"Run Tatanka Run"
OK - when I first got on to MySpace I did so to get a pic off of my daughters page. Once I was registered, I had a page that was blank. Since then, I've built it to tell my whole story. I added several friends that were people that I work with, and then a few people I’d like to be friends with. I never imagined that I would have hundreds of people want to add me as their friend. Because of this, I am forced to lay down a few ground rules for anyone wishing to add me as a friend.
1) If you wish to add me in order to build your number of friends into the thousands, or to promote yourself, or your business, or a product, - I’m not interested.
2) If you have your profile set to “Private,†then please email me along with your add request and let me know “why†you want to be my MySpace friend.
3) I have to walk along a thin line between world religions. I respect anyone’s right to practice their own personal belief, but please do not "preach" here.
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Not your Average "Airborne" Cavalry Scout
Thanks for checking me out
..Who I Am
... "ABN" because I am "Airborne" (Parachute) qualified, "CAV" and "SCOUT" because I am an Armored Reconnaissance N.C.O. (i.e.: a "Cavalry Scout") and I am currently a Staff Sergeant.
I am a Veteran of the Regular Army and I am now continuing my service in Kuwait and Iraq in the Alabama Army National Guard. Before my most recent deployment, I was a Police Officer with the Alexander City, Alabama Police Dept, ... and I was a Firefighter / Medical "First Responder" for my hometown Volunteer Fire Department in Equality, AL.
From my fathers side I am 1/16th Cherokee Indian, with two ancestors on the 1852 "Drennon Roll" ("Trail of Tears" Roll) - plus from my mothers side I have a slight percentage more Native ancestry through my descent from an un-named Patawomeck Indian woman. She was married to Henry Spelman, who came to Virginia in 1609. In his book "General Historie", Capt. John Smith wrote that "Pocahuntas saved a boy named Henry Spilman that lived many years afterward, by her means, among the Patawomekes." Henry Spelman did live amongst the native inhabitants, and he became the principal interpreter between the colonists an Indians. Spelman himself wrote "Relation of Virginia" and was later promoted to Capt. to replace John Smith. Capt. Spelman was killed on 23 March 1623 while leading a party north to the Potomac River (near present-day Washington, D.C.) to barter for food and supplies when his party was attacked by Anacostan Indians.
... I also have a lot of Scottish, with Irish and English, and a small amount of French in my ancestry. Other notable ancestors of mine include: Sir Christopher Wren who designed St. Paul's Cathedral in London and the Wren Building at William & Mary College in Virginia; Sir Henry Spelman (Capt. Spelman's father) who documented early Christian history for King James; the Marquis Guillame de la Calmes, who was born in 1675 in Trebs Dioc De Carcassone, Langeudoc, France - and as a Huguenot fled first to England and then to Virginia, then fathered Marquis de Calmes who served as a Major under a young Colonel George Washington during the French & Indian War, and who in turn fathered William Calmes who served as a Lieutenant under Washington during the American Revolution; Private William Reneau who served in the American Revolution in N.C., and in Alabama during the Creek Indian War of 1813-'14, - and as a "hat maker" made a hat for General Andrew Jackson; Private Solomon Murphree who served in the American Revolution in N.C. and settled in Murphree's Valley in Alabama - which is named for him; and Private Phillip Wren who knew and rode with Col. John S. Mosby during the American Civil War.
I myself was born in Alabama, - raised mostly in Virginia, - and graduated from High School in Brussels Belgium. As a child I was active in the Boy Scouts of America. In High School I "Varsitied" in Swimming; Soccer: Football; Wrestling; and Track. In college I was on the Varsity Wrestling Team. I spent two years in college as an Air Force ROTC Cadet before dropping out to get married. I then enlisted in the Army and I am a 10th generation US Soldier with my direct lineal ancestors having served in every significant US military campaign since the American Revolution (and earlier). In addition, six members of the my family are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
I initially spent four years in the Regular Army with the 24th Infantry Division during the last years of the "Cold War," and later served in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. In the early 1990's I was a Paratrooper with the 20th Special Forces Group. In the mid to late 1990's I was a Military Police Sergeant with the 231st M.P. Battalion; and I was also a member of the Alabama National Guard Shooting Team. From 1999 to 2005 I was a "Scout" for the 31st Cavalry; and from 2005 and 2006 I was the Scout Platoon Sergeant for the 167th Infantry. I am now in Kuwait as an Artillery "Forward Observer" for the 117th Field Artillery. I am also "Sniper" trained, and "Anti-Tank Missile Gunner," and "Combat Lifesaver" qualified. Finally, even though I am a Non Commissioned Officer in the National Guard, - I was given a Commission as a Lieutenant Colonel - "Aide de Camp" in the Alabama Militia by the Governor of Alabama.
