My Family...Daughter, Adopted Sons, Sister, and Cousin

More interesting pictures...

Some of my friends...

A Few More Loves...

My Jeep...

My one true love...

1982 Harley Davidson Sturgis FXB...

My darling daughter, Kristin & my Missy

Pictures

Okay... So, I've had a few funny comments about my "picture." Apparently, some believe I've aged a bit since this picture was taken. Well, I might have...a little. In any case, here's a few more for comparison. Keep in mind that most of these pictures were taken when I was "out of sorts" so, they might not represent my true "good" looks. Yes, you all can comment if you so desire...

A letter from my sister...

What a wonderful letter...from a wonderful woman. We all can learn from this one. And, yep...this is my "little" sister.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Over the years of celebrating Thanksgiving I am not sure that I have really stopped and thought of the things that I should have. As the years have passed since we all lost our husbands, fathers, and friends I have begun to realize a lot of what I should really be thankful for.

Yes my life has been full of ups and downs, but I must say that I have been one of the most fortunate and have many wonderful memories that I received through out my life. I would like to share a few of those that I am most thankful for and hopefully it will give others the time to reflect back on their lives and the wonderful memories that they now have.

As a child growing up in a military family I had the adventures that many were not fortunate to have. I have been to many different states and countries meeting and making friends at every stop. To have so many wonderful friends even the ones I am not be in contact with filled my life with great joy. I was able to learn and experience different cultures and I know how terribly lucky we are here in the states to have the freedom that we do. Even when we do not always agree with he direction things may go - having friends that have different beliefs are some of the things that help us grow as a person and nurture what we ourselves become. So all of you - my family, friends and yes even the enemies I want to Thank You for sharing part of your life with me.

Life has treated me like a queen as I have had true love from a men that gave me life, hope, strength, understanding and one that would stand beside me at all times - even when I was in the wrong. He taught me to stand on my own two feet, to trust and love and to enjoy life to the very fullest. How can you thank someone for all of that they have given you - I think the best way is to pass that knowledge on to others and hope that they may receive a little from me of what I from others.

My three children and grandchildren have given me a love that is like no other - one to be cherished - there is no unconditional love like the love that a child will give to you as their parent. How very thankful I am to have such love from all of them. Thankful that no matter how many times I may have done wrong in their eyes or to them and I thank GOD every day that they are part of my life - they are the light of my life that I know will always be.

To the friends that I have developed and not had the pleasure of meeting in person I also thank you as I have learned and received a lot from all of you.

Some of what I have learned through out my life has been hard but I do pray that they have made me a better person - that I can see beyond my little circle with more understanding, honesty, and trust for all.

As I thank GOD this year for all that I have received I want to thank each and every one of you for what you have given to me. The smallest seed can grow into a beanstalk if you let it.

Yes I am very thankful for all that I have received in my life and what I know is still to come.

THANK YOU ALL.

I am hoping that you all have wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving and you are with family and friends.

Love to you all - Diane

David's Picture

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF HUMAN RELATIONS

1. SPEAK TO PEOPLE. THERE IS NOTHING AS NICE AS A CHEERFUL WORD OF GREETING.

2. SMILE AT PEOPLE. IT TAKES 72 MUSCLES TO FROWN, ONLY 14 TO SMILE.

3. CALL PEOPLE BY NAME. THE SWEETEST MUSIC TO ANYONE’S EAR IS THE SOUND OF THEIR OWN NAME.

4. BE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. IF YOU WOULD HAVE FRIENDS, BE FRIENDLY.

5. BE CORDIAL. SPEAK AND ACT AS IF EVERYTHING YOU DO IS A GENUINE PLEASURE.

6. BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN PEOPLE. YOU CAN LEARN TO LIKE EVERYBODY IF YOU TRY.

7. BE GENEROUS WITH PRAISE --- CAUTIOUS WITH CRITICISM.

8. BE CONSIDERATE WITH THE FEELING OF OTHERS. IT WILL BE APPRECIATED.

9. BE THOUGHTFUL OF THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS. THERE ARE THREE SIDES TO A CONTROVERSY --- YOURS AND THE OTHER FELLOWS, AND THE RIGHT ONE.

10. BE ALERT TO FINE SERVICE. WHAT COUNTS MOST IN LIFE IS WHAT WE DO FOR OTHERS.

The Plan...

What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.

I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's a plan for peace.

1) "The US will apologize to the world for our "interference" in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good ole boys', we will never "interfere" again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea, the Middle East, and the Philippines. They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thorough checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign "students" over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a "D" and it's back home baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go some place else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the! world, we will not "interfere." They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them are stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island some place. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us "Ugly Americans" any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH...learn it...or LEAVE...

