Stallion Stallion and Janet joined Hutch and Steve for a few days in September, 2001. Arriving on September 15, just days after the WTC attack, none of us knew what to expect. But following NYC's mayor as well as our own instincts as New Yorkers, we decided that the best thing we could do was to press ahead and not let the terrorists win. We had a great visit, and New York City was bedecked with red, white and blue everywhere. We knew immediately that this was a visit we would not soon … [Read more...]
Stallion’s Ditty – 2002 Reunion
Stallion Try to imagine if you can, awaking before the sky gets light; and then thanking whatever it is you find holy, for just surviving another night. Then you walk out maybe thirty feet, turn your back and drop your pants; while holding your weapon, you answer nature's call, and watch for the enemy, scorpions, snakes, and ants. Breakfast is jelly on crackers, or some kind of meat from a small green can; half the time it is nothing at all, life's not easy as an infantryman. You … [Read more...]
Ditties 10/08/97
Stallion It's often said that time heals all wounds, I would take that bet; Whoever said it wasn't looking, Through the eyes of a combat vet. There are wounded minds that have never healed, Nothing stops the pain; And nothing can give back that which was taken, And why was never explained. Enemy contact so long ago, Comes back on random nights; And the mind bleeds a little each time it relives, The terror of a firefight. Sometimes it's merely something seen, A certain sound or … [Read more...]
Ditties 10/28/98
Stallion I've grown weary of fighting the demons, in the battle for my soul; my life is losing direction, almost void now of meaning and goals. The addictions I conquered so long ago, have risen from the ash; to feed the fires of torment, around which the demons dance. And as they beckon me to surrender, I can smell their fetid breath; I see purgatory in their eyes, I can hear their song of death. I wonder if peace will finally come, if I lay down and close my eyes; and abandon … [Read more...]
Ditties 7/09/99
Stallion There are many people throughout history, that we should be thankful for; those that made us a nation of peace, those that fought our wars. Eisenhower, Pershing, Patton, Kennedy, Mandela, King; all knew life is worth fighting for, and freedom is a precious thing. Henry Ford gave us the automobile, Eli Whitney, the cotton gin; As for Thomas Edison, I don't know where to begin. Alfred Nobel gave us dynamite, Houdini showed us tricks; Madame Curie helped the sick. The … [Read more...]
Mother’s Day, May 1st
Stallion In Vietnam and Cambodia, together served a small group of men; their lifetime bond and their stories, would be told again and again. There was a man in every squad, who carried the radio; it was a very important, very dangerous job, he was called the *R.T.O. He was our link to fire support, from the ground and from the sky; he always knew what we needed, and never had to ask why. His rucksack was the heaviest, his job unlike any other; we were blessed with the best there … [Read more...]
Heroes Gone Home
Stallion On Saturday morning I was in the car, the radio was on; the space shuttle Columbia had come apart, the crew of seven was gone. Thirty-nine miles above Texas, a Florida touchdown just minutes away: I drove in silence and listened, to what the announcer had to say. The tragedy was not survivable, smoke and fire streamed across the sky; debris would be scattered for hundreds of miles, no one yet knows the reason why. Shock was the initial reaction, now the nay sayers … [Read more...]
Spring 2003
Stallion Spring 2003 A light fog hovers above the field, the pasture soon glistens with dew; as the morning sun nudges the horizon, nature starts her day anew. The scent of spring drifts through the air, grassy daggers begin to appear; and will soon feed a host of animals, such as cattle, horses, and deer. Certain trees have tiny green buds, while others have started to bloom; the wind sweeps last year’s fallen leaves, using its breath as a giant broom. Clocks will soon be set … [Read more...]
A Tribute to Edgar Lee, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
Stallion Edgar LeeThere is no more that a country can ask, No more that a man can give; Than when faced with insurmountable odds, Lay down his life so that others might live. He was a medic with Bravo, 1st of the 5th, Of the Army’s famed First Cavalry; His friends called him “Mac”; the grunts called him “Doc”, To his family, he was Edgar Lee. He was always the role model, and inspiration, For his younger sister and brother; And a source of immeasurable parental pride, For both … [Read more...]
Thoughts on CALvary Vs. CAValry
Stallion It's CAValry People who waste their education, Can be particularly annoying to me; How many times must I say this, The word is “CAVALRY.” Too often it’s called “The Calvary,” Which is not an interchangeable word; Calvary, I believe, is where Jesus died, Or maybe they haven’t heard. I’m proud of my division in Vietnam, I served with the 1st Cavalry; And it’s called the Cav, not the Cal, Is that so hard to see. The cavalry got its name, From the horse mounted soldiers … [Read more...]