Big Brothers are special

Big brothers are a special breed. They look after you and protect you when you are little.

Big brothers teach you how to ride a Motorcycle.

Big brothers even teach you how to shoot a gun.

Big brothers even let you drive their car.

If it wasn't for Big brothers, where would little brothers be?

Here is to Big brothers, thank you for being there when I needed you.Those memories of the things we shared will always be there.

Memories of War

It was the summer of 1968 on a lonely dirt road in a place called Vietnam. A beautiful sunny day and a jeep ride to a barge site called Cat Lai that I had been to many times before.

My jeep

The Lonely Dirt Road

On a lonely dirt road in middle of a war

I was only 19 a mere kid new to this game

This game we call war, I hadn't learned the score

This game adults play, using their kids as pawns

I transported pilots from Saigon to the ports

I got my first call in the summer of 68

I had not yet learned about war

Had not learned of this thing called hate

It was in the middle of a rice paddy

Just a young soldier and his pilot

Headed down that long dusty road

The pilot was my only load

We were ten miles out and no one around

It was a beautiful day, it was quiet, not a sound

Down by the river so far out of town

It seemed like a short ride

Only a fool would venture out this far all alone

A bend in the road and a forest ahead,pretty trees all around

Shots ring out piercing the quiet,what a blood curdling sound

Holes in the windshield and a hole in his head

I looked the pilots way,was he dead?

Young soldier grabs his weapon as he looks all around

His heart is pounding, as he stays close to the ground

With his weapon in hand, would he be killed in this strange land?

He radios for help as he and a sniper the only ones around

Was the sniper alone, would others join him soon?

Was the sniper alone or an entire platoon?

Soldier checks his ammo, only one clip in his hand

Would help get there before he spilled his blood on the sand?

The radio crackled, help was on the way

But when faced with death, an hour becomes a day

He listened he waited, didn't dare breath

Would this enemy hut him, or would he leave?

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, the sound of a chopper

A gun ship this soldier hoped

This fear was making waiting harder to cope

From his hiding place he dared not raise his scope

The chopper got closer, he heard guns blazing

The bullets cut the trees, the smoke looked like a hazing

Five men jumped from the chopper with guns

He wondered; so this is how it's done

The soldier felt something warm on his cheek

On his check there was blood, flesh cut by flying glass

He had not noticed any pain

He was busy concentrating so his very life he could gain

The jeep windshield had been shattered

In the frantic hail of bullets, it had not mattered

But the pilot was dead, shot through the head

This soldier thought, it could have been me instead

Young man had never been shot at before

This experience changed him to the core

Some experiences can change a man so they say

Some experiences can change you for ever more

The road to Cat Lai

Poems of a Forgotten War

(Remembering Vietnam)

Available on Amazon.Com

Barnes & Noble

Old Farmsteads of NY

(Old horse barn abandoned)

Western New York is farm country and the country side is filled with family farms, many abandoned to foreclosure sitting  empty and alone looking sad. Another reminder of the failing economy and the prosperous life they once had. Here is a collection of old farm pictures I took while driving through the countryside.

This once abandoned homestead has been brought back to life and is once again a beautiful home.  Years ago this house sat empty, over run with weeds and brambles.  This shows what a little TLC can do.

Reflections of Saigon

                      (Picture was taken Sept 1967 upon my arrival)

The following is a poem that I wrote about Saigon for my book "Poems of a forgotten war" hope you enjoy it.

THE CITY OF SAIGON

When I first saw this place we formed a bond
The streets of this city were a sight to behold
I wandered the markets, tasted the food
I walked her streets and felt so bold

This lovely,lovely unspoiled city
To a young soldier, she seemed so pretty
The smells of food could lift my mood
She would one day be in ruins, such a pity

As a young soldier I loved her
I went to her bars and walked her streets
I watched her people, living and happy
I walked her streets, for my senses, such a treat

From shop to shop I used to hop
You could buy food and silk suits
Girls on the corner wanting your companionship
To look at them you'd not always see their hardship

The girls so tempting and calling
I wonder how many soldiers virtue went falling
Come hither, they'd say
Be my companion for just this day................

This book is a story of war told in the form of poems, check it out today on Amazon.com

The Holidays are here

The holidays are upon us once again. As you plan your fancy trips, cruises and dinners take time out to think of the ones less fortunate than you.

The homeless ones who have nothing at all except life itself, living on the streets or in a car wondering what the next day will bring.

The hungry children that don't think of a Christmas toy or gifts, but all they want is something to eat to give them the strength to see another day.

The children of war who have nothing at all, no home, no family no one at all.

So as these holidays come around take some time to spread some love and lend a helping hand. Take some time to serve up a meal at the local food kitchen.

Make someone else happy this holiday season...

Being a boy in the country

I was raised in the country on North River Road in W. Lafayette,Indiana. North river road ran north out of Lafayette along the Wabash river so we were river rats as we were always playing down by the river learning how to swim and fish and all the other great activities that rural life had to offer.

We always loved it when our cousins came to visit as we would play on the swings and participate in fun games in the yard. After dark we would play hide and seek and catch lightning bugs.

On rainy days my brothers and I would sit in the house reading books,watching cartoons, eating cracker jacks.

Laundry day was always fun as I got to help my mom hang out the laundry and I got to help carry the clothes out for her.

When I was big enough my dad taught me how to shoot a gun and taught me how to go hunting with him.

After turning 16 I decided to join the military I was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO. for basic training and eventually was sent to Vietnam for two years.

After I was released from active duty and came back to the states I joined the Army Reserves and eventually became a Drill Instructor being promoted to 1st Sergeant just before I retired in 1996.
 My military duties took me all over the world allowing me to serve in Okinawa,Japan,Vietnam,Guam and Thailand. I also served in the states at Ft Leonard Wood,MO,Ft Jackson S. Carolina,Ft Meade,MD, Ft Dix,NJ,Ft Indian Town Gap,PA, Ft Benjaman Harrison,IN, Red River Army Depot,TX,Toeele Army Depot in Utah

I later took up writing and published my memoirs in 2010 and have since published three other poetry books and a children's book. I am now working on another poetry book about Vietnam.

Snowflake and the Holidays

We want to tell you about a little Snowflake for the upcoming Christmas holiday.  Especially for all the kids and grandchildren on your buying list.

Snowflake is an endearing story about a very small, very scared little kitten we found in our backyard.  She was on her last leg, hungry and anything could have easily had her for dinner the night we picked her up and brought her inside.  

We have loved her ever since and would not trade her for the world now.  She can be sweet, she can be naughty and yet always lovable and looking so innocent when she does something we find naughty.  She is smart and sometimes outsmarts her owners, in fact she does quite often.

But most important, this is a wonderful lesson, in storybook form with great pictures.  A story that teaches a lesson in a fun way about why animals should never abandoned.  A story about love and many warm days filled with entertainment and compassion.  Snowflake always lets us know she is happy with us, sometimes jumping on Steve's lap and giving him a big kiss on the face. 

We think this will make a wonderful and affordable gift for any deserving child on your list. Would make a great stocking stuffer.
Order your copy today from Amazon.com 

Thank you,

Steve and Roberta (Authors)