Have you seen the improvements in our Corps website, since Lieutenant Perkinson took over as webmaster? Like anything worth having, this site, in its newly re-designed format, is nothing short of wonderful, in my humble opinion, and it has been worth the wait. He has taken many hours out of his already busy schedule, to create pages, links, posts, add photos and other visuals, all for the benefit of you and me. There are many more exciting things to come, some of which haven't even been thought of yet. Stay tuned. When you get a chance, drop him a line and express your own gratitude. I know he'll appreciate hearing from you.
A staff is only as good as the people who make it up, and I am blessed to have a very dedicated and hard-working staff, who place you and our Corps ahead of self. From the Senior Aide on down to the newest additions, all are kindred souls, who are willing to not only share the load, but also to help keep us all loose and laughing, as we tackle together, myriad problems and concerns, to make the Corps look good. For many years, before joining staff I found myself wondering from time to time, just what a staff does at a reenactment. Now I know. As Chief-of-Staff, I see firsthand, just how many hours go into planning an event,not to mention all the fires that have to be put out, during events themselves. I'd like to thank all the members of our staff, for their dedication and hard work. Folks don't always get to see what you do, but they benefit from every moment of your involvement. Thanks.
Every camp has its cooks, and we have ours. Stinky Vannoy has been around a campfire since Christ was eating oatmeal; even he can't tell you just how many fires he's started (No, I don't mean inside our guts!). Skeeter Davis, the country singer perhaps said it best back in the sixties, when she penned, "To know, know, know him is to love,. love, love him." He'll remind you that he is not a cook, but that he does "a cook's impression." Well, I'll tell you, I've eaten some swill in my life, as I criss-crossed the south on more athletic team buses than I can count, but I don't mind telling you, I've had much worse than Stinky's cuisine. I'd like to thank him as well, for his affable sense of humor and his quick wit. He's almost as quick as me. Now if I could get him to lose those dominoes of his and fix me a sandwich.......... Oops, I said too much. Stinky, thanks. You are truly one of a kind.
Who have you thanked, lately? The guy who rolls your rounds? The woman in camp who sews on your buttons and chevrons? The NCO who keeps you from embarrassing yourself in drill and battle? Your company commander, for making you care to be a great soldier? Your maker, for allowing you to do what you love? You get the point. Before the sun goes down, today, thank someone.
Until next time,
God Bless Longstreet's Corps.
Colonel Gallion
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Colonel Gallion unleashes his assault on technology, by using technology!
Greetings to all,
It has been awhile....... yes I know, I seem to say that every spring. It is good to be back in my lonely writer's garrett, dispensing wisdom (harrumph!) and fomenting things as yet nebulous and undefined. As followers of this blog know, last year's entries were devoted to our Corps Quartermaster, Captain Switzer, as he fought for his life, against esophageal cancer - a battle that he is still winning. Almost a year has passed since he had surgery and follow-up treatments, with the removal of "Earl" on July 19. A week ago, he was given a clean bill of health by his Duke University doctors, and he has never felt so good. The joy is back in his voice, he's learning to eat again, and he is working full time. To put it mildly, he is glad to be alive. I'll keep you posted from time to time.
As for me, my middle school baseball season is now over, fresh hostas have been planted in the garden, my student teacher has moved on to better things and we are now in the midst of the early phases of the 150th anniversary events for our War Between the States. Endview (Battle of Big Bethel) was quite a success and now we're poised for the second year's action at Spotsylvania, next weekend (May 20-22). Manassas looms on the horizon and Gettysburg (in an off-year) will be the first weekend in July. Okay, Colonel, you're digressing. What's this "assault on technology?"
Sorry. You know how I can be when I have a captive audience. At my school, like many of you at your workplace, I have to use technology, mostly in the form of computers, but often with other mechanical beasties that vex and annoy me. You see, it wouldn't be so bad if all I had to do is to write reports, handle e-mails and grade and save evaluation data. That I can do with ease. What gets me is when our well-meaning tech support people send us fists-full of new sites, tricks, gadgets and updates for our updates, all with very little time to practice a few, much less all of what we receive. I know a bunch of educational sites and applications very well, like Moodle, E-Grades, Google Docs, NBC Learn, Pearson, and a plethora of sites geared to my students' sussessful quest for knowledge. Then, along comes my student teacher, having been fully trained in the philosophy of teaching and armed to the teeth with even more technological skills tahn one person should be allowed to possess.
