User:Abncavscout
Not your Average "Airborne" Cavalry Scout
Thanks for checking me out
Who I Am
... "ABN" because I am "Airborne" (Parachute) qualified, "CAV" and "SCOUT" because I am an Armored Reconnaissance N.C.O. (i.e.: a "Cavalry Scout") and I am currently a Staff Sergeant.
I am a Veteran of the Regular Army and I am now continuing my service in Kuwait and Iraq in the Alabama Army National Guard. Before my most recent deployment, I was a Police Officer with the Alexander City, Alabama Police Dept, ... and I was a Firefighter / Medical "First Responder" for my hometown Volunteer Fire Department in Equality, AL.
From my fathers side I am 1/16th Cherokee Indian, with two ancestors on the 1852 "Drennon Roll" ("Trail of Tears" Roll) - plus from my mothers side I have a slight percentage more Native ancestry through my descent from an un-named Potomac Indian woman. She was married to Captain Henry Spelman, who came to Virginia as a 14 year old boy aboard the ship "Unity" in 1609. In his book "General Historie", Capt. John Smith wrote that "Pocahuntas saved a boy named Henry Spilman that lived many years afterward, by her means, among the Patawomekes." Henry Spelman did live amongst the native inhabitants, and he became the principal interpreter between the Jamestown colonists and Indians. Spelman himself wrote "Relation of Virginia" and was later promoted to Capt. of the Colony. Spelman was killed on 23 March 1623 while leading a party north to the Potomac River (near present-day Washington, D.C.) to barter for food and supplies when his party was attacked by Anacostan Indians.
... I also have a lot of Scottish, with Irish and English, and a small amount of French in my ancestry. Other notable ancestors of mine include: Sir Christopher Wren who designed St. Paul's Cathedral in London and the Wren Building at William & Mary College in Virginia; Sir Henry Spelman (Capt. Spelman's father) who documented early Christian history for King James; the Marquis Guillame de la Calmes, who was born in 1675 in Trebs Dioc De Carcassone, Langeudoc, France - and as a Huguenot fled first to England and then to Virginia, then fathered Marquis de Calmes who served as a Major under a young Colonel George Washington during the French & Indian War, and who in turn fathered William Calmes who served as a Lieutenant under Washington during the American Revolution; Private William Reneau who served in the American Revolution in N.C., and in Alabama during the Creek Indian War of 1813-'14, - and as a "hat maker" made a hat for General Andrew Jackson; Private Solomon Murphree who served in the American Revolution in N.C. and settled in Murphree's Valley in Alabama - which is named for him; and Private Phillip Wren who knew and rode with Col. John S. Mosby during the American Civil War.
I myself was born in Alabama, - raised mostly in Virginia, - and graduated from High School in Brussels Belgium. As a child I was active in the Boy Scouts of America. In High School I "Varsitied" in Swimming; Soccer: Football; Wrestling; and Track. In college I was on the Varsity Wrestling Team. I spent two years in college as an Air Force ROTC Cadet before dropping out to get married. I then enlisted in the Army and I am a 10th generation US Soldier with my direct lineal ancestors having served in every significant US military campaign since the American Revolution (and earlier). In addition, six members of the my family are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
I initially spent four years in the Regular Army with the 24th Infantry Division during the last years of the "Cold War," and later served in Operations Desert Shield and Storm. In the early 1990's I was a Paratrooper with the 20th Special Forces Group. In the mid to late 1990's I was a Military Police Sergeant with the 231st M.P. Battalion; and I was also a member of the Alabama National Guard Shooting Team. From 1999 to 2005 I was a "Scout" for the 31st Cavalry Regiment; and from 2005 and 2006 I was the Scout Platoon Sergeant for the 167th Infantry. In late 2006 I deployed to Kuwait as an Artillery "Forward Observer" for the 117th Field Artillery, and then stayed on for an assignment to the 640th STB. I am also "Sniper" trained, and "Anti-Tank Missile Gunner," and "Combat Lifesaver" qualified. Finally, even though I am a Non Commissioned Officer in the National Guard, - I was given a Commission as a Lieutenant Colonel - "Aide de Camp" in the Alabama Militia by the Governor of Alabama.
My Military Medals & Awards include:
Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal w/ 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal w/ 1 Bronze Service Knot
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/ 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 Bronze Star
Humanitarian Service Medal w/ Bronze Numeral "4"
Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Silver "Hour-Glass" (X), w/ Bronze "M", w/ Bronze Numeral "5"
Army NCO Development Ribbon w/ Bronze Numeral "2"
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon w/ Bronze Numeral "4"
- File:AL National Emergency Service Ribbon.png Alabama National Emergency Service Ribbon w/ Bronze "9-11" Clasp
Alabama Special Service Ribbon w/ 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Alabama Faithful Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze "St. Andrews Crosses" (X's)
- Bronze Excellence in Rifle Competition Badge
- Bronze Excellence in Pistol Competition Badge
- State of Alabama "Governors Twenty" Tab for Pistol Marksmanship
After getting out of the Regular Army, I went back to school, and I have a Bachelor of Science in History from Troy State University, with minors in Business Law and Military Science. According to my most recent "Stanford-Binet" test, my IQ is 135 (which makes me eligable for membership in "Mensa.") The summery stated that I was "highly intelligent and had picked up an impressive and unique collection of facts and figures over the years," - and that I had "a remarkable vocabulary and exceptional math skills."
