Merry Christmas everyone!! ~C

Just a few short days before we Celebrate the birth of Christ. I know some of you are far from family and friends and to each of you, know that, I know that empty feeling and will say my prayers for your safe return and for the days when your are finally home for Christmas, and warmed by the hearts and hearths of family. For my brothers who have family and friends you are with, drag them close and enjoy this season.

Only a few of us can truely understand that being home with loved ones, is one of the greatist gifts that a man can have.

Merry Christmas my brothers.

Steve

All the best to all of you, near and far ~ Merry Christmas, my friends! ~C

...it's not my writing, just something worth passing on, which I rarely do...

...so many of us remember the family back home during this season while serving as a young teenager in the service...

...my humble opinion would support a mandatory 4 year service commitment for all males and females in capacities from the military to even the Peace Corps, so an appreciation for our country could be experienced first hand by all our youth...of course, that's just my humble opinion, mind you...

...RLTW anyhow!...Mark

...A Different Christmas Poem...   

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Ranger, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!

"For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."  

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."... ...RLTW!...

Prayers help

Steve

Sad news seems to come this time of year. Unfortunately , I've just recieved word that Ranger Jack Daniel has had a massive stroke and several smaller ones. He is hospitalized and they have asked the family to come in. I am attempting to gain further information and have a call in to Brian JAckson. Jack is a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame and one of the first Lane Graders at the Florida Camp. However we have made him an offical Mountain Ranger Cqamp Instructor. He is a great guy and I have said my prayers for him. When you take a knee today ask the Great RAnger in the Sky to watch over Jack and his family.

I will post more when available.

Steve

Wouldn't it be great if someone who has the time could put together a virtual Ranger cemetery...we could visit all our loved ones who have passed on or given their lives for our freedom...no matter where in the world we are.

Love to all...~C

RLTW

Thanks for the update on Gilbert.

How about you? You still in?

I'm a double digit midget myself.

I asked the Great Ranger In the Sky to watch over everyone of you this Thanksgiving. If you are with family and friend, be thankful and if you are apart from your loved ones, know that you are remmembered at my table with my family prayers.

I have so much to be thankful for, and that list includes my friendships with all of you.

Happy Tahnksgiving

Ranger Hawk

...even I met Lew Millett...he was living out in west tennessee when I left the Army and had my first Chick-fil-a restaurant in Jackson, TN...

...some feather merchant named Isaac Tigrett opened up a little bbq place called "the hard rock cafe"...and he had me for competition...his mother and uncle owned the mall where we were both located...and as good as my business became in ´83, I couldn´t understand why the mother was giving me such a hard time...she was "old money" from railroads and much too refined to even notice one of her tenants...but she was furious at me for doing so well...

...a few months later, Isaac closed the doors on his place, taking all the john lennon pictures, elvis guitars and all that other junk to NYC...and he´s done okay since then...but try to compete with a Ranger?...pity the fool...

...Lew Millett told me that day of his son who went down on the plane that exploded...right now I´m trying to remember if it was the Lockerbie, Scotland bombing that claimed others of the 101st back in the early 80's...

...he was in town for some ceremony...Medal of Honor heroes do get called for those times of national pride and like Ted said, he somehow took a shine to me too and told me stories and how he still did one armed push ups until I thought I needed to do some serious PT just to be around the man...

...each one of us, as RI´s made an impression on some young stud, and we probably didn´t even realize it...but for each of us...to remember the admiration and appreciation of the legends among us keeps the blood clear and the life flowing...and they are with us today...at each meeting, at each CCO...

...and still, among us, are giants who walk this earth, and for those who´ve gone before, they watch over us from wherever they choose to be...

...RLTW brothers...

Not only was Col. Millett instrumental in establishing the Recondo school. He also was an Advisor to the Vietnamese Rangers. Col. Millett was awarded the 1st Vietnamese Ranger Badge (Biet Dong Quan)of which only approximately 2500 were awarded.

Col. Millett served as Grand Marshall for the "Salute to veterans Parade" in Riverside, CA this past April. Earlier this year, a park in San Jacinto was dedicated in his name.

He was a soldier's soldier who was always available for the troops. All the BDQ are saddened by his passing and he will be missed.

To you Col. Millett "Biet Dong Quan Sat".

