My 5,000th post and deications of same

[MORTARDUDE]

Wow...5,000 !!! Counting the Old History Channel, probably 6,500 or more. Little did I know what a true blessing my platoon-mate ( Gary Ogden ) from the 4th platoon, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry ( Mechanized ), 25th infantry Division, would bestow on me when he told me in May 2000 about the www.veterans.com website which was a part of the Old History Channel site. I had been very reluctant for many reasons to go to the VA hospital, file a claim, or talk to anybody about Vietnam. From the moment "Platoon" rolled on the screen in 1987 with the 25th Div. patch displayed, and it being the first unit I was in ( 3/22 ) I began to be alternately repulsed and obsessed with Vietnam...I ran across folks who swore "Platoon" was THE Vienam War movie. A few questions and you knew they were full of shit and we both left mad.....my wife didn't want to talk about what happened to me..her stock answer was "it was war..shit happens"...anyway, I had my first experience with "modern" psychiatry that year ( private ), and he was a Vietnam Vet and was a wonderful man...so things were better until about 8 years later...I started falling apart again...after Gary told me about you guys...Eureka..."real" combat veterans !!! As you know, I like to write..it was the first time I had an outlet for writing....as time went on, I had a lot of bad times, finally got to the Vet Center in 2003, filed a claim for PTSD in March of 2004, starting going to groups at the Vet Center, and my wife filed for divorce while I was in the VA hospital being treated for PTSD in 2004, and we had to file Chapter 7 and lost everything including our house. My wife has taken 40% of my federal govt. pension, and I am back at square one at 56 years old. These are the real costs of war and PTSD. The image of dead children that I help kill will haunt me to my grave.....

Dedications :

OK...first to my Mom and Dad...this is tough...my dad died in 1986..I took him for granted and wasn't with him when he passed..I will never absolve that regret... I loved him dearly.

My Mom, bless her heart, will soon have me and both my sons to take care of ( actually we atake care of her..but don't tell her tah lol )...she is an Angel. I would not be typing these words if she wasn't alive the past 10 years..

To David and Bern...I will never forget as Arrow frantically searched for us a new home as the History Channel let all sorts of wannabe scum antagonize us all the time, plus their server sucked...
You both will always be special to me.

Arrow..many outside the core group that came over will never understand how much we all LOVE you...how you have absorbed all the hate, vitriol, pettiness, and yes..out and out bullshit ( lol ) that we have pointed at each other all these years, kept us together for 6 years, and made our lives so much better... God Bless You !!!

having a real hard time here..sandstorms.. my throat is closing up and i cant see...

To the group I migrated here with. I love everyone of you as brothers and will personally give each and everyone a hug before I die....

To my other friends here. May God Bless You !!

To the WW2 and Korean War veterans....I know in a few years the Vietnam veterans will be the senior living veterans left in the USA. I pray that God will give us the strength, wisdom, courage, perseverance, dignity, grace, and goodness that you have shown as you lived thru the Depression fought a World War and a "police action", raised the Baby Boom Generation and served as an example for all to follow !!!

I would like to say to anyone who has gotten this far, and is ambivalent as far as religion goes...God IS real..and He IS LOVE..and that is ALL you came in this world with and ALL you will leave with..think about it !!!

May God Bless,

Your humble brother in arms,

Larry

[DMZ-LT]

Larry honored to be a brother in arms. Your honesty is a tribute to us all. Keep movin bro your doing good !

[MORTARDUDE]

John :

Thank you. Being honest with people and revealing your true feelings about your fears, has done me more good than all the shrinks, social workers, church members, relatives, and medications ( there has been a shit load .. lol ) over the past 10 years than anything else..We humans are pretty hard-headed..we like to get in a rut and stay there. I guess it seems comfortable to a degree. Some of us turn it all inward and are afraid to do anything else..I am thankful for you and the phrases "baby steps, baby steps" ( Thanks Frank ! ), and "keep moving" !

May God Bless,

Larry

[frisco-kid]

I'm proud to have known you all these years and glad we got to meet eyeball to eyeball a couple of times.

Over 5,000 posts!! Jaysus, you're a yakkity s.o.b..

[Gimpy]

Deah Suthurn Brother Larry,

That was one of the most poignant posts I've ever read.

We are lucky and proud to be able to call you brother as well as friend.

Thanks for all you do around here.

PS--------and you're right about Lil Sis (Arrow)....she and I don't always agree on everything. But she has ALWAYS been there for each of us in time of need. She is truly a treasure.

[MORTARDUDE]

Tom and Steve :

Thanks Brothers !!

Larry

[exlrrp]

Thanks for the post, like Gimpy, I find it poignant (cool word, Gimp!)
As Ive gotten to know you over the years (remembr: cableman?), I know youhave a lot to say and am thankful you found a place to say it.
5000 posts! Thought I was wordy!! I like to go off and sulk more, I guess.
One thing I have come to believe to the fullest: Your life will be as good as your imagination limits it.
Your best years are just starting--if yoiu want them to.
Come on out to the Lazy J and ride my lawntractor. You'll be glad you did
stay good
'James

[MontanaKid]

I'll echo the others here, cowboy. It's been great having you around. Since my ex and I split up about the same time as you did, I've drawn from your strength. Hope I lent some as well. 5,000. Ho-doggies, that's a lot of posts!

[MORTARDUDE]

Kid :

Many Thanks Brother !

James :

cableman ??? not sure what that is ?? thanks !!

sulking..God I have done my share on here..and shouting, cursing, crying, singing, praying, laughing, crying, choking up, wondering, wishing, crying, calling, mailing, remembering, forgetting, soul searching, looking, searching, finding, forgiving unconditionally, sharing, and lots more..wouldn't have it any other way though..I love this bar !!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

poign?ant (poinynt)
adj.
1.
a. Physically painful: "Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot from his neck downward" Ambrose Bierce.
b. Keenly distressing to the mind or feelings: poignant anxiety.
c. Profoundly moving; touching: a poignant memory. See Synonyms at moving.
2. Piercing; incisive: poignant criticism.
3.
a. Neat, skillful, and to the point: poignant illustrations supplementing the text.
b. Astute and pertinent; relevant: poignant suggestions.
4. Agreeably intense or stimulating: poignant delight.
5. Archaic
a. Sharp or sour to the taste; piquant.
b. Sharp or pungent to the smell.


May God Bless,

Larry

[urbsdad6]

Larry... Congrats and blessings. In spite of all the tinfoil I keep getting, I look to you for inspiration to keep on keepin on. Thanks for your support. You have paid your dues and earned your keep.


Doc Urb