tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035675295275480052023-11-15T13:15:32.140-06:00Harry Miles AdventuresEd Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-81929071410949360962015-07-09T16:34:00.002-05:002016-07-29T09:35:58.760-05:00Is this what death feels like? <style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is this
what death feels like? </span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(updated July 29, 2016)</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">by </span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ed Benjamin </span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harry now
realized this was a two-phased battle. He had been wildly successful in the
initial phase. He had scored three victories and caused the fourth plane he faced
off against to choose discretion and turn away from the battle rather than face
the threat posed by the longer range of Harry’s air-to-air missiles. He felt
relief because in what he would come to consider a stupid move, he had expended
all four of his long range air-to-air missiles to attain the three victories.
Hence, his dilemma! </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Do I go in
with the Sidewinders or exit? </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He had
committed earlier and was not inclined to change his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still faced another echelon of four more
Flankers . . . maybe five, if asshole turned back to resume the fight. .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His armament included four short-range
Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles; four missiles against five aircraft!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then, he had the 20 millimeter gun to use
for really close in work. No doubt his adversaries would have plenty of
long-range missiles remaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
realized no one would blame him if he refused to engage, exited, and headed
home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The deadly
engagement had begun when, out of the blue, an air-to-air missile had stuck his
wingman’s plane causing Mike to bail out and the plane to crash. The Airborne
Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft with its advanced radar had
informed Harry two flights of four Su-27 (NATO code-named ‘Flanker’) aircraft
were inbound to challenge Harry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A few
moments earlier, with the help of the missile controllers in the AWACS
aircraft, he successfully engaged the first flight of four aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most analysts considered the Su-27 Flanker
aircraft superior to his F-15C Eagle in individual air-to-air combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been out-numbered and out-gunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he did not need the help of the AWACS
controllers and the data-link to help guide his missiles, but he played a
deadly game of tag with his long-range air-to-air AARAM missiles and scored
three hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His long range air-to-air
missiles held a slightly longer range of lethality than his foes so he used it
to his advantage. Three aircraft destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Three air-to-air victories.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His
thoughts did not linger on victories but his mistake. He had wasted two of his
missiles on one aircraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he lived through
the situation in which he found himself, he would never allow himself to forget
this error. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dumb!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dumb!
Dumb! You dumb shit!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For a few
milliseconds, he realized he would take a ragging about that for years. At the
moment all he could was pass the thought out of his mind and focus on then
situation at hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After the
sneak attack downing his wingman, he determined the opposing Flankers bearing
down on him still needed to close the gap before they could launch their
long-range radar guided missiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
the assistance of the data link systems built into AWACS aircraft, he decided
he was in range and his opponents had not closed the gap within range of their
missiles. Having been attacked, he claimed the advantage and launched his long-range
missiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since the
planes he opposed were out of range with their missiles, the question bugging
him and would continue to bug Air Force analysts for months still
remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where in the hell did the first missile come from
which had destroyed Mike’s plane?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry had
answered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now, with
his long-range advantage gone, the second flight of four Flankers was closing on
him. They had the advantage now. Their long range missiles would be in range
soon. He had to decide whether to engage or not engage in the fight again . . .
soon! </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If he
departed, no harm no foul.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Fear,
adrenalin, and confidence surged though his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like most people, he did not want to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth be told, fear of failure rather than the
fear of harm colored his approach to this decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His background and training emphasized
pressing the attack whenever possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He realized he could leave the area without any loss of honor or respect
or the nagging idea he would feel he had failed in following his sense of
duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Honor
played an important part in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the same time, he did not want to be shot down and possibly die, like
Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope he
made it. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was not
a matter of being considered cowardly although part of him felt he would rather
die than be considered a coward by his peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Simply stated, overriding these emotions, there was another feeling. His
adoptive father had always told him, “Do the right thing.” He always did his
duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eleven months as an enlisted
driver in the Motor Pool; two years in the Academy Prep School, and then the
four years at the “Zoo,” the Air Force Academy, had reinforced that dogma,
drilling it deep, deep, deep into his subconscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This trait
had served him well once he entered the service - particularly after he began
to fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t like leaving any job
unfinished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to him, if he did
not engage the second flight, a part of him would feel he had left a job
unfinished. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To him, leaving a job
unfinished was tantamount to failure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He could
not deny the fear of physical harm he felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His mind seemed to be operating at a thousand miles an<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hour. The thought of a missile finding his
plane and the fireball inevitably ensuing worried him kept intruding into his
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered if he would be
conscious when the flames encircled his body should he be unlucky enough not to
eject and escape the carnage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked
hard to push those feelings away and deal with the matter at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kept popping up like unwanted volunteer
plants in a garden. His mind worked on several channels at once and olne
channels worked hard to push the fear away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was
also the matter of his wingman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
lost his wingman to the unprovoked attack. Once again, he worried<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">; “How did that missile get in undetected?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put that thought out of his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a question for another day and if he
didn’t make it back today, it would be someone else’s question. Right now,
Harry felt Mike deserved everything he could give to resolve the current situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After all, when someone attacks your wingman, you have
to do something about it. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He climbed
to 55,000 feet to give himself some perspective on the scene and pondered the
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still outnumbered and
outgunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A plan formed hastily in his
mind. They would be coming after him deployed in two flights of two – a lead
and a wingman each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His notion was to
get between them so they would be unable to launch for fear of hitting their
fellow fighters. then he could maneuver, launch his Sidewinders, fire his gun
and maybe get another victory or two. He would then get the hell out of Dodge,
find a tanker, and head home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
realized he would have to endure a gauntlet of long-range air-to-air missiles
before he executed his plan, but he had some tricks up his sleeve to defeat
their effectiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Baron
Manfred von Richthofen’s book had heavily influenced his training, particularly
the following quote.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“ In my opinion the aggressive spirit is everything.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He did not
lack an aggressive spirit but calculated the approach he wanted to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His training taught him the conventional
wisdom in battling one versus many aircraft situations dictated that if the
enemy possess long range air-to-air missiles as these foes certainly did, he should
descend to a lower altitude so the ground clutter might confuse the missiles
when launched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What he
should do and what he would do; however, were two different things. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He knew,
however, to maintain his high speed at lower altitudes would be very costly in
terms of fuel usage and maneuverability. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced at the fuel indicators and noted he
had used a significant amount of fuel in the first salvos he had launched. He considered
the advisability of remaining at high altitudes versus diving to lower
altitudes and made the decision to remain at the high altitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided the additional maneuverability,
speed, and fuel efficiency at higher altitudes would outweigh any advantages of
flying at lower altitudes trying deceive any missiles launched at him as ground
clutter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed speed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After all,
the powers that be had drilled the mantra “Speed is Life” into him ever since
he had entered fighter lead-in training after his graduation from flying
training. All his training told him in no uncertain terms – “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speed is Life”</i>!</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the
moment, his body reflected the ‘speed of life’ mantra as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart beat furiously. His airspeed
indicator measured 450 knots per hour. His eardrums hurt. It felt like a
thousand tom toms beating the walls of his inner ear. Sweat rolled down his
forehead, blurred his vision, and pooled around his oxygen mask. Focusing on
his breathing, Harry breathed in deep breaths of 100% oxygen and hoped the deep
breaths would help calm his body down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He had to
pee. He felt like he needed to fart. He peed in his relief tube but tightened
his abdomen to hold the fart in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God, if it’s a wet fart, there’ll be a mess. Everyone
will say I got so scared, I shit himself!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
laughed mentally at his attempt at humor and that served to calm him down
somewhat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That’s not half wrong! If I weren’t so busy, I would
be scared shitless! S shit, I am scared shitless!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He did
another quick re-assessment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What are my odds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe 50/50?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that
realistic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I being overconfident? </span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He selected
a heading taking him on a vector toward the last known location of the enemy
flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had decided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they wanted a fight, he was going to give
it to them.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Arming one
Sidewinder, he prepared to engage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
the missile armed, when the missile detected a heat signature emanating from
the exhaust of another plane, a tone would sound in his earphones telling him
he was in range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waited anticipating
the tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had practiced going up
against two enemy fighters in training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trick was to get between them, confuse them, and keep them from
launching for fear they would hit their compatriots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he could do this now, he would have an
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in what others termed a
“target-rich” environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every target in
the sky would be an enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could
launch without fear of any friendly fire incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confusion was his friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He faced four Flankers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maybe
five, if that asshole in the first flight turns and decides to re-engage</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He knew he
needed all the confusion he could endenger in his opponents. Once again, he
told himself; if he could get between them, they wouldn’t launch for fear to
hitting their comrades. He would be the one in a target-rich environment, not
his enemy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mental calculations told
him he had better than a 50% chance of getting in and then getting out. he
questioned his decision again. He asked himself if he were overconfident. Had
he made an accurate assessment or was it just wishful thinking? </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He would
never know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 2.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>* </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 2.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Things changed
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warbling tones filled his
ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were not the steady tones
telling him the Sidewinder was in range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These sounds broadcast a dreaded warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Missiles
inbound!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His
Heads-Up-Display (HUD) tracked 3 air-to-air missiles headed his way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Holy shit!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No choice
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in the shit storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered if he had lingered too long with
the decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt some bile in his
throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tasted bitter. His vision
once again blurred from sweat. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
remaining Flankers had gotten within launch range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streaky lines on his HUD marked the deadly
spears shooting toward him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He imagined
the flames exiting the rear of the missiles from their rocket motors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More importantly, he noted two of the
missiles tracking from 30 degrees port and the other tracking from 45 degrees
starboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The converging missiles made
him feel he was flying into a bear trap with no way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evasion from one source endangered him from
the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His HUD indicated the two
port missiles loomed closer than the third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew instinctively three of the four ship formation had launched
against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When he
engaged the first flight, he had hit three ships of the first four-ship
formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared the fourth
Flanker had turned and hightailed it back toward Iran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t blame him. He had a slight edge
using the long range missiles and there was no way the Iranian pilot could know
there wasn’t a fourth missile heading to destroy his fighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry wondered if the fifth pilot had turned
and by taking advantage of the protection afforded by the second flight of
Flankers, had decided to re-engage Harry to avenge his comrades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No worries, mate! I’m between a rock and a hard place
no matter how you figure it!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At 55,000
feet, the young man jammed his stick forward and drove his airplane down and to
the right as he began evasive maneuvers to get away from the danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiraling down, he jammed his stick hard
right to push his craft into a series of tight spins to confuse the missile
radars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He failed to notice the
twirling, swirling kaleidoscope of browns and yellows of the desert sands as
the plane twisted downward toward the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On training flights when he practiced spins and spin recoveries, this
pattern always entranced him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On those
occasions, there had been swirling patterns of greens, blues and brownish
hues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swirling colors fascinated him
and he would marvel at it like he was a twelve or thirteen year boy
experiencing it for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did
not enjoy it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was too busy with
the task at hand. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
maneuver enabled him to break the radar lock from the first two missiles and
they sailed off to wherever useless missiles flew to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The third had been far enough away and it re-adjusted
its flight path and continued its inexorable path toward him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began to doubt if he was going to lose the
third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At 20,000 feet, he pulled the
stick back at full afterburners and climbed reaching 45,000 feet but it didn't
seem to do any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The missile followed
like stink on shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled up to
57,000 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have gone higher
but knew his engine performance would degrade quickly at any higher altitude. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pumped the rudder pedals and yawed his
aircraft from right to left trying to evade the missile and break its radar
lock on his craft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He desperately tried
some 60 degree turns while dropping a couple of thousand feet then some more
high speed pull ups back to altitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The engineers who designed his airplane had incorporated low wing
loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) in the aircraft design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His engines provided him with intimidating
thrust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These two factors provided him
with immense power available for acceleration and superior maneuverability at
his fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his training, he had
discovered he could turn the aircraft in tight turns without losing
airspeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
evasion tactics seemed to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climbing
back to 60,000 feet, the warning tones had disappeared and he failed to notice
any threats on his display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still
planning to engage with his Sidewinders, he started the process of trying to
determine the enemy's location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where the hell are they?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 2.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>* </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He noticed
he felt badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He realized he had a
physical problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more than the
stress of combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had not felt quite
100 percent when he took off but, then again, sorties were sorties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry knew that the medical guidelines
dictated he should have declared that he didn't feel well enough to fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The squadron operations officer would have
assigned another pilot to take his place. He really couldn't put a finger on
anything specific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That morning, he had
noticed a shortness of breath and a general feeling of malaise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew his squadron would rotate back to the
States soon and he wanted all the sorties he could get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t going to let a mild feeling of
disorder keep him from flying a combat sortie. With tensions increasing between
Iran and the US, there was small chance of an encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beside, if there were a chance for any
action, he damn sure was not going to miss it. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He told
himself nothing was a better cure whatever else ails you than 100% oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while waiting for takeoff clearance, he
selected 100% oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cure had
seemed to work but now, with a Sidewinder armed and preparing to take the
battle to the enemy flying at 550 knots, he noticed things were not as good as
he might hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At that
point in time, he became dimly aware of another set of warbling tones in his
headset signaling another deadly missile headed toward him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His deteriorating condition distracted
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he had to do something;
take some evasive maneuvers against the incoming missile; but he could not give
it his full attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he could
focus on was the way he felt physically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He felt
his throat constricting and tightening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tunnel vision crept into his consciousness. He noticed the clouds
turning grey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt like he was 'greying
out' - a feeling not unlike the feeling one would get experiencing high-G turns
in an aircraft without benefit of a G-suit and/or training or experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ‘grey out’ normally occurred when a person
is flying in an aircraft and certain maneuvers create positive g-forces forcing
blood from the abdomen and lower extremities of the body and lowering blood pressure
in the brain. As the blood drains from the brain, this creates restricted
vision and can lead to a loss of consciousness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Harry wore a G-suit, which helped ameliorate
the effects of the gravity forces fighter pilots endured during maneuvers.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The g-suit were a pair of
tightly-fitting trousers fitted with inflatable bladders which, when
pressurized through a g-sensitive valve in the airplane pressed firmly on the
abdomen and legs and restricted the draining of blood away from the brain
during periods of high acceleration.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He had
flown this type aircraft many times before under stressful g-forces and had
trained his body to activate its muscle memory so his muscles would tighten
automatically to compensate for the g-forces he encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, along with his peers, he
regularly exercised his legs and abdomen to strengthen those muscles he needed
to fly in the high g-force environment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had developed a muscle memory to counteract
the g-forces.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He had
experienced the "grey out" phenomenon before in the altitude chamber
when he removed his oxygen mask at his instructor’s behest so he could
experience oxygen deprivation in a controlled environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, early on in his flight training,
he had experienced a ‘grey out’ under controlled conditions so he knew what to
expect. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This was
not it. It was something different. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Maybe
it'll pass."</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
checked his oxygen mask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Operating
normally pumping 100% life-giving, life-saving oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
warbling tones signifying the oncoming deadly missile continued. He hardly
noticed them. His mind focused on the scene within his consciousness. Nothing
happening outside seemed to matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
even the impending death signaled by that high pitched warbling tone. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He felt
his consciousness was jammed into a square, boxlike structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some giant force seemed to push the sides of
the structure together closing the gap of his consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a strange Kafka-like novel sensation where
one remained trapped inside a box which kept becoming smaller and smaller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the box reduced in size, he felt his consciousness
diminishing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Next, it
seemed there were these two giant hands pushing at his lungs expelling all the
air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air would not go anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His larynx had closed and the stale air
remained trapped in his lungs and not a milliliter of the 100% oxygen coming
through his facemask could enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
edges of his mask bulged as the oxygen released over his cheeks out the sides
of the mask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his throat closed,
lungs trapped, and the box pressing in; fear gnawed at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His world spun. Lack of oxygen caused
everything to turn gray.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another
warbling warning tone blasted in his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sounded faint and far off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
glanced at his Heads Up Display and saw another missile headed for his
airplane. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Damn.
Everything's spinning. Everything is going black. Did I get hit?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His body
had a spasm and Harry jerked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he
did so, the spasm caused his hands to pull back on the throttle taking the
plane out of afterburner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had lost
control of his airspeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
violating the cardinal mantra of air-to-air combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Speed is Life</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He didn’t
have time to remember that mantra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was unconscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then, the
unthinkable occurred. His airplane entered into a flat spin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
designers had fashioned his Eagle’s wings to aggressively take high-speed turns
without losing speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he remained in
afterburner, he could have maneuvered more effectively, stayed at a high speed,
and possibly avoided falling into a spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He flew comparatively slower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
F-15 Eagle was not immune to the phenomena of unrecoverable spin
characteristics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the decrease in
thrust and his high-speed turns, his plane hit the combination of forces all
pilots dreaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His airplane began to
spin and gyrate in a 360-degree circle on a horizontal axis while careening
down as gravity worked its unstoppable force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Known as a "flat spin," most pilots considered it the kiss of
death. The textbook answer requires the pilot to eject as soon as possible for
there was no recovery.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
didn't consider ejecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn't even
aware his plane had gone into a "flat spin."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His constricted throat and lack of oxygen had
caused him to black out and lose consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His loss
of consciousness came in stages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
warbling warning sound, while continuing, faded into the background as he became
acutely aware of a regular, pulsing sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It persisted and resonated like a drumbeat inside his head. Had he paid
more attention, he would have realized it was the sound of his pulse beating
through his carotid arteries as blood tried to rush into his brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pounding continued . . . KER-THUNK . . .
