I have long debated how to capture these fleeting thoughts and emotions. They exist only in rapidly fading moments. They are quickly captured, boxed, Continue Reading
Combat to Cop
Stripping away the weight of armor, ammo, radios, rifle, and all the cumbersome gear, my mind raced, and my body was invigorated. Regardless of how Continue Reading
We Convince Ourselves of an Open Secret
We go from one to the next. We convince ourselves we are impervious. We can shuffle from one to another without one affecting the Continue Reading
Home, for the Last Time
As I crested the hill, the familiarity of "home" crept in. A montage of my life flashed through my mind, and a whirlwind of emotions came with it. The Continue Reading
The Open Secret That Kills Us
Today, a giant died. Today, a legend died. Today, a leader died. Today, a father died. Today, a husband died. Today, a friend died. Continue Reading
In Silence, My Mind Wanders… and Wonders
The peaceful silence broken by the swaying branches and warm breeze. The sun gently warms the skin as I look out upon the world. In such a Continue Reading
The Dilemma of the Enemy
Since childhood, I loved the tales of wars past and present. In my adolescence, I was obsessed with the fables of Vietnam beyond any Continue Reading
Bittersweet Reflection
I stand on the precipice of change. I have spent over half a decade pursuing this dream that now feels all but inevitable. As I stand here, its taste Continue Reading
Their Weight and Scars
I feel empty without them. I feel wrong. I feel as if something is missing. The skin where they resided lighter, having blocked the sun for Continue Reading
Teamwork/The Maxim
We each brought to the battlefield our own knowledge, experiences, and equipment. A fair fight was never a fight we sought. The odds should always Continue Reading
They Do Not Want to Understand the Wars We Fight in Their Name
The questions are almost always delivered by the young without guilt. They ask them in classrooms, living rooms, car rides, anywhere and everywhere it Continue Reading
Perceived Distinction or Infamy
When you enter a room, your every action and every word judged not by their realities, but the juxtaposition of the perceived distinction or Continue Reading