James, in the way he looked walked and talked VERY forcibly reminded me of a neighbor of mine. It is to me a striking coincidence that this doppelganger for my neighbor has such a hefty military record. A few weeks ago I stumbled across my old neighbor’s obit. In it was listed a military history of which I was entirely ignorant. It ran thusly: “Herbert joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) in August 1940; awarded eight bronze service stars for the campaigns and battles of New Guinea(24 January 1943 - 31 December 1944), Bismarck Archipelago(15 December 1943 - 27 November 1944), Southern Philippines(27 February - 4 July 1945), Luzon(15 December 1944 - 4 July 1945) Air Offensive, Japan(17 April 1942 - 2 September 1945) China Offensive(5 May - 2 September 1945), China Defensive(4 July 1942 - 4 May 1945), Western Pacific(15 June 1944 - 2 September 1945). In addition, he was awarded three Overseas Service Bars (1940-1945 - 18+ months in combat zone), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon(1940 - December 7, 1941), Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars(October 17, 1944 and September 2, 1945), and last, World War II Occupation Ribbon (Philippines)
These guys did some stuff and then they went on with their lives like it was nothing...Thanks for your service, fellas, and RIP.
The perspective on life a man gains from that kind of military service is worth its weight in gold.
Going forward you would basically have the courage to do anything.