Since last we spoke, Captain Switzer has gotten some relief from the nauseous effects of his chemotherapy, with a new medicine that lets him tolerate the treatments a bit better. He is sounding good on the phone, having spoken with him both last Thursday and again on Saturday (April 22 & 24).
His spirits are good and he is still upbeat that he and his doctors will beat this thing. He says to be sure to thank everyone who has written to wish him well, and additionally he acknowledges that he feels your prayers on his behalf. As many of you have attested to me in the past, the power of prayer is not to be denied.
Also, he sends thanks to his small company of grass mowers, who have been manning the yard implements to keep Karen from having to deal with any of that. Some of you may remember Karen, as she briefly served as a trained nurse, following the 28th Virginia into battle, while Les was still an NCO. As you might imagine, she is the next in a long list of underappreciated spouses who gives selflessly for a spouse's treatment and healing. Without persons such as her.........
While on the way back from the Spotsylvania planning trip on Saturday, General Cornett and I decided to take in the two-mile walking tour of the site of General Gordon's flanking attack upon Union troops on May 5 & 6, 1864. As we walked and talked about the carnage, we both decided that General Lee was right, when he said, "It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it." That musing of course, led to the reality of the cancer that now attacks Les. In the midst of our walk, we decided to call him, knowing that he should be at home, between treatments for the weekend.
It was as if, during the conversation, he was there walking with us, and I suppose in a way, he was. I came away thinking that the call did at least as much for me as it might have done for him. One other profound thought came from that afternoon, uttered by our General, that we all need to slow down and enjoy life while we can, not just for our own selves, but also for the sake of those whom we hold dear.
I think he was right, just like so many other times in our long association with each other. Life is ours for the taking, and we do need to sometimes make time for the mundane and ordinary moments; those that over time, will escape our memories. So I'll issue you a challenge, not just to hold Les in your thoughts and prayers; I know you'll do that. I challenge you to spend one of those precious fleeting moments with a member of your family or one of your friends, for as Les realizes, we are not promised tomorrow.
Have you taken a walk in the woods lately?
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Send Captain Switzer a Note of Encouragement, Please
In my last blog I told you I would like to get you in touch with Captain Les Switzer, our Corps Quartermaster, as he is away from us for cancer treatments and later, surgery.
Should you wish to send him and Karen a note or card through snail mail, you can write them directly at: Mr. Les Switzer (or Captain Les Switzer) - C/O Caring House - 2625 Pickett Road - Room 204 - Durham, North Carolina 27705.
Their e-mail can be contacted as well, at: switz2@cox.net
For now, these are the preferred methods of contact. Perhaps later a phone number might also be made available, but not at this time. I will be listening if you need to contact me, on behalf of the family.
Again, I'd like to express the Switzers' gratitude for your prayers and well-wishes.
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
Should you wish to send him and Karen a note or card through snail mail, you can write them directly at: Mr. Les Switzer (or Captain Les Switzer) - C/O Caring House - 2625 Pickett Road - Room 204 - Durham, North Carolina 27705.
Their e-mail can be contacted as well, at: switz2@cox.net
For now, these are the preferred methods of contact. Perhaps later a phone number might also be made available, but not at this time. I will be listening if you need to contact me, on behalf of the family.
Again, I'd like to express the Switzers' gratitude for your prayers and well-wishes.
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Trigger Time
Well, I had planned to write next, about the good powder burn the Corps had at Bentonville, when last we shared this page. Since then, and by now I know many of you know, the focus of the blog has changed. I'll keep the title, but this "Trigger Time" refers to a very different kind of powder burn.
Our Corps Quartermaster, Captain Les Switzer is battling Stage III Cancer of the esophagus, having been diagnosed about two weeks ago. Right now, he is at Duke Medical Center, being radiated and treated with chemotherapy, to shrink the mass, prior to an expected June surgery.
It seems that cancer is no respector of person, and this is not the first time our ranks have been visited by this foe. Captain Switzer is given a good prognosis for survival, and by now you have hopefully read the letter the family asked me to send to all units in our Corps, concerning his condition.
I heard from him last night, after his first radiation and four hours of chemotherapy, and he sounds confident and strong, through his initial treatment. He wants you all to know that he feels your prayer and your concern for him and his family. Also, he says he has given his foe a name; he says he has always disliked the name "Earl" - no offense to any of you so named. So he has Earl in his sights and is set to meet him in mortal combat. He assures me that there is no overt link to this name and the Dixie Chicks song "Earl Must Die."
