After my military service ended in 1972, I made a brief visit home, then moved back to Southern California as I had enjoyed my time out there very much. I stayed out there for a few more years, moving back to Wisconsin only after a weak job market with few prospects left me […]
During my tour of duty in Vietnam, I went out on a number of motor convoys delivering or picking up supplies of one kind or another. Our small convoys normally left the Phu Cat airbase and headed east to the Qui Nhon Army base, with a few stops in between. Qui Nhon was on the […]
My nine year old Granddaughter, Lucy Campolo, is my latest guest writer. Lucy has written a poem about her lifelong companion, a stuffed lamb named Bun Bun. Lucy recently recited her poem at a school presentation and did a fantastic job. Yes, Grandpa is very proud of his grandchildren, and super proud […]
Rick Wehler shares the story of his first fishing trip to Canada, many years ago. I must comment with discretion regarding Rick’s fishing ability, as he has many vicious squirrels in his employ, and will not hesitate to send them my way if I’m not careful! 😀 Thanks for the memories, Rick! […]
Introduction Cambodia, a nation upended by colonialism, war and genocide in the twentieth century, is still a very poor nation. Jerry Collins, who taught writing and Asian studies on American military bases in Asia for over 20 years for the University of Maryland/Asian Division, […]
While chatting with my daughter JoAnn about Thanksgivings of days gone by, I recalled a Thanksgiving disaster I myself created many years ago. (What a surprise 🙂 ) I was still in high school, working part time at Graf’s Sausage Kitchen, a small deli and catering business on the south side of […]
The reason the American military does so well in wartime, is that war is craziness, and they practice craziness on a daily basis. 🙂 ∼Author unknown Like all things in life, military service has it’s share of humor, which turns up in many different situations. Day-to-day life in the […]
My friend Le Ly Hayslip, a Vietnamese American, left Vietnam in 1970, the same year as my military service in that war-torn nation. Le Ly settled in San Diego with her husband, an American Civilian she had met in Danang. I did not know Le Ly at that time and would not come to know […]
Fun times in LA! Southern California in the early 1970’s was a great place to be. Although the hippie era was coming to an end, there was still enough “peace, love and rock n roll” to go around. After having spent one year in North Dakota and one year in Vietnam, I […]
Introduction I went on an Honor Flight in May of this year, and it was a tremendous experience. (Ref blog June 5th, 2023) My friend, fellow Vietnam War Veteran and writer Tom Keating, recently attended his Honor Flight. Tom has shared his experience with us, please enjoy it. […]