Colonel (ret) Lewis L. Millet died recently at the age of 88. Before America entered WWII Millet left high school as the junior and migrated to Canada where he could join that army and fight Germans. He was overseas when the US came in, and he subsequently joined our Army. He was courtmartialed and fined $52 for desertion because he never signed up for the draft, immediately inducted into the US Army, given a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt and a bronze star. He already had a silver star for actions in North Africa. He also fought in Salerno and Anzio. He was part of the 1st Special Service Force later in the war.

After the war he joined the Maine National Guard and was called up for Korea with an artillery unit. Not long after he took over for a commanding officer who was killed. That put him with the 27th Infantry "Wolfhounds" of the 25th ID. It was there he led the men of his depleted company up a hill into murderous Chinese fire in a legendary bayonet charge that cleared the hill. The big man with the big red handlebar mustache was given the Medal of Honor for his actions on that hill.

After Korea he went through IOAC and Ranger School as a Major. In Vietnam, Millet, along with Colonel Fracis Kelley, CO of 5th SF, was instrumental in establishing the Nha Trang Recondo School, run by 5th Special Forces and Rangers. Many were both. Millet also was a force in training commandos in Laos. He was Honorary Colonel of the 27th Infantry Regiment and has held many posts in his retirement years. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1997. This is a lot of intel, but it is not all by a long shot. It's enough to tell you who we lost.

...thanks for all of your replies...they certainly are on point for what I´ve gone thru so far, for what to me is pretty easy, but that´s my warped way of thinking I´m sure...

...I´ve done all the things you´ve suggested, except for the courier part...that reminds me of my amigo in the cia who brought me my first cuban cigars back after he did some work down africa way, so that would be a solution, if someone in the consulate here would be so kind...and I guess that may be the only way this is to be done, other than just start getting my meds locally...and the VA price is much better...but oh, well...

...all good things for each of you...

...RLTW...

Mark - will the VA mail your scripts to a family member or friend in the States, and then that person could mail them to you? I guess you'd still take a chance of having them confiscated if either US or Mexico law prohibits international mailing of scripts....but then how do all the expats get their meds? There must be a solution. Good luck!

~C

...I went back 28 pages to find Joe Mattison´s email address...so don´t think I´m just taking up space here...

...my medications from the VA can´t be shipped to Mexico?...I have tried to submit a question to the VA Medical Dept online, but they say I have to register, and I did...only to find out that somehow I´m already registered, but I sure didn´t do it...and I have no idea how to access the site to ask the question as to why and how my meds can get to me way down here on the tip of the Yucatan...

...I´ve waited for some time only to find out that...and my meds are running out...no big deal, I´ll just croak and they won´t have the problem any more...but Joe, the Man, Mattison...can you tell me if there is something I don´t know about getting my medications to me down here...the ups/fedex types in the US say it can´t be done...???...there has to be some sanity left that can understand that sealed medications are not illegal heroin and such...

...bout time that critter'n cookin' got settled...good job of keeping your always keen disposition, Herr Hawk...

Each of us has in some way contributed to the freedom we enjoy as Americans.

I am greatly encouraged by the caliber of service men and women we are seeing today. Never miss the opportunity to thank them, too.

And thanks, guys, for the info on CRSC - I passed that info along to my ex. Although he receives full compensation as 100% disabled, his retirement (CRDP) is taxed. If I understand this CRSC correctly, retirement (like VA disablity) is not taxed?

RLTW

The Critter Cookout will be held in conjunction with the 5th RTB Open House at Camp Frank Merril on 29 May 2010.

Friday night prior will be the Fish Fry with all the fixins on the 28th. We will serve Saturday around 1630 hours and have the USMRA meeting at 1800 hours.

Rangers and families are Welcomed.

I know many of you have been waiting and we just received guidance from 5th RTB Command which gave us the dates and their requests. Now you know, plan accordingly. See you there.

Rangers Lead the Way

Ranger Hawk

Hi, what is up with this CCO? I'm ready to give everybody a "No Go" for planning phase for the CCO!!! smitty

RLTW

Who is the Patron Saint of Airborne Rangers?

It appears that Saint Michael is the Patron Saint of Paratroopers, and I have read that Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Army Rangers. I have also seen mention of Saint George as Patron Saint of Airborne/Paratroopers. So, what's the correct answer?

