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chorky

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Oh man that thing is awesome! that's gotta make tasks WAY nicer


Turned 69 last April
Doing great!
Eardrum was blown out by a tank 105mm cannon in 78 (Was too close, no hearing protection)
In a helicopter crash in 87 on the DMZ in Korea (which finally led to):
Broken back in 1988 (Armee stuff), and surgery to fix that.
Three surface-to-air missiles opening night of Desert Storm, crashed into the desert trying to evade the last one, somehow walked away
Broken back in 96...More Armee-related stuff
IED'd in Baghdad in 2005, didn't get a scratch.
Shot at, probably about a hundred thousand times...
107mm rocket in 2010, killed 8 but I wasn't touched...But my heart stopped. Really did
Heart surgery after that, then the bad stuff started:
I got retired and then had to start changing dirty diapers of my grandkids.
Combat was much better easier.
Somebody, please start another war. ;-)
Never thought I'd see the day that I miss those days.
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Flyin6

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Oh man that thing is awesome! that's gotta make tasks WAY nicer



Never thought I'd see the day that I miss those days.
Isn't that the crazy part of it? When you're not there and you know the other guys are picking up the slack, you want to get back...But the idea of going back is really hard to stomach. So I'm a pilot, I flew for a living, but when I was going to the airport to go back over, I would have waves of nausea just thinking of what lay ahead. Since the wars, I have not driven near an airport not flown once...NOT ONCE!
I am glad civilians have it so much easier, but I wish our warriors did not have it so hard. War changes you, forever. So, we find our peace in a thousand moments like this, just chatting it up about some piece of metal...as if it really means something...
 

ShadowsPapa

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but I wish our warriors did not have it so hard.
One of the things that really "irritates" me (putting it politely) is how our heroes are all too often treated, while those who play games, those who read and remember lines pretending to be someone else, all for entertainment, are rewarded, and end up believing we should all listen to them as they have things to say and are all-important. We have things rather backwards here. The pretenders, the entertainers, have louder voices and are paid so well in so many ways while those who make it possible for them to tell us how we should live and what we should think and believe end up too often lacking any reward other than those that come from within.
 
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ShadowsPapa

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Oh man that thing is awesome! that's gotta make tasks WAY nicer
John Deere X739 all wheel drive (hydrostatic drive) and all wheel steer, with JD blade.
Another fellow designed and patented a clam shell type bucket attachment for the JD blade and JD approved- and sells it themselves now.
There are some drawbacks as the blade doesn't lift very far - it was meant for blading, not lifting stuff, so when you have a scoop of dirt or snow, you can't lift it high and dump it up on a big pile.
But you can dump it as high as possible, back up, with the scoop raised, use the blade to push the dirt/snow up onto the pile and you sort of drive up the pile in the process so you can stack stuff pretty high if you figure out how.
I had that 60,000 pounds of dirt brought in after we had our driveway paved. They dumped it up by the road at the end of the driveway. I had to move the dirt along the west edge of the driveway to even out the yard as the concrete was proud of the yard there, and the ground was uneven. So I used the scoop to carry dirt to the south end, and bladed it even and smooth. It ended up being a perfect transition. There was a bit more than was needed in that part of the yard so I used the "bucket" to carry some of the black dirt around by my shop to fill low areas.
Frankly, I could use another 20 tons of black dirt back there to smooth out the steep areas.
When I was planning for my shop, my neighbor still worked for Polk County. I had him redirect a lot of the dirt and fill they got when cleaning the ditches to my eventual shop area as our yard is hardly flat there. 27 twin screw dump trucks of dirt and I leveled and smoothed almost all of it with my prior JD lawn tractor and a home made blade. After a while there was more welding rod in the blade and attachment brackets than there was original steel.

I hauled block around where needed, and did all of the dirt work for this project with it.
A real back saver!!