Now, isn't that a winner of a plan? "The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' " If you agree with the above forward it to friends...

David’s “Old Days!”

My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs, and spread mayo on the same cutting board, with the same knife, and no bleach. But, I know of no one that ever got food poisoning.

My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter. And, I used to eat it raw sometimes too, but I can't remember getting E-coli.

As children we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

Our baby cribs, toys, and rooms were painted with bright colored lead-based paint. We often chewed on the crib, ingesting the paint.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes we had no helmets.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We played dodge ball and sometimes the ball would really hurt. And remember sandlot football (full tackle with no protective gear)? How did we ever survive that?

We played with toy guns, played cowboys and Indians, army, cops and robbers, too. And used our fingers to simulate guns when the toy ones or a BB gun was not available.

We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank sugar sody, but we were never overweight. We were always outside playing, that's why.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.

Some students weren't as smart as others or didn't work hard so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.

That generation produced some of the greatest risk-takers and problem solvers this world has ever seen. We had freedom, failure, success, and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in a lake or a farm pond instead of a pristine eye-burning chlorine pool (talk about boring!).

The term cell phone would have conjured up images of a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system.

We all took gym, not PE... and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked's (only worn in gym) instead of having cross training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors. I can't recall any injuries, but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option... even for stupid kids! I reckon PE must be much harder than gym.

Every year, someone taught the whole school a lesson by running in the halls with leather soles on linoleum tile and hitting the wet spot. How much better off would we be today if we only knew we could have sued the school system.

Speaking of school, we all said prayers and the Pledge and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches.

I can't understand it. Schools didn't offer 14 year olds an abortion or Condoms (we wouldn't have known what either was anyway) but they did give us a couple of baby aspirin and cough syrup if we started getting the sniffles. Remember school nurses? Ours wore a nurse-hat and everything.

Students and teachers were expected to dress appropriately and were warned only once by the principal. Next time they were sent home to change.

And, imagine…I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself.

I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, PlayStation, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital cable stations.

I must be repressing that memory as I try to rationalize through the denial of the dangers that could have befallen us as we trekked off each day about a mile down the road to some guy's vacant 20 acres, built forts out of branches and pieces of plywood, made trails, and fought over who got to be the Lone Ranger. What was that property owner thinking, letting us play on that lot? He should have been locked up for not putting up a fence around the property, complete with a self-closing gate and an infrared intruder alarm.

Oh yeah... and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have died!

We played king of the hill on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 29-cent bottle of Mercurochrome and then we got our butt spanked. Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat.

We didn't act up at the neighbor's house either because if we did, we got our butt spanked (physical abuse) there too ... and then we got spanked again when we got home.

Mom invited the door-to-door salesman inside for coffee, kids choked down the dust from the gravel driveway while playing with Tonka trucks (remember when Tonka trucks were made tough...it wasn't so that they could take the rough Berber carpet in the family room), and Dad drove a car with leaded gas.

Our music had to be left inside when we went out to play and I am sure that I nearly exhausted my imagination a couple of times when we went on two week vacations. I should probably sue the folks now for the danger they put us in when we all slept in campgrounds in the family tent.

Summers were spent behind the push lawnmower. I didn't even know that mowers came with motors until I was 13 and we got one without an automatic blade-stop or an auto-drive. How sick were my parents?

Of course my parents weren't the only psychos. I recall Donny Reynolds from next-door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop just before he fell off. Little did his Mom know that she could have owned our house. Instead she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck.

To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family. How could we possibly have known that we needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills, that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac!

How did we survive?

An open letter to Kristin...

My Dearest Kristin…

A little more than 15 years ago, on March 27, 1990, you dropped into the world, my daughter, my first and only child—a surprise, a gift, a miracle, an eater of electrical cords, a fertilizer factory, a joy, a thrill in the heart, all the platitudes with a big red cherry on top. Here’s the truth: Girl, oh, girl, do I love you. And Kristin, how I wish I could spend the rest of my life with my lips to your cheek, my eyes warming in yours, your hand in mine. Once in a lifetime, someone like you comes along to make someone like me as happy and proud and as lucky as anyone ever could be. And, in my prayers every day I ask God to let me know and experience the closeness again…like, you know, the kind that once in a lifetime, two people will share the closeness they’re both dreaming of… I fear that time is running out for me. So, before it’s too late I want you to know how very much I love and miss you.