KER-THUNK . . . KER-THUNK; then Ker Thunk . . . Ker Thunk . . . Ker Thunk . . .
then, ker-thunk . . . ker-thunk . . . then . . . silence. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As the
airplane continued its horizontal spins, he would have noticed the clouds and
the horizon spinning as the plane circled and dipped its nose down five or ten
degrees in its descending rotations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since he loved flying so much the horizon bobbing up and down in
five-degree increments as he swung around and around would have entranced
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not notice anything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Were he
conscious, he would have marveled at the way his plane rocked and rolled as it
spun round and round descending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he
were able to see, he might have noticed the five-degree up and down motion as
the plane spun caused the horizon to bob up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This experience may have spurred a memory of
a similar experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was a
hot summer day at Virginia Beach and he and the Swedish girl he met the night
before had decided to scuba just outside the breakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rented a rubber inflatable raft with an
outboard motor and took it outside the surf about a thousand yards and dropped
the anchor just where the swells were before they turned into the breakers
headed for the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had gone in
first and while he swam, he discovered the Swedish girl liked to scuba
topless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they surfaced, they had
shared some wine and had lain in the bottom of the rubber boat and learned more
about each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have recalled
later lying in the rubber boat, his head on her shoulder seeing the shoreline
bob on and out of sight he looked over the edge of the rubber boat wall, their
boat bobbing up and down in the ocean swells. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He might
have remembered that morning on the sea near the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His consciousness, his inner mind, focused
upon other things. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All of a
sudden, the young man found himself in a black hallway moving swiftly down the
corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t think about the
airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appeared to be floating
rather than walking. There was a black luster covering the floor, walls, and
ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the hallway, he
saw a door. A white, high intensity light seeped through the edges outlining
the door against the dark hall. Even though it was behind the door and he could
not grasp it all, he knew it was one of the brightest lights he had ever
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What will it be like on the other side of the door? </span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unaware of
the plane’s deadly spiral, he was only conscious of the feeling of floating
toward the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He floated, glided with
an ease he had never felt before. It was a slow controlled journey drifting
toward that door. some part of him wondered if he could do cartwheels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was a
sold oak door with a heavy brass handle and scalloped panels. He marveled at
the heavy burnished finish on the oak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He noticed a brass knocker positioned about three quarters up the door
on the center scallop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No need to knock.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It seemed
to Harry there were others on the other side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">People are
waiting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they waiting for me?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He sensed
they were waiting for him to open the door.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
instinctively knew if he opened the door and entered, there would be no turning
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn't see any other options at
this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pain in his throat had
disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed he wasn’t
breathing. No need to breathe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He noticed
a bight point of light focused on the top left side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he watched the point of light began to
travel downward toward the handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the same time, a black dot began to travel upward from the bottom left hand of
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light and the dark point
moved at the same speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tracked the
paths mentally and knew as they converged; they would meet at the same time on
the door handle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When they meet, I don’t think, I will have a choice. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
realized he still had a choice. He felt rather than heard voices calling to him
from the other side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was something familiar to him about those voices. They seemed to urge him on
more and more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
started to reach for the doorknob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
fingers touched the handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt the
cool metal of the brass handle of burnished metal as his hand encircled the
loop and his thumb reached for the latch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry began the motion to press his thumb down to open the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he pressed his thumb down, the door
latch would engage and he would open the door. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I read
about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it oxygen deprivation
working on my brain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems real. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is this
what death feels like?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 2.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>* </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Before he
could answer his question, the plane shuddered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A violent energy shook his </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the plane shook, it seemed as if his
consciousness, extended out of his body by a thin silvery sinew of elastic
string, had snapped back into his body. It jolted him, making him aware once
again of his body and physical condition. He felt as if a giant finger had
released a taut rubber band propelling his consciousness from the beyond into
his skull.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instantaneously, his windpipe opened up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100% oxygen flowed into his lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His breath came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The capillaries in his lungs began a fierce,
herculean effort to exchange the carbon dioxide built up inside the lobes for
the life-giving oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mucus of
sticky phlegm found its way upward and out into his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry cleared his throat. He felt the mucus
in his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swallowed the mucus to
provide room for more oxygen to enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
vision cleared. In a matter of seconds, he became whole.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The plane
buffeted and shook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry came back to
full consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed for the
throttles and pushed them forward engaging the afterburners. Power propelled
the aircraft. Then, he pushed the stick forward and nosed down to build speed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Speed is life.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
buffeting had shaken the F-15 enough so these actions negated the forces
causing the flat spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plane nosed
down and gained speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As oxygen
returned to his lungs, his situational awareness returned and he swiftly
regained control of the airplane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shit, 7,000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level).</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Looking
out the windscreen, he felt so close, it seemed to him he was so close to the
ground, he could have reached out and let his fingers skim the desert sands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He pulled
the stick back and when he reached 20,000 feet, leveled off momentarily.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He did not
hear the warbling warning noise he had listened to before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What the fuck?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He pulled
the nose up and added power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two
engines responded and Harry climbed back to 35,000 feet. Then he heard the steady
tone indicating his heat seeking Sidewinder had secured a target. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Time to fire.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While
climbing, he turned and spotted the bluish-gray shape of another F-15 on his
left. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
quickly disengaged his heat-seeking missile. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No friendly fire today! If I had been just a little
less alert, I would have pranged his ass!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You
owe me one." </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The voice
sounded slightly familiar.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Who
be you?"</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Polar
29."</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Okay</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>One of the Elmendorf bunch.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I
got one bogie. I think you got three.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You don’t know
how close I came to getting four. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
learned the AWACS had contacted another two plane flight flying an orientation
mission to the area to help out. The other jet’s wingman had developed engine
problems and returned to base but Polar 29 had continued on to join the fray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry was to determine later, Polar 29’s
actions proved lucky for him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The AWACS
mission director advised the two aviators they would remain on patrol. Harry realized
the two jets needed to stay on station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though Harry had expended his long range missiles, he knew any
enemy radar would not know the status of his munitions and a flight of two
Eagles flying Combat Air Patrol flight profiles above Iraq near the Iranian
border may dissuade any further enemy attacks. The enemy ground radar would
show the United States Air Force remained on patrol. It was a gamble but a
necessary one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it was a question of
who was going to lead this gaggle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Who
be lead?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Polar 29 asked, trying to
determine who would serve as flight lead during the remainder of the
patrol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining Eagle pilot would
serve as wingman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His throat
gripped him for a second and he felt like it was closing up on him again, but
Harry would be damned if he was going to turn over the lead to some jock from
Elmendorf who had happened along into his airspace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all the work he had put into it, this
was his mission.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I be
lead."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry hoped his voice was
sounding okay.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Rebel
3, this is Early Bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn over lead to
Polar 29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you need to RTB?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That settles that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since the
AWACS served as a Mission Director, Harry didn’t question the decision.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
controller aboard the AWACS was also asking Harry if he wanted to return to his
base in Saudi immediately.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If he did
return to his base, he would leave Polar 29 alone to continue on the
patrol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed highly unlikely there
would be further action but if there were, Harry didn't want to leave anybody
out here alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, he felt he owed
this guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mind quickly scanned his
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His throat ached and he felt like
a team of horses had dragged his body over a streambed full of river stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, in the final analysis he felt fit enough
to continue the combat mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He keyed
his mike button.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Negative,
Early Bird, Rebel 3 is back on station. Find us a tanker."</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since the
AWACS served as an airborne command post of sorts and was technically in charge
of the battle area, Harry proceeded to position himself as wingman to the other
Eagle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they headed for the tanker,
the AWACS aircraft informed them the Flanker Su-27 aircraft had turned back and
escaped over the Iranian border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had damn little to discourage
them.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A few
minutes later, as the two-plane flight approached the tanker, another flight of
four Eagles showed up on station so the AWACS directed Harry and Polar 29 to
return to their respective air bases in Saudi Arabia.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As they
neared the base, Harry asked the other pilot for his call sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Norseman."
</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry knew
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was an Air Force Academy
graduate and the son of a retired Air Force colonel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other pilot's name was Leif Baker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had encountered Leif or “Norseman,” as
he was known, about 14 months previous when he and Norseman flew Dissimilar Air
Combat Training sorties at Nellis Air Force Base in training exercises known as
"Red Flag".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same quiet
reticence, with his underlying confidence, continued to mark Leif.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry found him to be an excellent
pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leif was able to take his
fighter to the edge of the envelope and wring out the systems during training
flights so, in an actual combat situation, he would have the full grasp of
experience regarding the capabilities of his aircraft.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"This
is Scrub."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Click.
Click.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norseman clicked his mike switch
twice to acknowledge he had heard the transmission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norseman didn't waste words on the ground or
in the air.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The AWACS
informed Harry his wingman had ejected safely and Search and Rescue was on the
way to pick him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had some bruises
but overall was none the worse for wear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry knew Mike’s pride was hurt more than anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The F-15 aircraft had a history of one
hundred and one air-to-air combat engagements without any losses. This series
of engagements would go down in the history books as the one hundred and second
air engagement in the history of the airplane, if the historians logged
everything occurring that day as one engagement. It was possible they could log
today’s actions as two engagements. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nevertheless,
no matter how the historians scored the day; Mike’s plane would go down in the
history of the Eagle as the only F-15 ever downed by enemy action. In the
previous engagements, no air force had ever lost an F-15 aircraft in air-to air
combat. It wasn’t his fault, being a sneak attack but Mike would never live it
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would go though his Air Force
flying career feeling the oblong glances his fellow fighter pilots would give
him.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Leif had
accomplished another remarkable feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
had observed Harry's plane go into the flat spin and begin to sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noticing Harry had not ejected, the younger
fighter correctly surmised Harry was unable to eject for some reason. He knew a
change in the center of gravity would sometimes change the aerodynamic forces
and help stabilize the airplane.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So Leif
had accelerated his Eagle to supersonic in such a manner as to create a sonic
boom, which washed against Harry’s jet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This sonic boom created enough of a jolt to change the center of gravity
in his plane and jar it out of the spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry, having come back to a state of semi-consciousness, had been able
to wrest back control of the jet.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
reviewed the action in his mind as he approached the base and entered the
landing pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew the AWACS had
captured everything on radar and stored it digitally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, they had encrypted the
information and transmitted it in microbursts to his base in Saudi Arabia and
to the headquarters back in the States. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the
landing pattern, once again, the question once again popped into Harry’s
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where did
the first missile come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They got my
wingman and almost got me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone’s got
to be all over it. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry was
correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people questioned the
origin of the missile, initially fired at him and his wingman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Analysts reviewed the AWACS digital radar
record in depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The analysis pointed to
two potential problems contributing to the inability to detect the attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first the analysts focused on a hole in
the AWACS radar net. After many hours of research and testing, the Air Force
came up with a fix on the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
second theory speculated the Iranians had somehow developed or acquired radar-guided
missiles using an undetectable bandwidth radar signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Air Force Intelligence began an operation to
find out. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As Harry
entered the landing sequence, Norseman wiggled his wings and headed toward his
own base 59 kilometers south. In the pattern, Harry’s mind drifted to other
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembered launching two
AARAM missiles at his first target.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Crap, I’m
going to take a ragging for years for wasting the missile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three victories and I could have had
four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t worry about it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could have had a V-8.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
flared his jet and his wheels slid smoothly on the runway. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He didn’t
realize it was to be his last flight in the Air Force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His plane
taxied to the parking slot and a military van waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An intelligence officer escorted Harry into
the van and took him to debriefing. </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
debriefing, the Flight Surgeon came by and talked to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the conversation, he violated a
cardinal rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had admitted he had
blacked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Any
fighter pilot worth his salt realized one never told a Flight Surgeon you had
lost consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when the loss
occurred on the ground, if you were on flying status, the Air Force did not
take chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grounded the pilot
immediately and the individual had a very slim chance of ever climbing into a
cockpit again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry's incident occurred
while flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DOUBLE BAD!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Flight Surgeon took him to the
infirmary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Soon, he
found himself on a Medical Evacuation flight headed for Germany still wearing
the sweat stained flying suit in which he had flown the mission. After the
medical evacuation flight had taken off and reached altitude, Harry began to
notice the sick smell of his own fear and adrenaline-pumped sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he had not peed himself since his
piddle pack was still connected when he landed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the flight they allowed him to change in a set of hospital
scrubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed the medical
technician put his flight suit into a plastic bag.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Good thing I didn’t fart!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meanwhile,
word of multiple air victories spread throughout the base and to Harry’s
squadron area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bottles of champagne
mysteriously appeared, compliments of the Squadron Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His squadron mates waited in the squadron
area to congratulate him for his three "victories" by dousing him
with champagne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
didn’t return to the squadron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
awhile they learned he would not be returning to the squadron area but was
airborne to a hospital in Europe.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They drank
the champagne in a toast to Harry's "victories."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sense in letting good champagne go to
waste.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An analyst is born </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
stayed at the Hospital in Landsthul Army Regional Medical Center, Germany for
two nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he traveled to San
Antonio, Texas where the Air Force admitted him to the Wilford Hall Medical
Center at Lackland Air Force Base south of San Antonio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the medical center performed its initial
evaluations, they released him as an outpatient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tasked the Air Force Personnel Center
with finding Harry a position while he awaited the medical decision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It would
be a conditional assignment; one in which Harry could be productive and yet return
to the hospital when called upon for more tests. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
personnel officer who received the job of finding Harry a temporary assignment
while he underwent medical examination knew him. He had been a year ahead of
Harry at the Air Force Academy Prep School. He remembered an incident occurring
while Harry was in his first year at the Prep School. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Barracks Thief had been active in Harry’s
dormitory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone had ransacked rooms
at various times and stolen money and other valuable items. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cadets were required to keep their rooms
open and ready for inspection at all times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been provided secure lockboxes for
money and other items of value, but in a hurry to get to formations for
military drills and physical conditioning, many didn’t use the boxes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Harry
had spent a day analyzing the movements of the other cadets in his flight and
another adjacent flight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After reviewing
their actions in his mind, he concluded the possible culprit was a fellow cadet
named Harold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a little homework,
he discussed the situation with his fellow cadets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The
Prep School followed the same honor code as the Air Force Academy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">“I will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate
among us anyone who does.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The
next Saturday morning Harry invited Harold to join him for breakfast at a
Denny’s restaurant near the Prep School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">When
they ordered Harold ordered a stack of pancakes and Harry very casually ordered
two eggs, one over easy and the other scrambled, hash brown potatoes and
bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the waitress brought the
order, Harry looked down at the food solemnly, sighed, looked up at the
waitress, and in a very sincere voice, said; “You scrambled the wrong egg.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The
waitress’ mouth dropped open and Harry laughed and quickly said; “Just
kidding.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She left, shaking her head, and Harold said;
“What was that all about?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">“Well,
Harold, you can’t fry an egg cleanly if you break it the wrong way and then you
have to scramble it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you scramble
an egg, it’s like someone’s brain got caught in a mixer . . . all messed
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we’ll talk more about that
subject later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both you and I know
there’s been some stuff taken from the dorm rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you’ve said that you’ve had some stuff
missing also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking about it, if I
were the one taking stuff, then I would tell people that I was missing stuff
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, fact of the matter is, over
the last two days or so; we’ve been keeping an eye on when things went missing
and where everyone was at the time things disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, on Wednesday, when Jones
reported his IPod gone, we were all at Drill and Ceremonies, marching like good
little cadets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All except you; you
weren’t there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You signed out for a
medical appointment but I spotted you leaving the barracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we compared notes, it seems that when
things go missing, you’re missing too for one reason or another.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">“I
don’t know what you’re talking about.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harold poured syrup on his pancakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Harry
held his phone out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You might want to
take a look at this video.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">By
the way, we had something like this happen at the high school where I played
football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our school didn’t have an
honor code to speak of but, when something happened, the team got together and
resolved the situation.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Harry
stared at Harold and then looked down at his plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up a fork and very deliberately
picked up his fork, suck it into the yolk of the sunny side of the egg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began twirling his fork rapidly mixing the
yellow yolk material into the white of the egg until it was a gooey mess.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">“You
know, this always reminds me of scrambled brains for some reason.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">“You
know, one thing I like about this Prep School program is the fact that anyone
can self-eliminate themselves from the program here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they have to do is contact the administration
and say they want out and BOOM, they’re out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh look, there are some more guys from the flight here, Pete, Shorty and
Junior.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Harold
stood promptly and left the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Harry
and the others went to the movies in Colorado Springs and when they returned,
they were greeted with the news that Harold had contacted the Commandant and
eliminated himself from the program for “personal reasons”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some said he left the Air Force and some said
he was sent back to his former duty station.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Afterwards,
his fellow cadets called Harry, “Egghead”, for a few months after that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, in the crush of qualifying for entry
into the Academy, their sole purpose for being in the Prep School, everyone got
busy, they forgot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The
personnel officer remembered this incident and first conducted the Security
Police Squadrons at both Lackland and Randolph Air Force Base to see if they could
use him in the Investigations Section of the squadron. Both demurred. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Looking
further, the personnel officer remembered seeing a memo about a need for
additional analysts within the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI)
headquarters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the OSI had its
headquarters at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, that wouldn’t work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The
personnel officer played a hunch and made a telephone call to the regional OSI
office at Randolph Air Force Base and found the local commander knee deep in
investigations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in dire need of
an analyst, but normally analysts were full-fledged OSI agents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He checked Harry’s records and agreed that
would not work. Harry would never qualify to become a full-fledged OSI agent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to his medical history, they didn’t want
to take the chance he would lose consciousness while on an investigation in the
field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">After
some discussion, he agreed to take Harry on as an analyst on a temporary basis as
long as the personnel center agreed to keep looking for a full fledged agent
who could serve and fill the vacancy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically
the deal he made with Personnel gave him Harry as free labor without hurting
