First, I hope everybody enjoyed the 1997 Veterans Day celebrations. And, as I've said in other places on this website, hope you Marines enjoyed the birthday ceremonies. November 10th, is still meaningful even for those of us who've been out of the United States Marine Corps for a few decades!

Just finished reading a couple of books on the Vietnam War and already loaned them out to fellow veterans. Robert Mason's newest book entitled Chickenhawk: Back in the World is a thoughtful and at time heartrending account of "fitting back" into society while carrying the detritus of the Vietnam experience. Bob was lucky, he found a woman that stayed with him through all the good and bad times. Unfortunate Son [Editor's note: the title is Fortunate Son] is an inspiring account of living with the baggage of having a legendary father but still having the guts to make your own way. Lewis Puller Jr. had to live up to his father "Chesty" Puller's reputation in the Marine Corps lore, a nearly impossible task. In his own way he succeeded. Sometimes I wonder if reading about our combat experience is good for the psyche, it brings back many memories, some good, some bad. But reading them is almost magnetic and I've come to feel like it will become a balm for troubled thoughts.

Last August 1997, along with my significant other Dawn, it was a pleasure to travel to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego (yes, I'm a hollywood Marine), to participate in my nephew Billie Kingfisher's graduation ceremonies. Enduring pins and needles until actually arriving on base left me exhausted, but the expectations were assuaged by the sameness of the place. Except for new barracks to replace the quonset huts we lived in, the base hasn't changed much. Hearing cadence being called from a quarter mile away on the "grinder" brought back many memories of by-gone times. The ceremonies remain impressive, the ambience distinctly Marine, and it is good to know the Corps carries on. Semper Fi.

Incidentally, nephew Billie is back here at the University visiting after having completed field radio communications school and is heading out to Hawaii for FMF duty with 3/3. He needs to get his haircut squared-away! Two weeks without one makes his head look fuzzy!

Received an email from Lieutenant Colonel William Fleser, United States Army who is serving with United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Tuzla, Bosnia as I write these lines. Colonel Fleser led the University of South Dakota's Reserve Officer Training Corps for three years prior to his transfer. He is doing well and as usual is thinking beyond the days when peace will be restored. By this I mean he is soliciting gifts for the children he encounters everyday. He reminded me that he is doing the same thing we did in Vietnam in 1966, handing out chocolate bars to the children. If you can be of help, please send me a message. I will ask the American Indian community to share their good feelings and good thoughts by contributing to a care package from those of us who live in Vermillion. My prayers go out to Colonel Fleser and all the soldier boys and soldier girls who are serving their country in foreign lands even as we get ready to celebrate peace with our families.

I pray you all find peace. I remain, with respect, Tahunska Tanka, Ihanktonwan Nakota Akichita--Vietnam. Mitakuye Oyasin--All My Relatives

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1 December 1997, lrb