I’m surely proud of you…and, yes, I’ve followed your life, watched quietly from the sidelines so to speak. I have even followed your half-brothers and their accomplishments. (Josh & Jess—yep, I know you have a bunch more “halfs” too.) From Joshua and Amanda to Jesse and Victoria as well as their time in York. I was especially proud of Josh’s scholarship from the choir and the musical student of the year award. And, his published comments… There’s more too. Still, I am somewhat surprised that both boys have not gone back to court and changed their last names back to Randolph. I was misled about their Dad, John…in truth he’s really a nice guy and cool in anyone’s book. A fine father I think.

The last picture I saw of you I could hardly believe…gosh, you’re cute as a bug’s ear. You do sing well, too. But I knew that…do you remember singing “Puff the Magic Dragon” with me? It was one of your favorite songs. And I really believe your artistic talents are super fine too… Yep, I know about the “honor” society as well. You’re actually doing better in school than I did. And now you’re 15 years old, a young woman…and now a sophomore. Gosh, you’ll be graduating high school before you know it. Got kind of a kick out of what you must have gone through with the new school this year… Was it way cool…? Bet so, but a bit of a hassle too. And imagine, another change coming up this fall. Any idea what you want to do after graduating high school? Nope, I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up either… But, I do know that I would surely like to be at your graduation…can I give you a really neat graduation gift…? If you could have anything you want…(not need)…what would that be…? I surely wish I had a (current) picture of you to carry with me always, too. Tell me about your boy friend…you do have one, don’t you? I surely wish I could have heard your comments after your first date. That’s the Dad in me I think….

And I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately—from cabbages to kings, but mostly about you—can you tell…? If one has no priorities, one has nothing. Too much “bed time” will certainly get one to thinking. Darn war wounds…doctors say I’ve been hard on my body over the years too. Tramping through too many foreign jungles, too many covert missions, too many strange foods all have finally caught up with me. Guess your old man is just a worn out “has-been” now, huh? But, that’s okay cause at least I’ve done it and not just dreamed about it. I can still talk the talk and walk the walk. Besides, I have the experiences of 5 lifetimes. I have the good Lord to thank for that…yes, God has truly watched over me. And, while I would likely change a few things…for the most part, I’m happy with my life. Yep, there is a price to pay for freedom, but I don’t mind. Someone’s got to do it… It is never wrong to fight for the oppressed…especially for those that can’t fight for themselves. And, yes, regardless of what you’ve likely heard…it’s not wrong to be in the military, to fight for the freedoms we hold dear. Indeed, I’m proud to be an Infantry officer; not just a wannabe, but a true warrior. And, I’m proud of my medals…especially proud of my purple hearts. I’m proud that I was able to do my part to help others that couldn’t help themselves. I’m proud that I was a soldier… I’m proud to truly believe in Duty, God, and Country.

By the way, did you know that because of my military background and retirement that you are eligible for a military ID card, free medical care, PX and commissary privileges, free air flights, great camps, and even going to one of the military academies? By the way, I would surely like to help you while you’re in college…not studying silly, just financially. Jesse said I was trying to buy your love… Not true. Love can’t be bought…I thought everyone knew that. Besides, even though you don’t remember—you truly loved me once. That kind of love, while sometimes suppressed, never goes away.

In any case, and after listening to too many doctors, I’ve now come to believe that my time on this earth is running out and I might never see you again. How sad it makes me to realize you may never know your real Dad and how much we once meant to each other. I can still feel your arms tightly around my neck as they pulled you from me…you crying and pleading to stay…so afraid to go with them. It truly saddens me that some in Brainerd & Baxter have made such a concerted effort to ensure that you never know me…Yes, I know you don’t remember…and, yes I know you’ve been told some terrible things about me. “Alienation of affection” the courts call it. I call it a deliberate attempt to poison your mind against me. I knew at the time, fall of 1992, that in protecting you from your half-brother I was risking losing you forever. Yes, Kristin, I would do it again for I did stop what was happening to you. And, I am so glad you don’t remember. I am even surer today that my actions were completely necessary and proper to protect you. In any case, I have no doubt that most of what you’ve been led to believe about me is not true. I’m not going into that now—it’ll serve no purpose. I know my blood flows in your veins and one day you’ll figure it out on your own. Just as I know you are always questioning and learning, and you’ll be young and alive no matter what your chronological age, for your mind is always alert, curious, flexible, and open to new experiences. Be careful, though, for you tend to have so many ideas and irons in the fire that it is hard to keep track of them all. You’re a lot like me…you need and crave variety, change, mental stimulation, and an active social life. Yep, I truly believe that God will show you who I am… At least I’m an eternal optimist, huh?