his staffing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The OSI Commander thought
it was a good deal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could use all the
extra help pushing paper he could get even it was ‘warm meat.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">The
Personnel Office assigned Harry duty as an analyst at the regional OSI office at
Randolph Air Force Base, north of San Antonio. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry would have the opportunity to travel to
Wilford Hall whenever he was needed for his medical tests and evaluations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Initially,
Harry disliked the work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he had
been informed he was an analyst, he got stuck with cleaning up the paperwork
after cases had been resolved and turned over to the Judge Advocate General’s
office for adjudication. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt like a
glorified file clerk. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Early on,
by happenstance, Harry got full credit for launching an investigation resulting
in the resolution of a major case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
months after having been assigned to Randolph, Harry moved out of the Bachelors
Officer Quarters on base. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had found a
small house under foreclosure near the base in Universal City and bought it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, he visited the Base Exchange department
store to purchase some linens and other necessities. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As he
walked down the hallway toward the main shopping area, he heard some raised
voices. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking over, he noticed an Army
Major and an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel involved in a discussion in the Snack
Bar adjacent to the Exchange department store. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued walking but there was something odd
about the two he couldn’t place. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He stopped
at the entrance to the main shopping area of the Exchange and pondered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not the fact they were discussing
something or loudly disagreeing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was something odd and he couldn’t figure it out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his head and continued his shopping. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Later,
while loading his car in the parking lot, he saw the Lieutenant Colonel getting
into a new Mercedes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed a glint
of light hit his eyes as the fading sunlight reflected off the Colonel’s watch.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Later, in
bed that evening, Harry suddenly sat upright. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That’s it!</span></i></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At that moment he realized he had noticed
both of the officers had been wearing gold Rolex watches - distinctive Rolexes.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The watches had gemstones looking suspiciously
like diamonds mounted around the face of the watch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry figured the stones were Cubic Zirconia,
fake diamonds, but impressive no less. </span></h2>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Umm, he
thought, a Rolex and now a new Mercedes, the Lieutenant Colonel was not wearing
wings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had noted the license
number and although it was late, he returned to the OSI office and got on the
computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took him about an hour to locate the
Lieutenant Colonel and figure out the colonel was assigned to the Procurement
Office on base. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Procurement Office website
listed the Colonel as a warranted Contracting Officer, meaning he has authority
to award contracts and spend money on behalf of the United States government. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He dug
further and determined the Colonel had recently been assigned to the Joint
Contracting Office in Afghanistan, one of a team of Contracting Officers
assigned to issue contracts to local Afghan transportation companies for the $3
billion of contract awards for transporting goods and supplies within
Afghanistan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Joint command? Air Force, Army and Navy? </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry was
able to access the Colonel’s address from his military records and noted it was
in a section northwest of San Antonio known as the “Dominion.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry then
accessed real estate sites and soon determined the minimum anyone could
purchase a house for in the Dominion subdivision was $2 million and that was
rock bottom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Having
just purchased a foreclosure, he wondered if there was such a thing as a
foreclosed house going for just two million. The real estate site listed other
houses for sale in the subdivision in the three to five three to five million range.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How much did the Colonel pay for his house? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a pretty expensive neighborhood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe if I get promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
then I could afford a house like that!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
tried digging further in to things but found his access to records limited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The next
day, he had an appointment at Wilford Hall and when they finished with another
trip down the MRI tunnel, resulting in a headache from the headgear the orderlies
had strapped to his head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going back to
the parking lot, he realized the hospital on the southern side of San Antonio
afforded him the opportunity to visit the Dominion residential area. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He drove
out Interstate 10 and found the Dominion. It was a gated community. Harry drove
up to the gate and a guard asked him his business. Harry gave him the name of a
San Antonio Spurs basketball player and said he was expected. The guard told
him the basketball star was not a resident and invited Harry to leave before he
called the police. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Early the
next morning, he knocked on the Commanding Officer’s door and asked for
clearance to access records fully including national law enforcement databases
and intra-service databases. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Commander granted his access without asking many questions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
commander did point out there could be a logical explanation for the Colonel’s
ostentatious display of wealth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
suggested the Colonel might have received an inheritance, perhaps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Harry pointed out that did not explain
the coincidence of both officers wearing similar Rolexes, he shrugged and told
Harry to continue his research. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Knock
yourself out.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry went
to his cubicle and armed with access codes to many federal databases, started
digging. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t take long for Harry
to figure out the Colonel had not declared any extra income and there did not
seem to be any deductions for mortgage payments. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Did he pay cash for that house?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As Harry
continued his research, he learned the name of the Army Major and started
researching information on the Army Major as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Three days
later, he received an email from the OSI commander to prepare a briefing on his
findings and deliver it the next morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t ready but the Commander had asked
him to come brief him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Commander had received a query from the Army Criminal Investigation Division (otherwise
known as CID) relayed through the OSI national headquarters in the Washington
area wondering why the OSI was seeking information for one of its field grade
officers. Harry’s research had not gone unnoticed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry felt
a little uncomfortable because he thought he should have more information
before delivering his report. But, he had been ordered to give a summary of his
findings so he did. He stayed up until midnight collecting his information and
summarized the facts as he saw them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Both the
Major and the Lieutenant Colonel had served as Contracting Officers at the
Joint Contracting Officer and both had extended their tours in Afghanistan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A normal tour of duty in the region, considered
a combat zone, was 12 months. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Major
had extended his tour for an extra 12 months se3rving a total of 24 months and
the Lieutenant Colonel had extended his tour by an extra 18 months serving a
total of 30 months. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combined, they had issued
contracts totaling over 6 billion dollars to Afghan firms providing goods and
services to Coalition Forces. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
awarded over 3 billion dollars for transportation contracts and contracts
providing security services for the transportation convoys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry had
also noted that both officers also performed as review authorities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever a firm protested an award, the review
authority would determine if the protest has merit or if the award would stand.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an objective review of the contract
award process, it determined whether or not the contract had been awarded
fairly in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations and Department of
Defense guidelines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By tracking the
cases the two officers reviewed, he found they had reviewed many of each
other’s awards when a rival Afghan company protested. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without exception, it seemed the officers
would determine a protest did not have merit when reviewing the other’s award.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
informed the commander it appeared the Contracting Officers had received bribes
to award contracts to favored companies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there were protests, they would back each
other up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They advertised and awarded the
contracts as ‘Best Value’ contracts meaning the lowest bid did not necessarily
win the contract.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
didn’t have access to all the bids for the contracts but he noted the companies
protesting the awards had stated they offered comparable services at lower
prices. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry also
determined another potential crime existed. One of the officers would award a
contract to an Afghan company to provide both transportation and security services
under a contract for a certain route and then the other would issue a
requirement and award a contract for security for the same route. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry felt the security contracts were, in
effect, bogus contracts since the transportation company had already received a
contract to provide security services for the route. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry suspected the security companies could
be traced to either one or both of the Contracting Officers, who were receiving
payments and transferring the monies to offshore banking accounts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They collected millions for these contracts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
explained his report was incomplete. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
suspected both the Major and the Lieutenant Colonel has used their positions to
accept lucrative bribes to award contracts to favored companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also felt they had created false Afghan companies
to funnel money into their bank accounts while defrauding the Government.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He shared
his suspicions with the Commanding Officer and presented the facts as he had
determined them</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Commander
listened with interest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told Harry it
seemed to him there was a strong possibility a major crime existed here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained there was some high level
headquarters interest in the case due to the Army CID request. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry has triggered an inter-service interest
that attracted major attention. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He asked
Harry to hold off for a couple of days. A day later, he called Harry into his
office and informed him the OSI Headquarters at Andrews near Washington had
assumed jurisdiction over the case. Since the case involved officers from both
the Army and the Air Force and most of the illegal activity had taken place in
Afghanistan, the OSI headquarters was going to follow up on the case. He ordered
Harry to put all the data he had collected on a disc and to bundle up all the
paperwork for a special courier arriving that evening from Washington. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The next day,
two agents from Washington showed up and collected the data. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spent three hours with Harry going over
the data and getting his impressions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten days later, the Commander called Harry
into his office and presented him with a Letter of Commendation from the
Commandant of the OSI, a female Brigadier General. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It took
another two and a half months before the government arrested and filed charges
against both the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they did arrest the two officers, the
story made national news. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>News reports
indicated the two had taken over 4 million dollars in bribes and fraudulent
claims while in Afghanistan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Reading
the news as it filtered through the local San Antonio Express News and the
television, Harry suspected more money had been embezzled but those two were
looking at long term assignment in the military prison at the United States
Disciplinary Barracks at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t be able to spend any money for a
long time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After he
had handed over the files in the case to the Washington couriers, word traveled
fast throughout the office. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
reputation as an analyst grew. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry
didn’t have to worry about being utilized in a productive manner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agents started coming by with requests for
help on active cases. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the requests
mounted, the Commanding Officer had to intervene and establish a system to schedule
his assistance on active investigations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He became
proficient tracking spending habits of Air Force members suspected of dealing
illegal drugs within the military. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
noted that whenever the local office stumbled upon anything that linked any Air
Force member to espionage or terrorism, investigators from headquarters soon
showed up and the casework disappeared. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One day,
an agent had asked him to review his investigation of a case the Procurement
Office had referred to the OSI. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
received a complaint a small minority owned machine shop in San Antonio was
overcharging the Defense Department for nuts and bolts it manufactured under
contract with the Government. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his
review Harry concurred with the agent the items the shop manufactured met the
standards established under the contract. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They jointly concluded the complaint against
the business was baseless and the agent had prepared paperwork to that effect. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When Harry
was packaging the paperwork, he notices an invoice for shipping. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That’s odd. $498.36 for shipping a $36.57 order?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At Harry’s
request, the agent re-opened the investigation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They soon discovered an anomaly in Department of
Defense procurement rules requiring businesses to submit separate invoices for
items purchased and shipping. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subsequently, they discovered three years
previous, the machine shop had made an honest, typographical mistake and
received $479.00 for shipping when the original shipping invoice should have
been for $47.90.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The owners
had promptly refunded the difference to the Government, but their bookkeeper
made another mistake and they received payment again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, they did not return the money and soon
discovered they could charge excessive shipping and would receive payment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
temptation proved too great. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shop
then embarked on a practice of padding the shipping invoices with excessive
charges and pocketing the difference between the actual shipping costs and the
invoiced amount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To keep
orders flowing in, they submitted bids undercutting their competitors and let
it be known they would specialize in filling fill small quantities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon their business flourished and they
received order after order from government warehouses and delivered promptly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were soon netting over $600,000.00 per
year in excessive shipping charges. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Once the
OSI completed their investigation, the practice stopped and the owners received
suspended sentences and were ordered to pay restitution to the United States
Government. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Subsequently
Harry and the agent both received a letter from an Assistant Secretary to the
Secretary of Defense thanking them for their work and informing them their efforts
had resulted in changes to the Department’s procurement regulations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
became known as the “go-to” person to contact when agents needed help with
cases. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a quick study and
considered “free labor” since he was not counted against the unit’s manning
documents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever he didn’t travel to
Wilford Hall for medical tests, he remained available to help out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he enjoyed solving the puzzles, his
focus remained returning to an assignment flying fighters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt good to be needed and valued. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work was interesting but it wasn’t flying.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When
flying Harry had possessed a security clearance and because the Air Force
consider him an OSI asset, albeit temporary, The Air Force kept his clearance
active. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his success with the case
involving the Procurement Officers, the OSI issued him his own set of access
codes permitting him to roam freely through all Air Force databases.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In his
spare time and sometimes after normal duty hours, Harry started searching the
databases of the Air Force Foreign Technology Division. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That agency tracked weapons systems
developments of foreign government’s air forces. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry sought information regarding the
development of air-to-air missile technology in the Iranian Air Force. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mystery of the missile downing Mike’s
airplane haunted him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He did not
learn much about the missile but did learn about the Su-27 aircraft the Iranian
Air Force had gained as the result of breakaway states in the Caucasus region. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991,
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia became independent states and the resulting
turmoil created chaos particularly during the two Chechen Wars. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this period, Muslin elements had
succeeded on spiriting away 24 Su-27 Russian fighters, along with parts, tools
and logistical supplies, which had formerly belonged to the Russian Air Force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These
aircraft ended up not in the Iranian Air Force, but in the Aerospace Force of
the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution, or more simply the
Revolutionary Guards Air Branch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry
was surprised to learn the Revolutionary Guards had an air force but they did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Revolutionary guard air arm possessed many
assault helicopters to support ground forces, fighter aircraft, and control of
the Iranian strategic missile forces.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While political
correctness proved primary to serving as a member of the Revolutionary Guard
Air Branch, Harry learned the standards demanded of its pilots were high. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Branch had engaged former Soviet Su-27
fighter pilots as mercenary flying instructors to teach the Iranian pilots the
necessary skills associated with the air-to-air capability of its fighter
aircraft. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry
learned of one pilot, rumored to have shot down an Eagle, who had mastered a
maneuver known as the ‘cobra.’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This maneuver
called for the pilot to turn the Su-27 up on its axis in a 90 degree stall like
position causing enemy flyers to overshoot their plane placing themselves in front
of the Su-27 in easy range of the heat seeking missiles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry knew
instantly this maneuver violated the ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speed
is Life’</i> mantra fighter pilots lived by. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He considered the maneuver a pretty dumb move
for any fighter pilot to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry also
learned they called this pilot “Mar”, the Farsi name for snake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Since
rumor held Mar had shot down an Eagle, Harry surmised this must the asshole who
had gotten Mike. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Before
Harry could learn more, Air Force Foreign Technology Intelligence cyber
security team detected his curiosity and blocked his access into the Foreign
Technology Division saying he did not have the requisite ”need to know” to
access the information. The information he sought was not relevant to any OSI
investigations. therefore, they decreed, he didn’t have a need to know. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The hell I don’t.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He didn’t
press the issue because he felt there was little else he could learn. The sneak
attack would remain a mystery. At least, now he had a name. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mar</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It didn’t
seem to Harry to matter much. He was beginning to give up hope of ever flying
again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 2.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>* </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As it
turned out, Harry never flew again in the Air Force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His medical problem proved mysterious and
unable to duplicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Air Force
conducted every test conceivable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
underwent so many EEG tests, he felt like an expert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once when a hospital technician made a
mistake attaching the leads, Harry corrected her and showed her the proper
sequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ran him through the MRI
machine so many times wearing that tight headband he thought he would have a
permanent headache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They eliminated the
possibility of panic attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the
meantime, four months after arriving in the San Antonio area, the Air Force
notified Harry he would receive the Air Force Cross, the nation’s second
highest military award, second only to the Medal of Honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top general in the Air Force, the Air
Force Chief of Staff, flew down to San Antonio, pinned on new Major’s leaves on
Harry, and presented the medal at a parade at Lackland Air Force Base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Air Force general gave him the honor of
reviewing the troops as they marched by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he wanted was
to return to flying fighters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
Chief of Staff shook his hand, all Harry could do was ask when he was returning
to flying fighters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eleven
general officers attended the parade and the reception at the Lackland Club following
the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Air Force Chief of
Staff shows up at an event, he draws a crowd. Harry lobbied every one of them
to assist him in his return to flying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He regarded the event as an opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in a target-rich environment and he
was not going to waste it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made a
note of all those who attended and followed up with a letter writing campaign
to each of the attendees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at
the letters as his long-range missiles and considered his campaign to return to
flying fighters as an extended air campaign. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His appeals did not go unnoticed or
unanswered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As time
passed, he became more and more discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He kept up his letter writing campaign for a few months but recognized
he was growing increasingly angry at his situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His frustration, anger and bitterness was boiling
over and seeping into the letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
knew the people who would read the letters would detect some of this bitterness
and be repelled just as he was repelled when he read the letters over to
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would tear the letter up and
start again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soon
the one letter a month became one letter every two months. After a while, he
stopped writing them altogether. </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Old
demons he felt he had vanquished began to re-appear. These demons encroached on
his thoughts and enhanced his sense of futility and deepened his sense of
hopelessness. His self worth plummeted down like a rock dropping down a
bottomless pit.<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He began
to mull over his situation as he lay in bed at night and there were many nights
when he would still be awake when the alarm went off the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a standing joke when he was in the
Academy, he and his fellow cadets could sleep anywhere; even standing up if
they had the time. One of his fellow cadets had even mastered the ability to
sleep during sporting events amid the roar if the crowd. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So much for the Academy cadet who could sleep
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although
the fighter pilot mystique portrayed fighter pilots as hard drinkers, Harry and
his peers were actually very conservative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They needed their wits in the air and early on, many soon discovered
drinking the night before slowed their reflexes to the point where they would
find themselves on the losing end of their mock air battles in the sky the next
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite their reputation of
partying hard, most pilots allowed the fighter pilot heavy drinking myth to continue
but maintained a conservative lifestyle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Most found
the “high” others sought in alcohol in the thrill of flying and taking their
bodies and airplanes to the limit in mock combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pushed themselves and the airplanes to
the edge while training and flying their mock combat missions and received
rewards of a high sense of accomplishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mixtures of adrenalin, dopamine and serotonin flooding brains and
bodies stretched to the limit provided more satisfaction in an afternoon than others
received in a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “high”
others received from sniffing cocaine or using other stimulants paled in
comparison. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One night,
restless, unable to sleep, emotions overtook him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pain he felt at the loss of flying began to
remind him of the emotional loss he had suffered in high school when he lost
his family; his adoptive parents and his sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An automobile accident had taken them midway
through his senior year in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had left school, enlisted in the Air Force and worked through his
grief and loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had served to
remind him of the first accident claiming the lives of his natural parents when
he was ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The loss
of flying affected him emotionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
seemed as if he had lost his family a third time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he lay there, his feelings felt like they
were cleaving his mind in half and hurt him more than any physical pain he had ever
felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Wednesday and he had been
sleepless for two nights running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
he went to the Air Base to the OSI office, he wore his uniform with his wings
displayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This served to remind him he
had once been a fighter pilot but he was no longer on flying status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to regulations, he had to wear his
wings or be considered “out of uniform.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Additionally,
while on the base, he was constantly exposed to the whine of the jet engine
noise emanating from the flight line. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These subconscious cues served to remind him his
hopes of regaining status as a fighter pilot were more and more forlorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started to consider his case hopeless </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and himself a washed-up fighter
pilot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
instinctively knew deep inside he was a natural flyer. Every time, he strapped
himself into a cockpit, be it a light plane like he flew when he earned his
private pilot's license while a cadet at the Air Force Academy Prep School; he