He and I made a deal; I would transform him into a dynamic teacher who can handle anything and everything related to middle school, and he would teach me some of this dangerous technology he so readily called upon each day, while teaching my students. So, your faithful correspondent tackled the likes of Prezi, Edmodo, Sporcle, and several others, with the curiosity of a first grader, the awe of one very old seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, and the commensurate skills of Russia's 1914 Army confronting the German Army at Tannenburg. To say the least, my gaskets were blown, quickly, and I leaked oil all over the North Atlantic, while maintaining a smile and a pleasant, though mis-guided demeanor, as he schooled the teacher.
Now friends, one has two options in a case like this; one can seek refuge in the Wilderness like Old Joe Hooker or he can have Colonel Alexander lob a few shells, then signal the general advance. I have chosen the latter course, as being more honorable. You see, some of the technology my student teacher used, really delighted and challenged the kids; and if you can do that with seventh graders and keep them enthralled, you can pretty much dictate terms, even during a fire drill or thunder storm. I have latched onto a few of his more successful strategies, to get kids to interact, by learning about such sites as WallWisher.com. Though it sometimes has its glitches (what computer site doesn't eventually?) it is a way for students and teachers to communicate with "electronic sticky notes", about anything going on in the classroom and its learning routines. His students (Now again mine) left him and each other questions and answers about all our topics and lessons on the WallWisher page he created for them.
Lightbulb! Lightbulb! Lightbuld!!!!! Guess what? I've created one for Longstreet's Corps, so that you can post me comments and questions, about our shared hobby. I hope you will agree that this is one way to enhance our communication, with your help. All I ask is that you keep it strictly professional, to what we do - NO POLITICS. I will be moderating, and will read your posting before it goes public. If you are using it the way it is intended, no problems. I will ask that for each potential posting, you use your initials and the unit you belong to, as part of the Corps. Anonymous entries will not be posted.
I will check this site with as much frequency as I can, and will be glad to handle any topic or concern, such as interpretations of Gilham's Manual, staff work, period paperwork, the day-to-day history of the Army of Northern Virginia, tactics, officers, books - just about anything that you and I might engage as gainful interaction. Lieutenant Perkinson is already working to post this bit of technology on our website, Longstreetscorps.com . I'll look forward to your posts. One caveat to the format: those of you who are familiar with Twitter know that such a format limits you to a pre-designed character limit (140 for Twitter). The same is true of WallWisher, with a limit of 160 characters.
Please go to this url: (It is case sensitive - please enter it just like this) http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/rOGakSlj9p
I look forward to hearing from you.
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
It has been awhile....... yes I know, I seem to say that every spring. It is good to be back in my lonely writer's garrett, dispensing wisdom (harrumph!) and fomenting things as yet nebulous and undefined. As followers of this blog know, last year's entries were devoted to our Corps Quartermaster, Captain Switzer, as he fought for his life, against esophageal cancer - a battle that he is still winning. Almost a year has passed since he had surgery and follow-up treatments, with the removal of "Earl" on July 19. A week ago, he was given a clean bill of health by his Duke University doctors, and he has never felt so good. The joy is back in his voice, he's learning to eat again, and he is working full time. To put it mildly, he is glad to be alive. I'll keep you posted from time to time.
As for me, my middle school baseball season is now over, fresh hostas have been planted in the garden, my student teacher has moved on to better things and we are now in the midst of the early phases of the 150th anniversary events for our War Between the States. Endview (Battle of Big Bethel) was quite a success and now we're poised for the second year's action at Spotsylvania, next weekend (May 20-22). Manassas looms on the horizon and Gettysburg (in an off-year) will be the first weekend in July. Okay, Colonel, you're digressing. What's this "assault on technology?"
Sorry. You know how I can be when I have a captive audience. At my school, like many of you at your workplace, I have to use technology, mostly in the form of computers, but often with other mechanical beasties that vex and annoy me. You see, it wouldn't be so bad if all I had to do is to write reports, handle e-mails and grade and save evaluation data. That I can do with ease. What gets me is when our well-meaning tech support people send us fists-full of new sites, tricks, gadgets and updates for our updates, all with very little time to practice a few, much less all of what we receive. I know a bunch of educational sites and applications very well, like Moodle, E-Grades, Google Docs, NBC Learn, Pearson, and a plethora of sites geared to my students' sussessful quest for knowledge. Then, along comes my student teacher, having been fully trained in the philosophy of teaching and armed to the teeth with even more technological skills tahn one person should be allowed to possess.
