11 Thursday Nov 2021
Posted in Veteran's Day
Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States. Today, we celebrate the sacrifices and service provided by so many throughout my country’s history. So today, I’ll keep it short.
To all who have served this country in our Armed Forces. To those families who have shared that burden.
Thank you for your service. Your sacrifices and service will never be forgotten. Happy Veteran’s Day!
Until next time…
Dave
10 Wednesday Nov 2021
Posted in Wisdom Wednesday
Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.
It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.
Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
Here is the Wikipedia link for Marcus Aurelius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius This is a very interesting read, should you care to learn more.
Until next time…
Dave
03 Wednesday Feb 2021
Posted in Wisdom Wednesday
Photo credit: https://justicehub.org/article/former-nuremberg-prosecutor-ben-ferencz-is-still-fighting-to-change-the-world/
“The fact that any person acted on the order of his government or of a superior does not free him from responsibility for crime.”
― Tom Hofmann, Benjamin Ferencz, Nuremberg Prosecutor and Peace Advocate
“An illegal act does not become legal when it is done with good intentions.”
― Tom Hofmann, Benjamin Ferencz, Nuremberg Prosecutor and Peace Advocate
“War is an abominable crime, no matter what the cause.”
― Tom Hofmann, Benjamin Ferencz, Nuremberg Prosecutor and Peace Advocate
“We have to eliminate war-making. You may well ask: “How can you do such a thing?” It has never happened. Well, nothing ever happened until it happened for the first time.”
― Tom Hofmann, Benjamin Ferencz, Nuremberg Prosecutor and Peace Advocate
“I quote: “In a very real sense, the world no longer has a choice between force and law. If civilization is to survive, it must choose the rule of law.”
― Tom Hofmann, Benjamin Ferencz, Nuremberg Prosecutor and Peace Advocate
I was prompted to use Benjamin Ferencz as my quote person this week after watching a film on his life, called Prosecuting Evil on Netflix (Link: https://www.netflix.com/search?q=prosecuting%20evil&jbv=81070008). He is the only surviving lawyer from the Nuremburg Trials, which occurred after WWII. If you have Netflix, I cannot recommend this film enough. It’s a good one.
If you’d like to read more about Ben Ferencz, here are a few links for you to examine:
https://benferencz.org/ – Ben’s official website
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Ferencz – Wikipedia page
Have a great Wednesday, folks!
Until next time…
Dave
25 Tuesday Aug 2020
Posted in Ted Talk
I watched a 5-part documentary of WWI on Curiosity.com and wanted to pass along a little knowledge. Here’s a short documentary for you.
Until next time…
Dave
18 Friday Oct 2019
Posted in Book Review
Tags
Andrew West, Heart Wrenching, History, Loss, Non-Fiction, PTSD, Traumatic Injuries, Vietnam, War
Vietnam: A View from the Front Lines by Andrew Wiest
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoy Mr. West’s work. This book is written much like the documentaries that are produced by Ken Burns, focusing on the man in the trenches, rather than the strategic view of conflict that is typical of most historical books. Some of this book is really heart wrenching, particularly when the wives of men who died are writing about their lives after they lost a husband. I can’t imagine how horrific that was. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying the Vietnam War.
11 Sunday Nov 2018
Posted in Veteran's Day
Tags
California Wildfires, Gratitude, Loss, Love, memories, Thousand Oaks, Veteran's Day, War, Worry
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the suffering in California. The wildfires are ripping through the countryside, people are having to evacuate their homes, while first-responders are doing their best to contain the fire and save those souls who cannot help themselves. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about the shooting in Thousand Oaks. I wondered about what went through the Marine’s head as he squeezed off round after round into the bodies of the patrons of that establishment who were just there to enjoy some music, finger food, and their friends. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I try to understand the victims of these tragedies and how their lives have been overturned by events they had no control over. I think about the Mothers, Fathers, sons, and daughters. I think about the Aunts and Uncles. I think about the pet owner who has lost their best friend to the tragedy of a fire. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the men and women of our Armed Forces and the sacrifices they make every day. I think about the first responders who are here to keep us safe and protect our loved ones in times of natural disaster. I think about the sacrifices that are made, the losses of life and limb, and what it means to be a volunteer. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the wars this nation has fought. I thought about all the young men and women who volunteered to help keep this country safe. I thought about the tears that streak down a soldier’s face when he bids his loved ones goodbye. I thought about the tears held back by the fathers who watched their baby boy or girl left, to stay strong for his wife and the rest of their family. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the wives and mothers waiting by the phone to hear from their loved one in harm’s way. I thought about the constant worry that goes through their minds as they scour the Internet, the television, and the radio for any news. I thought about the day a man in uniform arrives at home to deliver the worst news ever. I thought about the caskets arriving at Dover. I thought about the funerals and parades. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about the time I was told by my unit first sergeant that the Red Cross called. I thought about how angry my Mother was that I hadn’t called. I was thinking about my wife calling me in Turkey after having a car accident and not knowing what to do. I was thinking about how cold it was one rainy night in Austria on a field exercise. I was thinking about how cold I was pulling guard duty at Spandau on a Christmas Eve, wondering what the hell I volunteered for. I was thinking about waking up to the smell of hot bread in Berlin. I was thinking about a New Year’s Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about the time I got a letter from a Judge in my hometown and how good it felt to have someone say thanks for my service. I was thinking about getting a care package from an elementary class in South Dakota whom I’d never met. I was thinking about the looks on my soldier’s faces when they got mail from home. I was thinking about how great the food tasted when I hadn’t eaten in four days. I was thinking about how good a hot shower felt. I was thinking about how warm and soft my wife was when I returned home. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at my keyboard.
I thank everyone that has served our country. I will never forget you. You are what America is all about.
Until next time…
Dave
Sergeant First Class
United States Army, Retired
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