always felt he became part of the plane he flew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aircraft felt like it was an extension of
his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
took work to excel in the flying arena, but work he loved. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that work, all that training, earning his
private ticket, excelling in the Initial Flight Screening program while at the
Academy, scoring first in his class during the first phase of pilot training to
get selected do the fighter track and then studying, learning and refining his
talent to graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training second in his class. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to his ranking in Pilot Training, the Air
Force allowed him to select the airplane he wanted to fly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He surprised everyone by selecting the F-15
Eagle instead of the F-22. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
excelled in his initial training and received an assignment to the 1st Tactical
Fighter Wing and his talent caught the attention of the Wing commander, Colonel
James "Bulldog" Rippenger, a fighter ace from the Gulf War in 1991. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The memories of these achievements only deepened
his despair. </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Discouraged
by the failure of his efforts to regain a position as a fighter pilot in the
Air Force he began to feel like the situation regarding his return to flying
seemed more and more hopeless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had
presented him with the nation's second highest medal for bravery and yet, they
still refused to let him fly again. He felt stymied by this intransigence on
the part of the institution he had devoted every fiber of his being to serving
his country doing something he loved to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now,
because he had told the Flight Surgeon the truth that he had lost
consciousness, he found himself medically grounded; barred from flying and he
found himself in the fight of his life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was in a battle greater than the one he fought in the skies over Iran. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, this time he felt he had lost the
initiative and was in a losing battle. </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
kept telling himself, </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's just not fair! It's just not fucking fair. </span></i></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Night after night, he lay in his bed at night, his
mind racing, focusing on his situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more he thought about things, the more
negative things seemed to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resentment
overshadowed his thinking and feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he so often did, he battled the covers, twisting and turning, trying
to calm his mind so he could go to sleep. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically, he would wake up the next morning
realizing he had only slept an hour or two.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
Wednesday night, however, around midnight he arose and drank two beers but that
didn’t seem to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still felt the
restlessness and the emotional pain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
at one in the morning, he walked into his kitchen, pulled a bottle of bourbon
from the cabinet, broke the seal and poured himself a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first belt of whiskey didn’t seem to do
much for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gagged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second drink seemed to relax him a bit
but the third dollop did the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Seconds
after the third shot hit his stomach; it felt like loose, limp rubber bands
inside his tangled brain let go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
emotions and tensions knotting his gut relaxed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resentment dissipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He instantly felt relaxed and slept. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On
Thursday, after the late news, he went straight for the bourbon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drank another three shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He initially stopped at two, but felt the
pull to take the third.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to
sleep better but woke a little early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Friday night, he watched a ball game and helped himself to three drinks
while watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, he had a fourth
before he went to bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slept well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On
Saturday, he went to the liquor store and stocked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the next week, he had developed
a habit of taking a few “toddies” each night to help him sleep. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the third week, he noticed he did not feel
the sense of relaxation he had initially felt </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">after three so the three shots become four and on some
nights, five. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Harry
started the drinking to escape from the emotional pain he felt at being removed
from flying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rapidly turned into a
two-edged sword – a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alcohol began to take over.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
he continued the pattern of drinking to calm him down and sleep, he became more
dependent on its effects. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
emotional pain he felt intensified. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
his realizing it the alcohol served an accelerant to his negative feelings much
like adding gasoline to a fire. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
counter this increased turmoil, he drank more and when he did not drink, the
need for alcohol fed his insecurity; playing a trick on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So without realizing it, the alcohol caused
his emotional pain to surface and intensify until he drank to counter the
feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was unable to tell the real
distraught feelings from the ones created by the alcohol.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
nights, he took an over the counter sleeping pill with the whisky but noticed
he awoke with a really severe headache so he soon discontinued that practice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He enjoyed
his work with the OSI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worried
initially his work might suffer from his nightly drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He soon discovered a few drinks each night
to help him get to sleep did not seem seriously impact his work as an
analyst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told himself he was actually
much more rested while on duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
convinced himself he was actually a better analyst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He soon
found he was taking Friday afternoons off “to play golf.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never played golf but sometimes did stop
off at the 19<sup>th</sup> Hole – a Casual Bar near the golf course. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He acquired a taste for Mexican food and some Fridays,
when he was playing “golf’,” it would turn out he had stopped at Felix’s
Mexican restaurant on Pat Booker Boulevard and have lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch often included a couple of beers and then
he would gravitate to the bar and watch golf on TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Golf
entailed a margarita or two or three.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was
careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew the ramifications
resulting from a Driving While Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While
Intoxicated (DWI) charge on an Air Force career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a security clearance for his work at
the OSI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though things looked
hopeless, he still held on to the hope of returning to an active flying
job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
or a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) would most certainly smash that dream into
oblivion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also realized the combination
of alcohol and driving had played a major factor which had claimed the lives of
his close family twice before in his life. Both his natural, biological parents
and subsequently, his adoptive parents had died as a result of automobile
accidents caused by drunk drivers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Those
times he felt he had exceeded the legal limit he would call a cab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Universal City was a relatively small bedroom
community nestled next to the base. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
got to know many of the taxi drivers in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then one evening after he had spent “lunch” at Felix’s, a waitress gave
him a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was his type, buxom and
easygoing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He invited her to spend the night
and she gave him a ride back to his car in the morning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He soon
discovered other females willing to give him a ride whenever he stopped at the Casual
Bar at the Officers’ Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This activity
soon developed into a pattern. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many considered
him a womanizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only partially
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at many of these
liaisons as opportunities to save what was left of his Air Force career and to
support his personal distain for driving while drunk..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was
actually indifferent to women and this quality proved attractive to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His indifference served like a magnet to
attract members of the opposite sex, his primary focus was returning to flying
status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he flew fighters, he
concentrated on improving his flying skills and devoted much of his time
perfecting his skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time,
he did not turn away any opportunity to spend time with women, especially those
with big bosoms, who drifted into his orbit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were enough of those occasions, so he
did not even think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meanwhile,
many officers in the tactical flying arena continued to work behind the scenes
to secure his return to flying duties. Though the assistance of his former
flying mentor, Brigadier General James “Bulldog” Rippenger, many top generals
went to bat for him trying to persuade the medical community to let him fly
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not an easy decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Predictably, a fierce debate ensued between the
Air Force medical community and the generals advocating Harry’s cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, the Secretary of the Air Force intervened
and pronounced the final verdict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Medical protocols trumped rank and two years and one month after the
incident, the Air Force issued Harry a medical retirement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
twenty-five months of evaluation, despite his protests and appeals to
high-ranking officials, the Air Force Flight Surgeons refused to reinstate him
to flying duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>* <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trashed</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the meantime,
Harry had continued his work as an analyst with the OSI. He did well and when
it seemed inevitable the Air Force was gong to discharge him, the local OSI
commander asked him to sign on as a Civil Service analyst on a full-time
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry refused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt if he were going to be in the Air
Force, he would only serve as a fighter pilot, a warrior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt he would just as soon go back to
being an enlisted driver in the Motor Pool as he would a civil servant
analyzing cases for the OSI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want
to be a driver again either. That assignment, driving pilots back and forth
from the squadron areas to their planes, had kindled his desire to be an Air
Force fighter pilot and started him on his journey which had ended in the sky
above Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His persistence,
his inner drive to succeed, had enabled him to take the journey from a driver
in the Motor Pool to the position of an ace fighter pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
dogged determination wore thin one Friday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day started off auspiciously enough. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry entered the OSI Building and went to his
cubicle to continue his research for another agent investigating a major drug
case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 10 AM, a secretary came be and told him, he
was needed in the conference room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he
walked to the conference room, he noticed the other cubicles were empty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened the door to the conference room and
the room was crowded with agents and the local OSI commander was standing at
the end of the room with a female Major General. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry recognized her as Helen Parchment, the
first woman to command the Air Force Office of Special Investigation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They directed Harry to the end of the room and
the Commander shouted, “Attention to Orders.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">General Parchment
then presented Harry with the Air Force Legion of Merit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The citation, read by the local Commander,
cited his diligence in uncovering a major corruption case, his assistance in
unraveling major narcotics crimes, and his work on a classified case (a
reference to an espionage case).</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Afterward,
General Parchment asked Harry for a provide meeting in the Commander’s office. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There she gave Harry the news. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Secretary of the Air Force had approved
his discharge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was to report to the
Base Personnel Office for processing at 10:00 AM the following Tuesday morning,
the end of the month. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">General
Parchment then reiterated the offer for Harry to accept a Civil Service
position as an analyst and once again, Harry refused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The General muttered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">”That’s
what Jim said you would say.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry
recognized she referred to his former commanding officer and fighter pilot, Jim
“Bulldog” Rippenger, now a General Officer managing space operations at the
United States Space Command. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She then
invited Harry to lunch with her at the club before she flew back to Washington.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He declined, announcing he was off to
“play golf” because he had an early tee time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he went to Felix’s and watched golf on
television while he drank some beers and had a few margaritas. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was
no ceremony when he retired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed
up in a uniform, as required, hung over, needing a haircut and with a three-day
stubble of beard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not wear his
wings, as required. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reported to the
base personnel office, received his paperwork from a Master Sergeant who
thanked him for his service, and pointed out the exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The personnel
people told him the Air Force had automatically processed some paperwork with
the VA for his disability pension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
it was all said and done, he would receive about 50% of the base pay he had
been receiving as a Major.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Secretary
of the Air Force had insisted the Air Force do everything it could in the way
of ensuring he received all the possible benefits the country could offer him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He drove
his second hand car out the front gate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
he rolled his car through the light onto Pat Booker road, Harry’s mind flashed
back twenty-six months to those few seconds over Iraq when, near death, in his
consciousness, he faced a solid oak door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had understood at the time if he opened the door, he would be leaving
the world he knew and entering into a vast unknown full of light on the other
side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had blocked the
memory of those few seconds from his consciousness in the ensuing days, weeks,
and months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembered now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As he cleared
the traffic light unto Pat Booker Boulevard, one thought entered his mind.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maybe I would have been better off if I had opened
that damn door! </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="border: none; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">By
the time he arrived at Felix’s and started drinking his first beer, he lost all
memory of the door. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Author</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s note - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I hope you
enjoyed this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am considering
using a modified version in my next HARRY</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">S WAR book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would appreciate your comments either here
on you can email me at <a href="mailto:EdBenjamin.author@Gmail.com">EdBenjamin.author@Gmail.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ed </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You can also find more Harry Miles' adventures in Harry's War on Amazon or wherever digital books are sold.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20</span></a></span>
</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-17286850974412645562014-03-26T15:39:00.000-05:002016-03-24T09:28:56.471-05:00Bulletproof<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry
showed up at the corner of Texas Highway 1863 and Bulverde Road in a small
bakery which had a coffee bar. A little early, he went in and ordered a cup of
coffee and a doughnut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his cup
outside and plopped down in a wooden, low-back chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazed the chair didn</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t collapse; he ate
his doughnut and took in the view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
particular block and part of the block across the street was typical old time
rural Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt transported to a
rural, small town setting in the late thirties early forties, or earlier.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span>
</div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
buildings, the one he was at, and the four others in the row next to it, had
seen better days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were covered with
thin, weather beaten clapboard and he estimated the last time any of them had
seen any paint, Truman or Eisenhower would have been President.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the five buildings, the bakery was the
only one currently occupied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others
in the block sported broken windows and faded signs advertising an Art Shop, a cafe</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">, and something
else which he couldn</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
decipher from his vantage point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
testified to forlorn hopes, broken dreams and hard-lived lives.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Across
the street a small sign of modernity existed in the form of a combination food
mart and gas station called </span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sweet</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">and
he could see some old timers sitting in chairs next to the window while
someone, Harry guessed it was Sweet himself, brought them a hand-made sandwich.
Kind of old fashioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He allowed
himself a bit of fantasy and imagined it wasn</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
Sweet but Sweet, Jr. or Sweet the third, carrying on the family business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">To
the left of gas station food mart, there were other older buildings, some
occupied and some empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry knew that
back behind this veneer of rural Texas were residential neighborhoods of
sizable bedroom communities divided into neighborhoods which served the greater
San Antonio metropolitan area. He knew that the homes in those were modern and
middle class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sitting here looking
at these building holding out against the march of civilization, he felt a
sense of forgotten history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind this
building stood the Bulverde Post Office, housed in a building so flimsy looking
that one wondered if the next heavy rain would float it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Painted white, he noted that underneath, the
paint, the wood appeared aged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it had
a nice asphalt parking lot. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Further
down his left across the street, he saw a caliche drive and a sign pointing to
another ramshackle structure which indicated the building was a restaurant
called </span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mike</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s
In The Village</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam had told him that once he solved this
case, he was going to take him there for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noted that while the sign appeared to be
as aged as the buildings surrounding it, someone had actually painted it as
recently as five or so years ago and then treated it to look ancient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry was surprised when Sam told him it was
a gourmet restaurant and that one needed reservations if one wanted a seat on
most nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe those middle class people
in the surrounding neighborhoods patronized the place.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Typical
rural Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a block long at the
most but it had a feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
places just refuse to die. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Surprising
himself with those observations, he reminded himself he</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> wasn</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t there to take in the view or to
contemplate a gourmet meal he might have someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat there waiting for a pilot to take him
on a flight in the local area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had
noticed the strip on his left as he drove in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A single North-South strip with three hangars lined up on its West side and
a field to the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The big Bulverde Airpark!</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></i></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
typical strip for those weekend flyers who flew Visual Flight Rules, or VFR,
and the pilots announced their takeoffs and landing on a preset frequency to
avoid any air to air mishaps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though he had flown commercial since his retirement from the Air Force, he had
felt a spasm of regret driving by, especially when he saw the Cessna 172
sitting in front of one of the hangars. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
had taken the initiative to get his Private Pilot</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s
License when he was in the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School
so he could convince the Air Force to place him in the fighter pilot career
track once he graduated from the Academy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It worked out well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in the
Academy, he learned the Air Force had a screening program for those seeking to
enter the pilot career track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he got
a big plus when he applied for the screening program and informed the officials
he already had an FAA Pilots License.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Academy entered him in the Initial Flight Screening program where
they sent aspiring pilots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he
already had his private pilot</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s license, he established high scores
in that program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That</span></i><i><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s
in the past</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">, he told himself for the millionth
time.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
continued to let the old buildings lull him, enjoying the feel of times gone
by.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
black Suburban turned right off of Cougar Bend and headed his way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It pulled up and a man stepped down out of
the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over and as he
walked, Harry noticed he had a habit of pulling on his belt near the front
loops next to his belt buckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
movement served to draw Harry</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s
attention to his belt buckle which Harry recognized as a replica of an Army
Aviation badge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ralph
had an easy manner and a quick smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry liked him from the first moment they met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood about five feet six inches, trim
physique, grey hair and a clipped grey mustache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry guessed he was somewhere north of sixty
but that was hard to tell. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You Harry?</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Two
days earlier, after making arrangements for Sam to come by the gas station in
New Braunfels and pick up his Mustang, he dropped by Sam</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s
to get the postmortem on the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While there, he gave Sam an update on the case.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
explained to Sam the Comal County Magistrate had failed to issue the search
warrant which Harry needed to reach a resolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He planned to accompany the Comal County
Sheriff</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s Lieutenant when they executed the
warrant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
told Sam he had everything figured out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When Sam pressed him for details, he begged off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very confident he knew exactly what
happened but he needed gather one more piece of information and then confront
the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained he planned to
rent a light plane with a pilot and do some aerial surveillance to gather some
additional information to present to the magistrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam said he could help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sam
made a phone call and here he was, talking to Ralph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After explaining to Ralph what he was after,
he went to the rental car and brought out the maps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They spent several minutes going over the
maps Harry had brought with him.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They
spent a few minutes getting to know each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry learned Ralph had spent 23 years as an Army Aviator flying both
helicopters and fixed wing utility aircraft and then retired to become a fixed
wing commercial pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had logged
over 6500 hours in the Merlin Metroliner and then accumulated over 500 hours
flying twin and single engine light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 they were
flying today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was proud of the fact
that he had over 17,000 flight hours. </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry
would have been proud too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he
could never garner more flying hours since he the government had permanently
grounded him from ever flying again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Then
they loaded up in Ralph</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s Suburban and drove past the post
office and parked behind the hangars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
turned out the 172 he saw at the front of the hangar was the one they would be
using.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
helped Ralph with the preflight of the Cessna and they took off.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Flying
VFR, he watched for other air traffic as they flew north over Highway 281 and
then veered east when they reached the Guadalupe River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several residential areas which
offered riverside plots and homesteads near the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry was interested in one particular house
located about three blocks off the water in a development called River Acres.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They
made a pass at 2000 feet and Harry located the dwelling he wanted so they
commenced to make several more passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ralph flew two passes at 1500 feet with a 30 degree right bank so he
could snap some photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Then,
they made two more passes at 1000 feet and a final pass at 500 feet while he
snapped as many high resolution digital photos as he could.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">When
they leveled off, Ralph turned and said, </span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">ve got about 30 minutes of fuel left
if you want to take a turn.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Would be nice but I
don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
have a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FAA won't</span><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> license me.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sam mentioned
something about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were some
hotshot fighter pilot and shot down some fighters in peacetime?</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Well, that might be
true, but you know what they say, if I told you about it, I would have to kill
