alexcraig -> RE: Hurtgen scenario questions (3/31/2004 8:12:14 PM)
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Afternoon Sir, >Thanks Alex. I've talked with your brother at length about this series ?>and I'm thrilled that the two of you are hard at it. The fact that it is so >challenging in a PBEM environment is great to know. You are quite welcome. >Your comments are quite encouraging and I'm far enough removed >from the design of those battles that I'm willing to give it another try >myself against the infamous AI. I suspect you'll give the AI a sound thrashing. [;)] >One more thing...Accept my personal thanks Alex for your service to >me, my family and our country during some very difficult times. You >and those who served with you are and always will be heroes! Those are very kind words and I thank you for them. "Very difficult times" .... I don't think about Vietnam very often these days. However, that phrase triggers a bit of reflection that reminds me of an anecdote I'd like to take few minutes to relay that pretty much sums up my overview of the conflict in Vietnam. Bear with me while I lay a little groundwork. My father-in-law was a Lt. in the Army Air Corps, more specifically, a navigator on a B-24 that flew the requisite 25 missions over Germany. He was very fortunate in that he made it through unscathed and he was in one of those unfortunate groups where the casualty rate was horrendous as 82% of the personnel compliment didn't make it. Years later in the late 1980's, he and I were sitting in the Atrium at his house sipping some fine scotch and bourbon, respectively (never could understand how he could drink that awful stuff [&:]), and somehow the subject of Vietnam came up. He more or less innocently remarked, "Darn shame we lost that war." Hearing this, I bristled (and I don't bristle much or easily) and stated. "What do you mean we? WE didn't lose that war. You lost that war!" He was somewhat startled and asked what I meant by that. To which I responded .... "It was your generation that was in charge of that war, not ours. And, with all the truly heroic accomplishments of your generation in WWII, you should have known better! If you had let us, we could have won that war in any 60 day period (perhaps a bit of hyperbole on my part [;)]). He smiled wistfully and nodded in agreement .... and we went back to our drinks. Well, enough reminiscing. Time for me to get back to work. Take care. Regards, Alex Craig
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