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Description
Artifacts of my time in the US Air Force Tactical Air Control Party from 2000 through 2007. I carried these items in Korea, Alaska, and most especially Iraq.
These are just the fragments that remain of my past life. Most of my other stuff is gone now, given to the Air Force Museum, lost, stolen, or just misplaced and spread around my house.
My Beret was worn at my graduation from Tech School in 2001 and went with me everywhere, even if in a plastic bag and never worn. Point of pride.
The knife went with me Iraq. I used it to open many an MRE and dig for bombs in the ground. I never let it out of my reach, ever, over there. Same with the Rosary. Nightly I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in preparation for what may happen to me, and for those around me. Before I left my FOB or COP I prayed the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. That is what is written in the flap of my rucksack alongside a skull with a Cross written upon its forehead. Below this is the Chi Rho (the PX), symbols of my Roman Catholic faith, and assurance that if captured I wouldn't live long, but then I was certain I would die fighting any how (or be blown to tiny pieces).
Now, they just serve as reminders. Well, the ruck now is loaded for peacetime disaster response (I volunteer with Team Rubicon) and I do find myself carrying that Rosary. Sword into Plow shear. For now.
These days however, I almost feel a call to beat it right back into a sword. I am fortunate I am physically unable to do so again at this point. Those that are our enemies, you are very fortunate. Very...
...Beware my Brothers. They are not nearly as restrained as I am.
These are just the fragments that remain of my past life. Most of my other stuff is gone now, given to the Air Force Museum, lost, stolen, or just misplaced and spread around my house.
My Beret was worn at my graduation from Tech School in 2001 and went with me everywhere, even if in a plastic bag and never worn. Point of pride.
The knife went with me Iraq. I used it to open many an MRE and dig for bombs in the ground. I never let it out of my reach, ever, over there. Same with the Rosary. Nightly I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in preparation for what may happen to me, and for those around me. Before I left my FOB or COP I prayed the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. That is what is written in the flap of my rucksack alongside a skull with a Cross written upon its forehead. Below this is the Chi Rho (the PX), symbols of my Roman Catholic faith, and assurance that if captured I wouldn't live long, but then I was certain I would die fighting any how (or be blown to tiny pieces).
Now, they just serve as reminders. Well, the ruck now is loaded for peacetime disaster response (I volunteer with Team Rubicon) and I do find myself carrying that Rosary. Sword into Plow shear. For now.
These days however, I almost feel a call to beat it right back into a sword. I am fortunate I am physically unable to do so again at this point. Those that are our enemies, you are very fortunate. Very...
...Beware my Brothers. They are not nearly as restrained as I am.
Image size
2448x3264px 7.39 MB
Comments1
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The greatest of battles is fought not with swords, or guns but with that rosary Mike... and the deepest groanings, and unutterable heart break offered up from your face in the dirt and your knees on the ground..... You are a warrior with as much fire power in your hands now as you held then because it is the Lord's fight... and you are his hands here on earth which he uses to bring about hope for those caught in their worst moments.... You are my hero Mike, you and Dad, Father Bill and Deacon Brady....You stand among many, and you have certainly earned your place among them... <3 You bro...