But, I’m not even sure you’ll get this letter. I know you’ve not received much of what I’ve sent you. Did you know that I sent you a TV? And, yes, I believe that kind of censorship is wrong and an attempt by others to keep me out of your life. But that’s the price I still pay. Still, you’re old enough now to make your own decisions, to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. Beware of anyone that tries to censor what you see or hear or read to “protect” you. Make your own mind up… Never give up your integrity and honor…never ever allow anyone to compromise your integrity and honor, no matter what the price. One without honor truly has nothing… A lack of honor creates one who’s a hollow, empty shell of a person, paranoid in all things and unable to cope with real life. It’s a great feeling for me to know that I can walk anywhere in this world and look anyone straight in the eyes without embarrassment. I’m so very proud of you… And, I’m not worried about you either, for I know you’re truly a lot like me… You thrive on challenge. The downside to this is that you often feel that you must battle your way through life, depending upon no one and nothing but your own strength, intelligence, and courage. Yep, I know it’s kind of a pain in the butt sometimes… But, I know you believe in being totally honest, true to oneself and one's own vision and convictions, even if that means standing alone. Honesty, integrity, personal honor, and authenticity are your gods, and you have no sympathy for weakness of character in others. And, never, ever back down from anyone or anything if you’re right. But, make darn sure you’re right. Yes, you have me to blame for all this stuff… See, I told you that my blood flows through your veins.

I’m sure you’re smart enough to make your own choices based upon what you believe is right and not just because that’s what you’ve been told or raised to believe. How terrible it is that some raise their children to only believe what they believe…and what their parents and grandparents believed. That’s very limiting, isn’t it? We live in a very large world with lots of different beliefs. Consider all…then make your choices. Remember, cults are especially dangerous for they remove your freedom of thought. Again, beware of anyone who says “my way is the only way, stay away from all others.” Sweetheart, I have great faith in you…you’re a young woman now and fully capable of deciding what’s right and what’s not. Of course I know you’re young and inexperienced…that’s fine though. The world needs your freshness, your wonder, your questioning mind… Remember, wisdom comes not from books.

And, so to me…what do I do now…? Actually, I have no clue. I have no fear of death, it brings no sorrow. I’ve always said that dying was easy; it’s the living that’s hard. That might be a good book title, huh? Not to worry…more than once I’ve proven that I’m especially hard to kill…and, I’m way too ornery to die unexpectedly or even easy. Am I rambling now…? Too bad there aren’t any books out there to teach us stuff like this or what to do. Still…no one ever said life was fair, or even easy. So, now I wait and wonder… And, I think about things… Such as, I send your mother nearly $200.00 a week especially for you…do you ever see any of it? I recently watched a really neat movie on TV…”The Other Side of Heaven” and I wonder if you would enjoy that kind of movie too? And, do you know that your middle name, Jean, is in honor of your grandmother? Granny, you called her. Gosh, she loved you so much. I really miss her too. I wonder, also, if you’d like riding with me on a Harley? And, you should see my biker vest…my colors and medals. They call me “Okie.” My friends believe I should make sure you get these when I die. I wonder what your thoughts about that would be…? I wonder if you laughed about some of the music I sent you. And, the stuff I got for you from Hawaii. I know I’m an old guy, but some of that stuff is really cool. Besides, it’s really fun trying to guess what you’d like…what you wouldn’t, and then spending the day looking for you. I even have to guess what sizes you wear. It truly makes me feel closer to you while hunting for neat stuff to get you. Yes, I know you sometimes just shake your head and roll your eyes…but, that’s okay. At least you know I’m thinking, and trying, and loving you--it’s just “David’s” way. Gosh, how I’d love to take you around the world so you could experience all the wonderful and strange things I could share with you. Kristin, there’s a great big world out there just waiting to be discovered. Got to be one place you’re really dreaming of seeing…?