He and I made a deal; I would transform him into a dynamic teacher who can handle anything and everything related to middle school, and he would teach me some of this dangerous technology he so readily called upon each day, while teaching my students. So, your faithful correspondent tackled the likes of Prezi, Edmodo, Sporcle, and several others, with the curiosity of a first grader, the awe of one very old seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, and the commensurate skills of Russia's 1914 Army confronting the German Army at Tannenburg. To say the least, my gaskets were blown, quickly, and I leaked oil all over the North Atlantic, while maintaining a smile and a pleasant, though mis-guided demeanor, as he schooled the teacher.
Now friends, one has two options in a case like this; one can seek refuge in the Wilderness like Old Joe Hooker or he can have Colonel Alexander lob a few shells, then signal the general advance. I have chosen the latter course, as being more honorable. You see, some of the technology my student teacher used, really delighted and challenged the kids; and if you can do that with seventh graders and keep them enthralled, you can pretty much dictate terms, even during a fire drill or thunder storm. I have latched onto a few of his more successful strategies, to get kids to interact, by learning about such sites as WallWisher.com. Though it sometimes has its glitches (what computer site doesn't eventually?) it is a way for students and teachers to communicate with "electronic sticky notes", about anything going on in the classroom and its learning routines. His students (Now again mine) left him and each other questions and answers about all our topics and lessons on the WallWisher page he created for them.
Lightbulb! Lightbulb! Lightbuld!!!!! Guess what? I've created one for Longstreet's Corps, so that you can post me comments and questions, about our shared hobby. I hope you will agree that this is one way to enhance our communication, with your help. All I ask is that you keep it strictly professional, to what we do - NO POLITICS. I will be moderating, and will read your posting before it goes public. If you are using it the way it is intended, no problems. I will ask that for each potential posting, you use your initials and the unit you belong to, as part of the Corps. Anonymous entries will not be posted.
I will check this site with as much frequency as I can, and will be glad to handle any topic or concern, such as interpretations of Gilham's Manual, staff work, period paperwork, the day-to-day history of the Army of Northern Virginia, tactics, officers, books - just about anything that you and I might engage as gainful interaction. Lieutenant Perkinson is already working to post this bit of technology on our website, Longstreetscorps.com . I'll look forward to your posts. One caveat to the format: those of you who are familiar with Twitter know that such a format limits you to a pre-designed character limit (140 for Twitter). The same is true of WallWisher, with a limit of 160 characters.
Please go to this url: (It is case sensitive - please enter it just like this) http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/rOGakSlj9p
I look forward to hearing from you.
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
'Tis the Season
We all have much for which to be thankful, some of us moreso than others. Most of us have our health and our families, upon which we may rely and, God willing, our future days, filled with the blessings of a bountiful harvest, rendered by a loving Father.
Now let's travel back nearly 15o years, to a war-torn yet optimistic Confederacy. Nashville, New Orleans, Vicksburg and Mobile already in Federal hands, and Atlanta soon to fall, our forebears clung tenaciously to Richmond, Petersburg, Raleigh, Tallahassee and other cities, towns and hamlets throughout the South, facing long odds and short provisions.
They could not have been blamed for being pessimistic, even fatalistic. Yet, even up until the last grim days, when the major forces of Southern liberty were smitten, the troops and the folks at home hung onto grim hopes that their cause might yet prevail, and that peace might still be attained, at the earliest hour. Amidst all the foreboding signs of defeat, starvation parties were held in that last winter, as if to mock those Northern cousins who were poised to end the grand experiment.
Make no mistake; we are not them, not in any way or shape, as we try to keep alive their memory and their courage. Even in the darkest of days in this dying recession we now endure, have we come close to their privations, their despair and their pathos. We will continue to complain about gas prices, registration fees and the like, as being impediments to enjoying the hobby we love; the hobby that compels our presence. Yet we need to pause upon our Christmas season and reflect upon all that is good in our hobby.
Longstreet's Corps is as strong as ever, with new friends and new units joining our ranks, every new year. The vision of ours and brother organizations is forging higher callings and newer horizons than many of us ever dreamt of. With willing hands, patience and cooperation, we will take our hobby further into the future. The coming five years are exciting times for all of us.
