Friday, February 20, 2009

Another precious American born.

Tom's Journal.
http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/
tschuckman@aol.com

Gabrielle_Erwin_2-17-09.jpg, GJDE2.jpg

This is my youngest sister, Denise's son's new baby, who recently got married prob a year ago. Denise passed away at age 35 from a horrible wasting disease and Sarcoidosis in 1998, and left behind 6 boys and her husband, who was a farmer. That really shook our family up, but especially my mom.

I vividly remember that while I was in my 1st tour in Vietnam at age 19 with USARV in Bien Hoa air base, I was with an Army Aviation Company living in tents, and I bought a bolt of expensive blue silk that I sent home to my oldest sister, Linda, and she made a beautiful pair of pajamas [for Home EC class- in high school] for her baby sister Denise, and then sent me a picture. I don't talk about this much, but there was a small girl in a "hot LZ" one day--one mission, when I got to my next Hel. Co. the 240th AHC, the next [2nd] tour at Camp BearCat, RVN [Vietnam], and she reminded me of that picture of my little sister. I will tell you the rest of the story some other time... OK? Let me put it this way... I NEVER shot anyone who wasn't an enemy who was shooting at me, or my ship/ people! But being in a "kill zone" --there were 3 ships [helicopters/ slicks] following my ship with all guns firing for "full suppression" and everything was 'fair game.' I saw my bullets dancing around that girl of about 6 years old and pulled up/ stopped firing in a heart beat. But a few seconds before the A/C [air craft commander] gave the order to "open up" fire and kill everything in that kill zone, and I could have legally killed her! But I did not. Many strange and terrible things happen in the heat of battle, and then a soldier's mind [has a little tape recorder in the back of his brain] keeps playing it over and over again... tormenting himself forever, that is just one part/ facet of PTSD --Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
That was just one of many days that stuck in my mind laying dormant until a few minutes ago when I opened up this email sent to me by my sister, Linda. Linda has a son, David, who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and is now a Lt. serving near a combat zone, and a lovely daughter named, Emily, who is a college grad working with mentally challenged children, and another son, Kent, who was 'acquired' Autism... many think that he got it from shot/injection that is given to new born babies. Linda was the president of the National Autism Society a few years. Her hubby is an Electrician in WI and I saw them all last at a Christmas party in 08.
:-)

Now... we don't use the term, "White-American", or 'European- American' or German-American [unless we are trying to distinguish our extraction from another group] DO WE ??? Why is it that Dark skinned people who live in America seem to need to ?? If they don't love the term AMERICAN-- why can't they just leave/ go to another country.. like Iran...lol ? Just some food for thought... and my own personal opinion.


Got to leave for dinner.

Tom



A German Dinner tonight!

Tom's Journal.
http://tomschuckmanjournal.blogspot.com/
tschuckman@aol.com

I am feeling much better today and things are working out much better now with my wife--as we are concentrating on improving our communication skills and not 'pushing each others' anger buttons'..lol. We are praying together once again, too, that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us for the harder times ahead. I don't think Sharon is pretending anymore and I think that she is really trying harder to do the right thing. Only time will tell. She will continue her personal one on one counseling with an expert who is also a Christian. We plan on dinning out tonight at 5PM at a famous German restaurant in Kenosha, WI that she likes for a quiet celebration of my 60th birthday. I spent half a year in Germany while in the Army in early 1968, and my parents are German-American-- and our forefathers came to America thru the 'FRONT DOOR' and assimulated into the America culture, also fighting in their wars. We pride ourselves in our hard work ethic, we buy property, pay our bills on time, save money, and train/ educate our children well !! Woo Woo! We don't think we are any better-- but certainly no worse than any other race! But one thing for sure that we as a group dispise is: Lazy, selfish, greedy ghetto oinks and illegal aliens who live on welfare and eat OUR bread and hard earned tax money!
We shall dress up a bit and enjoy schnitzel, Swine hocks, kraut and sham tort, etc, and probably a cold German beer or wine.

Did you know that carrying a small pocket bible in your breast pocket is just like bullet proof body armor? And it's also cool to read the Proverbs when you are waiting for the doctor visit, etc. Please understand that I am NOT a "holy Joe" who walks around pious and holy in public! A soldier of the Lord is a real man's man, ready to fight and lay down his life at the drop of a hat and defend the Faith. I am a huge guy who was a power lifter most of my adult life until my back gave out a few years ago. I enjoy indoor shooting, throwing knives, tomahawks, edged weapons expert, carpentry, welding, gardening [Vegetables] and motorcycles. My peers respect me and I am a staunch advocate for disabled Veterans, as most of you know. I just can't see being on the side of Satan the Devil [STD] whom the Bible says will LOSE THE END GAME-- the Batter of Armageddon, and then be cast into a painful hell along with his servants/ followers forever! That's it all in a nut shell-- simple!
And if I should die today I am ASSURED that I will be in heaven with Jesus, not because I am a 'Holy Joe'/ saintly person, but because I follow Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior! The more I study, learn the Bible, and hang out with/email my fundamental Christian friends and bros. and sisters in the Faith-- the stronger I feel. We help each other when we fall down and get skinned and hurt--as we are commanded by God's own 'Book.'
More latter.


Your Friend,
Tom



Inside this issue...

Today's Feature

Imagine That... Playing the 'Race' Card Again

If there's one thing that really gets under my skin, it's racial politics. Despite the Democrats' claim that they are for equality, they continue to not only promote policies that favor one racial or ethnic group over another, but they also play the "race" card any chance they get.

Forget about having a fair, open, and honest debate. When the stakes are high, you can bet that if the race card can be played, it certainly will. The latest example deals with the GOP governors who are considering rejecting all or part of the stimulus. Forget that they have serious misgivings about the bill and the way the funds must be spent. Clearly their opposition is based on racial prejudice, right? Give me a break!

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