The Ranger Creed is the official mission statement of the United States Army Rangers, and is also adopted by Rangers in other armed forces around the world. It was initiated by then-LTC Leuer and his Command Sergeant Major Neal R. Gentry. It was re-drafted by the battalion XO, Major “Rock” Hudson and finalized at Ft Stewart, Georgia in 1974 when the original cadre deployed there on 1 July 1974. The last word in the first stanza is a result of the Battalions re-organization to Regimental.
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
The lighting, the curves, the amazing lady….
Rather difficult to improve over this.
Well, the time has arrived. I’m at the international terminal at SFO getting ready to board my flight to Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. Soon I’ll see her! I am so psyched. Now I understand ‘swallowing tiger balm’ from her blog. Wow!
I’m so jazzed and tired and ready to go! Time to lap the airport a few times and stretch my legs.
“A warrior takes responsibility for his acts, for the most trivial of acts. An average man acts out his thoughts, and never takes responsibility for what he does.”
-Carlos Casteneda
Many years ago I decided (realized?) that I could talk to my mom thru the full moon. Pretty much every full moon since then I’ve at least said hi, sent my love. I may have missed one or two but I don’t think so. No ceremony, no fluff, just a conversation. It’s completely beside the point Mom has been off this earth for a while.
Hi mom! Love you! Don’t worry, I’ve been taking pretty good care of myself. Mostly remembering to eat. Mostly standing up straight. Not too much booze. Not reading enough nor hiking enough but working on changing that. Having fun with the sailboat. Mostly being tolerant and patient with people. Still trying to make you proud.
Met an amazing woman, but you know that already. I’ve been talking about her the past few moons. I think you would like her and she would certainly like you! She’s not named ‘bonnie’, but that was mainly dad’s ‘requirement’. But she takes my breath right away.
I’d sure like to spend a bit of time rooting around with her though. Lots of time. Hardly matters where or what. I’ve really truly fallen in love with this girl. Do me a favour and have your god friends keep an eye on her.
Alright mom, Tierra o Muerte!
Love, James
This evening I walked to the beach to better see the sunset. The tide was out so the seawall was blocking the view from Aradia. I found myself thinking of her, of course, wanting to share the moment. So I reached down and touched the water, knowing that far away she was touching or soon would touch the ocean as well. Somehow that simple gesture made me miss her a little less, made her not seem so far away. Crazy.
Love really is a kind of madness. A pleasant yet tortuous madness. Ten weeks ago I barely knew of her. Now it seemed I could barely go ten minutes without thinking of her. All in the blink of an eye.
Never have I been so enchanted, so enraptured, so captivated by another. It’s not just the love I feel. I love Jean just as much. There is something more here. A sense of potential. Parts of me stirring awake like a volcano rumbling to life. A power and clarity I haven’t felt before. Perhaps I am emerging from my former self. James 2.0
But the strange thing is I don’t know what the power will bring or even what the clarity is about. It all feels so ‘right’ it is disconcerting. Yet I still fear fucking it up somehow. Am I really worthy of this woman? I thought I was pretty well along my path of being ‘in my power’ but I’ve actually been wondering why this amazing woman would be interested in me Perhaps the universe tossed us together to test us, as I know she is being challenged by this relationship as well.
What a long strange trip it’s been…, and it has only just begun. My whole universe has irreperably changed simply by knowing a woman like her actually exists.
Enough rambling. Back to coding for a while. Really need to refill the cruising kitty!
“When I go out at dawn, I pray to the breeze, to the newness of life, not to anybody in particular but to the birds, the plants, just to life itself. I pray to the dawn, which is th awakening of life – for the plants, for the birds, for us.
When I pray at noon I pray to the sun, which gives us warmhearted and life and growth. When I pray in the evening, I pray to the breeze again, to what is around me, to air, to why comes with the evening. We pray to all, to everything.” – Kalley Musial, Navajo potter
Away she flew, off to distant lands.
I know the time will fly. I know a month and 3 days is nothing. I know I will join her soon and she welcomes my company. I know these things.
But it is still strange. ‘Hard’ isn’t the right term. I miss her, of course. Her smell. Her laugh. Her voice. The feel of her flesh. The taste of her lips, her juices, her sweat. The feel of her presence. Her eyes, those amazing eyes…. But it feels right to be apart for a little while.
It’s all still a mystery. So unanticipated, so spontaneous, yet so right. I’ve so much to say yet I still feel 16, tongue-tied and awkward. IM seems easier for some things, but in the end it needs to be words spoken face to face, looking into each others eyes. I’m so quiet by nature. So is she. Perhaps not a good thing…. Have to watch out for that.
It’s been only a few months, just since mid-April, but I’ve known her for so much longer than that.
God I love her. I’m not insecure or anything but it was sure nice to hear her say the words before she walked away….
