4th of July Reads

First, The Mudflats interviews yours truly in The Soldier, The Sailor & The Senator.  As always, thanks to Thomas Dewar and Jeanne Devon for giving me the opportunity.

 

Second, I had intended to write something today about Illinois Republican Joe Walsh, a pitiful excuse for an American if ever there was one, Left or Right.  The kind of disgusting bullshit this idiot is willfully engaged in needs to stop right now. His words and actions are disgraceful enough for any American, but they are inexcusable for an elected representative of the people. Joe Walsh’s obnoxious and infantile attacks on a decorated combat veteran for no reason other than political gain should be as offensive to veterans on the right as they are to veterans on the left. This kind of thing is an affront all Americans whatever their political affiliation and should immediately disqualify this worm from any office - he’s not fit to be a citizen let alone their representative. 

We veterans, be we Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, or Guardsmen, we swear our allegiance to the United States of America, to all Americans, not to a political party or an ideology.

It's about time Americans returned the favor.

However, instead of writing something myself today, I will point you at the journal of the incomparable Elizabeth Moon, writer, photographer, naturalist, and United States Marine. Semper Fi, Elizabeth, Semper Fi

(H/T to my good friend, the also incomparable writer and physicist, Dr. Phil)

Buffalo Soldier

"Ollen Hunt was born in McLemoresville, TN, July 25, 1923, the youngest of 11 children. While serving in the Civilian Conservation Corp he attained the rank of Mess Sergeant. When the CCC was disbanded Ollen was drafted into the US Army 92nd Infantry Division E Company, 370 Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers) where he saw action in Florence, Poe Valley, and and other front line battles in Italy until the war ended..." - from the back cover of Buffalo Soldier, written by Ollen Hunt himself.

After the war, Ollen was sent to France and later to occupied Germany, not returning to the United States until 1957. He retired from the Army in 1963 and hired on with Northwest Airlines, which is how he ended up in Anchorage Alaska just in time for the Good Friday Earthquake. After Ollen left Northwest Airlines, he opened the Hof Brau, a legendary Anchorage restaurant, where he often carved the roast beef and served customers himself. Eventually he retired from the restaurant and, at age 83, wrote Buffalo Soldier, which, a short year, later is on it's second printing.

I'm four chapters into Buffalo Soldier and I can't put it down. It's fascinating. Utterly fascinating. I've been awed by the Buffalo Soldiers since I learned about them as a kid, reading about the 10th Cav and the Roughriders at San Juan Hill.

I met Ollen today.

He was doing a book signing at the Elmendorf/Fort Richardson Exchange. 84 years old, and the guy was in better shape than most people half his age. Funny, interesting, articulate. I got there just as he was setting up his table. He signed my copy of Buffalo Soldier and, since nobody was around yet, we talked for twenty minutes or so. Then the line started to form, and I had to move on, which was a dammed shame because I could easily have spent a couple hours with him. It was a privilege talking to him.

So, if you're looking for something to read, try Buffalo Soldier, just don't ask to borrow my copy.