We have many to thank for our continuance in this hobby, this love affair with the past which so consumes us. Certainly our families are to be thanked, for all their tolerance and patience with us, especially when we get that far-off wintertime look, waiting for the first event of the new year. Our co-workers need to be thanked for not snickering too loudly, as we try to describe for them, some grand and glorious charge we participated in, at the last event; even though they secretly brand us as crazy, for what we do.
Don't forget to thank the father of seven kids, and his wife, as they trapse through our camps and our battlefields; they are the ones for whom we passionately labor, though many of them spend exorbutant amounts of needed family money, so that we might teach them what happened during the birth throes of one country and the death throes of another.
Lastly, and most prominently, let us all pause to reflect upon the birth, tumultuous life, passion and death of the One Who Came To Rid Us of Sin and Death. Let us also, in this joyous season, thank our God, for His omnipotent beneficence which allowed that same Son of Man, to rise triumphantly from the grave, to sit at His Father's Mighty Right Hand. Without that gift, so long ago, nothing we do would even be possible. As I like to tell my students, "Let's get our priorities straight."
'Tis the Season.
Now let's travel back nearly 15o years, to a war-torn yet optimistic Confederacy. Nashville, New Orleans, Vicksburg and Mobile already in Federal hands, and Atlanta soon to fall, our forebears clung tenaciously to Richmond, Petersburg, Raleigh, Tallahassee and other cities, towns and hamlets throughout the South, facing long odds and short provisions.
They could not have been blamed for being pessimistic, even fatalistic. Yet, even up until the last grim days, when the major forces of Southern liberty were smitten, the troops and the folks at home hung onto grim hopes that their cause might yet prevail, and that peace might still be attained, at the earliest hour. Amidst all the foreboding signs of defeat, starvation parties were held in that last winter, as if to mock those Northern cousins who were poised to end the grand experiment.
Make no mistake; we are not them, not in any way or shape, as we try to keep alive their memory and their courage. Even in the darkest of days in this dying recession we now endure, have we come close to their privations, their despair and their pathos. We will continue to complain about gas prices, registration fees and the like, as being impediments to enjoying the hobby we love; the hobby that compels our presence. Yet we need to pause upon our Christmas season and reflect upon all that is good in our hobby.
Longstreet's Corps is as strong as ever, with new friends and new units joining our ranks, every new year. The vision of ours and brother organizations is forging higher callings and newer horizons than many of us ever dreamt of. With willing hands, patience and cooperation, we will take our hobby further into the future. The coming five years are exciting times for all of us.
We have many to thank for our continuance in this hobby, this love affair with the past which so consumes us. Certainly our families are to be thanked, for all their tolerance and patience with us, especially when we get that far-off wintertime look, waiting for the first event of the new year. Our co-workers need to be thanked for not snickering too loudly, as we try to describe for them, some grand and glorious charge we participated in, at the last event; even though they secretly brand us as crazy, for what we do.
Don't forget to thank the father of seven kids, and his wife, as they trapse through our camps and our battlefields; they are the ones for whom we passionately labor, though many of them spend exorbutant amounts of needed family money, so that we might teach them what happened during the birth throes of one country and the death throes of another.
Lastly, and most prominently, let us all pause to reflect upon the birth, tumultuous life, passion and death of the One Who Came To Rid Us of Sin and Death. Let us also, in this joyous season, thank our God, for His omnipotent beneficence which allowed that same Son of Man, to rise triumphantly from the grave, to sit at His Father's Mighty Right Hand. Without that gift, so long ago, nothing we do would even be possible. As I like to tell my students, "Let's get our priorities straight."
'Tis the Season.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Hallelujah!!!
Readers,
Some of you who have followed this blog site for the last few months, will kindly forgive my changing the promised title of today's entry. I had planned to use "Friends Are Friends."
I have astounding news to share with you! Our pal, Captain Les Switzer arrived home today, around lunchtime, discharged from Duke University Hospital, this morning. He and Karen are glad to be home, following July 15th's successful surgery for esophageal cancer.
The very best news, however, is that all the pathology reports indicate he is 100% free of any cancer!