And if what I have found is correct,there are three cemeteries on Ft. Rucker - two appear to be very old "family" plots, with one bigger cemetery near one of the major roads through Rucker.

I haven't tried calling Rucker yet, but I did reach out to the Chamber of Commerce in the hopes that they may lead me in the right direction. Now, I suppose I need to contact Rucker and the County Court System there (that was the only suggestion from the Chamber of Commerce).

And I suppose you are right....I need closure. I didn't attend the funeral all those years ago because I couldn't make myself go alone. I've always regretted that bad decision.

And maybe it's what Jimmie mentioned...time flying away so fast now. We'll all be home before we know it....and maybe I'm trying to make things right before I go home. :-/

Thanks again for the pointers, Joe - although this search is difficult in several ways, I will not stop until I find Randy again. (yeah...I'm still just as stubborn-headed as I used to be - time doesn't change some things)

RLTW ~ all ways...always

I have also tried to locate a phone number for Randy's dad, and although there is one listed in Dothan, I don't think it's the right one. :-(

Well, if anyone has contact with Ivan, please let him know that I'd like to talk with him. In the meantime, I'll try the Wingmen webmaster again.

Thanks again Al & Joe!

I did attend Open House the year that Randy was on the Fallen Ranger list - first time that I'd been to Open House in many, many years. I tied some yellow flowers and ribbon on the Fallen Ranger sign before it was moved to its permanent home - then I just took some flowers up there and placed them at the base of the sign - for all Fallen Rangers. I haven't been able to keep the flowers up, but after my move (soon now), I will be closer to the area and maybe I can make sure there are always nice flowers at the base of those signs.

My search continues....

You were in Hawaii, weren't you, Craig??

...today it's in the high 80's, Joe...december and january should be in the 70's...20 degrees latitude is pretty warm for sandals, shorts and t-shirts all year round...

...usually I got the patrol for descending Penitentiary Cove after being at Three Forks for planning...

...no one could miss Pen Cove...one step forward, ten steps down...

...the one time I didn't check my compass on the direction of march from the patrol base, my student did not make the left turn after 100 meters...

...the next morning, off the map, the S3 is doing all the Mosby AAF stuff for me to see or hear where to go...

...SSG Stafenhagen recognized 'Jones Creek Trout Station' and headed off in a deuce and a half to haul that ragged bunch of miscreants back to Camp where I heard about getting lost for weeks from SFC Regan...

...that one time...to pull the "keep talking LT, we'll find you" every time I pass gas, brings me back to that patrol...

...but Pen Cove is beautiful...every time I walked down it, back to the road, I thought about what a great place it'd be to camp...someday...

...and for the Mayans, remember 2012, Kulkucan is coming...they can't all be wrong...

...Joe, being an RN for the Veterans...amazingly good stuff...I figured as SMA you'd be paper shuffling, *harumpfing* at your coffee being tepid, and trying to make some sense in a feather merchant world...

...and here I am thinking you got by on your wits and good looks all this time...an RN...for Vets...Bless You and all y'all who care for us old war ponies...

...better than the NY Times, I say...this Ranger Bob Creation, the Message Log...

RLTW...'nuff said...

...this one night, Joe, was absolutely the coldest I've ever been...

...a soft drizzling rain coated all the planning bays at CFM with a thin, shiny layer of ice...

...going up to my objective, to recon Horse Gap, the freezing rain continued, dropping iced limbs down in spectacular crashes all around up on Sassafras (3336') and as I'd told my previous cold weather injured student to let me know when his feet got cold, we'd all stop and change socks...he did on the slope going down towards the gap...

...beating the ice off my rucksack, frozen tight, finally I opened to get some socks, icicles growing longer than an inch off the front of my patrol cap...pant legs stiff...

...arriving near the gap, trees falling (by sound, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face), I sent my patrol into the tent to warm up while I got into a staff jeep...

...the temperature of "26 degrees, from where I'm at, Sir" got a silent look from everybody inside...

...the last leg was shortened; I walked them back to Cooper Gap on FS 42 and then down towards Gaddistown on FS 15, where we ended up beside the road with the patrol base under a mountain laurel thicket...

