Comments on Kaboom: A Soldier's War Journal: AngerSadnessHope: Two Half

Lt G, I agree with BadBlog, this post only confirm...

2008-05-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Lt G, I agree with BadBlog, this post only confirmed what I knew must be true from your writings (and from her own posts): you have an awesome mom!

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blo...

2008-05-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 05/27/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front lines.

I knew you must have an awesome mom to be such an ...

2008-05-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

I knew you must have an awesome mom to be such an awesome man.

Reading this post and being a woman from VA....I'v...

2008-05-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Reading this post and being a woman from VA....I've never been prouder. We don't back down especially where our boys are concerned...it just WON'T HAPPEN.

Hot winds...Dust and sand,grit and sun.Sometimes y...

2008-05-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hot winds...Dust and sand,grit and sun.

Sometimes you have to lose yourself in order to find yourself...

Life becomes a whirl of what once was,thoughts perceptions, and what is-laced with sureal expectations.

There is no right way, no wrong way...there just is what becomes your way.

It might even feel like a very lonely path...

Sometimes we lose ourselves so that we come face to face with that sence of universal oneness-that reminds us that we are a part of something so much greater.

I am not talking about patriotism, nationalism, or any other "isms".

We are one.

Today is memorial day and I did not take my daughter to any of the tributes, or ceramonial rememberances...

It just wasn't what I wanted to feel.

Our local paper had an editorial "Do not look away from Iraq" and listed these blogs.I didn't know how much truth would come through.

I really just wanted to hear your voice,hear what you have to say.

I have never communicated in this format before...

Just wanted to let you know that you have not been forgotten.

I am a stranger, an unknown.

I will use my voice in whatever way I can to bring you all home.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts & your story.

Please stay vigalent & focussed. Stay safe.

I am not looking away.

One does not say "Happy Memorial Day." Today I re...

2008-05-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

One does not say "Happy Memorial Day." Today I remember especially my own father, Lieutenant D. E. H., USAF, dead at 31 in a plane crash. Ironically, I cannot literally remember him, as I was too young.

LT G, you are lucky in your mother and father. May the luck of the Scots and Irish bring you home safely, and may you reunite with all of your men in a happier future.

Oh mercy, what a powerful and meaniningful post. ...

2008-05-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Oh mercy, what a powerful and meaniningful post. What a complement to your mom (and I notice she reads and responds to your posts.)

I also traveled the Revolutionary path many years ago, and hit the areas that are known (and taught?) in American schools. I didn't get all of them, but got enough to get the meaning and what cost freedom brings.

My path more traveled Civil War Battlefields. It was from those battlefields I found again the cost of freedom and the willingness of men (and women) to pay that cost. Many years ago, I was at Arlington Cemetery and outside and not too far from Robert E. Lee's mansion is a crypt holding the remains of soldiers who died during Bull Run. These were soldiers who died and were buried here, with only God knowing their names. When I saw that, I was crying, and I remarked to my wife that logically I didn't know why I was crying, but it impacted me.

Thanks for this post. A number of your posts are top of the line, but this one is one of the best.

Stay safe, bring the Gravediggers home.

To be human is to change. Change obiting the core ...

2008-05-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

To be human is to change. Change obiting the core of our self. That core resists change, that foundation found in our childhood.

Virtues, that resonate true and good are always welcome. Those around us soon know the real from the mask.

My salute to you Lt.G for being true with the questions and answers that flow from your soul. Your willingness to share is humbling to this ex-grunt.

Thank you.

I too was raised by a brilliant Virginian with a h...

2008-05-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

I too was raised by a brilliant Virginian with a hippie slant and a clever tongue....sat with her on the lawn at U.Va. in protest of Vietnam. Throughout her life she had been different. Her grand plan was to raise daughters who were not, who could play the sorority games. But on the day I was born as she heard my first cry and everyone in the delivery room had fingers in their ears from the volume of my sound, the grand plan changed. She raised daughters who would ponder the path of the universe and man. And ponder we do which often means that there are no answers, only questions.

But asking the questions requires a degree of maturity...thus making you a man.