A mutual friend remarked recently, that just a few years ago, such a diagnosis would have resulted in the death of our brother. Look how far the craft of medicine has come, in our lifetime, saving lives with routine success. When the time is right, Les will tell you all about his journey, to the brink of death, and back.
But, let's take a moment to acknowledge a very salient fact; prayers are answered. I don't care what you say, prayer is not only free, but also fruitful. Ask Les; he'll tell you that he actually felt people praying for him and his situation. He's told me several times in the last few weeks that those prayers, many no doubt from people whom he does not even know, are not only evident, but truly palpable.
Draw your own conclusions. I'm not here to debate theology. I'm here to lift up praise to God, who guides and directs all healing, and to Him who has spared us our brother.
Last night, Les took solid food for the first time in over two months. No leaks in his new stomach. No more nausea, which had for so long tortured his system. No more hospital room. No more wondering about the outcome, and oh, did I mention, no more cancer?
Now, here is the important thing, as I see it; never once, from the time he was diagnosed, until the present, have I heard Les ask, "Why me?" The Word of God says that we "shall be known by our stripes." Les has some stripes. I'll bet you can see where I'm going with this, as I ask you if you've heard of another who possessed the same.
The last time I wrote, I said you were invited to dance. Now there is even more reason for you to lace up those shoes. You might even feel like putting on your tux. The opening number is a waltz, because your partner is still pretty sore from his surgery, but stay on the floor long enough, and you're likely to be swept off your feet, at a fast gallop, with a schottish or a reel. He feels like partying, and he'll probably tell you, that life is a gift; one that is neither promised nor earned.
There is a Christian musician I still listen to, who probably says it best, even though he was called home in 1997. In one of his first songs, on his very first album, Rich Mullins exhorted us to "Live like you'll die tomorrow. Die knowing you'll live forever. Live right." Les could have written those same lyrics.
Have you placed your life in perspective, considering the here and the hereafter? Les has, and he's glad to have you as his friends, in this journey called life.
Until next time,
Colonel Greg Gallion
Some of you who have followed this blog site for the last few months, will kindly forgive my changing the promised title of today's entry. I had planned to use "Friends Are Friends."
I have astounding news to share with you! Our pal, Captain Les Switzer arrived home today, around lunchtime, discharged from Duke University Hospital, this morning. He and Karen are glad to be home, following July 15th's successful surgery for esophageal cancer.
The very best news, however, is that all the pathology reports indicate he is 100% free of any cancer!
A mutual friend remarked recently, that just a few years ago, such a diagnosis would have resulted in the death of our brother. Look how far the craft of medicine has come, in our lifetime, saving lives with routine success. When the time is right, Les will tell you all about his journey, to the brink of death, and back.
But, let's take a moment to acknowledge a very salient fact; prayers are answered. I don't care what you say, prayer is not only free, but also fruitful. Ask Les; he'll tell you that he actually felt people praying for him and his situation. He's told me several times in the last few weeks that those prayers, many no doubt from people whom he does not even know, are not only evident, but truly palpable.
Draw your own conclusions. I'm not here to debate theology. I'm here to lift up praise to God, who guides and directs all healing, and to Him who has spared us our brother.
Last night, Les took solid food for the first time in over two months. No leaks in his new stomach. No more nausea, which had for so long tortured his system. No more hospital room. No more wondering about the outcome, and oh, did I mention, no more cancer?
Now, here is the important thing, as I see it; never once, from the time he was diagnosed, until the present, have I heard Les ask, "Why me?" The Word of God says that we "shall be known by our stripes." Les has some stripes. I'll bet you can see where I'm going with this, as I ask you if you've heard of another who possessed the same.
The last time I wrote, I said you were invited to dance. Now there is even more reason for you to lace up those shoes. You might even feel like putting on your tux. The opening number is a waltz, because your partner is still pretty sore from his surgery, but stay on the floor long enough, and you're likely to be swept off your feet, at a fast gallop, with a schottish or a reel. He feels like partying, and he'll probably tell you, that life is a gift; one that is neither promised nor earned.
There is a Christian musician I still listen to, who probably says it best, even though he was called home in 1997. In one of his first songs, on his very first album, Rich Mullins exhorted us to "Live like you'll die tomorrow. Die knowing you'll live forever. Live right." Les could have written those same lyrics.
Have you placed your life in perspective, considering the here and the hereafter? Les has, and he's glad to have you as his friends, in this journey called life.