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say that if it happened, it
sure as hell didn</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
feel like peacetime.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ha! All that aside,
young fella, I can see the hunger in your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All I</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">m saying is we can go back and land or
I can goof off a little and you could satisfy some of that hunger.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry
smiled, </span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Have you ever done
any aerobatics in a 172?</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Most people say it </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">can</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know as well as me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not enough power and the structure might not
take it.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Well I </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">appreciate the offer but if I took the controls, I</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">d
have to show you why I almost got thrown out of the Academy Initial Flight
Screening program.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You know as well as
I do that this plane is not rated for aerobatic flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you time your maneuvers just right you
could rip the wings off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plane
simply is not built to withstand the g-loads beyond a certain point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, what the heck, let</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s see what you got,
young fella." </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Before
I get started you have to tell me how old you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
want to give you a heart attack.”</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ralph’s
eyes flashed.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Harry,
I turned 80 two months ago and don</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
you worry about my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, just
remember the Colin Powell Pottery Barn rule."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If
you break it you buy it.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></i></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry
took the controls, climbed to 7,500 feet and flew a due north heading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as he took the control wheel, that
feeling returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same thing he felt
the first time the Instructor Pilot had taken him up and let him have the
controls..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a feeling like no
other he had ever felt and every time he touched the controls of an airplane,
it returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if he had grown a
new set of legs and arms because all he had to do was feel and any plane he
flew responded like an extension of himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was true with the Cessna 172 he flew when he received his FAA Pilots
License and </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the <span class="style1"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Diamond DA20-C1 aircraft he flew in the Academy Initial Flight Screening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The T-1s, T-38, and the AT-38s he flew in his
Undergraduate Flight Training program evoked the same feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when he started flying the F-15 Eagle,
the Air Force’s air superiority fighter, this feeling of congruency with the
airplane blossomed and he really felt like he was an eagle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now,
the feeling flooded into him so strong it almost overwhelmed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt it so strongly that had he been
walking, this tide of emotion would have bowled him over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got it under control and relished in the
delight of flying again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s been so long.</span></i></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On
the way to altitude, he executed a few turns to acclimate himself to the
plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a few banks and turns for
him to learn the airplane and discover any peculiarities about this particular
airframe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t take him but a
minute or two to reach a point where he felt that he knew this plane inside
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had arrived at the place where
he felt this aircraft was truly a part of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He then performed a slow roll in which he kept the airplane at 7,500
feet while he rolled the airplane 360 degrees slowly around its longitudinal
axis while maintaining level flight by cross-controlling the elevator and
rudder inputs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He combined this action
by also including a hesitation roll by stopping momentarily at the four
cardinal points during the roll. Once he had become even more attuned to the
feel of the airplane, he proceeded to fly a well executed barrel roll, like he
had done while on one of his Initial Flight Screening flights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In performing the maneuver he demonstrated a
sense of the aircraft rather than some learned skill and he was able to back
off just before any adverse damage from g-loads could occur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had almost washed out of the program
because even though he had been flying solo, an Instructor Pilot flying in the
area had observed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
has always felt the need to push every plane he flew to the limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mentor in the air force, Bulldog, had seen
it and encouraged it until Harry could fly an F-15 fighter jet to the very
limits of its capability. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bulldog had
also taught him that even though he flew the same type of airplane, every plane
was different and every sortie was different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had drummed into his consciousness that every time he took the
controls, he had to know the plane he flew like he knew the back of his
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That fact enabled Harry to succeed
in a life and death situation over the Iraqi-Iranian border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew the capability of every plane he
flew; just as now, he knew the capabilities of this Cessna 172.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that if he had to, he could make this
plane sing. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ten
minutes later, he finished and looked over.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"It's
your airplane", released his hands from the controls and Ralph took over.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"That's
some flying, young fellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm
impressed."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"Thanks."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"You
have a good feel about the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've
only seen it in a very few people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's
like you know just how far you can take her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sam said you were an Eagle driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Said you got the Air Force Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Must have been some flying there?"</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"I
was lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides I think there was
some politics involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used a new
procedure to get me out of a tight situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'm sure my fellow jocks would disagree about my tactics."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"What
do you mean?"</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"
Can't really go into details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's
classified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it involved using data
links to ensure my air to air missiles flew to the target okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that my fellow jocks would never
admit to using help in an air to air situation."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"Hell,
Harry, in the Army these days, I'm not sure they would know how to fly without
data links.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Specially in our
rotary wing birds."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
pause.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"Think
you'll ever get back on status?"</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"Doesn't
look it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying to focus on my new
career."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"We'll,
from my point of view, it's the Air Force's loss."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"We
still got a few minutes; you wanna try a barrel roll?"</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">"You
know, don't mind if I do."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ralph
replicated all of Harry</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s
maneuvers and added two of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
aerobatics complete, gas low, Ralph flew the plane back to the Bulverde
strip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the approach, he noticed Harry
looking at him a little strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
they landed, Harry helped him refueled the plane and they pushed it into the
hanger.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry
couldn</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t help but ask.</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">ve done that
before, haven</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">t
you?</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sorry, Harry, that</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">s classified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I tell you, someone might have to come and
kill you.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></div>
<div class="Body" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He
smiled, </span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But I will say,
once bulletproof, always bulletproof.</span><span style="font-family: "arial unicode ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry
offered to pay for the gas but Ralph told him Sam had already taken care of it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">When
they parted and Harry offered his thanks, Ralph grinned and said, "the
pleasure was all mine."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bev won’t believe me when I tell her
I did aerobatics in a Cessna 172 again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First time in 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damn, I’m
still bulletproof.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The End</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ed Benjamin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">© 2014</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You can also find more Harry Miles' adventures in Harry's War on Amazon or wherever digital books are sold.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20</span></a></span>
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Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-45080150635291783152013-11-03T16:36:00.000-06:002013-11-03T16:36:05.134-06:00Santa Claus <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Santa Claus</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">by</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ed Benjamin</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">©1995 and ©2013</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sam Graham got off the bus in Central City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sam turned the collar of his overcoat up so that his ears and the back
of his head were protected from the fierce, frigid wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up his bag and walked to a
nondescript brownstone hotel on First Avenue.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sam registered, paid one week’s rent in advance, and
went up to his room on the seventh floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sat on the single bed and fingered the corded bed cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached into his pocket and laid a five-dollar
bill, two ones, and some change on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stared at the money for a long time.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">When he unpacked his bag, he took a bottle of pills
and placed them in the top drawer of the dresser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam went out and got a hamburger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he returned, he put the pills on top of
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from the hotel sign until his eyes closed and he fell asleep.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The only job he could find was as a Santa Claus in a
local department store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam would rise
at ten, wash up, and go to the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
ate at the lunch counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch came
with the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Afterwards, he would change and sit in the chair
next to the toy department and listen to the children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Although he was not an active Santa Claus, the
children seemed to like him so the store manager let him stay on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would only be two more weeks anyway and
help at a minimum wage was hard to find this season.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">At nine every night, Sam would change back into
street clothes, stop somewhere to eat, and go back to his room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, he would lie on the bed and look at
the bottle of pills until he fell asleep.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On the third day, he met Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey just climbed in his lap and didn’t say
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey was about seven years old
with black hair and brown eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
clothes were typical for the neighborhood__ faded jeans, wool plaid shirt, and
a zip-up windbreaker with a patch on the sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just sat there in Sam’s lap for about ten
minutes. He left when two small girls came to see Santa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night, Sam could feel the warmth from
the boy’s body on his knees as he lay there looking at the bottle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment, he remembered something and
looked out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gaze shifted
back to the pills and he went to sleep.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Joey came back on the fourth day.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“What’s your name?” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The boy didn’t say anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just sat there.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On the fifth day, Joey came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam asked him again.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Joey,” the boy answered.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“How old are you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Seven.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“What do you want for Christmas?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Joey didn’t answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam saw him leave
through the side door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey was alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The next day was Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam asked the store manager if he knew
Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joey didn’t come until almost closing time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just sat there on Sam’s lap and put his head
on Sam’s arm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">When the store started to close, Joey got down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam noticed the young boy had stopped in the
toy department to look at some footballs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sam changed quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rushed to
the side door which Joey had exited and went out into the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought he saw Joey at the end of</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam hurried to the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he got there, Joey was nowhere in sight.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">That night, he didn’t take the bottle of pills out
of the dresser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lay there and gazed
out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in the distance,
he heard a Christmas carol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounded
like a recording at some store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny,
he hadn’t noticed it before.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On Monday, he went to work early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the toy department, he bought a football
and a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another part of the
store, he bought a pair of woolen gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lady in Customer Service didn’t charge him for wrapping the
items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, she said, he was “Santa
Claus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they were wrapped, he put
them in a brown paper bag. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Joey came in about six o’clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some children ahead of him so he
turned and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam was going to call
out, but Joey had already gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At eight
o’clock, Joey came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he left,
Sam gave him the paper bag.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The next day was Christmas Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam had changed his clothes early because the
store was closing at five o’clock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">He was walking out of the store when a small, thin
woman pulled at his coat sleeve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Mister,” she said, “Are you Santa Claus?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">She was about forty years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her black hair was disheveled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Yes, I was,” Sam answered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I just wanted to say Thank You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m Joey’s mother.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“It’s all right,” he said, “I did it for me mostly.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">When Sam got back to his room, he flushed the pills
down the drain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe next year,
somebody will need a Santa Claus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The End</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I hope you enjoyed this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been so busy with my freelance technical/proposal
writing business, I haven’t had time to create any new stories in the last few
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to post something reminiscent
of the coming season and I remembered this story I penned in 1995.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you enjoy reading it. </span></div>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-88388584327505322052013-05-16T12:02:00.002-05:002013-05-16T16:46:47.681-05:00The Gun <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Gun </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">by</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ed Benjamin </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry had zipped up, washed his hands and left the
restroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His intent was to pick up
another bottle of water before leaving, but he was interrupted by the man who
pulled a gun and stuck it in his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get those hands up, Asshole!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry stared at the gun barrel pointing at his face.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gun was a revolver and he thought it
looked like a .38 caliber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was what
they used to call a ‘Saturday Night Special’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But as far as Harry could tell, it was just an ordinary street gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The gun barrel looked about the size it should
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything he had ever read had
indicated that people facing a loaded gun barrel would assume the barrel would
look huge, bigger than life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The other thing was that he did not seem to be
afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered if he should be
afraid and was surprised he wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry
had often wondered if he were missing the ‘fear’ nerves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did have a healthy respect for life and
for saving his own skin but it seemed that in other situations in which others
had mentioned they were afraid; Harry’s reaction had been a desire to take
action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps that was the result of his training in what
he had come to refer to as his “other life”; his life as a top of the line
fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He remembered the day in his “other life” when, in
his fighter aircraft, he faced eight Iranian fighters in the skies near the
Iraq – Iran border. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembered he had
not been afraid then but as he thought about it, he was a little busy during
those scant few minutes in which the air battle had taken place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The gun barrel wavered a bit and a voice shouted; “I
SAID; GET THOSE HANDS UP, ASSHOLE!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry noted a slight tremor in the voice but
otherwise it was clear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry raised his hands higher.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Should
I tell him my name’s Harry, not asshole?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t seem
to have a sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t think
that’s funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems a little nervous.
</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry complied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This would not be happening if Harry had not had to stop to relieve his
bladder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had traveled down from
Austin in his newly restored 1965 Mustang with his 270 air conditioning
going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Two
windows down and seventy miles an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Actually it was a little closer to 80 miles an hour
rolling down Interstate 35 from Austin to the cutoff at the northern end of New
Braunfels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry gauged his speed more
on the traffic flow, which was fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like the other drivers, he assumed the Highway Patrol was not around
because there were a whole group of cars and truck traveling faster than the
posted 70 miles an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it was early
afternoon, there wasn’t the wall to wall line of cars and trucks which filled
the Interstate during the rush hour periods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Enough traffic to call it moderately busy and enough that Harry and the
other 80 mile per hour group could assume a police vehicle on the highway would
cause a noticeable slowdown </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even at that speed, the wind whistling through the
car was hot. The San Antonio weather in the June, July and August time period
was simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hot ! Hot ! . . . then
hotter and more heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There seemed to be
some humidity in the air even though everyone railed about the fact that the
area was in the middle of a drought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>95
degrees here seemed like 120 degrees on the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry has some experience with desert heat
having been stationed at the Air Base in Saudi Arabia while flying Combat Air
Patrol missions along the Iraqi border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
was his last operational assignment as a pilot and he savored the memories of
that duty as if reliving them would bring back his return to flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When he left Austin he had stocked up with a few
bottles of chilled water and had nursed them on the way down from Austin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had wanted a beer really bad before he left
but he had a rule that he did not drink and drive. .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a hangover from his days as a fighter
pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you got busted with a DUI
while in the Air Force, one of the consequences might be removal from flying
duties, and Harry, like many of his peers, never wanted to risk that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now, he harbored some thought that he
might be able to fly again at some point in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, he had an interview to conduct
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry was headed for a bedroom community called
Bulverde located on US Highway 281 about 30 miles up from the San Antonio
airport near the Guadalupe River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned
off Interstate 35 on Texas State Highway 46 and just before he was to hit the
turnoff onto State Highway 1863, he saw a gas station / food mart on the right
so he pulled in to take a well-deserved pee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was familiar enough with the road to know that the next opportunity
to pull over for a pee break would be at least 25 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, he might be tempted to pull over
to the side of the road. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He had finished peeing and headed toward the front
of the store when the guy burst in and waved the gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed the gun first to the girl behind
the counter and then, perceiving Harry to be a bigger threat, turned his attention
toward Harry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry found he was getting very busy thinking about
the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, he would admit to
himself that he should have been very afraid but he rationalized everything by
telling himself he had a lot on his mind at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man holding the gun seemed to be about forty
five years old, Harry judged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
brown hair with grey streaks in his sideburns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had stubble on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry
wanted to look at his eyes but the man wore sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry concluded the man was on drugs of some
kind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While Harry could not see the eyes he did notice the
slight twitch as the man moved his line of sight from Harry to the girl behind
the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gun was a
revolver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry thought it might be a
.38 caliber. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From his vantage point, he
could not tell what caliber it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did concede the barrel pointed toward his was larger than a .22 caliber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was big enough to punch a hole in Harry’s
head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The gun shook a little as the man held it in his right hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get all the money out of the cash drawer and put it
in a bag.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry could almost feel the girl behind the counter
freeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped she would keep her cool
and not make things worse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry turned his head slightly and spoke to the
girl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do what he says.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
they have an alarm, I hope she set it off. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who asked you to butt in, ASSHOLE?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry was 6 feet tall and weighed just over 200
pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It used to be mostly rock hard
muscle; but months of steady drinking and lack of exercise has reduced some of
those muscles to flab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man had about
3 or 4 inches on Harry and it appeared he weighed thirty or forty pounds on him
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did appear to be in
reasonable shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
going to pot. If I were in better shape, he would be very easy to take.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Take off your shirt, asshole” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There
he goes with that “asshole” again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
might have to teach him some manners. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This was getting burdensome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry unbuttoned his shirt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Name’s Harry, not asshole.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“When I want your opinion, ASSHOLE, I’ll ask for
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toss the shirt on the floor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Harry dropped the shirt on the floor, his ID
case fell out of the shirt pocket and half opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of his badge was visible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You a cop, asshole?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Private Investigator.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where’s your gun?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t have one.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah, sure. Take off your tee shirt up and turn
around slowly.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Guy
doesn’t seem too strung out. Seems to be thinking rationally.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry raised his tee shirt to the middle of his
chest, pulled it off, tossed it on the floor, and turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped this would assure the man that he
was indeed unarmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took advantage of
the turn to position himself more to the left of the gunman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the clerk was located to the gunman’s
right, this created a wider angle for the gunman to keep track of both Harry
and the girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry also inched closer
to the gunman so his was just two feet away from the barrel of the gun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is stupid.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry’s mind went back to the unarmed combat classes
he had taken while in the Air Force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Eyes.