Jeep Gladiator Getting olde is not for the weak of spirit ... 20210331_132222_HDR
 

Flyin6

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One of the things that really "irritates" me (putting it politely) is how our heroes are too often treated while those who play games, those who read and remember lines pretending to be someone else, all for entertainment, are rewarded, and end up believing we should all listen to them as they have things to say and are all-important. We have things rather backwards here. The pretenders, the entertainers have louder voices and are paid so well in so many ways while those who make it possible for them to tell us how we should live and what we should think and believe end up too often lacking any reward other than those that come from within.
Yea, me too, and thank you.

But, I also realize these entertainers have a right to whatever fortune or good will they can earn. Although I recognize they are popular, I know they are not the men like those I served with. Kids who were nobodies did such heroic and crazy stuff...

When they start to make political statements, I usually stop going to see their movies, buy their products or listen to their music. In my mind, they haven't earned the right. I am likely wrong in my opinion, but I come from a different place, a place where death came quickly and real courage, and some cowardice happened nearly every day.

I got to meet many of these entertainers. And they are pretty cool people. But around us, say down in Kandahar they were the humble ones. I remember the day Robin Williams was hanging around. You may not know this but the man was a bit of a "Head." So my buddy, and Air Force Colonel starts pretending he is some DEA guy. Started screwing with Williams...Was all funny.

Here's what you do as a suggestion. Give the loud ones, the entertainers the credit they are due. Hey they worked hard for what they earned, so, yea good on them. But as far as being some sort of hero, or oracle with the answer to our problems, well, for the most part, they are not. Could they be good men or women? Sure, many of them work for good causes or help people and that makes them good to me. I don't want to be a name-dropper but Mr. Clint Eastwood has been in our regimental room. It is a classified place and the unit is or used to be as well. He often stepped up to help surviving widows and family members. Several of these Hollywood people did. They work behind the scenes and seek no notoriety, so I'll not share that.

Americans want to call everyone a hero. They say the 3,000 that died in the towers on 9-11 were heroes. I disagree. I think there were 300-odd heroes, firemen, and police who said, screw it, I'm going for it. Most of the people who perished were harmless victims, but we treat them like heroes. No one who points to him/herself as a hero, is one. That word is not for the individual to use, it is only for others to give it another the person as they see fit.

I used to go and feed homeless people every Tuesday in Cincinnati. I ran across the occasional soldier or Marine. I wondered how a nation could allow that to happen. Especially now considering how we are throwing open the doors to people who force their way in.

Although few of us would ever ask for it, it is the duty of the nation to take care of those who suffered while wearing that beautiful flag on their shoulder. I believe, If you were critically wounded in Combat, you should never have to pay another dime in taxes, ever.

I'll never forget seeing Pete, a Sergeant Major medic on my aircraft working on a kid and all I could see was that blood-soaked flag...
I'll never forget his words when he saw me looking back.
He said, "Donald, give me every bit of airspeed you can.
I redlined the transmission temperature and destroyed it. The aircraft was unusable after I landed.
The kid didn't make it.
 

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chorky

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John Deere X739 all wheel drive (hydrostatic drive) and all wheel steer, with JD blade.
Another fellow designed and patented a clam shell type bucket attachment for the JD blade and JD approved- and sells it themselves now.
There are some drawbacks as the blade doesn't lift very far - it was meant for blading, not lifting stuff, so when you have a scoop of dirt or snow, you can't lift it high and dump it up on a big pile.
But you can dump it as high as possible, back up, with the scoop raised, use the blade to push the dirt/snow up onto the pile and you sort of drive up the pile in the process so you can stack stuff pretty high if you figure out how.
I had that 60,000 pounds of dirt brought in after we had our driveway paved. They dumped it up by the road at the end of the driveway. I had to move the dirt along the west edge of the driveway to even out the yard as the concrete was proud of the yard there, and the ground was uneven. So I used the scoop to carry dirt to the south end, and bladed it even and smooth. It ended up being a perfect transition. There was a bit more than was needed in that part of the yard so I used the "bucket" to carry some of the black dirt around by my shop to fill low areas.
Frankly, I could use another 20 tons of black dirt back there to smooth out the steep areas.
When I was planning for my shop, my neighbor still worked for Polk County. I had him redirect a lot of the dirt and fill they got when cleaning the ditches to my eventual shop area as our yard is hardly flat there. 27 twin screw dump trucks of dirt and I leveled and smoothed almost all of it with my prior JD lawn tractor and a home made blade. After a while there was more welding rod in the blade and attachment brackets than there was original steel.

