A message to my friends - The Firearms Forum

Mithrandir · 12-15-2003, 03:50 PM

This is somewhat of a rant……with all the things that are going on in the world, and my life….If you can call it that…..some things are bearing down on me…..

One thing is sticking in my thoughts…….and…maybe …yours too!!

My time as a soldier………….is over……………

I relish the memories………both good & bad……….

The times with my soldiering friends seems…

Well…….

All too short for my liking……….

After Vietnam…..I made a serious mistake by always holding them at arms length to me….

I hurt so bad when my first friend was killed.. and witnessing the Marines at the river didn't help much either….that I did not wish to EVER feel that way again…..

So…

I held all my Reserve friends….both Army & Marine….at arms length…..

Aloof….

I mean…I DID care about them…..I just couldn't bring myself to try to involve myself into their lives…their wives…children and such….

My job was to train them for seeing the elephant…. Not to ride the damn thing like I had…..

I went to drills…had fun…. Laughed a lot…played a lot…and we all worked very hard at soldier games….and believe me…we ALL took them very seriously….

But….there was no war…. So it seemed we were just "going-through-the-motions" knowing that we would not be called again….

Even during the Gulf War….we supported the young ones going out…

BUT we all knew in our hearts that they were not in the game up to their necks….the enemy was..

Well…..wussies!!! and it was over before it began…..

But…ten years had passed before this war…..the equipment being used now and the kids I had trained had become adults…mature, and they, in turn… were training the children of my children with gear I could only dream about…....

And as I am sorry, extremely sorry…. that I didn't get more involved with them…the time I spent seems to have paid off….

Several of the kids I trained have reported that their sons…and daughters…..have made it home….

They express gratitude to me for taking the time to teach them the things that were well beyond TRADOC doctrine….and they passed it on…..

I feel…………..

So very humble for those words,

from people I didn't involve with as I should have….

And I thank God every day for my life…

And for Him guarding over them in these perilous times.

As Christmas approaches… I will remember them to Him as I will remember His Son….and if I may….all of you too, for…without those of you out there in the voids of space…I would not have voices to guide me in the darkness….

Merry Christmas…..and as Red Skelton used to say…"May God Bless"

Out…

rooter · 12-15-2003, 06:30 PM

A heartfelt testamonial Mith---I was moved with your elequence and compassion. Seemed as if it was a measurement of what you wanted to do, and what you actually achieved. I enjoyed it and thank you for sharing. Wilborn

Hope 69/70 · 12-15-2003, 10:21 PM

As I read your thoughts Mith, I feel like I am reading a very beautiful Christmas Card.

Thank you for presenting that for us to share and feel the warmeth of your caring of others.

You are not the only one who held others at arms length. I believe we all did that at one time or another. It was something most of uss did without much thought about it. It made for good defense. However, we are all here and we are able to rant to one another. Kind of makes one feel good to be able to do that, knowing the others have an idea of how you are feeling.

May God Bless you Mith and may He bless you with a Wonderful Christmas!

Hope

12-15-2003, 03:50 PM	#1
Mithrandir Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Durango Colorado, the right knee-pit of Colorado Posts: 822	A message to my friends This is somewhat of a rant……with all the things that are going on in the world, and my life….If you can call it that…..some things are bearing down on me….. One thing is sticking in my thoughts…….and…maybe …yours too!! My time as a soldier………….is over…………… I relish the memories………both good & bad………. The times with my soldiering friends seems… Well……. All too short for my liking………. After Vietnam…..I made a serious mistake by always holding them at arms length to me…. I hurt so bad when my first friend was killed.. and witnessing the Marines at the river didn't help much either….that I did not wish to EVER feel that way again….. So… I held all my Reserve friends….both Army & Marine….at arms length….. Aloof…. I mean…I DID care about them…..I just couldn't bring myself to try to involve myself into their lives…their wives…children and such…. My job was to train them for seeing the elephant…. Not to ride the damn thing like I had….. I went to drills…had fun…. Laughed a lot…played a lot…and we all worked very hard at soldier games….and believe me…we ALL took them very seriously…. But….there was no war…. So it seemed we were just "going-through-the-motions" knowing that we would not be called again…. Even during the Gulf War….we supported the young ones going out… BUT we all knew in our hearts that they were not in the game up to their necks….the enemy was.. Well…..wussies!!! and it was over before it began….. But…ten years had passed before this war…..the equipment being used now and the kids I had trained had become adults…mature, and they, in turn… were training the children of my children with gear I could only dream about….... And as I am sorry, extremely sorry…. that I didn't get more involved with them…the time I spent seems to have paid off…. Several of the kids I trained have reported that their sons…and daughters…..have made it home…. They express gratitude to me for taking the time to teach them the things that were well beyond TRADOC doctrine….and they passed it on….. I feel………….. So very humble for those words, from people I didn't involve with as I should have…. And I thank God every day for my life… And for Him guarding over them in these perilous times. As Christmas approaches… I will remember them to Him as I will remember His Son….and if I may….all of you too, for…without those of you out there in the voids of space…I would not have voices to guide me in the darkness…. Merry Christmas…..and as Red Skelton used to say…"May God Bless" Out… __________________ Esse Quam Vidiri -->

12-15-2003, 06:30 PM	#2
rooter VMBB Senior Chief Of Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Marty Robbins old hometown, Glendale Arizona--a suburb of Phoenix. Contributor Posts: 9,271	A heartfelt testamonial Mith---I was moved with your elequence and compassion. Seemed as if it was a measurement of what you wanted to do, and what you actually achieved. I enjoyed it and thank you for sharing. Wilborn __________________

12-15-2003, 10:21 PM	#3
Hope 69/70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,549	As I read your thoughts Mith, I feel like I am reading a very beautiful Christmas Card. Thank you for presenting that for us to share and feel the warmeth of your caring of others. You are not the only one who held others at arms length. I believe we all did that at one time or another. It was something most of uss did without much thought about it. It made for good defense. However, we are all here and we are able to rant to one another. Kind of makes one feel good to be able to do that, knowing the others have an idea of how you are feeling. May God Bless you Mith and may He bless you with a Wonderful Christmas! Hope __________________ WAC - HQ. USARV / G1, Long Binh - Feb 69 - Feb 70