Knees. Throat. This is stupid.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry’s mind looked at the situation logically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chances were, the man would just take the
money and go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then again, if he
started shooting, then both Harry and the girl were finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logically and rationally, Harry concluded the
odds were in favor that in this simple robbery was just that; a robbery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But another thought began to well up in
Harry’s consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it were just
the money, shouldn’t this guy have been long gone by now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry was getting a weird feeling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
don’t think he wants any witnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
not going for the money now.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man removed his sunglasses and put them in his
shirt pocket. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is that your Mustang out there?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry looked into the man’s eyes and noted the wild
determination. Pupils slightly dilated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
nodded his head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That where your piece is?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t have a piece.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who do you think you’re kidding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All cops, even you private ones, have a
piece.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry noted the man’s finger beginning to tighten on
the trigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry knew he only had a
matter of seconds before he had to do something or both he and the girl behind
the counter were toast. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most people considered Harry as having few emotions,
but in a sense they were wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
sense of “fight or flight” was very highly tuned and provided him with the
adrenalin he needed in many situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What others did not realize was his ability to compartmentalize. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry was highly intelligent and throughout his
life, he had developed many compartments inside his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to those who cared to look closely
that Harry was very unemotional. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
didn’t realize that Harry compartmentalized everything and he alone had the
key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had a keen sense of humor
which he used to deflect all but the most astute observers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry needed those compartments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years ago, the Air Force had medically
retired him because he had developed a condition which they were unable to
diagnose, much less treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though
the highest senior officials, including the most senior general in the service,
the Air Force Chief of Staff, had pressed the medical authorities to restore
Harry’s health so he could return to flying duties, the Air Force medical
community reluctantly retired him with a pension and left him to his own
devices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This action had a severe,
adverse effect on Harry’s self-confidence and left him feeling inferior and
resurrected a negative self-image he had stuffed deep inside his subconscious years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Air Force had awarded him, the nation’s second highest
military decoration for valor, the Air Force Cross, and then, according to
Harry’s mindset, discarded him like a bag of trash.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During the past two years, he alternated between getting his life back on track
and periods of self-doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
feelings of inadequacy had begun to leak outside the box in which he had stored
them from his adolescence years, and they began to affect his daily life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These feelings were a holdover from Harry’s life as
a teenager growing up in Kannapolis, North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, the compartment he stored these
feelings in had been fairly full to begin with and these days, it seemed the
slightest little thing would cause the box to fill up and leak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry yearned for the days when he felt
privileged; a fighter pilot flying the hottest fighters in the United States
Air Force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He developed a drinking problem with the habit of
drinking every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Restoring the Mustang had some positive benefits for
Harry’s self-image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the help of a
retired Chief Master Sergeant, “Chief” Sam, Harry had spent several months
restoring the 1965 Mustang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chief didn’t
allow Harry to come to his garage when he had been drinking and neither did he
permit Harry to bring a beer or two while they worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had developed a pattern of drinking a
lot of alcohol lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This enforced bit
of sobriety had caused Harry to lift himself a little out of the well of
self-pity he had allowed himself to fall into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least, he was not drinking so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, strangely, Chief Sam had asked him to help
with a case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, as he put it to
Harry: “You are a Private Detective, aren’t you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry had tried to explain that his cases involved
checking security clearances for the Department of Defense as a contract
Defense Security Services Investigator and he had taken some missing persons
cases, including one referred by his old Air Force mentor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he continued to demur, Chief Sam
presented him with a bill for car repair services and informed Harry he could
work it off by taking the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently, an older lady had gone missing and was
presumed drowned during a Caribbean cruise which had sailed out of Galveston
three months ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had done some
research and had determined there was some monkey business going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He had spent the morning in a meeting with the insurance
executives in Austin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry actually saw
some benefit to the case because he managed to talk the insurance company into a
nice retainer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed there was a
$250,000.00 life insurance policy on the lady with a double indemnity clause
for accidental death and the insurance company wanted to cover the bases before
it paid the benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the moment, in the food mart, while he tried to
maintain a calm exterior, his mind filled with self-doubt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
can’t do this.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
you don’t, you’re toast and you really will be an ASSHOLE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dead asshole.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
not in shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is going to clean my
clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The voices in his head continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Persistent voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voice su<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>mming up the
same message.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
not worthy.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With an enormous force of will, Harry began to
collect those thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One by one, he
mentally dragged them over to the big black box inside his head and threw them
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he had collected the last
negative thought and placed it in the box; Harry took a mental hammer and began
to pound nails into the lid until all those thoughts were securely locked
inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
it’s time to take care of this asshole.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry’s mind began to focus on angles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Harry was an Air Force fighter pilot, he
flew many training sorties simulating air to air combat with planes which had
technology equal to his own or possessed superior technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the difference between victory and
defeat in these simulated combat fights depended on the physics and angles of
attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He judged the angles involved in
his current situation and began to decide which angles he could use to his
advantage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just about ready to pop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better make a move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry looked the man straight in the air and made
the following comment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The State of Texas, in its infinite wisdom, has
decided I am not suited to carry a weapon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here
goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now or never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry continued,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i>“But, if I did have a gun, I wouldn’t be so stupid as to point it at
someone with the safety on.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry saw the man glance down at the revolver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attention distracted for a millisecond or
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry reacted quickly and analytically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All emotion drained out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He launched his attack dispassionately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry’s brain was a flurry of activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was able to analyze the action as it
occurred and grasp the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gestalt</i>, the
entire view of the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fighter
pilots and other warriors called it “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">situational
awareness</i>”, the ability to see and assess the whole picture, the entire
environment of a battle even when in the thick of the action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was something you developed and the
military services possessed many people with the ability to grasp this overall
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People who consistently succeeded
in combat were those who could understand the overall picture of what occurred
in the battle area and deal with it dispassionately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though native ability and the thorough
training Harry had received in the Air Force, he possessed this ability.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While the man’s eyes had focused on the gun instead
of him, Harry reached up with his left hand and pushed the man’s right arm, the
one holding the gun, up toward the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the gun momentarily neutralized, Harry then began the second
phase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding onto the wrist with his
left hand, Harry then reached up with his right hand, grabbed the man’s shirt
and pulled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt awkward at first but
Harry’s intent was to create an uncontrolled forward momentum with the man’s
body.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pulling the man toward him, Harry also pulled with
his right hand while holding on to the man’s right wrist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry had to ensure the man’s gun remained
pointed toward the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Harry
gauged the man had attained an uncontrolled forward momentum, Harry released his
grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hated to let go of the gun hand
but felt it necessary to complete his next maneuver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry thrust his left leg behind him and spun out of
the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He encountered a complication
when he banged his back into an end cap loaded with potato chips and peanuts and
lost his balance slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A searing
pain roared through Harry’s back and radiated through his abdomen but he kept
his focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Packs of peanuts and chips
scattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This collision with the
counter left Harry a little off but he ended up close to the way he had planned
it; facing the man perpendicular to the man’s body moving in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the man was lurching forward as
planned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry steadied his left leg and
kicked out with his right foot hitting the man on side of the left knee. It was
not the solid blow Harry had hoped for but the man began to wobble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of going down as Harry had planned,
the man remained standing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Crap!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man seemed like he was about to recover so Harry
grabbed the man’s right arm again and pushed upward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry’s foot slipped on a pack of peanuts but
he held on to the gun hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They danced
a crazy dance; the man pounding Harry’s side and back with his left hand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he hit Harry’s head. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He hit Harry’s head hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry’s head hurt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not only did his head hurt, Harry’s back hurt and the
man would occasionally hit the tender spots on his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding onto the man’s right arm to keep the
gun pointed up, Harry began grabbing got grabbing for the man’s left arm, which
pounded harry relentlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pair
began a crazy spinning dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry saw flashes of daylight spin in his vision and he began
to dance and spin and push the man toward the double plate glass doors at the
front of the store. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to get the
man outdoors for two reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, it would give the girl behind the counter
time to get out the back, hopefully after she had called the police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, Harry was losing the close-quarters battle
and sensed that if he guided the man outside; he may have some maneuver room
and could handle the situation better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry was running on instinct now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instinct and training had saved his life over
Iraq, but over Iraq, Harry had the advantage of hundreds of hours of training preparing
for the air-to-air combat in which he had engaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over Iraq, Harry had the advantage of
superior missile technology and physics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry had not trained for this eventuality as he had trained for aerial
combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his fighting instinct was
still alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When learning to fly and fight in the Air Force, his
mentors drilled mantras into his soul: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Win
or Lose, but Never, Never Quit</i>,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adapt, Adapt, Adapt.”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, Harry had developed the behavior
pattern to continue to press the aerial attack when lesser pilots would have
given up and withdrawn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His primary
mentor, Bulldog, had always stressed that one should press the attack at all
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, Harry learned that
to succeed in that life or death arena, it would serve him to be
unpredictable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, Harry became
unbeatable in most of the training sorties he flew against his fellow fighter
pilots and this training paid off one day in the skies over Iraq when Harry
faced off against eight Iranian fighters bent upon erasing Harry from the face
of the Earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry fought on, but a part of him realized he was
not in an air battle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
not getting anywhere.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As Harry struggled with the man, he felt he was
outclassed both in weight, height and more importantly, the basics of street
fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The gun went off; a bullet tearing a hole in the
ceiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Get
him outside! </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry and the man spun until they hit the glass doors
and rolled out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They ended up scrambling over the hood of Harry’s
Mustang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Something’s
got to give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry found himself underneath the man. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He’s
got bad breath!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Focus!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry was struggling to keep the gun pointed away
from him when an intense pain exploded in his groin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry realized the man had kneed him in the
groin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God,
that HURT!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry winced and his grip on the man’s left wrist
loosened for a second and the gun began arching down toward Harry’s body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry started spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It saved his life because just as he spun
away from the hood, two shots rang out where Harry’s chest had been; leaving
two holes in the hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry’s ear rang.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The pair then rolled over to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately Harry was on top when they hit the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry tightened his grip on the
gun hand and then realized his right knee was between the man’s thighs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Time
to return the favor; ASSHOLE!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry got some leverage and thrust his knee into the
man’s groin hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the man’s turn
to wince.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry used this opportunity to grab for the gun with
his left hand, wrest it from the man, and then spin away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was gravel in the parking lot and
Harry’s face and back contained bloody scratches and tears from his battle with
the assistant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry leaped to his feet
and pointed the gun at the assailant. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t move, ASSHOLE!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry covered the man holding the gun in the two
handed grip they had taught him when he qualified on small arms weapons in the
Air Force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man was sitting up holding his groin. He smiled
at Harry and reached in his pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harry saw a switch blade in the man’s hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t do it, ASSHOLE, I’ll fire.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The blade flicked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shit,
he going to go for it.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man positioned one knee below him and Harry knew
he was going to stand on come after him with that knife.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry thumbed the hammer back ready to fire. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man hesitated at the sound of an approaching
siren, smiled again, and dropped the knife on the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sirens pierced the air and Harry heard the patrol
cars as their wheels skidded to a stop. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A door opened and closed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another set of doors opened and closed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A deputy ran over to the man and turned him over on
the ground, pulled his hands behind his back, and cuffed him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Harry Miles, don’t you know it is against the law
to carry a gun without a permit,” a voice boomed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry recognized the voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim Bradley, a lieutenant’ in the Comal
County Sheriff’s Department, had helped Harry when he tried to obtain a “carry”
permit for the State of Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
of the medical condition which prompted the United States Air Force to
medically retire Major Harry Miles, the Texas Department of Public Safety had
granted Harry his Private Investigators’ license but refused to allow him to
carry a concealed weapon or any firearm for that matter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry knew the other deputies called Jim names behind his back because
of his long blonde hair which reached down to his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry suspected the hair length was due to
the fact that Jim was working undercover for some task force somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would explain his long hair and frequent
absences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any case, the one person who
mattered, the Comal County Sheriff, didn’t seem to mind and it was his
Sheriff’s Department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing Harry
had learned in his short tenure as a Texas Private Eye, Texas sheriffs ran
their departments autonomously and each department reflected the character of
the Sheriff who was in office at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It reminded Harry of the modern equivalent of fiefdoms existent in
medieval times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ho. Ho.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry relinquished the pistol to the other deputy
who had reached around Harry and gently removed it from Harry’s grip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry heard the deputy break the gun down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a moment, the deputy remarked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You do know you were covering him with an empty
gun, don’t you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why he was going to come
after me with the knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I tried to
fire and found the gun empty, I would have been in deep shit..</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An EMS vehicle arrived and one of the technicians
began looking Harry over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry suffered
many small cuts and bruises on his chest, back, and face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cuts came from rolling around
bare-chested on the gravel and the bruises from the pounding the attacker had
given Harry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harry’s balls felt like
they were as big as basketballs but the EMS Tech told him to soak them in Epson
Salts and to see a doctor if they were not better in a day or so.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the moment, Harry was grateful he had a bathtub
as well as a shower in his house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The other EMS tech emerged from the food mart with
the girl trailing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wore a pair of
slacks and Harry noticed again what he had noticed when he entered the store to
pee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had big boobs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It did seem that one or more buttons on her blouse
were unbuttoned than Harry remembered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you,” she touched Harry’s arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought he was going to kill us, for
sure.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
keeps this up and, under different circumstances, I might just fall in lust tonight. I guess she doesn't know I'm in a lot of pain. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jim was conferring with the deputies and he walked
over to where Harry was standing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You made the right call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think this guy shot a clerk and a customer
at another service station earlier today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the ballistics matches those slugs to his gun, he will face the
needle for sure.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That fits’” Harry replied, “He fired three shots
when I was grappling with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
have peed in my pants if he had come at me with that knife and I found out the
gun was empty.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The clerk told us how you goaded him and then
were able to jump him even when he had the gun on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How did you do that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A little
misdirection was all.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry had the mindset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His training as a fighter pilot involved
feinting and misdirection at supersonic speeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition, Harry had spent over nine months working partial duty in
Air Force Intelligence in the Pentagon while being evaluated by the doctors in
DC after his incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While being
evaluated at the Wilford Hall Medical Facility in San Antonio, the Air Force
Office of Special Investigations had used Harry for a couple of undercover
assignments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the Air Force made
the decision to medically retire him, Harry decided to go into business as a
Private Detective. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He turned and looked over at his Mustang. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a 65 Mustang, and with the help of Chief Sam, Harry had spent the last three months restoring the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he walked over, he noted the two bullet
holes in the hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh
shit!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry reached inside the car and pulled the hood
latch then walked around and raised the hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were two bullets lodged in the engine block.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry slammed the hood down and kicked the right
front tire hard with his foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shit!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shit!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shit!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Too bad you took that bastard away, already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d save the State the trouble of executing
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three months it took to restore
this car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chief and I took it from a rundown
piece of crap and transformed it into the classic 1965 Mustang it once was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you realize how long it took to find this
engine and then rebuild it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Damn!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking at Lt Bradley, Harry asked, “Jim, can you
give me a ride to the nearest rental car agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to go by my house in Universal
City?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll call a wrecker and then we
can leave.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not so fast, Harry, we need to go back to the
station where you need to give your statement.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The end of this particular incident. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Seems like harry is getting into the habit of finding himself in life or death situations. In my novella, "Harry's War", Harry finds himself in another situation over Iraq. This novella is available as an eBook at Amazon Kindle and wherever eBooks are sold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00794LZTU&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=flowatpre-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=flowatpre-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00794LZTU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-13124900362847698972013-04-20T15:39:00.002-05:002016-03-24T09:24:30.059-05:00The Tear The Tear<br />
<br />
By<br />
<br />
Ed Benjamin<br />
<br />
Harry crossed the barrier. The patrolman was going to stop him, but Dwight had looked up and motioned for the cop to let him through.
Dwight walked up to Harry about ten yards before he got to the car.<br />
<div class="composeBoxWrapper GIL3GQOBDIB">
</div>
<div class="composeBoxWrapper GIL3GQOBDIB">
<br />
“Are you sure you want to do this? She’s still in there.” </div>
<div class="composeBoxWrapper GIL3GQOBDIB">
</div>
<div class="composeBoxWrapper GIL3GQOBDIB">
<br />
Harry nodded and continued on to the wreckage. She lay on her side, face down on the seat. Harry noted the cut strap of the safety harness where the impact had severed it. Blood had seeped out of the body where the slug had entered.
There wasn’t a lot of blood. No extensive blood flow. </div>
<br />
<i> She probably died quickly.
Thank God for that. </i><br />
<br />
Dwight stopped him.<br />
<br />
“No further. The crime scene unit from San Antonio is on the way.”<br />
<br />
“This was a bad idea, Harry. You ought to leave.”<br />
<br />
Harry’s left fist clenched.<br />
<br />
“What have you got so far?”<br />
<br />
“We’ll know more when CSU gets here. Looks like they rammed her car and then shot her.”<br />
<br />
Harry’s mind drifted back their first meeting. He had felt the pull even then. It took working together for six months before they did anything about it.<br />
<br />
Dwight edged him back to the police line.
Harry let himself be backed away but did not take his eyes off her body until she was out of his line of sight.<br />
<br />
<i> Katie, I love you so much it hurts. </i><br />
<br />
“Has anyone notified her mother?”<br />
<br />
“It’s taken care of. Don’t worry. I heard the Chief himself was on his way.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t let him get too close. He tends to garbage up crime scenes.”<br />
<br />
“We’ll handle it, Harry. Are you alright?”<br />
<br />
Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys to the Mustang. He held them out for Dwight.<br />
<br />
“Can you get someone to drop my car off for me? I’m going to walk.”<br />
<br />
Dwight took the keys and nodded.
Someone should be with him.
Dwight took the keys and looked at Harry.
Later, he described Harry as having a faraway, vacant look.<br />
<br />
A single tear worked its way down Harry's right cheek.
When the tear reached the bottom of his chin, Harry reached up his hand and wiped the tear away with his right index finger.<br />
<br />
Harry began walking.
As he walked, his mind ran over the past few months.
The moment they met, he knew she was the one!
He had always scoffed at the idea of a special someone for him. Actually, he thought everything he had heard about love and a deep feeling for another was something unreal. Something one read in fiction novels or if t were real, then something that happened to other people, cer5tainly not him.<br />
<br />
She had acknowledged the attraction when they met but refused to become entangled romantically.
Then one night, things changed.
Once they connected, he instinctively knew that she accepted him the way he was.<br />
<br />
When they met, Harry was ending a two year period of self-doubt and depression. On reflection, he wondered if it was a manifestation of mental illness brought on by the events which resulted in his exile from the Air Force. He had already begun the process of change. Meeting her only provided the impetus for him to speed up the process.<br />
<br />
Knowing her caused him to continue to look at himself. She had accepted him as he was. He had changed since he met her, not because of her, but because knowing her, something had inspired him to become to continue to become the best he could be.<br />
<br />
So, in his own mind, Harry became better. His self-confidence returned. He faced life on an even keel and on its own terms. Gone were the manic days of depression and feelings of abandonment. He had basically stopped the daily drinking habit which had consumed him, now reduced his drinking to an occasional glass of wine.<br />
<br />
He was sweating. It was hot and the Texas sun bore down on him.
