Happy Forth of July
And the beginning of the 237th year of the Independence of the Republic. According to Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland’s delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a lady asked Dr. Franklin, “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” “A republic,” replied the Doctor, “if you can keep it.” The question remains open.
I’m on the Road
Going to take the Glorious Fourth and a couple of vacation days and go see my Radio Relay Chief from Khe Sanh. Need to remind him how I won the National Defence Medal saving his life. (Well, not doing something stupid and getting us all killed counts, right?) Then he’ll remind me that I only got the Good Conduct Medal because I rotated home before the misunderstanding about ownership of a jeep trailer load of beer, which my buddies thought belonged to the Radio Relay section and the Officers thought belonged to them … a common mistake in war. In any case, I’m not sure how much computer time I can get, so posts may be slim. ~Bob.
Marlantes is the author of the acclaimed Vietnam War novel, Matterhorn, which I have not read, but will add to my list. He is a Marine combat infantry officer who holds the Navy Cross, among other decorations. His outfit was, if you’ll pardon language from the time, often “in the shit.” Thus he has earned the right to his opinions, regardless of how you feel about them. He draws on his extensive combat experience to develop this painfully honest—perhaps brutally honest—and insightful exploration of the morality and psychology of war, violence and killing, and the effects on the warriors and on society. Marlantes is unsparing of himself, of actions he regrets or is ashamed of. He also makes specific recommendations for dealing with these issues, with veterans and with future warriors.