Okay, that’s enough of that stuff…now to the hard part…Sweetheart, I’m not going to write anymore, nor send you the rest of the stuff I have for you until you, at the very least, write me back—maybe even a thank you note. I surely hope you understand. I do want you to know, though, that I have a lot of stuff for you. Cool stuff from your grandmother including some especially neat jewelry… And, what about an Ipod and a portable DVD player. Do you have a cell phone?. And, for your 16th birthday…? How bout a Jeep? …you used to really like mine and sitting on my lap and driving. You could even shift the 5 speed as long as I did the clutch thing. You do drive, don’t you? Is red still your favorite color? Do you remember anything about the trips you and I took together--just you and me…? How about learning to fly, or just some Alaskan bush flying…want too? Remember, I’m still a pilot. Ever considered SCUBA diving…? I know some really neat dive spots in the world. But, as I said…you’ve got to at least write me. Better yet, email me. Does anyone censor your email or computer use? What ever happened to plain old trust? Still, Kristin, even if you don’t write or call…I’ll understand. I’ve even thought what it’d be like to meet you at an airport terminal for the first time…what would I say…I don’t know…but, gosh, I’d be nervous. I do know it’d be difficult…not just for you, but me too. Not to worry, Sweetheart, it’ll work out just like it’s supposed to and I’ll always love you no matter what. To the world you might be one person, but to me you are the world. I’ll always be here for you if you ever need anything… And, no, I’m not always right and I’m sure not perfect…neither are you. Only one perfect person ever walked this earth. And, I believe the good Lord will let me watch over you forever…yes, I am one of your guardian angels, you just haven’t realized it yet.

Daughter…I love you

Dad, David, hey you, whatever…

She really was a traitor.

A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED KEEP THIS MOVING ACROSS AMERICA

This is for all the kids born in the 70's who do not remember, and didn't have to bear the burden that our fathers, mothers and older brothers and sisters had to bear.

Jane Fonda is being honored as one of the "100 Women of the Century."

Unfortunately, many have forgotten and still countless others have never known how Ms. Fonda betrayed not only the idea of our country, but specific men who served and sacrificed during Vietnam.
The first part of this is from an F-4E pilot.
The pilot's name is Jerry Driscoll, a River Rat.

In 1968, the former Commandant of the USAF Survival School was a POW in Ho Lo Prison the "Hanoi Hilton."

Dragged from a stinking cesspit of a cell, cleaned, fed, and dressed in clean PJ's, he was ordered to describe for a visiting American "Peace Activist" the "lenient and humane treatment" he'd received.

He spat at Ms. Fonda, was clubbed, and was dragged away. During the subsequent beating, he fell forward on to the camp Commandant's feet, which sent that officer berserk.

In 1978, the Air Force Colonel still suffered from double vision (which permanently ended his flying career) from the Commandant's frenzied application of a wooden baton.

From 1963-65, Col. Larry Carrigan was in the 47FW/DO (F-4E's). He spent 6 years in the "Hanoi Hilton",,, the first three of which his family only knew he was "missing in action". His wife lived on faith that he was still alive. His group, too, got the cleaned-up, fed and clothed routine in preparation for a "peace delegation" visit. They, however, had time and devised a plan to get word to the world that they were alive and still survived. Each man secreted a tiny piece of paper, with his Social Security Number on it, in the palm of his hand.

When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a cameraman, she walked the line, shaking each man's hand and asking little encouraging snippets like: "Aren't you sorry you bombed babies?" and "Are you grateful for the humane treatment from your benevolent captors?" Believing this HAD to be an act, they each palmed her their sliver of paper. She took them all without missing a beat. At the end of the line and once the camera stopped rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs, she turned to the officer in charge and handed him all the little pieces of paper.

Three men died from the subsequent beatings. Colonel Carrigan was almost number four but he survived, which is the only reason we know of her actions that day.

I was a civilian economic development advisor in Vietnam, and was captured by the North Vietnamese communists in South Vietnam in 1968, and held prisoner for over 5 years.

I spent 27 months in solitary confinement; one year in a cage in Cambodia; and one year in a "black box" in Hanoi. My North Vietnamese captors deliberately poisoned and murdered a female missionary, a nurse in a leprosarium in Ban me Thuot, South Vietnam, whom I buried in the jungle near the Cambodian border. At one time, I weighed only about 90 lbs. (My normal weight is 170 lbs.)

We were Jane Fonda's "war criminals."

When Jane Fonda was in Hanoi, I was asked by the camp communist political officer if I would be willing to meet with her.

I said yes, for I wanted to tell her about the real treatment we POWs received... and how different it was from the treatment purported by the North Vietnamese, and parroted by her as "humane and lenient."

Because of this, I spent three days on a rocky floor on my knees, with my arms outstretched with a large steel weights placed on my hands, and beaten with a bamboo cane.

I had the opportunity to meet with Jane Fonda soon after I was released. I asked her if she would be willing to debate me on TV. She never did answer me.

These first-hand experiences do not exemplify someone who should be honored as part of "100 Years of Great Women." Lest we forget..." 100 Years of Great Women" should never include a traitor whose hands are covered with the blood of so many patriots.