He passed the one mile mark.<br />
<br />
<i>Another mile to go. </i><br />
<br />
His mind started thinking about his birth parents, the car crash which killed them, then the accident which took his sister and his adoptive parents, his deep depression when the Air Force had medically retired him, and now this.<br />
<br />
Harry began to recognize he was starting to fall into another well of dark thinking.
This is not productive.
Instinctively, Harry recognized his grief and feelings of loss would not be fruitful at this moment. He had a place in his mind where he stored things. Things he wanted to disregard. A place where he put things he didn’t want to face in the present. He told himself that he would deal with them later. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if he would regret not feeling the pain of this moment.<br />
<br />
<i>There’s a lot to do. </i><br />
<br />
Then he started to focus on the situation at hand.
Was it something about him? Was something from his work with the Defense Department behind this or his private investigation business or was it something in which she had been involved.<br />
<br />
She had her own thing going also. She did keep under the radar, but she lived and worked in the netherworld of cyberspace. He supposed it could have been something there.<br />
<br />
He imagined he could still feel the tear where it had rolled down his cheek and he had wiped it with his finger. He shook his head and and wiped the memory of the tear away.<br />
<br />
His mind then moved from grief, not to vengeance, but to <i>Justice.</i><br />
<br />
A beginning<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are interested in some background about Harry, then I invite you to check out Harry's War on Amazon Kindle
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<br />
Or wherever digital books are sold <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=flowatpre-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00794LZTU&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-53277256780154365992013-03-04T17:02:00.001-06:002013-03-04T17:03:01.566-06:00The Lost Command <br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Lost Command</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ed Benjamin</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
supreme commander of the expedition looked about the command vessel and
lamented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One expected losses, but the
losses in arriving at the target planet were very significant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their home planet was 640 light years from
their objective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each group of 350 craft
had been encapsulated into modules so that the invasion force of 1400 ships could
survive the jump through the space warp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the entry into near space had been completed, the control center
had determined that two of the modules had broken up in hyperspace and the
fleet had lost all 700 ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
next calamity occurred when the remaining two modules had entered the target
solar system and one capsule spun out of control crashing into the frozen
wastes of the eighth planet from the star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The remaining squadron had proceeded toward the objective, the third
planet from the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This
journey through the solar system continued at a slower pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip from the eighth planet to the third
planet took approximately three times as long as the trip through the wormhole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
intelligence section spent its time wisely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The analysts studied the broadcasts of the microwave transmissions
received in the lower communications band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently the occupants of this world had not yet mastered the
intricacies of higher band transmissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These transmissions did indicate that the inhabitants were on the verge
of creating a viable civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
planet contained the raw materials that the commander's home world needed to
alleviate the overcrowding that threatened their existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once determined that this planet was
suitable, the leaders made their decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They would invade, destroy the life forms ruling the planet, and
colonize it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The End</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<br />Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-55049337180592302432013-01-16T15:24:00.001-06:002013-04-05T15:20:53.596-05:00Mary's Song <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h1 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Mary’s Song</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></h1>
<h1 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ed Benjamin</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">©1998</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Speculation about the temporary janitor seemed to
relieve the monotony and dreariness, which sometimes gripped the midnight shift
of the children’s ward of the Nix Hospital in downtown San Antonio. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though he was temporary and it was his
last night, he mopped the floor carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he made his way down the hall, it was evident he took pride in his
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His floors shone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The curiosity over the quiet stranger waned after
two weeks and Julie Kilpatrick and the other nurses began to occupy their
thoughts over reports of sightings of the Virgin Mary. One report placed her in
Tucson, another in Nueva Laredo, and another sighting was reported in
Juarez.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The news media had begun to
report the sightings as a curious phenomenon of Columbus Day; a day that had
arrived at midnight just after the nurses had begun their shift. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Too bad she can’t help poor Angela”, Julie, the
head charge nurse, commented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Angela Garcia was a ten-year-old girl in Room 314
who seemed to have lost the will to live and was wasting away from a rare
disease. Normally a skeptic, Julie wondered if miracles were really possible
and while you’re at it, give that poor man some joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw the janitor working on the floor near
Angela’s room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The door to room 314 opened and the man looked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a new nurse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She beckoned him into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had never seen this nurse before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noted her radiant smile.. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Mr. King, I need your help.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“How did you know my name?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">She smiled again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“It’s on your name tag.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The man went into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a scent of roses in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">He stood there in the room and looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There wasn’t any sign of any mess. He had
assumed that the nurse wanted him to clean a mess of some sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young girl on the bed opened her eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Are you here to sing me my song?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“No, I’m just the janitor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“But the nurse said you would come in and sing me a
song.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I used to sing some, but I haven’t sung anything
hardly in over twenty years.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Please sing for me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The man looked around; the nurse seemed to have
disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, he noticed a painting
of the Virgin Mary on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
didn’t seem to be there when he entered the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Down the hall, the music drifted past the nurses’
station. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Somebody’s playing the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t heard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i> sing in years.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Where’s it coming from?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“314, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t have the heart to tell her to turn the radio off.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Well, let her finish this song, then I’ll go tell
her to turn it off.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Later, Julie walked down to check the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music had stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she walked down the hall, she saw the
janitor getting in the freight elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She waved goodbye; it was his last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She noticed tears in his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">She opened the door and looked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s funny!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela lay there
sleeping with a smile on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a rose on the pillow next to her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julie instinctively knew that Angela had somehow turned a corner and
would be okay. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The mystery puzzled Julie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who had been playing the radio at three
o’clock in the morning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And where?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Julie noticed a new painting on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The painting depicted three ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa
Maria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the painting, the Santa Maria,
the “Saint Mary”, proudly led the other two as Columbus led his voyage of
discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Santa Maria gleamed in
the early morning sun and above the ship, an image of the Virgin Mary floated
in the sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In the meantime, the man headed for the bus station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time, Elvis thought, to discover what my
grandchildren are like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The End</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Author’s
Note: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I never submitted this one for publication because I did not think any editor
would buy it. It was close to Columbus Day in 1998 and I had to come up with
something quickly for a writers group i had joined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you enjoyed this little story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always like to write about the endurance
and goodness of the human spirit. (Ed Benjamin, Jan 16, 2013)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Shameless Self Promotion</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If
you want to read something in a different vein, I would </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">invite you to purchase and read my little story about
fighter pilot, Harry Miles, who becomes a national hero, loses his life’s ambition,
and then begins to discover the resilience of the human spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can find HARRY’S WAR on Amazon Kindle, Nook, and other download sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have listed a few sites below for your
convenience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon Kindle US: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Barnes and Noble Nook: <a href="http://t.co/KI8vZjGH" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw"><span class="invisible"><span style="color: blue;">http://</span></span><span class="js-display-url"><span style="color: blue;">tinyurl.com/758ubdw</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple iBookstore: <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/harrys-war/id502735441?mt=11&ls=1" target="_blank">http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/harrys-war/id502735441?mt=11&ls=1</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sony ReaDER: <a href="http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/ed-benjamin/harry-s-war/_/R-400000000000000624702" target="_blank">http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/ed-benjamin/harry-s-war/_/R-400000000000000624702</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon Kindle UK: <a href="http://urlcut.me/aFZ">http://urlcut.me/aFZ</a><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon Kindle Canada: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a7em4fb"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">http://tinyurl.com/a7em4fb</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon Kindle Spain: <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/d2eeuhf">http://tinyurl.com/d2eeuhf</a>
</span></span></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=flowatpre-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00794LZTU&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-39413359835283084802013-01-06T11:08:00.003-06:002013-04-05T15:22:12.504-05:00The Copse <div style="text-align: center;">
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</xml><![endif]-->The Copse, a short short story</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ed Benjamin </div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">A forest in northwest Arkansas</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">September 18, 1995</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The man stood in the copse of pine trees that filled the
area behind his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was near
dusk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was standing at the edge of the
mountain and looking down into the valley watching the road snaking up the
hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden, a glint of
sunlight caught his eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had noticed
the flash of sunlight in his peripheral vision as it bounced off an object in
the eastern sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">It was an object all right but there was something
strange about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too low and
bright to be a plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It moved funny
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to hover in the air like
a helicopter but he couldn't hear any noise. It floated in the air near the
ridge and it wasn't over two thousand yards away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was blowing from the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he was west of the object, he felt
certain that he would have heard something if there were anything to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it were a helicopter or any other
motorized air- borne vehicle, he felt that he would have heard the noise by
now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save for a slight hissing sound
that was more of a hum than a hiss, there was nothing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">He concentrated and strained his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Then, the craft began to descend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it came down, it made erratic movements in
the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The craft’s motion reminded him
of a leaf falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought the object
might be a balloon or a blimp of some sort but the lack of wind and the swaying
movements it made belied that assumption.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">He could see it clearly and it certainly wasn’t any
blimp or balloon that he recognized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
craft had clean, well-defined lines and it appeared to be constructed out of a
ceramic of some kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he had
the impression the craft was ceramic; it glinted in the sky like burnished
metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Then there was the light. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The sun was in the process of sinking in the west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nether world of dimness, that hint of dusk,
which presages the coming of the night, had engulfed the mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, the object remained bright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an amazing sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light from the craft seemed
self-contained; yet it didn't illuminate anything on the ground below it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It glowed and there was a pulsating
luminosity to the light and it was almost hypnotic . . . dimmer, brighter,
dimmer, brighter, dimmer, brighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entranced,
the man had to look away for a second to regain his composure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The man continued to watch the object from the shadows underneath
the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It jigged sideways and then
headed for the clearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From his
knowledge of the terrain, he knew they did not want to go there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man stepped out and waved his arms to
warn the craft against landing in that particular spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, a cautionary feeling inside him decided
that exposing himself to the craft wasn't a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought better of it and backed underneath
the trees so he could continue watching.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">After a few jigs, the oval-shaped craft settled down
onto the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man watched as
three small beings came around from the far side of the craft and moved to the
edge of the clearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">He wished desperately for his
binoculars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He strained his eyes to see
what the creatures looked like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that
he could determine was that they were small, humanoid, and it seemed to him
that they moved strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn't
walk like he understood walking but moved in a gliding motion silhouetted
against the brightness of the craft.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Somehow, it seemed as if they
were moving without touching the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, he knew it was very muddy where they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn't seem to have any trouble getting
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two more beings appeared and
began to explore the area outside the craft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">These creatures didn’t seem to
be human even though they resembled small children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wished he were closer so he could see
more, but then he was glad he was able to watch unobserved.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Then, the craft began to move
slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn't happen all at
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the left side dipped a
little, about three feet, as far as the man could tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the right side caught up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man snickered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things, whatever they were, had landed
right smack in the center of Andersen's Bog, a sinkhole of local repute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one had ever claimed it was quicksand but
many thought that was what it was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The occupants of the craft had also realized that
something was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They began to glide
toward the other side of the sinking craft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soon after they disappeared, the structure began to glow with a
brilliant intensity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light got
brighter and brighter as the craft shuddered for a moment or two. It seemed
like it rose about a foot or two.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Then the light became dimmer and the craft settled back
into the bog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the light glowed,
brighter than it had a few seconds before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ship began to vibrate and shake the earth around it. Then, it
slipped another foot or two into the earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">He had begun to realize that he was viewing some sort of
space ship, a UFO, others called it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
craft which had carried its occupants over many light years of space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they were, God knows how far from their home,
after traveling billions even trillions of miles to arrive here on earth and
then they got stuck in the mud.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The man imagined the strain and energy that the
interaction of the muck and ship had created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of a sudden, the craft just popped out off the bog with a jerky
movement that propelled it about two hundred feet into the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to the man that the motion should
have created a "pluck" noise as it separated from the earth, but he
wasn't able to hear any sound at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was too busy laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">He continued to laugh.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">He laughed so hard that his sides hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears streamed down his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait till he told people what he had
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They probably wouldn't believe
him, but that didn't concern him now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was too busy laughing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">As he laughed, he had closed his
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had bent over, holding his
sides and still laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused for
a moment and opened his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The craft
wasn't in view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The craft had moved to the north to a
position about three hundred feet from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was almost directly overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Although the ship was thirty yards in diameter, at that
moment, it seemed it was a least a mile long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man had the distinct impression that the occupants of the craft knew
he was there under the canopy of pine boughs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Apprehension crept into his thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden, things didn't seem so funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt himself getting scared.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">His thoughts turned to flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned in the direction of the path that
would lead him to the safety of his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He started to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Suddenly, he was unable to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His legs felt wooden, like they were dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His own body seemed unable to respond to the
idea of flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how hard he
tried, his legs wouldn't operate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
felt grateful he still seemed to be breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, fear began to overwhelm him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The apprehension and dread he had felt turned to
terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that point, he heard the
voice inside his head.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">“DO NOT BE AFRAID!”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">The End </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Author’s Note</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">Warning: Shameless Self Promotion below</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">This short short represents the prologue to the reprise
of my book, “The Mission”; which I plan to release on Amazon Kindle in the
future, if I ever stop procrastinating and if they ever let me out of this pulsating,
glowing craft. . . Ed Benjamin</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;">In the meantime, if you like you can check out my
novella, “Harry’s War”, available on Amazon Kindle. US: </span><a href="http://t.co/vRBtSWCi" target="_blank" title="http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n</span></a> and
UK: <a href="http://t.co/sGmxVIaN" target="_blank" title="http://urlcut.me/aFZ"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://urlcut.me/aFZ</span></a> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=flowatpre-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00794LZTU&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-1363986543816425782012-12-24T11:06:00.002-06:002016-03-24T09:29:59.337-05:00Harry’s High School Football Game<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry’s High School Football Game</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
Harry Miles Short Short </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ed
Benjamin</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry looked at the ball tumbling as it sailed its
way down field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could tell it was
headed straight for him. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He barely heard the crowds cheering as he gauged the
approaching ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the opening
game of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a regional
North Carolina tradition which had begun eight years earlier pitting the AA
team of A.L. Brown High School of Kannapolis against the AAAA team from
Grimsley High School in Greensboro. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone said it started when a former
Grimsley ‘Whirlies’ star became the coach of the lesser ranked AA Wonders’ in
Kannapolis about 60 miles away..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Traditionally, the Kannapolis team got stomped; or as the Greensboro
pundits would declare, “they got their butts handed to them again this year.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greensboro press likened the games as
“practice sessions.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No one knew why the tradition continued, but it
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the Wonders were trying to
upgrade their football program from AA to AAA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The school expected to receive the AAA rating within the next two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, the Wonder Football Boosters had
lobbied unsuccessfully for the coach and the school to cancel this rivalry so
that each season would not start with a major loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All this meant little to Harry because he was
focused on receiving the opening kick of the game and fulfilling his assigned
job which the coach had assigned to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had practiced this several times and
Harry had been assigned to receive on the left side of the field while Gene,
the fullback had the right side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get the ball to Roger.” The coach had drummed into
their heads time and time again and they had spent countless hours practicing
various ways to do that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Roger was a halfback the same as Harry and Gene was
the fullback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Boosters had let out
an agonizing cry when they lined up to receive the kickoff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, there was a special team to return
kickoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Roger and Harry were sophomores.