...the next day Sgt Brown, E5, arrived with Mike Ramsey and black coffee for the changeover...I did not tell Mike about my way of changing socks and when the lamb came before the Lion in Winter to complain about his feet being cold, Ramsey told me later that he said, "Ranger!...Everybody's feet're cold!...Get outta my face!"...

...and he did...

...a few more CWI's got awarded after that last day of '31 and the Benning doctors got a bit feather-ruffled...

...the 26 degrees was from a thermometer hanging by a chicken heater, inside the CP, at Hawk...

...THAT was the coldest I've ever been...beating several single digit cold nights on any other patrol...

...Joe, fellow Platoon Leader/Platoon Sergeant Class Instructor...do pass my message along to Luke the Gook, absolutely one of my favorite RI's while I was at CFM...

...and Joe, do you remember when we were being evaluated by this fat civilian from Benning, about our class presentation, when Frank Kelly,the current TAC NCO, a '33 staffer along with Mike Ramsey, Bob Henry and Mike Condrella, had his students rush the stage, grab me off of it and toss me around like a beach ball, while Cpt Kelley, Patrolling OIC, attended too, seeing all the absolute mastery I had for the situation...

...I remember looking at you from a glimpse as I was being spun around and seeing , " LT, you're in one helluva mess now", coming from your eyes as the molestors had their way for another minute or so...before putting me back on stage...

...that was vintage Frank Kelly...bringing a true appreciation of respect for his rater when style about platform instruction was the evening's supposed highlight...

...it'd be a joy to see you and Lucas again, Mike Smith too...come on down anyway and take emergency leave for the notification you need; I'm sure we can approve it...or something similar...

...RLTW...better than anybody else!...

...in the past I suggested Indian Leg Wrestling at Horse Gap to settle deferring opinions...

...of course, young Sgt Merchant would have to be my stand-in, since I'm back in ole Sisal...

...but that stroke of genius fell on blind toes, it seems...

...I'm thinking Ranger Suchke has put some considerable thought into his "most excellent idea" yet for this hallowed occasion for friendship fellowshiping...

...I think though, maybe anyone we don't know gets charged $20 for eating bear, elk, possum and such...

...if any member recognizes them, and they're not a Ranger...$15...

...spouses or significant whatnot, you know...eat free...if anyone has to be a ghost in the dark, occasionally fed mounds of clear wisdom only true geniuses can fathom, it is your wife, ex-wife, soon-to-be your ex-wife or whatever else would come with you...even your dog...

...and don't get me started on non-Rangers posting on this noble mantruth board...a wife calling Camp back in the days of the Black Brrt better be taking a kid to the hospital...

...and now?...some post...here...

...and we yack so well...(I'd love to see Joe Mattison and Doug Perry on a patrolling staff or walking a platoon size patrol)...but...

...the leaves still fall and the Critters be cooked...

...and all is right with the world because we still stand in the gap...

...the gap mostly in our minds...

...and before any angry retorts come down yucatan way, I like the reading of this message log better than I do the New York Times...

...and please ladies, forgive my ignorance expressed so recklessly...without your keen insights and amazing wisdom, you must all be laughing at these men planning a get together...

...any lady/woman would have had this down to a lock-step science after the second one ever...hands down...but do we ask them?...

...see?...just kidding about the message log being one of the last bastions of ruggedly male wisdom being shared amongst other rugged, wisdomly type males...(beer mugs banging)...*Man Law* *Man Law*...

...and the auction at Open House?!...total genius...excellent time and place for tourists that buy out the PX for anything 'Ranger'...and who'd consume an entire box of the highly coveted yet rarely sold official USMRA collector edition coin...I've given away 8 or 9 myself...

...thank you for allowing this message log to continue unimpeded by persons of interest, non and so forth, Bob...

...one question, off that dead horse...do any staff members of '31, circa winter of '79, care to rehash that coldest patrol I ever walked, turning it over the next day to Mike Ramsey?...

...a freezing drizzled started during the planning phase at Camp, then that night LTC Hawkins calling SFC Larry Kelly up on Hawk for a temperature check...

...THAT's a story to tell!...

RLTW...in each and every way...