Any way, this will be the first of several posts, to give you updates on his condition. I hope you will join me in holding up our brother in prayer and thought. Like many of you before him, he is determined to beat this foe. Let's help him do just that.
Next time: How to contact Captain Switzer
Our Corps Quartermaster, Captain Les Switzer is battling Stage III Cancer of the esophagus, having been diagnosed about two weeks ago. Right now, he is at Duke Medical Center, being radiated and treated with chemotherapy, to shrink the mass, prior to an expected June surgery.
It seems that cancer is no respector of person, and this is not the first time our ranks have been visited by this foe. Captain Switzer is given a good prognosis for survival, and by now you have hopefully read the letter the family asked me to send to all units in our Corps, concerning his condition.
I heard from him last night, after his first radiation and four hours of chemotherapy, and he sounds confident and strong, through his initial treatment. He wants you all to know that he feels your prayer and your concern for him and his family. Also, he says he has given his foe a name; he says he has always disliked the name "Earl" - no offense to any of you so named. So he has Earl in his sights and is set to meet him in mortal combat. He assures me that there is no overt link to this name and the Dixie Chicks song "Earl Must Die."
Any way, this will be the first of several posts, to give you updates on his condition. I hope you will join me in holding up our brother in prayer and thought. Like many of you before him, he is determined to beat this foe. Let's help him do just that.
Next time: How to contact Captain Switzer
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thanks from the Chief-of-Staff
Alas, your Chief-of-Staff is still alive and kicking. I shall endeavor to be in more constant contact with you, concerning our Corps and its business.
Bentonville was quite an event. Ask anyone who was there, and you will get, probably, both of the following comments. Everyone had to haul their gear into camp from quite a distance, and Longstreet's Corps burned alot of powder. All with whom I spoke, said they endured the aggravation of not having a road into camp, with a grim sort of resolve. A steady stream of our men, women and children were in motion all weekend, moving the flotsam and jetsam of an army, reminding me of what September, 1939 must have looked like to Poland.
Wood, water, straw and hay for the camps, were not well-martialed by event organizers. Neither were water and ice properly provided during battle. My first thank-you, goes out to the soldiers who dealt with such hardships on the field, as well as to the dependents they left behind in camp. My next thank-yous, though I am sure I will leave out someone, go to Corps Quartermaster, Captain Les Switzer, Coordinator of Vivandieres, Laura Brandt, and to Surgeon Major Ransom Autry and his staff.
Without these folks, the simple fact is, we would all have had a worse time than we did. Captain Switzer pushed , prodded and labored to get needed supplies of all necessary items, even by going straight to the top. Vivandiere Laura Brandt tirelessly worked in the field, to make sure all troops were properly cared for, in terms of water, scarcity of ice and a general eye for our welfare. Major Autry and his staff dealt with medical exigencies, for real and potentially real medical emergencies.
I cannot begin to convey the depth of my gratitude, to all of these folks, for their dedication to duty. When you get the chance, be sure to thank themselves. Without comrades like them, we cannot succeed at what we do.
Next time: "Trigger Time"
Bentonville was quite an event. Ask anyone who was there, and you will get, probably, both of the following comments. Everyone had to haul their gear into camp from quite a distance, and Longstreet's Corps burned alot of powder. All with whom I spoke, said they endured the aggravation of not having a road into camp, with a grim sort of resolve. A steady stream of our men, women and children were in motion all weekend, moving the flotsam and jetsam of an army, reminding me of what September, 1939 must have looked like to Poland.
Wood, water, straw and hay for the camps, were not well-martialed by event organizers. Neither were water and ice properly provided during battle. My first thank-you, goes out to the soldiers who dealt with such hardships on the field, as well as to the dependents they left behind in camp. My next thank-yous, though I am sure I will leave out someone, go to Corps Quartermaster, Captain Les Switzer, Coordinator of Vivandieres, Laura Brandt, and to Surgeon Major Ransom Autry and his staff.
Without these folks, the simple fact is, we would all have had a worse time than we did. Captain Switzer pushed , prodded and labored to get needed supplies of all necessary items, even by going straight to the top. Vivandiere Laura Brandt tirelessly worked in the field, to make sure all troops were properly cared for, in terms of water, scarcity of ice and a general eye for our welfare. Major Autry and his staff dealt with medical exigencies, for real and potentially real medical emergencies.