Until next time,
Colonel Greg Gallion
Friday, July 16, 2010
"Earl" meets his Waterloo
Captain Les Switzer has emerged victorious from his cancer surgery, and his opponent, which he ruefully named "Earl" is no more. The prayers of countless friends and comrades, have once again prevailed over the scourge of this ravaging illness. Les' surgery was yesterday, at Duke University Hospital, and was variously predicted to be somewhere between six and ten hours. In reality, the whole procedure took just over three hours, thankfully sparing Les from a more gruelling operation. His physicians, guided by the hands of God, were able to excise all of the cancer from his esophagus, and his prognosis for continuing his normal life, is very promising.
Les is not out of the woods yet, but he came out of surgery yesterday, feeling as good as a man could, having gone through such a procedure. Karen is breathing a little easier today also, with most of this crisis having passed. She has been a rock for Les and their family during all of this. Both of them have asked me to please convey to all of you, their profound thanks for your prayers, calls, gifts and well-wishes. They realize where this outcome came from; you and your faith have invoked the presence of God and the Holy Spirit, in every phase of this ordeal.
I'll leave the details to Les, to tell you as he sees fit, when he can rejoin us around the campfire. That is his goal, to be with us at least one day, at Cedar Creek. But for now, please take a moment to write him a letter or card, to join in the joyous outcome he has been given. He will be in recovery for about seven-to-ten days, at Duke University Hospital. If all goes as planned, he will hope to go home around July 25. In any event, the hospital will forward his mail to his home address, once he returns.
Captain Les Switzer
C/O Duke University Hospital
Room 3116
2301 Erwin Road
Durham, North Carolina 27710
Just before leaving them last evening, to return home, they both were so conscious of the fragility of life and the reality that none of us are promised tomorrow. Even in their most tenuous hour, they preach to you and me, the gratitude we should all have for this precious gift of life, friends and family.
The Word of God teaches us that there is a time for mourning and a time for dancing. I'd like to invite you to put on your dancing shoes, and take a turn around the dance floor with Les and Karen. They're both waiting for you, and the music never sounded so good!
Respectfully,
Colonel Greg Gallion
Next time: "A Friend is a Friend"
Les is not out of the woods yet, but he came out of surgery yesterday, feeling as good as a man could, having gone through such a procedure. Karen is breathing a little easier today also, with most of this crisis having passed. She has been a rock for Les and their family during all of this. Both of them have asked me to please convey to all of you, their profound thanks for your prayers, calls, gifts and well-wishes. They realize where this outcome came from; you and your faith have invoked the presence of God and the Holy Spirit, in every phase of this ordeal.
I'll leave the details to Les, to tell you as he sees fit, when he can rejoin us around the campfire. That is his goal, to be with us at least one day, at Cedar Creek. But for now, please take a moment to write him a letter or card, to join in the joyous outcome he has been given. He will be in recovery for about seven-to-ten days, at Duke University Hospital. If all goes as planned, he will hope to go home around July 25. In any event, the hospital will forward his mail to his home address, once he returns.
Captain Les Switzer
C/O Duke University Hospital
Room 3116
2301 Erwin Road
Durham, North Carolina 27710
Just before leaving them last evening, to return home, they both were so conscious of the fragility of life and the reality that none of us are promised tomorrow. Even in their most tenuous hour, they preach to you and me, the gratitude we should all have for this precious gift of life, friends and family.
The Word of God teaches us that there is a time for mourning and a time for dancing. I'd like to invite you to put on your dancing shoes, and take a turn around the dance floor with Les and Karen. They're both waiting for you, and the music never sounded so good!
Respectfully,
Colonel Greg Gallion
Next time: "A Friend is a Friend"
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It's Not A Race
Think back to your first few events. When your Captain got the command to close on the foe, did he let you and your comrades break formation and go in at the double-quick, losing elbow contact? No matter how controlled the juggernaut sometimes esprit and chances of carrying the heights gets the best of an attack. Let's face it; we've all "broken western" a time or two, and so did our honorable ancestors, but often at the risk of losing cohesiveness and breaking the irresistable wave. It was that martial spirit, even parade ground marching that so un-nerved and intimidated our foes, in past events and in the real war we seek to re-create.