This was the second season they had played North Carolina High School football
and more often than not they started. Gene, a senior, was also on the field and
he was the most experienced fullback beginning his third season of play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd was visibly upset and vocal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
all, you don’t waste your starters on kickoff returns. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a simple plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lateral or hand off the football to Roger
Hobson, the fastest player on the team and let him work his magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The players had speculated that Roger would
advance the ball to the forty or fifty yard line and give the Wonders a chance
to score.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the players were enthusiastic
about this strategy since the Wonders had been scoreless against the Whirlies
for the past four years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team
members wanted desperately to get on the scoreboard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry focused on the ball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had always had the ability to concentrate
on the task at hand, a trait which would serve him well in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The ball landed in his arms and he began running
cross field faking a handoff to Gene and tucking the ball against his
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw Roger headed toward him and
the handoff went smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The transfer
took place at the three yard line and Harry continued toward the other side of
the field pretending he still had the ball tucked inside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He did not see Roger after that because of Dink
Black.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dink Black was a 300 pound junior who played Tackle
for Greensboro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were rumors about
Dink throughout the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the
High School did not have a uniform big enough for Dink so the Whirlies had to go
to the North Carolina State college football team for uniforms to fit
Dink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did not want to meet Dink in a
game, especially if you had the ball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
Greensboro played him during the game, Dink would mow down the defensive line
trying to get to the player with the ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tired easily and wasn’t that good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He never got credit for a tackle but when they played him, he made
serious dents in the defensive line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Greensboro coach would play him about once or twice a game and on occasion when
it was deemed that speed was not a problem, as a Special Teams member on
kickoffs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry did not get to see the result of his handoff
to Roger because when he reached the side of the field and turned as if to run
the ball down field, he saw Dink running for him head on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry quickly assessed the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dink had been running for about thirty yards and
was obviously out of breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few
spilt seconds, Harry imagined he felt the turf heave under Dink’s thudding
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard Dink’s labored breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The realization dawned on Harry that Dink was
still under the impression that Harry had the football.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There was no escape so Harry did the only thing he
could think of doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned so he
was facing full body toward Dink and held his arms out so Dink could see he did
not have the football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To his credit,
Dink did try to stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry learned a valuable Physics lesson that
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A body in motion will remain in
motion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry did not really recover from the impact until
the third quarter and it was minutes after the play that he learned that Roger
amazed the crowd with his speed by running ninety-seven yards for a touchdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first score against Greensboro in
four years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The enthusiasm among the team was so great that Kannapolis
won the game 31 to 28, ended up with a 9-1 win/loss record, and became the
North Carolina AA State Champions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In one game, Harry learned the importance of coming
back from a crushing blow, the value of surprise, and how enthusiasm can lift
the human spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Harry’s best friend, Roger, never played football
again, but that is a story for another day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>Author’s note</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you for reading this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope you enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ed </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are interested in how Harry did or did not appl<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">y</span> these lessons flying company as an Air Force fighter pilot, you can check ou<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">t</span> Harry's War, <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">available</span> on Kindle or <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">wherever</span> digital books are sold<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Kindle Link is </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00794LZTU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00794LZTU&linkCode=as2&tag=flowatpre-20</span></a></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-25007085917633645592012-11-29T15:02:00.001-06:002013-04-05T15:32:31.931-05:00Teddy Roosevelt serves as a role model for Harry Miles <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
I am an unabashed admirer of Teddy Roosevelt’s remarks regarding an approach to life.</div>
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I am certain the quote is familiar to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of my all-time favorite quotes.</div>
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<b><i>"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how</i></b> <b><i>the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."</i></b></div>
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"Citizenship in a Republic,"<br />
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910</div>
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These words have helped me when I faced difficult situations. Although I have many examples; one that comes to mind was when the Air Force assigned me as the Maintenance Operations Officer at Bitburg Air Base in Germany in 1979. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Right after I went to my new post, I realized that the wing has seriously over-flown its maintenance capability and unless drastic action was taken, the wing would not be able to carry out its assigned mission of training F-15 fighter pilots to counter the Soviet threat we faced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our wing and others like it served as the stopgap if the Soviets ever attacked in central Europe. </div>
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At Bitburg we practiced hard to counter the Soviet threat with exercises which simulated wartime conditions at least once a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These unannounced exercises require maintenance to generate missile loaded F-15s and to launch a great number of sorties.</div>
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We failed to supply enough airplanes to Operations during my first two exercises and failed miserably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It became obvious that we had a lot of work to do if we were to regain the ability to carry out our mission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It was a critical situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew, given time, the enlisted people assigned to maintenance would overcome the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The senior NCOs in the scheduling shop created an aggressive maintenance schedule designed to get the aircraft back in shape and then I conducted a Production Meeting every day at 2 PM where the Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in charge of production and I reviewed the maintenance status and looked at the flying schedule for the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These dedicated NCOs then came up with a plan to produce operationally ready aircraft to fill in the flying schedule.</div>
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All I really did was show an overhead transparency at the end of each meeting which condensed Teddy’s speech and read:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WIN OR LOSE; BUT NEVER, NEVER QUIT!</i></b></div>
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I condensed it because Production NCOs in Air Force maintenance squadrons don’t have a lot of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Those NCOs came through.</div>
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I ran a little interference, like a offensive guard in football protecting the quarterback . . . I had 4 quarterbacks; the production NCOs from the 4 squadrons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I took a little heat from the senior leadership in the wing but fortunately, the Wing Commander backed me up at critical moments.</div>
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We supplied all the aircraft needed the next exercise; but the one following, we failed again.</div>
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Then we began a string of successes and I never felt prouder of the maintenance folks when I would stand up from my position in the Command Post and shout to the Operations position, “Where’s your pilots?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have more airplanes for you!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I think Teddy’s quote exemplifies the kind of people I write about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the people who inspire me. </div>
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Harry Miles is one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an Air Force fighter pilot . . . one of the good ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t quit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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He has baggage but he does not quit.</div>
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In this debut tale, Harry Miles finds himself facing the ultimate test. </div>
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Flying his F-15C Eagle fighter over Iraq, Harry faces his demons in the form of two flights of four Iranian Su-27 Flankers aimed toward Harry with one goal in mind . . . to blast Harry and his jet out of the sky.</div>
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Will they succeed?</div>
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Will Harry prevail?</div>
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If you choose to read this tale, you will discover the prelude to Harry’s flight, how Harry responded, and the aftermath. </div>
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“Harry’s War” is available for 99 cents via digital download at the following eBook retailers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will get your money’s worth from the action sequence alone; but I hope you will understand and appreciate the real war I describe as well.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Amazon Kindle US: </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n</span></b></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Amazon Kindle UK: </span><a href="http://urlcut.me/aFZ">http://urlcut.me/aFZ</a> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></b></div>
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Barnes and Noble NOOK: <b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw">http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw</a></b></div>
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also available on the following:<br />
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Sony Reader </div>
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Apple iBooks </div>
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Kobo </div>
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Copia </div>
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Thank you. </div>
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I hope you will be looking forward to the future adventures of Harry Miles.</div>
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=flowatpre-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00794LZTU&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-26591743618009255162012-04-22T14:48:00.001-05:002013-04-05T15:32:53.113-05:00The F-15C Eagle Fighter Plane is a Mean Machine!I was privilege to be a part of the acquisition team which bought the F-15 Eagle for the United States Air Force (USAF). From 1972 until 1974, I was a member of the acquisition and responsible for providing technical training and training equipment to train Air Force maintenance personnel on how to provide preventative maintenance and to repair unserviceable items on and off the airplane.<br />
<br />
Then in the period 1977 to1981, I served as a senior maintenance officer at Bitburg Air Base in Germany supervising those valiant men and women who serviced, repaired and loaded missiles and ammo on the F-15. While there, the wing transferred its F-15 A and B models for F-15 C and D models while still maintaining our defense posture to counter the Soviet threat.<br />
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The Soviet Union sought the counter the threat posed by the F-15 by designing, building and deploying the SU-27 Flanker (NATO designation). Many air experts felt that the SU=27 Flanker was superior to the F-15 . . . but do not ever tell an Eagle Driver that. <br />
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The F-15 acquitted itself well during both of the conflicts with Iraq and after the First Gulf War was the primary force performing Combat Air Patrol. (CAP). <br />
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It is a well-known fact that to avoid fighting, many of Saddam Hussein's pilots flew their Soviet era planes to Iran.<br />
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My imagination wondered one day what would happened, with tensions mounting between the US and Iran, if Iran tried to take on the F-15 during a CAP patrol over Iraq. <br />
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Would skill or technology prevail?<br />
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If I have piqued your interest, here are some links to my 99 Cent novella.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Amazon Kindle US: </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n</span></b></span></a></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Amazon Kindle UK: </span><a href="http://urlcut.me/aFZ">http://urlcut.me/aFZ</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Barnes and Noble NOOK: <b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw">http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw</a></b></div>
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=flowatpre-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00794LZTU&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-15200451511284614962012-04-18T11:09:00.001-05:002012-04-18T11:10:25.057-05:00Harry Miles Against Eight Iranian Fighter Jets<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry Miles, ace F-15 fighter pilot in the mother of all air-to-air battles against 8 Iranian fighters. . . . We pick up Harry in the midst of the air battle. </span></b></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Fox 1 on Flanker number 1."</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry's throat was on fire. He felt his breath come in spurts. Even though he had selected 100% oxygen a few minutes ago, it didn't seem to help. Seconds ticked by like hours. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Number 2 is a splash. Two bogies headed your way supersonic. "</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The third AWACS controller chimed in to advise Harry he had control of the missile, </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry was too busy to hear.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He was out of AMRAAM missiles! </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Do I go in with the Sidewinders or exit? No, I’m not running!</span></i></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry was trying to calculate when he might be in Sidewinder range when missile warning tones filled his ear. He looked down at his cockpit display and saw 3 air-to-air missiles headed his way. Both of the remaining Flankers had gotten within launch range.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Holy shit!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry jammed his stick forward and pulled his airplane down and to the right as he began evasive maneuvers to get away from the danger. He managed to evade two of them but he didn't know if he was going to lose the third.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He had pushed the stick forward again and started to climb but it didn't seem to do any good. His throat constricted and tightened. Harry had tunnel vision and things were going black. It felt like his consciousness was jammed into a cone with the exterior sides at 45 degrees angles and some giant force was pushing the sides together closing the gap of consciousness. It seemed there were these two giant hands pushing at the edges of his mind pinching it and closing it. The fear crept in. His world spun. Normally, he could handle the g-forces that all the F-15 pilots dealt with on a daily basis. Lack of oxygen caused everything to turn gray.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Damn. Everything's spinning. Everything is going black. Did I get hit?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">His body jerked in a convulsive spasm and when he did so, his hands pulled back on the throttle. With the lack of thrust, his plane hit that combination of forces that all pilots dreaded. His airplane began to spin and gyrate in a 360-degree circle on a horizontal axis while careening down as gravity worked its inexorable force. Known as a "flat spin," most pilots considered it the kiss of death. The textbook answer requires the pilot to eject as soon as possible for there was no recovery.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Harry didn't consider ejecting. He wasn't even aware his plane had gone into the "flat spin." Lack of oxygen had caused Harry to black out."</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">This is one scene from the novella, HARRY'S WAR.</span></div><b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw"></a></b> <br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Amazon Kindle US: </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n</span></b></span></a></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Amazon Kindle UK: </span><a href="http://urlcut.me/aFZ">http://urlcut.me/aFZ</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Barnes and Noble NOOK: <b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw">http://tinyurl.com/758ubdw</a></b></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="yshortcuts"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/7oqwv3n" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><b><span style="color: blue;"></span></b></span></a> <br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-44928369270528773252012-04-14T11:40:00.000-05:002013-04-05T15:33:23.469-05:00Who is that Masked Man?Harry Miles is a medically retired fighter pilot who lives near San Antonio, Texas. Like all of us, he battles complex questions in his life.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harry received quite a bit of notoriety concerning his exploits during an air battle in the skies over Iraq. During that air battle, Harry found himself in the battle of a lifetime. There he was, at 35,000 feet above ground level, facing not one but eight SU-27 Soviet-era flanker aircraft piloted by Iranian pilots. He did receive some help from a nearby Air Warning and Control Systems aircraft in the area, but pilots all over the world refer to Harry in hushed tones as one of the great fighter pilots in the post 9/11 era. Whenever pilots talk about great air battles, the subject of Harry's conflict with the Iranian fighters arises.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If they know, many would be surprised at Harry's battles with his own confidence and his feelings of unworthiness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now he finds himself in the San Antonio, Texas working as a freelance private detective. It seems unusual to most of the people who know Harry that he choose to be a Private Eye because of certain restrictions the State of Texas placed on his Private Investigators license. Restrictions that no self-respecting investigator would allow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were some major aircraft manufacturers who wanted Harry to work for them because of his exploits over Iraq. Harry has politely declined those offers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harry works out of his house in Universal City, Texas and spends a major portion of his time battling demons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harry is hard at work though doing research and planning a presentation which will give him his first big case. If successful, Harry stands to receive a very large fee and provide victims of a killer justice. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A novella, "Harry's War" explains Harry's air battle, the aftermath, and his own personal fall from grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who is that Masked Man? What will he do next?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many people are asking that question, particularly fighter pilots in the RAF. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To learn about his background, you can download "Harry's War" by Ed Benjamin at all eBooksellrs.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is the Amazon Kindle link for the US market: <b> </b></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-16972817748148608152012-02-25T21:44:00.001-06:002012-03-03T11:08:37.818-06:00Teddy Roosevelt's speech which saved my career<div style="line-height: 150%;">I am an unabashed admirer of Teddy Roosevelt’s remarks regarding an approach to life.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">I am certain the quote is familiar to you. It is one of my all-time favorite quotes.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><b><i>"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how</i></b> <b><i>the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."</i></b></div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">"Citizenship in a Republic,"<br />
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">These words have helped me throughout my adult life when I faced difficult situations. Although I have many examples; one that comes to mind was when the Air Force assigned me as the Maintenance Operations Officer at Bitburg Air Base in Germany in 1979. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Right after I went to my new post, I realized that the wing has seriously over-flown its maintenance capability and unless drastic action was taken, the wing would not be able to carry out its assigned mission of training F-15 fighter pilots to counter the Soviet threat we faced. Our wing and others like it served as the stopgap if the Soviets ever attacked in central Europe. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">At Bitburg we practiced hard to counter the Soviet threat with exercises which simulated wartime conditions at least once a month. These unannounced exercises required maintenance to generate missile loaded F-15s and to launch a great number of sorties.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">We failed to supply enough airplanes to Operations during my first two exercises and failed miserably. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;">It became obvious that we had a lot of work to do if we were to regain the ability to carry out our mission. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">It was a critical situation. I knew, given time, the enlisted people assigned to maintenance would overcome the situation. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">The senior NCOs in the scheduling shop create an aggressive maintenance schedule designed to get the aircraft back in shape and then I conducted a Production Meeting every day at 2 PM where the Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) in charge of production and I reviewed the maintenance status and looked at the flying schedule for the next day. These dedicated NCOs then came up with a plan to produce operationally ready aircraft to fill in the flying schedule.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">All I really did was show an overhead transparency at the end of each meeting which condensed Teddy’s speech and read:</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WIN OR LOSE; BUT NEVER, NEVER QUIT!</i></b></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">I condensed it because Production NCOs in Air Force maintenance squadrons don’t have a lot of time. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Those NCOs came through.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">I ran a little interference, like a offensive guard in football protecting the quarterback . . . I had 4 quarterbacks; the production NCOs from the 4 squadrons. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">I took a little heat from the senior leadership in the wing but fortunately, the Wing Commander backed me up at critical moments.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">We supplied all the aircraft needed the next exercise; but the one following that, we failed again.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Then we began a string of successes and I never felt prouder of the maintenance folks when I would stand up from my position in the Command Post and shout to the Operations position, “Where’s your pilots? I have more airplanes for you!” </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">I think Teddy’s quote exemplifies the kind of people I write about. These are the people who inspire me. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Harry Miles is one of them. He is an Air Force fighter pilot . . . one of the good ones. He doesn’t quit. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;">He has baggage but he does not quit.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">In this debut tale, Harry Miles finds himself facing the ultimate test. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">With his life in the balance, flying his F-15C Eagle fighter over Iraq, Harry faces his demons in the form of two flights of four Iranian Su-27 Flankers aimed toward Harry with one goal in mind . . . to blast Harry and his jet out of the sky.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Will they succeed?</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Will Harry prevail?</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">If you choose to read this tale, you will discover the prelude to Harry’s flight, how Harry responded to the threat with a description of the air battle over Iraq between Harry’s F-15 Eagle fighter and four Iranian Su-27 Flanker aircraft, and the aftermath to the battle . . . which begins Harry’s real war. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">“Harry’s War” is available for 99 cents only via digital download at the following eBook retailers. You will get your money’s worth from the action sequence alone; but I hope you will understand and appreciate the real war I describe as well.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Here are some of the booksellers who are selling my story.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"></div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><b>Amazon Kindle </b><br />
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</style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Harrys-War/book-CMSIAIk3jk6xOPON4aISuw/page1.html">http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Harrys-War/book-CMSIAIk3jk6xOPON4aISuw/page1.html</a> </span><br />
Copia </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
Baker and Taylor </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
Gardner’s </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
eBookPie </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Thank you for reading this blog. </div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">I hope you will be looking forward to the future adventures of Harry Miles.</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Sincerely,</div><div style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 150%;">Ed Benjamin </div>Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403567529527548005.post-47926847948942403232012-01-17T14:19:00.000-06:002012-02-18T12:24:49.338-06:00About Ed Benjamin, the person who created Harry Miles<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello, my name is Ed Benjamin and I am the creator of Harry Miles. I recently wrote the story "Harry's War", which is available on digital media, such as Amazon <u>Kindle</u>, Sony <u>Reader</u> Store, the </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Apple <u>iBookstore</u>, Barnes and Noble<u> Nook</u>, Kobo, Copia, Baker and Taylor, eBookPie,and Gardners.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope you will take the time to read this piece of short fiction which chronicles an air battle between the United States Air Force F-15C Eagle jet fighter and four Iranian Air Force Su-27 Flanker jet fighters. This is a spine tingling incident which leads to the real war. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is some information about me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I spent 27 years in the Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. I spent most of my career supervising maintenance on tactical and trainer aircraft such as the F-104, F-4 C/D/E, A-7D, A-10, T-37, T-38, and the F-15C. In addition, I served several tours of duty supporting the acquisition of major weapons systems into the United States Air Force, such as the F-15, the B-1, and the B-2. Although I have never flown a plane I do have an appreciation about jet fighters. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since I retired from the Air Force, I have served as a proposal writer and manager and have helped multiple companies prepare over sixty proposals for companies who are seeking business with local, state, federal, and international governments. My proposals have helped clients receive contract awards totaling $14 billion from various local, state, federal and international governments.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In addition to my proposal or technical writing , I have written other things. I have published articles and short stories in local, regional and national publications. I am also the author of three books. These books include the novella, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mission</i>, a children’s book,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Hector: the Snake Who Could Hear You Think</i>, and the best-selling </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cash in on the Obama $3 Trillion Spending Plan! How to make large amounts of money by conducting business with or receiving grants from federal, state, and local governments,</span></i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> a step by step guide designed to help people who want to do business with federal, state and local governments and to receive grants and assistance from federal and state governments. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am continuing to serve as a consultant to industry and my next nonfiction book project is tentatively titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Step By Step Guide to Doing Business with the Federal Government</i>. I also have plans for a full length novel featuring Harry Miles, Private Detective.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can track the future adventures of Harry Miles by visiting this Harry Miles Adventures blog at http://</span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://harrymiles-adventures.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: purple;">http://harrymiles-adventures.blogspot.com/</span></a></span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For further information regarding my books, you can visit my website at </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://flowingwaterpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://flowingwaterpress.com</span></a></span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I alwso have a blog for those readers who are interested in doing business with the Federal Government. You may access this blog at </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://govtbusiness.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: purple;">http://govtbusiness.blogspot.com</span></a></span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> .</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are in business and need some help with preparing a proposal for submission to the Government, my proposal business website is </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://benservicescorp.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://benservicescorp.com</span></a></span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<br />
Thank you for reading this blog.</div>Ed Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15795409200288410879noreply@blogger.com0