There are few things I have strong visceral reactions to, but Hanoi Jane's participation in blatant treason, is one of them. Please take the time to forward to as many people as you possibly can. It will eventually end up on her computer and she needs to know that we will never forget. RONALD D. SAMPSON, CMSgt, USAF 716 Maintenance Squadron, Chief of Maintenance DSN: 875-6431 COMM: 883-6343

PLEASE HELP BY SENDING THIS TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK. IF ENOUGH PEOPLE SEE THIS MAYBE HER STATUS WILL CHANGE
Gretchen Shipman Austin Foam Plastics, Inc. Controller/Payroll 512-251-6063 ext 215

I Was A Soldier

I was a Soldier: That's the way it is, that's what we were. We put it, simply, without any swagger, without any brag, in those four plain words. We speak them softly, just to ourselves. Others may have forgotten. They are a manifesto to mankind; speak those four words anywhere in the world -- yes, anywhere -- and many who hear will recognize their meaning. They are a pledge. A pledge that stems from a document which said: "I solemnly Swear"..."to protect and defend" and goes on from there, and from a Flag called "Old Glory". Listen, and you can hear the voices echoing through them, words that sprang white-hot from bloody lips, shouts of "medic," whispers of "Oh God!" forceful words of "Follow Me." If you can't hear them, you weren't, if you can you were. Don't give up the ship! Fight her till she dies... Damn the torpedoes! Can you hear Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daily, who in 1918 led the Marine charge into Belleau Woods with the cry, "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?" or Don't cheer, boys; the poor devils are dying." Laughing words, and words cold as January ice, words that when spoken, were meant,... "Wait till you see the whites of their eyes." The echo's of I was a Soldier. Do you see Easy Company who in 1944 fought their way to the top of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima and planted an American flag? It wasn't easy.. and Freedom is not Free. You can hear the slow cadences at Gettysburg or at Arlington honoring not a man, but a Soldier, perhaps forgotten by his nation...Oh! Those Broken Promises. You can hear those echoes as you have a beer at the "Post," walk in a parade, go to The Wall, visit a VA hospital, hear the mournful sounds of taps, or gaze upon the white crosses, and Stars of David, row upon row. But they aren't just words; they're a way of life, a pattern of living, or a way of dying. They make for crying while singing the "Banner." They make the evening, with another day's work done; supper with the wife and kids; and no Gestapo snooping at the door. They gave you the right to choose who shall run our government for us, the right to a secret vote that counts just as much as the next fellow's; and the obligation to use that right and guard it and keep it clean. They prove the right to hope, to dream, to pray, to speak out; the obligation to serve. These are some of the meanings of those four words, meanings we don't often stop to tally up or even list.
Only in the stillness of a moonless night, or in the quiet of a Sunday afternoon, or in the thin dawn of a new day, when our world is close about us do they rise up in our memories and stir in our sentient hearts. And we are remembering Wake Island and Bataan, Inchon and Chu Lai, Bragg and Benning, Great Lakes and Paris Island, Travis and Chanute and many other places long forgotten by our civilian friends. And most recently Iraq and Afghanistan. They're plain words, those four Simple words. You could engrave them on stone; you could carve them on the mountain ranges. You could sing them to the tune of "Yankee Doodle." But you needn't. You needn't do any of those things for those words are engraved in the hearts of Veterans. They are familiar to 24,000,000 tongues, every sound and every syllable. If you must write them, put them on my Stone. But when you speak them, speak them softly, proudly, I will hear you, for, I was a Soldier.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Resume

David M. Couch
Anchorage, AK
davidcouch@gci.net

As a senior management official, I regularly negotiated projects and plans, brought decisions to closure, demonstrated strong leadership skills, and understood complex technological and procurements issues. Equally important is my ability to be politically astute and capable of dealing within a dynamic political environment. Paramount is my ability to increase the efforts in managing information itself and decreasing the preoccupation with hardware technology. Of particular importance is my ability to educate senior-level managers to understand that they, too, are Information Resource Management program managers and dispel the notion that IRM is only related to the computer.

My responsibilities on various executive level councils, committees, actions teams, planning groups, and task forces has provided me a track record of proven tact and diplomacy skills as well as exposure and knowledge of policies, directives, guidelines, regulation, principles, and processes at the local, state, regional, and national level.


WORK EXPERIENCE:
01/31/2004 to Present Retired.