This has been an issue for several years now with basically two sides represented: one group would like the original totally separate critter cookout out in the woods at a remote site with a campfire and Rangers only gathering for the eating, telling of war lies and lots of liquid libation. The other group would like critter cookout to be essentially a Ranger family event during Open House near the Ranger Camp or at near the NCO club where logistics are much simpler.

History: Critter cookout was started at Penn Cove back in 1999 if my memory serves me. And by the way, I have been to every one of them since we began this event. The first was a relatively small affair with a GP medium, water buffalo and a couple of tables provided by the Camp. Most participants brought their favorite possum stew, venison chili, rattlesnake soufflé or bear roast to share and enjoy. We had a big campfire and it was a great event. Simple and fun, Critter Cookout was attended by 40 or so fine young and old Rangers that forded two streams and made the 3 mile drive out to Penn Cove. CC was held at Penn Cove twice more and got larger each time with parking, logistics and vehicle traffic becoming issues. We did have a couple of minor vehicle problems that were solved by the appropriate use of winches. Pine Valley at North Georgia College on the Etowah River was next chosen as a CC site. This was held on property owned by North Georgia College, so rules that prohibited open fires restricted that part. Families and a few straphangers attended. I believe we held it at Pine Valley twice (last in 2004) and it was accessible, lots of parking, nice setting by the river (with fishing) and a covered pavilion. Logistics was a small but manageable issue. The next year and in several years since 2005 we have held Critter cookout at or very near Camp Merrill. Once in April we had it at the old landfill on the hill above the church. The weather was mostly miserable with rain, sleet, snow and winds trying to dampen our spirits. We drove on anyway with frequent trips to the club for emergency re-supply of beverages. By now we have pretty much realized that the NCO Club, our traditional meeting place and favorite watering hole is actually as much a part of Critter Cookout as eating critters and seeing fellow Rangers.

The Issues: So for the past three years, the location behind the NCO Club at the Ranger Camp has been ground zero for critter cookout. This past event it was voted to have Critter Cookout as a separate event from Open House and have it as a RANGERS ONLY event. It was of course a success as all Ranger events go, but there remains the question of do we keep it for Rangers Only and separate from Open House or have it during Open House and have our Ranger meeting separately? If not held during Open House, then lots of out of town Rangers don’t get an opportunity to attend Critter Cookout. Another issue of critter cookout is control measures for the available supply of critter food. During past open house weekends, we have had masses of hungry folks line up and help themselves to the free chow that is served up by hardworking Rangers like Steve Bishop, Pete, Doug Perry, Al Parten, and many others. Often, some Rangers who have had other duties arrived to find all the food was gone. So there we have the problems pretty much outlined. There may be others, so come up on the net and let’s hear from you if you have input on this subject. Long ago, one of my mentors told me to never bring up a problem without proposing a solution. OK, here is my suggestion for Critter Cookout:

1. Hold Critter Cookout at or near the NCO Club during Ranger Open House at Camp Frank D. Merrill subject to the 5th RTB Commanders guidance and directives (remember we are on his turf). 2. Have the Rangers Only -MRA meeting at a place (where a campfire is permitted) within walking distance of the NCO club (again with 5th RTB permission). 3. Print special Critter Cookout tickets and issue CC tickets to each MRA member that requests them to feed him and his guests (number to be decided later). 4. Sell CC tickets at $5.00 each to those non-member guests who wish to enjoy our famous cuisine at Critter Cookout with all funds going toward the Mountain Ranger Association to help offset the cost of CC and monies leftover going into the MRA general fund. Note:These tickets could be also used for door prizes if we want to add any incentive. Added note: The recent auction was a modest success and if we want, we could have another auction during the critter cookout/open house weekend as a fundraiser for the MRA.

So there you have it. We have committed to making a decision on this subject at the November meeting, so if you have other suggestions or ideas, present them or live with the decision. RLTW! Robert K. Suchke

It's that time of year to begin thinking about our brother Rangers who may need our help.

As you know each year we provide funds to the Mountain Ranger Camp Command for Rangers who need finacial aid during the Christmas season. And in this depressed economy we are currently experencing, the need for our underpaid Rangers is even greater.

If each of us, members of the USMRA, take the cost of one take-out meal and donate that we can make life much better for our Brothers.

There fore I am asking each of you 956 members to send a small donation to the association, marked for Christmas Fund. If we each send $5.00 we can make this Christmas much brighter and relieve at least some of the stress of the season from our brothers.