I cannot begin to convey the depth of my gratitude, to all of these folks, for their dedication to duty. When you get the chance, be sure to thank themselves. Without comrades like them, we cannot succeed at what we do.
Next time: "Trigger Time"
Sunday, August 23, 2009
A Legacy
What thoughts whirl through my mind, when I think about where many of us have been in the last few decades with Longstreet's Corps. I used to have a fairly accurate count of how many events I have attended, but alas, those numbers are quite nebulous now. Faces, names, jokes, camp and field stories all have a way of dissipating into the fog of time; even the details of so many battles, once vivid are now relegated to the backwaters of memory.
It is sad to ruminate upon those early days, with so many comrades having passed from the stage. Some simply have decided that the hobby took up too much time and precious money. Others had to make home and work come first, putting the hobby as a secondary importance. A few, I'm sure, just tired of the rigors and sought other pursuits. More than a few have left us for an eternity that we can only wonder about. Scarcely a unit in our Corps has been spared the ravages of death in its ranks. No rank has been immune to the final rollcall.
We have now lost two former Corps commanders. General James Maupin, friend to all in our hobby left us just days ago, a victim of a heart attack. I would like to think that he is, right now sitting with General Hillsman, kicking another log onto that fire which never burns out, going over strategy, hulling peanuts, and wondering what all this fuss back on Earth is about, over him and our other comrades. He would have to admit that his was a very special gathering of friends, as funerals go. Many old soldiers were there, especially from Jim's old 44th Virginia, many seen for the first time by some of us present for the first time in many years.
Those old faces, even if some had to be asked their names, were good to see again. In speaking with one old comrade I was reminded that this must have been how it was for the boys of '61-'65, with funerals becoming all too common. It is all in God's plan though. He knows what He is doing, and we are all on that rollcall, in His own good time.
So please, friends, don't be too sad when this happens with more frequency as we all get older. Let's keep each other in our prayers and enjoy the good times and good friends God gives us, while we still can. We are not promised tomorrow, only eternity, if we are true and faithful to His calling.
And as I've said to so many over the years, I'd like to think that a merciful and kind Father will allow us to be together again, in that great camp in the sky. Until that time comes for each of us, let us be reminded of what the pastor said at General Maupin's graveside, when he admonished us to bury our hatchets and our disagreements now, while we can still embrace one another in this life, and to dedicate ourselves and our efforts to the memories of those whom we love and have loved - not bad advice at all.
But for now, let us close ranks and carry on as we have been taught as soldiers and as men. And at the end of the day's march, let us lift a glass to the memory of our friend, mentor and General, James Maupin.
We must now devote our efforts to each other, as he devoted his to us. If we can do that, I know he will be well-pleased. Rest in Peace, General, and may God bless you in your new home.
Respectfully,
Colonel Greg Gallion
It is sad to ruminate upon those early days, with so many comrades having passed from the stage. Some simply have decided that the hobby took up too much time and precious money. Others had to make home and work come first, putting the hobby as a secondary importance. A few, I'm sure, just tired of the rigors and sought other pursuits. More than a few have left us for an eternity that we can only wonder about. Scarcely a unit in our Corps has been spared the ravages of death in its ranks. No rank has been immune to the final rollcall.
We have now lost two former Corps commanders. General James Maupin, friend to all in our hobby left us just days ago, a victim of a heart attack. I would like to think that he is, right now sitting with General Hillsman, kicking another log onto that fire which never burns out, going over strategy, hulling peanuts, and wondering what all this fuss back on Earth is about, over him and our other comrades. He would have to admit that his was a very special gathering of friends, as funerals go. Many old soldiers were there, especially from Jim's old 44th Virginia, many seen for the first time by some of us present for the first time in many years.
Those old faces, even if some had to be asked their names, were good to see again. In speaking with one old comrade I was reminded that this must have been how it was for the boys of '61-'65, with funerals becoming all too common. It is all in God's plan though. He knows what He is doing, and we are all on that rollcall, in His own good time.
So please, friends, don't be too sad when this happens with more frequency as we all get older. Let's keep each other in our prayers and enjoy the good times and good friends God gives us, while we still can. We are not promised tomorrow, only eternity, if we are true and faithful to His calling.
