
Thanks for your support.
Semper fi
Jim
It’s been two months since you last added to the story. Are you alright???
Yes, I indeed had a heart problem but it has been resolved and I shall get back at it immediately….
Thanks Jim for getting us one chapter closer to the end, Sometimes I consider not reading any more because Combat sucked then ,now and will forever, Although i do feel its helped me with some issues I have with my past. I do enjoy reading even thou I did not have it as bad as your group. 50 years ago this week was my first combat mission, 101St, we were working just a couple clicks south of the DMZ, We took over that area from the Marines that were there. So it was a difficult first week. My 30 days ended Mid oct of 69.