I was away for awhile

I was afraid to even say so.

But I was a Major that ended up in the hospital in the last years of my own tour of duty in the Army.

I have an aortic aneurysm, replaced hips, surgically repaired shoulders, half a colon gone, infected by MERSA with two central lines for antibiotics to fight septic infections.

I have patience with people unless I find I am being attacked and degraded with online forum verbal abuse.

There are things I've learned along the 21 years in service for the US Army. We do take care of ourselves and feel closer to others with service (military and police--I was Badge 375 in Reno Police Department before I went to Seminary to be a minister instead.

In those days, late 70s and early 80s the RPD used .357s as standard sidearms. Today all police carry glocks and sigs (autos) without ever knowing what it takes to become Revolver Master in Reno.

I went to seminary and pursued air rifles finding Beeman himself on Airway Drive in North San Rafael. I was born in San Rafael.

I've received 3 ARCOMS and 1 Meritorious Service Medal.

My license plate on my 2020 Mustang shows US Army and my initials with GI on it and it has been that way since I came back to IL 8 years ago.

I have 3 doctors specializing and monitoring me twice a month.

I know the sign prominently displayed in the intake of Anderson Hospital in Maryville: "Verbal Abuse Will Not Be Tolerated" without Security and Police responding immediately.

I am tired of trying to live the rest of my life with anymore abuse from any human being that is supposed to be human.

When I see it happening on a forum (public) I feel the need to muster politeness and the need for politeness even in hostile fire zones where I have lived with the Army across the world.



After all, I am a Chaplain retired and when I see more work has to be done I will rise to the occasion.

Kindly,