And as I've said to so many over the years, I'd like to think that a merciful and kind Father will allow us to be together again, in that great camp in the sky. Until that time comes for each of us, let us be reminded of what the pastor said at General Maupin's graveside, when he admonished us to bury our hatchets and our disagreements now, while we can still embrace one another in this life, and to dedicate ourselves and our efforts to the memories of those whom we love and have loved - not bad advice at all.
But for now, let us close ranks and carry on as we have been taught as soldiers and as men. And at the end of the day's march, let us lift a glass to the memory of our friend, mentor and General, James Maupin.
We must now devote our efforts to each other, as he devoted his to us. If we can do that, I know he will be well-pleased. Rest in Peace, General, and may God bless you in your new home.
Respectfully,
Colonel Greg Gallion
Monday, April 20, 2009
Camp of Instruction II
Welcome back from the Camp of Instruction,
What? You couldn't attend? That's too bad, because you missed a good time. Though we only had a small turnout we had a good time and alot of learning took place. We even found an opportunity to have a tactical down in the woods below camp, Sunday morning.
We had some interesting classes Saturday; Captain John Douglass (our gracious host) gave a talk on the safety and usage of artillery, Rick Miller and Paul Pessagano spoke on and showed example of uniforms and period textiles and leather goods, Captain Barry Woods and General Cornett clarified some misconceptions from Gilham's, Stinky gave cooking demonstrations and shared tricks of the trade. These are just a few of the programs that were put together for our benefit.
Saturday night there was a fine pig roast with all the fixings, followed by games, entertainment, singing and all-round revelry. I'm really sorry you couldn't make it. The good news is that we are already talking about doing it again, next year. Maybe you can attend, because it just wasn't the same without you.
No, it wasn't all about drill, though units did some of that, too. Honestly it was all about being with your pards and all that entails. We think we're onto a good set of ideas for next year's COI, but we need to hear from you, because you might have just that right idea that none of us has thought of yet. Drop me a line at colgallioncos@longstreetscorps.com and I'll see that our planning committee gets your input. After all, it is your Corps.
Did I mention how good those sweet potatoes were? And those boys in the 5th! I didn't know they could sing! I guess you'll just have to experience it for yourself, next time.
I'll see you at New Market, next month. Are you registered yet? It's only $15.00 until April 30. It sounds like we're going to have a good turnout.
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
What? You couldn't attend? That's too bad, because you missed a good time. Though we only had a small turnout we had a good time and alot of learning took place. We even found an opportunity to have a tactical down in the woods below camp, Sunday morning.
We had some interesting classes Saturday; Captain John Douglass (our gracious host) gave a talk on the safety and usage of artillery, Rick Miller and Paul Pessagano spoke on and showed example of uniforms and period textiles and leather goods, Captain Barry Woods and General Cornett clarified some misconceptions from Gilham's, Stinky gave cooking demonstrations and shared tricks of the trade. These are just a few of the programs that were put together for our benefit.
Saturday night there was a fine pig roast with all the fixings, followed by games, entertainment, singing and all-round revelry. I'm really sorry you couldn't make it. The good news is that we are already talking about doing it again, next year. Maybe you can attend, because it just wasn't the same without you.
No, it wasn't all about drill, though units did some of that, too. Honestly it was all about being with your pards and all that entails. We think we're onto a good set of ideas for next year's COI, but we need to hear from you, because you might have just that right idea that none of us has thought of yet. Drop me a line at colgallioncos@longstreetscorps.com and I'll see that our planning committee gets your input. After all, it is your Corps.
Did I mention how good those sweet potatoes were? And those boys in the 5th! I didn't know they could sing! I guess you'll just have to experience it for yourself, next time.
I'll see you at New Market, next month. Are you registered yet? It's only $15.00 until April 30. It sounds like we're going to have a good turnout.
Until next time,
Colonel Gallion
Monday, April 6, 2009
Camp of Instruction
Greetings to all,
Knocking off the rust; something we must all do in this hobby, from time to time. Some of us spend alot of time doing this while others do a bit less, what with buttons to sew, brogans to condition, muskets to maintain, tent loops to mend - the list is seemingly endless of things we should do, to keep a respectable impression. No matter the rank or station, we all have a list of things we should do.
How about your knowledge? Do you maintain that, too? Do you know what to do in the normal evolutions of company and battalion drill? Do you know where to be for your basic footwork? Do you know enough about loading and firing, to teach a new recruit or will you depend on your NCO's to do that? We expect our officers to know these things and more, but do you know the job of the man above and below you in rank, if you are needed to fill a spot?
