Wisdom is a long-cherished wish to the believer. He takes it from wherever he listens to it; and he does not mind from where it came out.
Prophet Muhammad (s) as as narrated by Ibn Hibban.
Proverbs 1:6-7
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise
Indeed it is nubile wisdom that I seek as my lover; therefore it would be prudent and wise just to let these timeless words speak for themselves!
Proverbs 4: 5-9
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."
Proverbs 8: 1-36
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:
"To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.
Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning all of them are right;
they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power.
By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;
by me princes govern,
and all nobles who rule on earth. [1]
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
bestowing wealth on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, [2] , [3]
before his deeds of old;
I was appointed [4] from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began.
When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
when there were no springs abounding with water;
before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
before he made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world.
I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
"Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD .
But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death."
There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.
-- Ayn Rand.
They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
-- Benjamin Franklin
Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth." Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path." For the soul walks upon all paths. The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed. The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.
-- Khalil Gibran
It is not only necessary to love, it is necessary to say so.
-- French proverb.
Dear one, thanks for the inspiration!
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Respect the Dead by Honoring the Living
To those who bravely endeavor to seek liberty and justice for all. This is a salute to the special people in our lives. A good opportunity to show our abiding love and respect to all those who by their noble and gracious deeds continue to fight the good fight.
It is to these I am most grateful, the kinfolk and friends that despite adversity, continue to carry on the highest traditions of our divine human nature. It is only by living a good life filled with love and compassion; thus being an inspiration to others. That we can truly honor those who have preceded us in life. As we are indeed their living testimony.
It is good that we also honor the war dead, This I do without hesitation, but not just the military. I also acknowledge the millions of men, women. children who lost their lives to the horrors and evil of war.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...
It is to these I am most grateful, the kinfolk and friends that despite adversity, continue to carry on the highest traditions of our divine human nature. It is only by living a good life filled with love and compassion; thus being an inspiration to others. That we can truly honor those who have preceded us in life. As we are indeed their living testimony.
It is good that we also honor the war dead, This I do without hesitation, but not just the military. I also acknowledge the millions of men, women. children who lost their lives to the horrors and evil of war.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Little Things Mean A Lot
I've got to get my groove back, I have made too many dear friends to be derelict or despairing. I'm not willing to let a single one of you down. You have shown me in so many wonderful little ways how much you care. It is now my delightful duty to return the blessing you have given to me. We are all in this boat together! So let us unfurl the banner of love; as we cast our sails on this sea of life, and make the most of it.
Oh yes, I have loved that song for as long as I can remember.
Little Things.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...
Oh yes, I have loved that song for as long as I can remember.
Little Things.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Julie A. Manhan ...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
In The Hot Seat
From the Philippines to Madagascar and all stations in between.
I have noble friends who are riding on the political edge.
Endeavoring to make a stand at the risk of life and fortune; for the sake of their people.
I stand aghast at the events that have been unfolding, as nations awaken to the vast conspiracy that has robbed the people of their freedom and wealth. NO they were not content with that! The also seek to enslave the future. Unbridled fascism grows as despots desperately cling to power. The people of earth have never been so raped and brutalized by the Evil of Greed, and the Lust for Power.
In the name of FREEDOM, I see a world wide revolution coming.
The like of, has never been seen before. To be sure it will not be a bloodless one. The Devil will not give up without a fight. Even here in this great land of America; the people are seeing the writing on the wall, and are arming themselves in unprecedented numbers. At this point I would prefer to run and hide myself away, if not for the courage of these brave women. As long as there are strong God fearing hearts; the light of the people shall not extinguished!
I have noble friends who are riding on the political edge.
Endeavoring to make a stand at the risk of life and fortune; for the sake of their people.
I stand aghast at the events that have been unfolding, as nations awaken to the vast conspiracy that has robbed the people of their freedom and wealth. NO they were not content with that! The also seek to enslave the future. Unbridled fascism grows as despots desperately cling to power. The people of earth have never been so raped and brutalized by the Evil of Greed, and the Lust for Power.
In the name of FREEDOM, I see a world wide revolution coming.
The like of, has never been seen before. To be sure it will not be a bloodless one. The Devil will not give up without a fight. Even here in this great land of America; the people are seeing the writing on the wall, and are arming themselves in unprecedented numbers. At this point I would prefer to run and hide myself away, if not for the courage of these brave women. As long as there are strong God fearing hearts; the light of the people shall not extinguished!