... Having a Degree in US History I am very interested in both preserving history for the future, and in presenting history to others. As a "Living Historian" I reenact the French & Indian War (c.1755-63) as a French Marine at Fort Toulouse, Ala.; the American Revolution (c.1780-83) as a Mounted Militiaman; the War Between the States (c. 1861-65) as either a mounted Union or Confederate Cavalryman; and I reenact the WW-II era (c. 1941-45) as both a US 1st Infantry Division "Leg" Scout, and as a U.S. 82nd Airborne Division "Parachute Artillery" Forward Observer. I am also a member of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a "Past Commander" of a Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
... As a "horse soldier," I have been in five different movies, including "Glory" and the "North & South" television mini-series, and I was once featured on the cover of The Camp Chase Gazette magazine. In addition, I was once an employee of the "Alabama Historical Commission" at the Alabama State Capitol ( ... and the former Capitol of the Confederacy.) In the early 90's we had a historic event occur with regard to the Confederate Battle Flag that had been removed along with the US and State flags during the buildings renovation. When the order was given "to let 'em fly" by Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. in reference to the US and State flags, no one else in the building had the courage to climb on the outside of the dome - and based upon my days as a Paratrooper, I was asked to take responsibility for the raising, lowering, and changing the "U.S." and "Alabama" Flags that flew over the Alabama Capitol Dome. Because of this, I also appeared on the cover of the "Montgomery Advertiser" Newspaper several times. ... It seems that I shall have my 15 minutes of fame just a few minutes at a time.
I used to run a small Paso Fino Horse Breeding Farm, I still have two horses, ... one of them is past Grand National Paso Fino Pleasure Champion and Reserve National Champion Paso Fino Performance Stallion.
A few years ago I bought a c.1900 Farm Home just off of Lake Martin in Alabama. It is on four acres of shaded land and has several very large pecan and oak trees, and several fruit trees as well. The house has a wrap-around porch, 10' and 12' ceilings, and has all five of it's original working fireplaces and chimneys. The original water-well is in the back yard near the kitchen, and there is a creek running through the middle of the property. It is ideally situated just off of the main road and is equidistant from the city's of Wetumpka and Alexander City. Unfortunately deployments away from home for "Uncle Sam" have seriously retarded my visions of a complete restoration, - but whenever I am allowed to finish this "one" of my many projects, it will be a beautiful retreat.
I have two daughters - but live alone. My 20 y.o. daughter is grown and herself in the US Army deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, and my 17 y.o. daughter lives with her mom.
... Politically: I am a "Libertarian." I'm a moderate Conservative. I agree in part with some Republican issues, and in part with some Democratic issues (or vice-versa.) I am a Firm Supporter of "The Fair Tax" proposed by Congressman John Linder and Libertarian Neil Boortz.
... Religiously: I was raised Lutheran, but I no longer claim any religious affiliation. I respect every ones right to practice the religion of their choice, but I have seen too much evil done in the name of religion to maintain any personal faith. I am by defination a Secular Humanist," but I came to belive these tenets based upon my own experiences, and only recently discovered that there was already a defined philosophy that described exactly my thoughts. I do believe in the "butterfly effect" - in that every act begins an unforeseen chain of events, and I also believe in "Karma" as a form of "self-fulfilling prophecy" - in that good things come to those who do good. It is my life's goal, my soul, and my passion - to make a difference, and to make the World a better place.
Some of the more Famous People I have met:
I was at the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
In the early 1980's I had the fortune to be a back-stage Guest for: Steve Miller, the Tom Tom Club, the Talking Heads, John Cale, Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne (x2), The Eurythmics (x2), The Simple Minds (x2), Peter Gabriel (x2), and U2 (x3) (... As a side note, While U2 was on the side stage watching the "Simple Minds" perform before them, my girlfriend who was a model struck up a conversation with U2's drummer Larry Mullen about how he had laced his shoes into what I call "lateral lacing" where the laces don't "cross" but appear to be single bands connecting the left and right eyelets. He actually sat down and took his shoe off to show her and I how he laced them. It is something that I still occasionally do today.)
I have been involved in several different movies, - for most of them it was a small background non-speaking role. On the set of "The North & South - Book II" I met Kirstie Alley, Patrick Swayze and Genie Francis. On the set of "A Special Friendship" I met Levar Burton. On the set of "Glory" I met Ed Zwick, Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher (whom I would meet again on "Class of '61",) Jihmi Kennedy, Donovan Leitch (and his then girlfriend Susanna Hoffs of "The Bangles,") and Alan Huffines (who was a 1LT at Ft. Stewart, GA, - later he retired as a Lt.Col. and did advisory work for the 2004 "The Alamo.") On the set of "Class of '61" I met: Josh Lucas and Andre Braugher (whom I had previously met on the set of "Glory.") On the set of "The Grass Harp" I met: Walter Matthau and Sissy Spacek. And finally, - on the set of "Big Fish" I met: Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter.
My Favorite Quotes:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, 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 the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
"It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling that thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
"Now, more than ever, with our soldiers in harm's way, we must stand together and succeed in Iraq and win the war on terror."
"I heard the voice of the Lord saying, who shall I send, and who shall go for us? Then said I, here am I, Send me."
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one!"
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free"
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
"This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered,
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."
"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."
"Peace can only last where human rights are respected, and where individuals and nations are free"
"Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us."
"I know of no more sincere pacifists than American soldiers and veterans."
"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."
"That the Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms..."