I hauled block around where needed, and did all of the dirt work for this project with it.
A real back saver!!

20210331_132222_HDR.jpg
yeah i have been trying to find a small option that will attach to a lawn tractor like a troybilt or somethin to have a small front loader and backhoe but the only options i have found are just small tractors at $20K. Nobody is interested in custom fabbing up something

Yea, me too, and thank you.

But, I also realize these entertainers have a right to whatever fortune or good will they can earn. Although I recognize they are popular, I know they are not the men like those I served with. Kids who were nobodies did such heroic and crazy stuff...

When they start to make political statements, I usually stop going to see their movies, buy their products or listen to their music. In my mind, they haven't earned the right. I am likely wrong in my opinion, but I come from a different place, a place where death came quickly and real courage, and some cowardice happened nearly every day.

I got to meet many of these entertainers. And they are pretty cool people. But around us, say down in Kandahar they were the humble ones. I remember the day Robin Williams was hanging around. You may not know this but the man was a bit of a "Head." So my buddy, and Air Force Colonel starts pretending he is some DEA guy. Started screwing with Williams...Was all funny.

Here's what you do as a suggestion. Give the loud ones, the entertainers the credit they are due. Hey they worked hard for what they earned, so, yea good on them. But as far as being some sort of hero, or oracle with the answer to our problems, well, for the most part, they are not. Could they be good men or women? Sure, many of them work for good causes or help people and that makes them good to me. I don't want to be a name-dropper but Mr. Clint Eastwood has been in our regimental room. It is a classified place and the unit is or used to be as well. He often stepped up to help surviving widows and family members. Several of these Hollywood people did. They work behind the scenes and seek no notoriety, so I'll not share that.

Americans want to call everyone a hero. They say the 3,000 that died in the towers on 9-11 were heroes. I disagree. I think there were 300-odd heroes, firemen, and police who said, screw it, I'm going for it. Most of the people who perished were harmless victims, but we treat them like heroes. No one who points to him/herself as a hero, is one. That word is not for the individual to use, it is only for others to give it another the person as they see fit.

I used to go and feed homeless people every Tuesday in Cincinnati. I ran across the occasional soldier or Marine. I wondered how a nation could allow that to happen. Especially now considering how we are throwing open the doors to people who force their way in.

Although few of us would ever ask for it, it is the duty of the nation to take care of those who suffered while wearing that beautiful flag on their shoulder. I believe, If you were critically wounded in Combat, you should never have to pay another dime in taxes, ever.

I'll never forget seeing Pete, a Sergeant Major medic on my aircraft working on a kid and all I could see was that blood-soaked flag...
I'll never forget his words when he saw me looking back.
He said, "Donald, give me every bit of airspeed you can.
I redlined the transmission temperature and destroyed it. The aircraft was unusable after I landed.
The kid didn't make it.
well stated. And that trans was worth the price to try and save that kid. :-( Saw far too much of that shit. PJ’s came
and picked me up for some shrapnel and I will never forget that ride. nothing else mattered to them then. That is when you know for sure you are in good company. Unfortunately that is a camaraderie that is quickly fading.
 

