Gary Varsel:  

I see the story wizard wants me to know how I hope old friends remember me. I've only had seven in the past 62 years and half of them are now dead. Frankly, being remembered has never been a great concern of mine. After high school and a real brief stint at the University of Alaska, I joined the Army and had a good time for the next 26 years. I liked that organization! Anything I wanted to do, they let me. Wanted to go to Vietnam in 65 and felt insulted when my name wasn't on the levy of the Old Guard (Gardens of Stone is one of my favorite movies and books). After a bit of fuss, I was added and the fun started. For the next several years the war was my play ground. Must not have been too good at it as I was wounded a couple of times and sent home. Still, I wanted to do it until I got it right. Had really fine teachers to help me along the way in mastering the techniques of warfare. One in particular, George Otero-Baretta, really had his stuff together. Must have been on the leading edge of the learning curve because during my fourth tour they called the war off. After a couple of years PR work carrying a flag, I got to go back to the jungle. In Panama I had really found my home. I loved that place! The down side was they (who in the heck are "they"?) made me an instructor in spite of having indicated I have no aptitude or inclination for teaching. With great regret and my first wife's insistance, I left Panama behind to join Special Forces at Ft Bragg. Onl...Expand for more