Dear Son,Thank you so much. Remember how parched a...

2008-05-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Son,

Thank you so much.

Remember how parched and hot we were after getting off the trolley and walking up to the North Side? We stopped to sit and rest for a bit in a shady cemetery and decided it was probably the cemetery where Johnny Tremain's mother had been buried. And, I'd forgotten about the pigeons and your little brother! What fun! And, I remember how disappointing Plymouth Rock was, but how the two of you had fun on the beach. And I
remember "Mrs. Billington" and her "high spirited boys" at the Plymouth Plantation and how your little brother fell asleep in the back of the car on the way to the airport, but you sat up front with me because you knew I was terribly nervous about driving in Boston traffic.

I'm so grateful for you.

Love, Mom

(just realized that saying "Happy Memorial Day" mi...

2008-05-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

(just realized that saying "Happy Memorial Day" might sound a little ... out of place, inappropriate, ironic ... but I hope the gist of what I meant is clear)

I grew up in Washington, D.C. and have been in Bos...

2008-05-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Washington, D.C. and have been in Boston for the last four years for college, and I've often felt like you do - that being around history inspires a new appreciation for citizenship. I'm especially reminded of that at this time of year, when the National Memorial Day Concert is held at the Capitol. I've gone to this event annually for as long as I can remember, and my favorite part of the concert is when current and former service members are asked to stand while their service song is played. My father stands because he served in the Air Force, and watching people turn to shake his hand and thank him makes me immensely proud both of him and my country. From an early age, it taught me to care about the meaning of being a citizen, much as seeing the sites in Boston seems to have done for you. I suppose the reason I share this is because (as sappy as this might sound, and I'm usually not a sapper) I'd like to say that I think so many of us "ordinary" citizens see you and your fellow service members as reminders of that spirit that makes citizenship inspiring - a spirit that can be angry and sad, but that is also sometimes happy and hopeful and that has, in my opinion, at least, always been halfway between naivety and maturity and honest enough with itself to admit it. And none of this, as you said when you were talking about Boston, in a "corny" way; just in a nice way. Since I'm only a (soon to be) recent college grad, I don't expect or intend my words to be striking or wise or profound or intellectual or any of that (oft-overrated) stuff. It's all really by way of saying: Thanks, and Happy (early) Memorial Day.

Ok, enough sap. :)

Well, I always figured you was bought up right. It...

2008-05-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I always figured you was bought up right. It shows......this piece moved me, and i didnt know what to say, & lackin words, i thought Id just shut up for a change....then a commenter posted this:
"Anyone, and you are certainly among us now, who puts their life on hold and in jepardy for the belief they are protecting those weaker than themselves, will always be the greater man."

And such sensibilities are instilled by strong women......Thanks, Mrs G......

He scarce had need to doff his pride or slough the...

2008-05-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

He scarce had need to doff his pride or slough the dross of Earth -- E'en as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth, In simpleness and gentleness and honor and clean mirth.
So cup to lip in fellowship they gave him welcome high
And made place at the banquet board -- the Strong Men ranged thereby,
Who had done his work and held his peace and had no fear to die.

Rudyard Kipling

BTW: one of your past blogs said something about caring. Anyone, and you are certainly among us now, who puts their life on hold and in jepardy for the belief they are protecting those weaker than themselves, will always be the greater man.

It will always be our duty to care about, and even for, those who do. When we honor you, we honor ourselves as well.

"There was a boy who went to war, like many other ...

2008-05-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

"There was a boy who went to war, like many other boys before him. He doesn’t think who he was would recognize who he is anymore. He doesn’t feel things the way he used to, so he’s wondering if that makes him a man now. Maybe it’s always like that."

Yes. Yes it is. It's better because it's deeper, harder, fuller, and tempered by mundane realities that wee previously unimaginable.

It's that unimaginable reality that moves you. It's you that steers.

"He doesn’t know." I don't think anyone knows anyt...

2008-05-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

"He doesn’t know." I don't think anyone knows anything about themselves, unless they can recognize that they don't know anything about themselves... then maybe they understand it.

Great post, as always.And clearly one written by a...