05/18/2003 to 01/31/2004. Directorate of Information Management, Ft. Greely, Alaska. U.S. Army DOD GS 2210–13 step 6. LTC Marie Grimmer, Garrison Commander.
Duties: As the DOIM, I supervised a substantial workforce including telecommunications, SIPR/NIPR networks and computers, webmaster, budgeting, project management officers, CORs and civilian contractors, ATM, fiber optic and cable installations, and other specialists. As the technical expert, I analyzed all requirements for IMA services and related support for Ft. Greely Garrison and other tenant activities including the USPS and postal facility for official mail and distribution. I prepared and managed a fiscal budget of more than $9,000,000, managed numerous projects, and chaired and co-chaired multiple committees. I developed overall plans, criterion and specifications for programs and projects, approved budgeting and obtained funding, and oversaw projects including long distance underground pipe and cable installations and security systems. I coordinated funding with tenant agency action officers on projects. I developed, recommended, implemented, and enforced command unique policies over all existing IMA resources. I oversaw, managed, and controlled the 5 year IMA Plan and all IMA programs and funding for the supported tenant activities. I approved the FGA annex to the IMSP. I reviewed the IMA, POM, UR, AND UFR submittals for FGA. I managed the Information Resource Program conducting information requirements studies; ensured compliance with appropriate HQDA and NETCOM information architectures; performed reviews of management information requirements; and prepared and managed actions for all supported activities. I planned, managed and executed the strategic planning integration functions for the garrison. I was responsible for ensuring that plans, projects, and programs were coordinated into an integrated and cohesive strategic plan and provided input for prioritization and allocation of resources to the Installation Planning Board and the Garrison Commander. I managed timetables and milestones, prepared briefings and correspondence, and distributed command policy and guidance on planning processes. I coordinated and presented programmatic status and decisions to the Garrison Commander and the Installation Planning Board and ensured the approved business management system was incorporated into the installation strategic plan. I directed, conducted and oversaw the completion of detailed studies, projects, and programs in response to initiatives. I acted as the Garrison Commander and the Deputy Garrison Commander in the absence of the Garrison and Deputy Garrison Commanders.

04/07/2002 to 05/18/2003. Chief, Information Resource Management, GS 2210-13. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Las Vegas, NV, John B. Bright, VA Hospital Director (702) 636-3011.
Duties: I supervised 30+ technical specialists: civilian contractors, network administrators, PC Technicians, Customer Support, Web Masters, Exchange mail system, Imaging, Applications, Programmers, Telecommunications and PBXs, video, telephone operators, ISO-Systems Security, and Medical Media. I served as senior advisor to local, regional, and national organizational elements. I was responsible for the operation and maintenance of all computer and telecommunication systems hardware and software and other IRM functions that provided data processing and telecommunications support: systems management, configuration, optimization, inventory, LAN/WAN, software development, database management, and telecommunications requirements. I prepared and managed a fiscal budget of more than $3,000,000, managed numerous projects, chaired and co-chaired multiple committees including the Air Force IM Council and the joint venture between VA and DOD, and managed day-to-day operations of an IRM Department. I coordinated and oversaw activities and projects of the information systems: PCs, LAN, VLAN, and WAN Networks, multiple PBXs, telephones, paging, radios, video conferencing, and digital images. I was responsible for maintaining information system security, strategic contingency and emergency plans, budgeting, cost benefit analyses, and operating procedures.

07/30/2000 to 04/07/2002. Imaging Section Chief, GS 2210-12. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ. Bryan T. Bayley.
Duties: As the Imaging System Section Chief in the IRM Department of the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, I was responsible for a broad range of supervisory, technical, managerial, and administrative duties associated with the provision and use of information technology. I was responsible for planning and directing the Medical Center’s IRM Department program for all clinical and administrative Imaging, LAN, and WAN systems development and support. I served as the authority for an extremely complex state-of-the-art Imaging System that required the integration of a multitude of servers, PCs, LAN, and WAN services requiring extensive analysis, evaluation, and administration to support system needs. I supervised the installation and configuration, user training, and customer support for Medical Center Imaging Systems and was fully responsible for planning, budgeting, and execution of systems management and operation functions including performing feasibility investigations of proposals and devising proposed changes. I determined how the system should be organized, what equipment demands would result, the number and kind of records, files, and documents necessary, and the procedures to obtain and organize the required information. I managed the only Medical System Imaging Project that provided images of pathology slides, x-rays, can-scans, and others integrated into VA hospital databases. The project was so successful that the VA designated the hospital as the Center of Excellence for Medial Imaging.