How about if you find yourself detailed to help in the mess tent, or on a medical assignment? Do you know how to participate in or supervise a provost detail? What would you do if you, as senior Private, found yourself at an event as the senior man? Could you manage a squad of fellow Privates for a weekend? Officers, have you ever found yourself handling a battalion for the first time, because others could not attend an event?
The point is this; if you answered tentatively or uncertainly about any of the above inquiries, then we have just the opportunity for you. We have created a Camp of Instruction for the Corps, April 17-19, to address these and other concerns. The team of Lt. Eric Powell, Captain Jeff Noland and Lt. Tom Place have designed the classroom aspects of the Camp, and General Cornett and Staff are designing the tactical, drill and military essentials of the Camp. The event is being hosted by our own Major John Douglass, Adjutant of Artillery for the Corps. All the details are on the Corps Website, ably posted by Colonel Tony Zusman, easy to find, read and register for.
What's in it for you? A refresher course on diverse topics awaits. It is vital that we have a good turnout, as we kick off this new campaign season. Now, before you decry the economy or simply say, "It's not an event. I'm not coming." let me remind you that this is our Corps. We are only as good as our last performance, and gas is no cheaper for one of us than for another.
I urge you also to attend so that we might all enjoy Longstreet's Corps' 25th anniversary celebration, for which the committee has planned a pig roast, lots of story-telling, skits, singing and general entertainment. Come for the fun. Come for the comraderie. Come for the intrinsic value. Come because we need you. Come because you'll not get another chance to make these kinds of memories. Come so we can all get better at what we do. Come to keep from pulling weeds. Just come. You'll be glad you did.
Someday we all will be too old for this, and we'll wish we had all been there together. The committee and a whole bunch of others have already made contributions of time and talent for the sake of all of us. What will you do?
I'll see you there.
Colonel Gallion
Chief-of-Staff
Knocking off the rust; something we must all do in this hobby, from time to time. Some of us spend alot of time doing this while others do a bit less, what with buttons to sew, brogans to condition, muskets to maintain, tent loops to mend - the list is seemingly endless of things we should do, to keep a respectable impression. No matter the rank or station, we all have a list of things we should do.
How about your knowledge? Do you maintain that, too? Do you know what to do in the normal evolutions of company and battalion drill? Do you know where to be for your basic footwork? Do you know enough about loading and firing, to teach a new recruit or will you depend on your NCO's to do that? We expect our officers to know these things and more, but do you know the job of the man above and below you in rank, if you are needed to fill a spot?
How about if you find yourself detailed to help in the mess tent, or on a medical assignment? Do you know how to participate in or supervise a provost detail? What would you do if you, as senior Private, found yourself at an event as the senior man? Could you manage a squad of fellow Privates for a weekend? Officers, have you ever found yourself handling a battalion for the first time, because others could not attend an event?
The point is this; if you answered tentatively or uncertainly about any of the above inquiries, then we have just the opportunity for you. We have created a Camp of Instruction for the Corps, April 17-19, to address these and other concerns. The team of Lt. Eric Powell, Captain Jeff Noland and Lt. Tom Place have designed the classroom aspects of the Camp, and General Cornett and Staff are designing the tactical, drill and military essentials of the Camp. The event is being hosted by our own Major John Douglass, Adjutant of Artillery for the Corps. All the details are on the Corps Website, ably posted by Colonel Tony Zusman, easy to find, read and register for.
What's in it for you? A refresher course on diverse topics awaits. It is vital that we have a good turnout, as we kick off this new campaign season. Now, before you decry the economy or simply say, "It's not an event. I'm not coming." let me remind you that this is our Corps. We are only as good as our last performance, and gas is no cheaper for one of us than for another.
I urge you also to attend so that we might all enjoy Longstreet's Corps' 25th anniversary celebration, for which the committee has planned a pig roast, lots of story-telling, skits, singing and general entertainment. Come for the fun. Come for the comraderie. Come for the intrinsic value. Come because we need you. Come because you'll not get another chance to make these kinds of memories. Come so we can all get better at what we do. Come to keep from pulling weeds. Just come. You'll be glad you did.
Someday we all will be too old for this, and we'll wish we had all been there together. The committee and a whole bunch of others have already made contributions of time and talent for the sake of all of us. What will you do?
I'll see you there.
Colonel Gallion
Chief-of-Staff
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