Virtual-Doug

Miscellaneous Ramblings - Gettin' Back into the Swing

Bet you wondered if I'd died.

Well, I didn't. Like many others, the holidays just kinda sucked up time. But, just because the fingers weren't typing doesn't mean the brain wasn't spinning.

Here are some of the things that have been on my mind lately - -

Parents

My 87 year old mother has been visiting with us for the past two weeks. She is remarkable, and still my supporter, intellectual foil, and molder of my values. I hope I am as sharp at 87 - yet I see the inevitable decline each time I see her.

C's parents are another story. Her father has been in the hospital twice, keeps falling, misses his independence, and grows more cantankerous. Her mom wrecked the family car, and gets feebler. There is a question of how much longer they can stay in their home of forty years.

Certainly, parents will have a major place in any planning C and I do for our future. (Maybe one of the reasons I did not get that Fulbright to Viet Nam, eh?

God's Church

I keep wrestling with the concept of "church membership." What does that mean? What are the benefits? The obligations? Why be a member?

I have been having a ball with some new software - Sunday Plus!. As our traditional denominational church moves slowly towards being less traditional, our priest sees us doing more praise music, projecting lyrics, and using other multimedia. I told him I would buy and learn the software. We'll experiment for awhile on the Wednesday evening services - and if it works, we'll buy a large projector and make more extensive use of the terrific capabilities of the software.

My Monday evening men's group continues to be my support and strength. Many a time I don't want to go - I'd much rather veg with a good book and cigar, but always leave the meeting refreshed and strengthened.

Christianity – Alcohol and My Friend

Lets understand something right off the bat – I do not drink. I cannot. While a glass of wine goes well with a good meal, and I admit I miss that, I just cannot drink. I found out awhile back that I’m allergic to the stuff. For me, there is no such thing as “just one” glass of wine.

So – I don’t drink. Period.

And its not hard for me to do. Moderation is my problem – not whether I drink or not. I just choose not to drink, and that is easy for me to do. I’ve never beat my wife, run my car into a tree, nor drank my paycheck. This is not a “hooray for Doug.” Its just that I’m blessed to be able to quit doing things. In 1972, I woke up one morning and decided to quit smoking cigarettes. Haven’t touched one since. I am blessed.

But my heart breaks for my friend who cannot stop drinking. Oh, he works hard at quitting. Been in AA for at least six years, and has stayed sober most of the time. Occasionally, he would go out to “do some field research”, but for the most part, he found salvation in God’s love, studied for a new career, began paying his way out of bankruptcy, and was doing okay.

Miscellaneous Ramblings - Spider Holes

I missed my fifteen minutes of fame!

Coming home last night, and checking my email, I found the following:

Hi there. I'm writing something on the history of spider holes, and noticed your photos (posted on your blog) of spider hole demonstrations in modern-day Vietnam. I'd love to ask you about seeing those demonstrations. If you have a few minutes today (before 5pm EST) could I give you a ring? Please let me know if you're available, and if so, where I can reach you. Thanks. Sincerely,

It was from a reporter at the Washington Post. I guess she Googled "spider hole", and found the pictures on this blog of the spider hole demonstration at the Cu Chi tunnels in Viet Nam.

The War in Viet Nam - Researching at the National Archives

What a great week! I have not posted much lately because I have been traveling - the first week of December to Denver for a conference, then to Washington, DC, last week for another conference.

But - I was able to sneak in some time to visit the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. As before, I did research on the history of the unit I was with in Viet Nam in 1969. I'm a history buff, and as I find out more about Company C, 2nd Battalion 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), I post it on the www.tallcomanche.org web site. It is fascinating to see how the war changed during the 6 1/2 years it was in combat in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam Today - Rejected for a Fulbright

Well - it happened. I had pinned my hopes heavily on winning a Fulbright scholarship. My aim was to work with the University of Da Nang on using the Internet in higher education in Viet Nam. All three of my visits to Viet Nam during the past two years included at least a visit to the university - and the visit in March/April of 2003 was expressly for researching the infrastructure in central Viet Nam, as well as measuring faculty receptivity to the idea of teaching online. My counterpart at the University of Da Nang even visited here in August.

Now I shall seek other funding. I have too much time, energy, and enthusiasm invested to just quit now. Anybody have any ideas?

Christianity – Cry, The Beloved Country

Yeah – you gotta read the book. It’s an oldie but a goodie. Written before the appearance of open, legal apartheid in South Africa, Alan Patton is the gentlest of writers in expressing a horrible wrong.

Frankly, I wish I had the ability to express outrage without sounding like a shrew. I am keenly aware I come across as a ranter - - I don’t want to be - - I just don’t have the gifts of Mr. Patton.

So – thanx, Unfundisi Bur – great recommendation.

Miscellaneous Ramblings - Iraq = Viet Nam (But Just as Funny)

Okay - this one put me on the floor laughing - - the last line is just exactly what we used to say thirty some-odd years ago in Viet Nam. (Well, kinda sorta what we used to say.)

Miscellaneous Ramblings - The 1st Cav Goes to War - - Again

Yikes! It been a week since I have posted. Tsk tsk tsk.

Though I am traveling right now (Denver), I just had a call from a young officer currently assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division - - - my old outfit in Viet Nam.

And - they are going off to war, sometime this spring. They will replace the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad. I was thrilled to be invited to attend this year’s Christmas family party – and devastated I had to decline as I will be in Washington, DC, at the time. Oddly enough, part of my visit will be to the National Archives to do more research on C 2/5 Cav in Viet Nam for the www.tallcomanche.org web site.

But, now I shall have to do some work myself. This is the time for me to rally us old-timers to the cause of supporting today’s young troopers. They will know those of us who preceded them have our total support and prayers while they undergo their baptism of fire.

Strangely enough, I envy them. I grew up during combat – so will they. They will earn the quiet pride of having performed the difficult tasks, while lesser people leading pampered lives abuse the very freedoms soldiers protect. I am no war monger – but even in my dotage, duty calls one last time – the duty to organize and lead support for the men who will leave their own loved ones behind - and see green tracers come in their direction.