In 2002 at age 61 after 22 years living alone and dealing with my demons, I met and later married a beautiful Thai woman, quit self medicating and settled in for the duration in Northern Thailand. Due to language differences I spend most of my time alone tinkering with one of my motorcycles and hiking with my German Shepherd, Bruno. A comfortable life waiting for the next big adventure...............Update June 4, 2015 my best friend Bruno died in my arms today as the result of advanced hip displacia. For eight years we were together every day. I am very sad.
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The Vietnam War changed my life. I went there seeking adventure without thought of the burden I would carry for the rest of my life. UPDATE: I have just returned from Vietnam. On 25 Nov 2009 I was on Hills 37 & 65, my home when in the rear. Then on to Arizona territory, Phulong 1 & 2, the site of the Battle at the Graveyard exactly 42 years to the hour. The war is over for me now; I have come to realize it exists only in my mind .....See FORUM/Stories of Combat/Baptism of fire.
Best Friends Three Army, one Marine......all combat vets back from the war less than a year.
Other Memories The transition from rice paddy to college campus was difficult....we met each morning and decided whether to go to class or a nearby bar....drugs and alcohol eventually won and the other marine was the only one to make it to a post graduate degree and not long after that he 'pulled the plug'....