Les knows this battle he is in, is not a race. He knows he cannot afford to break step and get too far ahead of his pards, for at such moments it is in his best interests to keep comrades to his left and right, watching and assisting his every move. Right now Les has all kinds of comrades and pards, from various walks of life. Some are nine-to-five workers, some are businessmen, some are educators, some are doctors, nurses and medical specialists. They (we) are all there in the ranks with him. trying to provide the elbow contact to assure him (as he assures us also) that he is not alone in this epic struggle.
Many attacks, even the most carefully designed ones, fail because someone becomes impetuous and surges ahead, confident of victory, regardless of the well-drilled tactics that are proven for success. Les' doctors and nurses are the most prudent of comrades right now. They know that there is nothing he would rather do than go home, to rest prior to his pending surgery. Yet because of recent setbacks, including a compromised immune system, it is best to have him in the hospital for awhile, rather than let him surge homeward. As I have written in previous entries, cancer is a living, consuming beast that has a ravenous appetite. Les will tell us all about his "hand-to-hand" combat with this beast, as soon as he is able to rejoin us, but for now he realizes that he is where he needs to be - in ranks, with all of his pards, including those who now confine him for his own good.
We spoke for about ten minutes yesterday, before his strength began to wane. His voice was so strong and confident that I told him how impressed I was, with his good sound and positive talk. He will tell you this is not a race. He will tell you he is winning, despite the setbacks. He will tell you he is not ready to give in to this foe. He will tell you he is glad you are in his life. He will tell you he is going to visit your campfire and drink alot of coffee with you and his other pards, and when it is all in the rear view mirror, he will tell you how lucky he is to have you as his comrade and that if he can do it, you can too.
Now that he is in the hospital, finished with his required radiation and chemotherapy, he is no longer in the Caring House as he was before, as an out-patient. You can write him at Duke University Hospital, Room 9306, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, North Carolina 27710. He can also be reached by phone at (540) 366-2828. If he is feeling well enough to answer you, he will. Otherwise, leave him a message, as all those he has received have warmed his heart and lifted his spirits.
Remember, it's not a race that wins a battle; it is instead, a strong relentless advance. There's first call. Take arms!! Fall in!! In each rank, count! Twos! Attention, Company. Shoulder, Arms! Forward, March!
Steady now.
Les knows this battle he is in, is not a race. He knows he cannot afford to break step and get too far ahead of his pards, for at such moments it is in his best interests to keep comrades to his left and right, watching and assisting his every move. Right now Les has all kinds of comrades and pards, from various walks of life. Some are nine-to-five workers, some are businessmen, some are educators, some are doctors, nurses and medical specialists. They (we) are all there in the ranks with him. trying to provide the elbow contact to assure him (as he assures us also) that he is not alone in this epic struggle.
Many attacks, even the most carefully designed ones, fail because someone becomes impetuous and surges ahead, confident of victory, regardless of the well-drilled tactics that are proven for success. Les' doctors and nurses are the most prudent of comrades right now. They know that there is nothing he would rather do than go home, to rest prior to his pending surgery. Yet because of recent setbacks, including a compromised immune system, it is best to have him in the hospital for awhile, rather than let him surge homeward. As I have written in previous entries, cancer is a living, consuming beast that has a ravenous appetite. Les will tell us all about his "hand-to-hand" combat with this beast, as soon as he is able to rejoin us, but for now he realizes that he is where he needs to be - in ranks, with all of his pards, including those who now confine him for his own good.
We spoke for about ten minutes yesterday, before his strength began to wane. His voice was so strong and confident that I told him how impressed I was, with his good sound and positive talk. He will tell you this is not a race. He will tell you he is winning, despite the setbacks. He will tell you he is not ready to give in to this foe. He will tell you he is glad you are in his life. He will tell you he is going to visit your campfire and drink alot of coffee with you and his other pards, and when it is all in the rear view mirror, he will tell you how lucky he is to have you as his comrade and that if he can do it, you can too.
Now that he is in the hospital, finished with his required radiation and chemotherapy, he is no longer in the Caring House as he was before, as an out-patient. You can write him at Duke University Hospital, Room 9306, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, North Carolina 27710. He can also be reached by phone at (540) 366-2828. If he is feeling well enough to answer you, he will. Otherwise, leave him a message, as all those he has received have warmed his heart and lifted his spirits.
Remember, it's not a race that wins a battle; it is instead, a strong relentless advance. There's first call. Take arms!! Fall in!! In each rank, count! Twos! Attention, Company. Shoulder, Arms! Forward, March!