Use the mailing address at the bottom of the page

Please help with what you can.

Rangers Lead the Way

Steve Hawk, Chairman, USMRA

Meeting is this Saturday, It is the eatin Meetin. If you can't be there we understand.

Tell your wife I will miss her.

Steve

If y'all think it would make a few bucks, I'd be happy to send some jewelry that way. I'll try to get the bracelet ready to mail tomorrow, but it may be Thursday before I could get it in the mail. And I'll only send the bracelet if y'all think somebody would be interested in a "big ticket" item.

If y'all think there'd be any interest in vintage jewelry, somebody shoot me a street address and I'll get a package off tomorrow. Our postal service seems to be back on track since the floods, so a package should make it there in time.

I wish I could be there to see some old friends and meet some new ones, but I won't be able to make it - I'm closing on my new home this morning and will be moving over the weekend.

Y'all have fun! ~Cookie

PS - Joe Mattison...when were you stationed at Schofield?

Doug, I have a brand new Kubota 5500 4WD that you are welcome to use. I have a smaller (maybe too small) John Deere 950. Both are in Suches and would need to be hauled or driven. If they are needed for CFM activities the Kubota or Deere could be driven on TVD and Cooper Gap road if someone is willing to drive them. I am away until mid October. Take care, Tom

...if 3 gorrilas and shrek would go to Alpharetta and pick it up, I've got a really good woodburning stove I'd like to donate for this next gathering of the gods, october 3...

...it's heavy...took five mexicans to get it inside my son's townhome...maybe one good pickup truck driver could find some local help and that'd be it...

...as the sun's setting with purple and pink and golden clouds, here in Sisal, Yucatan, I figure I'll be back in my truck again when I return to those hills overwatching Camp Merrill, and some good souls could stand a bit of warmth...

...RLTW...always have/always will...

The Cobra story is looked at a couple of ways in Mountain Ranger. Earl's version is the best.

See you then

Steve

Steve

...once again I'm asking for some solar panel expertise to meet a need I've got...running my CPAP from a battery, recharged by a solar panel...

...for those yet to enjoy the benefits of a CPAP...(Considerably Polite And Proper)...one's sleep apnea is overcome...

...there has been Iowa Thin Film, a solar technology company, that developed a tent material that would be perfect for the entire houseboat-to-be-built-soon...

...or any sources currently in use...this ain't a huge amount of juice needed...

...please let me know of any reliable, effective sources...

...seeing's as how I don't have any "war" stories, I thought this may be something already considered in sharing moments with Joe and his new editing leadership...simply said, I'm sure all of us have memories about our student days and I'm asking about what "forum" would be suited for those tales...

...Good thoughts, wishes and prayers for all you and your's...

...RLTW...Mark

Pat Corcoran, have you seen Luca Bertozzo's new bride? He sent me a wedding photo. Never saw him until now. Nobody ever looks like you think they'll look just from talking to them. Hey, if you want a book just ask.

I know all of us that have worked with you benefitted from that experience. Congradulations and thanks for being the outstanding leader that you are!!

Rangers Lead The Way!!

LTC(RET)Keith Antonia was inducted into the Ranger Hall of fame today at Fort Benning. Always the professional and humble Soldier, Keith recognized many Rangers who had a part in his achievments and provided a special thanks to the Mountain Ranger Association. Please take the time to congratulate Keith for his service and accomplishments over his career (including Commander of 5th RTB)and his continued service to our next generation of Soldiers at NGCSU.

Steve

In my youth I sailed all over the Gulf and the Carribean, but in later years I took to houseboats as the natural extension of life on land. Still, I could never figure out how to do a garden boat or a horse shoe boat.

Enjoy, my friend. Drink the women, watch the wine and don't let that Santa crap go to your head uh, belly uh...

...Kaz and I tac´d Class 6-80 together...Al Parten still remembers the first day when Kaz and I felt particularly fatherly for the new students and tried, as best we could, to warm up the warm pit for them...much like one does when entering the swamps of Florida for that moment of warmth all over...

...He was on RM1R31N...with Larry Kelley and others...the patrol I had hoped to join after TACing...but LTC Blount wanted an S-1 that could write, and reading my after action reports, I got selected...what a disappointment...after TACing 6-80 with such fine results, immediately the wind is taken from the sails and S1 is what I did...oh, please, let me recontain my enthusiasm...

