The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Ruel Nathan Lawrence - Warrior Wednesday - Jan. 29th, 2003

http://w1.852.telia.com/~u85208262/1942.htm ^

[SpookBrat]

OK, I'm total idiot. I don't know what I was thinking. Duh! I couldn't find this thread for the life of me. LOL Now I have to go to bed. I get to baby sit a 2 month old tomorrow and Friday. I'm excited about getting a baby fix. :)

I don't know when I'll get to come back in here. Hopefully by Saturday. Love you all.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi spooky! That's good news.

Love ya, too.

[PhilDragoo]

The courage of the Merchant Marine in the convoys made victory possible.

Our investment in supplying the Eastern Front was necessary, but the greatest of ironies, in view of Stalin's pact with Hitler--and aggression toward us from V-E Day to his death in 1953.

Even now, Russia's pursuit of the billions in its LUKoil contract with Iraq (as well as supplying Saddam with trucks, etc.) places it at odds with our interests.

The explosion of the ordnance ship reminds me of my older brother's service as a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in manning engine rooms on such ships bound for Vietnam.

His sword is today a plowshare but his American flag and its pole is the most prominent for miles lest there be any doubt as to his heart.

The self-styled "anti-war" crowd is nothing but the perennial amoral rabble, hypocrites excusing every war crime of the Mumia du jour of the international arena, from Ho and Che to Fidel and Hugo.

That they have the freedom to be fools is tribute to the blood of better men than they have capacity to know.

The tanks and trucks shipped (and lost) are not surprising, but the fact that bombers were shipped by sea was new--as well as the sailors using the tanks' machine guns to defend their ships.

The sea will be the scene of many a conflict in days to come, as China now claims a 200-mile Economic Exclusion Zone--in violation of Law of the Sea treaties signed in 1994 and 1995.

The attention to life boat drill counselled by Lawrence is borne out by tragedies from Titanic to Indianapolis.

The seeming humaneness of the Nazi admiral should be balanced against innumerable violations of law, e.g., Q-boats.

Odd how the real crimes of Saddam count for less in the screeds of "anti-war" mouthpieces than their visceral dislike for the deeply principled leadership in our command structure today.

Regarding Robert's typical news items are detailed and inviting: RB-45C Tornado loss in Korea remains a mystery--

KAL 007 was shot down by a Soviet Mig over Korea in 1983 using a heat-seeking missile. Soviets claim it sank with all passengers dying. Yet no bodies were ever recovered.

A book released last year strongly suggests the Soviets took the passengers into boats, towed the plane into shallow water, and sank it there. The passengers--including U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald--were likely imprisoned.

After the World War, and the fall of the Wall and the Curtain, the enigma continues.

[P8riot]

Al-Khafji veteran bump (Jan 29, 1991) - My brush with combat

[Jen]

Sam - thanks for this terrific thread. I have been gone all day so I have not had time yet to read it but I love these personal stories from the veterans so much. Thanks for all your hard work.

Today was a sad day for me - the funeral for my step-dad. So, I would like to honor him on this Warrior Wednesday.

Kenneth Allen Hicks
Oct. 19, 1932 - Jan. 27, 2003

Ken served in the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s - mostly in Strategic Air Command. He was a Radio Operator, and worked for many bigwigs including General Curtis LeMay.

He told me often that he regretted not making a career of the Air Force, but his family needed him back home and he got a hardship discharge after eight years.

Ken was a Jacksonville, FL native but called Lake Wedowee, AL home. He loved living on a lake and all water-related activities. And he loved the Seminoles of Florida State University.

So many people loved Ken with his outgoing nature and gigantic heart that was buried under his sometimes gruff exterior. I am blessed to have been able to call him my 'dad' for the 27 years he and my mom were married.

[The Real Deal]

Been there, done that.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wonderful tribute, Jen. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

May Kenneth Allen Hicks, rest in peace.

[SAMWolf]

Kenneth Allen Hicks
Oct. 19, 1932 - Jan. 27, 2003

U.S. Air Force Veteran

[SAMWolf]

Evening PhilDragoo.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for your service P8riot.

[larryjohnson]

SALUTE,Sgt Hicks!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[manna]

My sympathy ...

[lavaroise]

bump that again.

[facedown]

My condolences.

May he rest in peace.