Flyin6

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well stated. And that trans was worth the price to try and save that kid. :-( Saw far too much of that shit. PJ’s came
and picked me up for some shrapnel and I will never forget that ride. nothing else mattered to them then. That is when you know for sure you are in good company. Unfortunately that is a camaraderie that is quickly fading.
This WOKE acceptance by our leadership is what is killing camaraderie and our readiness. The Navy is down 8,000 recruits this year. Interviewing them revealed the truth. No one wants to serve some WOKE idea. But we do want to serve our nation. Several of the kids around me here wanted to go but didn't because of all this WOKE, drag-queen nonsense. Focus on putting rounds on target and forget about the person launching them and what they feel or what triggers them. No real men care about that crap...Just my opinion. I believe this ANTIFA and WOKE nonsense is really about killing the American spirit.
Oh, and I'm done with this subject...focus on the happy stuff on the forum.
You happy? ;-)
I'm happy...
 

chorky

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This WOKE acceptance by our leadership is what is killing camaraderie and our readiness. The Navy is down 8,000 recruits this year. Interviewing them revealed the truth. No one wants to serve some WOKE idea. But we do want to serve our nation. Several of the kids around me here wanted to go but didn't because of all this WOKE, drag-queen nonsense. Focus on putting rounds on target and forget about the person launching them and what they feel or what triggers them. No real men care about that crap...Just my opinion. I believe this ANTIFA and WOKE nonsense is really about killing the American spirit.
Oh, and I'm done with this subject...focus on the happy stuff on the forum.
You happy? ;-)
I'm happy...
agreed. I'm happy just got some skid plates on today! rear winch bumper tomorrow!
 

Elff

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My jeep has aftermarket Axle shafts
I have 2 titanium/ceramic hip replacements
I feel like my modified TJ is my spirit animal
:CWL:
 

ShadowsPapa

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My jeep has aftermarket Axle shafts
I have 2 titanium/ceramic hip replacements
I feel like my modified TJ is my spirit animal
:CWL:
Did they install the greaseless joints?
Or do they have something like a bearing buddy or a grease cup and you just periodically turn the top of the grease cup in to keep the joints lubed?
 

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Blade1668

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Turned 69 last April
Doing great!
Eardrum was blown out by a tank 105mm cannon in 78 (Was too close, no hearing protection)
In a helicopter crash in 87 on the DMZ in Korea (which finally led to):
Broken back in 1988 (Armee stuff), and surgery to fix that.
Three surface-to-air missiles opening night of Desert Storm, crashed into the desert trying to evade the last one, somehow walked away
Broken back in 96...More Armee-related stuff
IED'd in Baghdad in 2005, didn't get a scratch.
Shot at, probably about a hundred thousand times...
107mm rocket in 2010, killed 8 but I wasn't touched...But my heart stopped. Really did
Heart surgery after that, then the bad stuff started:
I got retired and then had to start changing dirty diapers of my grandkids.
Combat was much better easier.
Somebody, please start another war. ;-)
I know the feeling...
As one of "the spring chickens here" at 54 years young.
Seven operations/ campaigns SWA, damned if I can't get around in middle east better than USA.
Numerous other places a few before and after Desert Shield / Storm.
15 years infantry then 10 more as MP and then too a Civ. Cop. No wife (or X-wife), no kids "that I can claim or certain of", hardly any family..
I buried my father on last day of A.D.
Kinda good to be retired from all that...
Now at 54 me, myself and I are building myself a cabin or as know now as "tiny house" I guess.
Lost alot of buddies and friends

Had neighbor that ran every day. Never smoked or drank. Ate all the right foods. The guy was fit. He died at the age of 42. He died healthy. I figure when your expiration date is up. That's it. A dirt nap that you will never wake up from.
Something similar started noticing while I was on A.D. 3 buddies turned 36 died from heart attack after P.T. first one went to post hospital E.R. telling them he thought he was having a heart attack... died in E.R. waiting to be seen, low priority we wasn't TRADOC but part of 18 ABN Corp. Second found dead setting on bed after not showing up to 0900 formation. 3rd dropped at end of P.T. none smoked or drank really. At 36 Y.O. I decided to dial back on the running somewhat. Besides that when being sniped you only die tired. ? ;) I damn sure don't remember running for miles in combat any of the times and damn sure not with the M60, M16a2/M4 or M24 rifle. ;)
 