...Kaz was a fine trooper...along with so many more...my last walk with Bill Manning was memorable, as well as all the others in between...even back to being a student in the Mountains with 10-75, Cpt Shehorn, TAC, and passing both patrols, MSG Fox and Cpt Maynard, among the streams and mountain laurel of the night...

...about to be me and build a casa barca on el mar...houseboat out on the gulf of mexico...not much of a cost and using solar and wind as much as practical to develop batteries for power...what a fine mess I enjoy getting into...

...if anyone knows about the Iowa company that has developed solar panels within tent fabric, for the Army, I´d really like to get a contact number for some surplus material to use as shade and power for my houseboat to be...

...(the recon is going well...most think of me as "Santa Claus"...in Sisal, Hunucma and Merida, Yucatan)...I´m hoping to start teaching the Mayans English, so they can better deal with tourists...most of the young street hawkers get one year of school and are out selling seven days a week from age 10 on...

...many good thoughts and hopes for all Rangers everywhere...if the hammock that is being made for me in Merida, with a huge Ranger Tab comprising most of it, maybe I can send it up to be raffled like the shotgun was in the NCO Club...and the proceeds going to having a Ranger Tab flower arrangement for any funeral that we know of...something to gain some funds for something very appreciated...

...to all the Leaders of the Way, my sincere appreciation for being a RANGER!!!...

...adios amigos...Marko Edwardo Jordan...Sisal, Yucatan...(no post office, no address...just ask for Santa...no problem)...

Speaking of the Mayans - I visited Chichen Itza during my stay in Cancun - what a wonderous place. I wasn't too thrilled about their gruesome ceremonies, but the ballfield was (is) a work of art...and sound - amazing! The temple, too, is something to behold (and the sounds coming off of it - again amazing!), but I could not force myself to climb the treacherous steps - or really, the way down was the most frightening for me. I think the year I was there was the last year that anyone would be allowed to climb the temple. As I stood there looking at that temple and watching people climb it - one girl in a miniskirt and heels (my God, what was she thinking??)(and the men thinking - thank God for miniskirts! LOL), I realized just how different a foreign country can be. Nothing like that would have been allowed here in the US, where our government knows what is best for us.

It sounds like you are adapting quite well to a change in lifestyle - and enjoying it too - good for you! Let me know when you get that cabana built - I'd be more than happy to rent it from you for a week or two! :-)

Peace and happiness, ~Cookie

...moi? expat??...I was just sorta getting used to the idea of being "recognized" by Joe Mattison as "Mark"...hahaha...

...being in Sisal, Yucatan, Mexico is as peaceful and tranquil as Mayberry was in the 50´s...always...every day...every night...every moment...a cooling breeze blows off the Gulf of Mexico, warm as bath water, during the day and the land breeze comes at night...the food is as fresh as seafood can get and there´s no crime, in the least...

...maybe time to have a Ranger get together just to see if there´s a pulse to this patient...

...my pension goes further...very much further, especially when they don´t charge me gringo prices...and it´s obvious I´m not a local...being a foot taller and having a long white beard...so as each day comes and goes, I relax even more to having Sisal as a home for a long time...eventually to actually just build a cabana out into the Gulf about 200 yards, only needing a roof for the sun, and a small boat to get to shore...the depth would probably be about 10´ if I ever got out that far...so far, 100 yards out is up to my beltline...

...when gas went to $2/gallon the first time I smelt a skunk...also when duct tape got its 15 minutes of fame...when gas went to $4/gallon I knew we were being treated like boiling frogs...how much could we take before it was too much and anarchy ruled...so...when gas again got to $2 and no one really said or acted as if it were again the ministrations of greed, it was time for me to do what I´ve done since the first price gouging...

...I looked for relief...philippines is probably even better since we earn 9 times their per capita income, but the yucatan is 4 hours from the TVD...and Sonny already knows where my heart is...up with the men who have always stood in the gaps...the Mountain Rangers...

Good things to all...and to all a good night...ho ho ho...

I'm going to write one more, which means another month before a new column is needed. It's been a pleasure, but it's time for a rotation.