My Military Medals & Awards include:
Army Commendation Medal
- w/ 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal
- w/ 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal
- w/ 1 Broze Knot
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
- w/ 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
- w/ 1 Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
- w/ Bronze Numeral "4"
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
- w/ Silver "Hour-Glass" (X)
- w/ Bronze "M"
- w/ Bronze Numeral "5"
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
- w/ Bronze Numeral "2"
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
- w/ Bronze Numeral "4"
Alabama National Emergency Service Ribbon
- w/ Bronze "9-11" Clasp
Alabama Special Service Ribbon
- w/ 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Alabama Faithful Service Medal
- w/ 3 Bronze "St. Andrews Crosses" (X's)
Alabama Basic Training Ribbon
Georgia Special Operations Ribbon.
Basic Paratrooper Wings
Silver Excellence in Rifle Competition Badge
Bronze Excellence in Pistol Competition Badge
State of Alabama "Governors Twenty" Tab
for Pistol Marksmanship
Physical Fitness Excellence Badge.
After getting out of the Regular Army, I went back to school, and I have a Bachelor of Science in History from Troy State University, with minors in Business Law and Military Science. According to my most recent "Stanford-Binet" test, my IQ is 135 (which makes me eligable for membership in "Mensa.") The summery stated that I was "highly intelligent and had picked up an impressive and unique collection of facts and figures over the years," - and that I had "a remarkable vocabulary and exceptional math skills."
... Having a Degree in US History I am very interested in both preserving history for the future, and in presenting history to others. As a "Living Historian" I reenact the French & Indian War (c.1755-63) as a French Marine at Ft. Toulouse, Ala.; the American Revolution (c.1780-83) as a Mounted Militiaman; the War Between the States (c. 1861-65) as either a mounted Union or Confederate Cavalryman; and I reenact the WW-II era (c. 1941-45) as both a US 1st Infantry Division "Leg" Scout, and as a U.S. 82nd Airborne Division "Parachute Artillery" Forward Observer. I am also a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a Life Member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and a "Past Commander" of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), and a member of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA).
... As a "horse soldier," I have been in five different movies, including "Glory" and the "North & South" television mini-series, and I was once featured on the cover of The Camp Chase Gazette magazine. In addition, I was once an employee of the "Alabama Historical Commission" at the Alabama State Capitol ( ... and the former Capitol of the Confederacy.) In the early 90's we had a historic event occur with regard to the Confederate Battle Flag that had been removed along with the US and State flags during the buildings renovation. When the order was given "to let 'em fly" by the Governor in reference to the US and State flags, no one else in the building had the courage to climb on the outside of the dome - and based upon my days as a Paratrooper, I was asked to take responsibility for the raising, lowering, and changing the "U.S." and "Alabama" Flags that flew over the Alabama Capitol Dome. Because of this, I also appeared on the cover of the "Montgomery Advertiser" Newspaper several times. ... It seems that I shall have my 15 minutes of fame just a few minutes at a time.
I used to run a small Paso Fino Horse Breeding Farm, I still have two horses, ... one of them is past Grand National Paso Fino Pleasure Champion and Reserve National Champion Paso Fino Performance Stallion.
A few years ago I bought a c.1900 Farm Home just off of Lake Martin in Alabama. It is on four acres of shaded land and has several very large pecan and oak trees, and several fruit trees as well. The house has a wrap-around porch, 10' and 12' ceilings, and has all five of it's original working fireplaces and chimneys. The original water-well is in the back yard near the kitchen, and there is a creek running through the middle of the property. It is ideally situated just off of the main road and is equidistant from the city's of Wetumpka and Alexander City. Unfortunately deployments away from home for "Uncle Sam" have seriously retarded my visions of a complete restoration, - but whenever I am allowed to finish this "one" of my many projects, it will be a beautiful retreat.
I have two daughters - but live alone. My 20 y.o. daughter is grown and in the US Army in Afghanistan, and my 17 y.o. daughter lives with her mom.
... Politically: I am a "Libertarian." I'm a moderate Conservative. I agree in part with some Republican issues, and in part with some Democratic issues (or vice-versa.) I am almost dead center between consertive economic issues and liberal social issues, but I lean very strongly toward smaller government and lower taxes. I am a Firm Supporter of "The Fair Tax" proposed by Congressman John Linder and Libertarian Neil Boortz.
... Religiously: I was raised Lutheran, but I no longer claim any religious affiliation. I respect every ones right to practice the religion of their choice, but I have seen too much evil done in the name of religion to maintain any personal faith. By definition, I am a "secular humanist" but I do believe in the "butterfly effect" - in that every act begins an unforeseen chain of events, and I believe in "karma" (or "self fulfilling prophesy") - in that good things come to those who do good. It is my life's goal, my soul, and my passion - to make a difference, and to make the World a better place.
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