Steady now.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Bravery and Determination
It has been awhile, due to technical troubles, since I've gotten to write about our comrade, Captain Switzer, as he battles cancer. The vast majority of us know precious little about just how vicious such an illness can be; we know only what folks tell us, and what we can learn from the media, for the most part.
Ask Les and he will tell you just what a determined foe he is facing. It does not care if it devastates your body. It has no shame at robbing you of your dignity. It cares not that your whole being is transformed from robust health, to uncertain existence, and it has no compunction at all, of making you wonder if you will be able to escape its wrath.
Having just finished today, his fifth week of pre-surgical treatments, to shrink the tumor in his esophagus, Les has one more week of chemotherapy and radiation. Then a couple of weeks of rest at home, and a battery of tests, before he will travel back to Duke, to have his surgery, at the end of June. Throughout all of this, he has maintained his sense of humor, and is determined to help his doctors defeat "Earl", as he has named his cancer. Ask him, and he will tell you grimly, that "Earl must die."
It has been difficult to watch my long-time friend endure this ordeal, yet at the same time, how he is handling his situation and his uncertain future, has inspired me and others who know him. Several of us spend much of our conversation, marvelling at how matter-of-factly he is going about his battle. Each one of us has asked ourselves, "Why him? Why not someone else?" More importantly though, we ask ourselves, "Could I endure such an assault on my body, on my very life, with such grim resolve and strength of character, as Les is doing?"
Frankly, Les has become (and he would slap me for saying this!) a tangible hero to more than a few of us. He could not possibly have known that through his dilemma, he would be ministering to all of us, with his astounding courage and desire to survive this onslaught. In a world that thumps its chest and demands that we pay attention to "how big and bad" folks try to be, Les walks the walk and talks the talk. I dare any of the young punks in today's tough-talking world, to show one percent of the manhood that Les is trying to teach them. Frankly, they could not possibly hope to live long enough, to soak in all the lessons he is teaching.
Les says he's going to beat this, and I know he will. Why don't you write him a line at switz2@cox.net and let him know that you believe his vow of life. Don't be surprised that he writes you back, when he feels strong enough to do so. That's the kind of man he is, and just knowing that you believe his vow, will both inspire you and bless him.
Until next time, keep the faith.
Colonel Greg Gallion
Ask Les and he will tell you just what a determined foe he is facing. It does not care if it devastates your body. It has no shame at robbing you of your dignity. It cares not that your whole being is transformed from robust health, to uncertain existence, and it has no compunction at all, of making you wonder if you will be able to escape its wrath.
Having just finished today, his fifth week of pre-surgical treatments, to shrink the tumor in his esophagus, Les has one more week of chemotherapy and radiation. Then a couple of weeks of rest at home, and a battery of tests, before he will travel back to Duke, to have his surgery, at the end of June. Throughout all of this, he has maintained his sense of humor, and is determined to help his doctors defeat "Earl", as he has named his cancer. Ask him, and he will tell you grimly, that "Earl must die."
It has been difficult to watch my long-time friend endure this ordeal, yet at the same time, how he is handling his situation and his uncertain future, has inspired me and others who know him. Several of us spend much of our conversation, marvelling at how matter-of-factly he is going about his battle. Each one of us has asked ourselves, "Why him? Why not someone else?" More importantly though, we ask ourselves, "Could I endure such an assault on my body, on my very life, with such grim resolve and strength of character, as Les is doing?"
Frankly, Les has become (and he would slap me for saying this!) a tangible hero to more than a few of us. He could not possibly have known that through his dilemma, he would be ministering to all of us, with his astounding courage and desire to survive this onslaught. In a world that thumps its chest and demands that we pay attention to "how big and bad" folks try to be, Les walks the walk and talks the talk. I dare any of the young punks in today's tough-talking world, to show one percent of the manhood that Les is trying to teach them. Frankly, they could not possibly hope to live long enough, to soak in all the lessons he is teaching.
Les says he's going to beat this, and I know he will. Why don't you write him a line at switz2@cox.net and let him know that you believe his vow of life. Don't be surprised that he writes you back, when he feels strong enough to do so. That's the kind of man he is, and just knowing that you believe his vow, will both inspire you and bless him.
Until next time, keep the faith.
Colonel Greg Gallion
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