The Story....

[Dennis The Bus Dweller]

Wow Dualie

That's quite the story. Although I have mixed feelings about the whole war thing there's no question that it's guys like you and Chuck that keep things safe for the folks here and abroad

[Dualfuel]

Thank you Dennis. Thanks for being diplomatic about it too. Everybody on this site is really understanding even though I bet most don't agree with the wars. Me, five years later, I am still not convinced any of it was ever needed. I suppose this isn't the venue for a rant, and I am frankly exhausted. Lets just say the war will be over as soon as all the blood and treasure has been tranferred to whoever is behind the scenes benifiting from this fiasco.
Chuck, what can I say about the guy. Shy. Wouldn't say two words. No bravado to him at all. Told me when we boarded the plane for Kuwait "Sarge, don't look back or you'll cry like a baby"
When we were in prison together I didn't talk to him for months 'til he came around with a broken cement making truck. Then we worked all day and into his night shift to get a big pour done. Like brothers, love hate.
I look back now and I think we were symbiotic. He was a deadly shot with a SAW (good eyes) but I think he was really scared near Taji, when they blew up the fuel trucks. I think he drew strength from me. I wasn't scared, or in shock, or anything, just kinda ALIVE. I think he stayed keyed up and ready because I wasn't panicked. Me, I saw he was ready, and knew it was in good hands. Alfred E. Neuman (the what me worry? kid)

[Dennis The Bus Dweller]

We’re similar beast in that when things get tuff I can just keep going forward and the folks around me draw off of me and for whatever reason they dig up a little extra courage to plow ahead. It’s weird but I’ve always had whatever it is. It’s kind of like having the white side of (the force) I remember my dad although a little more reserved ( I’d leap off a cliff if I thought it was necessary) when the sh*t hit the fan he was always the leaning post you could steady yourself on. Genetics’ is a strange beast. For hundreds of years the 3 things that has stirred trouble is politics, religion and of course greed and war always seems to be the remedy. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be funny how we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again with hopes of a different outcome

[47 REO]

Heavy topic, but thanks for sharing. Saw this beaut' on my way out of Kuwait.