My Outlook Is Optimistic

I had a rather reassuring conversation with my mentor and former Physics teacher, this morning. He has a way of setting things in perspective for me. I guess it's because of his vast life experience. In fact, you can go to his website. Well, we were shooting the breeze and my Academy admissions problems came up. I told him what had happened, but he just said that I should keep trying and that it won't be the end of the world if I don't to the Academy, and go NROTC. Very reassuring our chat was. And the more I think about, the less worried I am about not going to Annapolis. Sure it would be great to have the experience and play Navy Football, but it isn't neccessary. I think this has been blessing in a way. It has served as a proverbial "gutcheck," to see if a career in the Navy is really what I want, and I've come to the realization that it is, and I am willing to do whatever it takes.

I have been getting letters from a whole bunch of civilian colleges(all with NROTC programs) who would love for me to come to their college. I am sure I will also get letters from college scouts once the football season starts, too. As long as I am a pilot in the U.S. Navy, I'll be happy. So right now, I'm pretty content. The world is turning on it's axis just right, and today has been okay. Life goes on. So, I'm tired and the only thing I can think of right now is checking my eye lids for leaks, so I'm gonna sign-off here. But, before I go, I want to say that all Marines and Soldiers and Sailors and Airmen and Coasties are a blessing from God to this great land. The sheer fact that we have men and women who are willing to lay their lives down for freedom is awe-inspiring. So I want to leave y'all with this, a letter to a fallen Marine's mother.(Courtesy of Blackfive)

Why Was It My Son Had to Die?

To the families of the brave Ohio Marines

Why was it my son had to die,

To preserve some truth? To hide a lie?

Why did my country ask of me,

To sacrifice my hopes so totally?

Why must one home give up so much,

Among the few to feel death’s touch?

Why was it my son had to die?

Please let me know, please tell me why.

Your son died in a valiant cause,

To save our way of rights and laws,

To keep the light of freedom glowing,

To keep the rights of freemen flowing,

To keep our tall torch burning bright

Against the terror, against its night.

Your son gave up his valiant best,

To save our ways, preserve the rest.

True, politics is a darkened art,

Devouring lives of those with heart,

The heart to give their very best,

To serve, protect we helpless rest.

But, Lord, we’re thankful some will serve

We multitudes, who lack their nerve.

They take up arms and fight our foes,

Bearing bloody burdens for our woes.

Why was it my son had to die?

Why must I be the one to cry?

Because you are one of the few,

Who raised a son who truly knew,

Our freedom’s price is paid in blood,

Young men must die to stay the flood,

To keep the terror wolves at bay,

To save us all, preserve our way.

Why was it my son had to die?

Because your son was one fine guy.


Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66