2008-05-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Great post, as always.
And clearly one written by a man with quite an amazing mother. The quote that bigd posted about not waiting to show those we love "until they or we are struck down by illness or threatened with death" seems very appropriate here. It's a wonderful tribute to your Mom and I know she will appreciate it.

But while I doubt you realize it, it's also quite a tribute to yourself. To your character. Stay safe. Be strong.

Quite a post Lt G. Wonderful tribute to 'Steel Ma...

2008-05-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

Quite a post Lt G. Wonderful tribute to 'Steel Magnolia' Momma G. Hope the changes you perceive within yourself serve to strengthen the "different" you were born to be. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Safe travels.

Hi Lt. G,Forgot to leave your music selections for...

2008-05-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Lt. G,
Forgot to leave your music selections for the day...you can dedicate these two to your Mom.
1) A Song For Mama - Boyz II Men
2) Mama - Spice Girls (OK, don't laugh, it is actually very good!)
And for you, there are two songs by Civil Twilight.
1) Human - this should play while people are reading your post and
2) Letters From The Sky

I love these two songs. Take care and dance like no one is watching.

Behind every "Gentleman" is a strong and loving mo...

2008-05-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Behind every "Gentleman" is a strong and loving mother. Kudos to Momma G.

Reno fucking Nevada never deserved a woman of the ...

2008-05-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Reno fucking Nevada never deserved a woman of the caliber of my mother.

Amen, brotha'! I was there for one night and I got an opinion. Not quite sure what it deserves. I'm still struggling between charity and clarity.

Had you noticed that ripits and philosophy do not readily mix?

I'm just sayin'

In response to your post I give you these quotes f...

2008-05-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

In response to your post I give you these quotes from Swiss philospher and poet Henri Frederic Amiel.

"Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy."

"The great artist is the simplifier."

"Oh, do not let us wait to be just or pitiful or demonstrative toward those we love until they or we are struck down by illness or threatened with death! Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind!"

I hope your Mom will be happy with those. In teaching you to "care with your heart and your mind" she has blessed you and molded the kind of human spirit we need in this world. Life is full of deep water; I am glad your Mom created such a brave and tenderhearted soul who is willing and strong enough to swim out into it.
My thoughts are ever with you and your men.

A 'true' southern woman knows that you catch more ...

2008-05-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

A 'true' southern woman knows that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar...

Your Momma sounds wonderful! She did a fine job raising her boys...

Keep your arse covered!

Lt. G - Awesome stuff! My mother was orange and my...

2008-05-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Lt. G - Awesome stuff! My mother was orange and my father green too. They almost did not get married for that reason to but ended up married for 63 years through the Depression, WWII (he - a rifle platoon leader in Europe; both brothers KIA; mom's sister's fiance KIA in Normandy on D+4), and three children.

My mother always let you know exactly where she (and you) stood. Dad was a fly fisherman (as am I) and a loner but a brilliant man who never got inside the gates of a college. He was the strong silent type. He knew I was in Vietnam but I never told my mom and asked him not to tell her either (a secret he took to his grave). She had already lived thru WWII, the deaths of my father's brothers and her sster's fiance. I do not think she could have withstood watching her "baby" march off to war.

Having grown up around the Revolutionary war era o...

2008-05-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

Having grown up around the Revolutionary war era obsession that is Boston's contribution to historicality, I know I found it fairly energizing as well. It wasn't until many years later that I realized the Revolution was fought many years later, many states away. The British abandoned Boston after Washington took Dorchester Heights and never bothered to come back.

Funny that back when you were wandering around Boston was right when I was playing at being LT Y as far from Boston as You can get and still be in the Nifty Fifty United States, wearing the same Lightning Patch you wear. My views on American diplomacy, freedom, and foreign policy have all matured since then as I have learned about the realities of our interactions with Countries through out the world and through time.

Twas certainly my time in the Army that taught me to appreciate Southern Manners and values. As a Yankee Cadet I learned the value of pronouncing the letter R and that Y'all was singular (all y'all being the plural). Damn but English still needs a decent Second Person Plural.

Great writing as always LT G.