07/05/1998 to 07/30/2000. Lead Computer Specialist, GS 0334-11. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ. Walt Freese, (602) 277-5551, x2687
Duties: I served as the assistant PC LAN Administrator and provided support for the Medial Center’s NT servers, Exchange mail servers, Terminal servers, routers, switches, client computers, LAN, and WAN. I formulated and directed the development of major administrative policies governing the implementation and operations of the Medical Center PCs, LANs, and WANs. I was responsible for a broad range of technical and administrative duties associated with application systems, Windows NT, 98, and 2000 operating and applications systems, print and file servers, LANs, Exchange mail, client computer systems, help desk, and National government software initiatives. I frequently provided technical advice, support, and training on servers and client PCs to other IRM service staff, administrative, and management personnel. I ensured the configuration, operability and reliability of the domain, MS Exchange Servers and Network, Ethernet, routers, switches and hubs and their component modules including DNS and DHCP servers, and Intranet connectivity. I regularly assisted in programming, troubleshooting, and repairing the network, including ATM, fiber optic, and Gig Ethernet associated technologies and served as the Local Area Network specialist for the facility.

07/05/1997 to 07/05/1998. Computer Specialist, GS 0334-09. US Army Corps of Engineers/FEMA.
Duties: I served as a computer specialist and provided a multitude of various support services to include LAN, WAN, and PC server and workstation design, construction, configuration, customer support, and help desk troubleshooting, and applications assistance for the distributed automation systems. This included over 1000 client workstations, the District LAN and fileservers, the Exchange mail servers, the CADD LAN, and fileservers to include MS-DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows 95 and 98, Windows NT, OS2, UNIX, and NOS/VE Cluster systems. I was responsible for reviewing, organizing, and coordinating customer support user requests for installation, configuration, customizing, maintenance, service, trouble-shooting, general assistance, and training concerning software and hardware environments utilized in the networked computer systems. I provided similar assistance for networked platforms of both Windows NT (CAD) and Novell mail services. I translated general user request for assistance into specific accomplishment of service calls. I performed complete initialization of networked systems, determined needs to reconstruct or repair databases, and ensured the restoration of all transactions, user programs, systems, and data files.

05/01/1984 to 07/04/1997. Construction and Heavy Equipment Operator (Bridges, Roads, Nuclear Power Plants, Oil Field sites, Pipe Lines).
I worked for construction companies in positions ranging from Line Foreman to heavy equipment operator and followed the available work to locations ranging from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to Georgia and South Carolina. I performed a multitude of tasks ranging from driving belly dumps, moving oversized equipment, installing oil, gas, water, and drainage pipe lines up to 8’ to building bridge forms and operating heavy equipment: track and rubber tire back hoes, side booms, maintainers (road graders), and 100 T cranes. I stripped high pressure gas valves, built level oil drilling sites for triple rigs, completed long distance pipe lines, built a nuclear power plant, slung 50 T bridge spans, and moved a lot of dirt to grade on highways and ditches. I was proficient with all heavy equipment including dozers, front end loaders, road graders (maintainers), track and rubber tire back hoes, and cranes (both brake and hydraulic). I was a proficient welder.

Self employed National Magazine Author: I offered diversified photographic and manuscript services to advertising agencies, magazines, newspapers, and book publishers. As a writer/photographer, I researched, developed, and implemented concepts designed and focused to specific market areas. I composed, edited, and sold creative articles, technical essays, and photographs on a wide range of subjects to national publications ranging from Audubon and The Robb Report to McCall’s and Field & Stream. I dealt with individuals, governmental agencies, military personnel, and public affairs offices to elicit aid, gain information, research data, and develop conclusions to complete designated assignments. Furthermore, I taught classes and workshops to the general public and at the college level on computers, public affairs, creative writing, and photography, as well as spoke before professional organizations about the publication field.

Retired Army Officer: Disabled Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient.

EDUCATION:
High School – Delta Junction, Alaska.
University of Alaska, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Texas- Science Curriculum.

SPECIAL LICENSES:
Land and Sea Pilot license – 3000 hours. Certified SCUBA Instructor.

TRAINING:
USDA Graduate School-Supervisor Training, E-Government Project Analysis and Implementation, COR, Project Management, Windows 2000 Directory Services, Windows 2000, NT, and XP, Enterprise Core Technologies, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Enterprise Server, MS Networking Essentials, Internetworking Microsoft TCP/IP, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Exchange Server Admin and Terminal Servers. MS optimizing, troubleshooting, and repair. TCP/IP Networking Protocols, Novell Administration, Cisco Management, Citrix MetaFrame Administration, Open VMS, HL7, and DICOM.

AWARDS:
Department of the Army Commendation and Appreciation Awards, VA: Superior Performance Incentive Awards. USACE: Superior Performance Incentive Awards and Six “on the spot cash awards” for exemplary customer support and computer skills. Professional Photographers of America -Best of Show. Kodak Gallery Award. Writer’s Digest Article Contest- Second Place Award. Various military medals and awards.