Flyin6

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I know the feeling...
As one of "the spring chickens here" at 54 years young.
Seven operations/ campaigns SWA, damned if I can't get around in middle east better than USA.
Numerous other places a few before and after Desert Shield / Storm.
15 years infantry then 10 more as MP and then too a Civ. Cop. No wife (or X-wife), no kids "that I can claim or certain of", hardly any family..
I buried my father on last day of A.D.
Kinda good to be retired from all that...
Now at 54 me, myself and I are building myself a cabin or as know now as "tiny house" I guess.
Lost alot of buddies and friends


Something similar started noticing while I was on A.D. 3 buddies turned 36 died from heart attack after P.T. first one went to post hospital E.R. telling them he thought he was having a heart attack... died in E.R. waiting to be seen, low priority we wasn't TRADOC but part of 18 ABN Corp. Second found dead setting on bed after not showing up to 0900 formation. 3rd dropped at end of P.T. none smoked or drank really. At 36 Y.O. I decided to dial back on the running somewhat. Besides that when being sniped you only die tired. ? ;) I damn sure don't remember running for miles in combat any of the times and damn sure not with the M60, M16a2/M4 or M24 rifle. ;)
You and I have been over some of the same ground I'd bet. Panama Just-cus', Desert storm, Haiti, Baghdad, Kandahar, Kabul, Kirkuk, back to Kandahar. It all adds up to 7 combat tours. SOC for most of it...But worked for BlackWater, and a couple of other folks in the community. Served with plenty of Cops. Once they learned to just shoot and not try and give the guy a chance (As if he had rights or something) they were good. Seriously, if you weren't a CIB wearing grunt, ranger, SF or the like we would not count on you until you were in/out of some shoots. I personally can't imagine how hard it must be to serve as a LEO and not want to just drill all these pogs who hide behind the thin veil of the law. My opinion: A day is coming in the not too distant future where things are gonna be much different...
 

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You and I have been over some of the same ground I'd bet. Panama Just-cus', Desert storm, Haiti, Baghdad, Kandahar, Kabul, Kirkuk, back to Kandahar. It all adds up to 7 combat tours. SOC for most of it...But worked for BlackWater, and a couple of other folks in the community. Served with plenty of Cops. Once they learned to just shoot and not try and give the guy a chance (As if he had rights or something) they were good. Seriously, if you weren't a CIB wearing grunt, ranger, SF or the like we would not count on you until you were in/out of some shoots. I personally can't imagine how hard it must be to serve as a LEO and not want to just drill all these pogs who hide behind the thin veil of the law. My opinion: A day is coming in the not too distant future where things are gonna be much different...
Jeep Gladiator Getting olde is not for the weak of spirit ... 20230506_181923

I didn't do the Panama trip, got stand down few hours from wheels up for the one that's a movie. Did know a few that were there. Was briefed it was Haiti but as know later not to be. I was to be taking a "heavy" infantry SQD of 15 troops. The mission wasn't anything "friendly" I'm still pissed knowing 10 MTN guy's sat on their thumbs during it.
 

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...And I was just a peter-pilot. No carrying M240's or long ruck marches, except during training. Nossir, I'd complain when my seat cushion got lumpy or the crew chief ran out of cold cokes! ;-)

Training could be tough. During the Special Forces stuff, we were getting beat to a pulp. They never seemed to understand I was a PILOT and not a guy who dug and lived in holes! Had a guy die in the shower, a heart attack. A buddy of mine in Ranger school had two of his buddies check out of the net of hyperthermia in the Everglades. I had guys fall out of my helo to broken legs and backs, a bunch actually. That's the thing about living an adventurous life...you push hard and Karma is going to shove back. Bottom line" No one survives living anyway, so might as well go for it and make it count.
 

RubiNewbCB

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At 70 I just finished the suspension change and I still rotate the tires. My GF is 50 and she might kill me but I don't care. When I can't get out of bed she will be there to finish me off.
Happy Ending Finish or put you in the ground kind of Finish? Ride or die.
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