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
The Man In the Doorway
I was looking up a song for a friend, but when I saw this on YouTube; I just had to to drop everything, and look it up.
"Note: The man in the door could be the gunner on the right or the crew chief on the left."
I was only in the air one time, that one trip in a Bell UH-1 Iroquois made it easy for me to see why these flying tin cans were loved, yet regarded as a notorious death trap for the crew.
Yet day after day, these gallant young men were willing to take the risk, and valiantly gave their all, in the name of freedom; or so they thought.
Sometimes, it is the bad guys who win. Sometimes, it is for our lack of fortitude and courage; that we let them. As fathers sons mothers and daughters in every nation; Many a brave sentinel of freedom, gave and will give their all. As they nobly take up the banner now, and in the future. Let us take heart, and let not their precious lives go in vain.
The Man In the Doorway
The Man In The Doorway....a poem by Michael Ryerson, USMC, FAC, 1966-1968, RVN "michaelryerson@sbcglobal.net" Email Michael Ryerson
Tribute to the Door Gunner
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward and we raced for the open doorways. This was always the worst for us, we couldn't hear anything and our backs were turned to the tree line.
The best you could hope for was a sign on the face of the man in the doorway, leaning out waiting to help with a tug or to lay down some lead.
Sometimes you could glance quickly at his face and pick up a clue as to what was about to happen. We would pitch ourselves in headfirst and tumble against the scuffed riveted aluminum, grab for a handhold and will that son-of-a-bitch into the air.
Sometimes the deck was slick with blood or worse,
sometimes something had been left in the shadows under the web seats, sometimes they landed in a shallow river to wash them out.
Sometimes they were late,
sometimes...they were parked in some other LZ with their rotors turning a lazy arc, a ghost crew strapped in once too often, motionless, waiting for their own lift, their own bags, once too often into the margins.
The getting on and the getting off were the worst for us but this was all he knew, the man in the doorway, he was always standing there in the noise, watching, urging...swinging out with his gun, grabbing the black plastic and heaving, leaning out and spitting, spitting the taste away, as though it would go away...
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward and began to kick the boxes out, bouncing against the skids, piling up on each other, food and water, and bullets...a thousand pounds of C's, warm water and rounds, 7.62mm, half a ton of life and death.
And when the deck was clear, we would pile the bags, swing them against their weight and throw them through the doorway, his doorway, onto his deck and nod and he'd speak into that little mic and they'd go nose down and lift into their last flight, their last extraction.
Sometimes he'd raise a thumb or perhaps a fist or sometimes just a sly, knowing smile, knowing we were staying and he was going but also knowing he'd be back, he'd be back in a blink, standing in the swirling noise and the rotor wash, back to let us rush through his door and skid across his deck and will that son-of-a-bitch into the air.
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward, kicked out the boxes and slipped the litter across the deck and sometimes he'd lean down and hold the IV and brush the dirt off of a bloodless face, or hold back the flailing arms and the tears, a thumbs-up to the right seat and you're only minutes away from the white sheets and the saws and the plasma.
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward and we'd never hear that sound again without feeling our stomachs go just a bit weightless, listen just a bit closer for the gunfire and look up for the man in the doorway.
Mike Ryerson was an 0844/0846 with 11th Marines at Chu Lai (hill 69)
and then an FO with 5thMarines for a while before being transferred to 3rd MarDiv,
12th Marines(hill55) and then to the DMZ (Dong Ha, Charlie 2, Con Thien) with 4th and
9th Marines. Feb '66 to Mar '68(yes, 25 months!) michaelryerson@sbcglobal.net
Casualty Statistics of Air Ambulance Crews
Statistics confirm that air ambulance pilots and crewmen were at risk of being injured, wounded, or killed during their one-year tour. About 1,400 Army commissioned and warrant officers served as air ambulance pilots in the war, one of the most dangerous types of aviation in Vietnam. About forty aviators (both commanders and pilots) were killed by hostile fire or crashes induced by hostile fire. Another 180 were wounded or injured as a result of hostile fire. Another forty-eight were killed and about two hundred injured as a result of non-hostile crashes, many at night and in bad weather while on evacuation missions.
These totals mean that slightly more than one-third of the aviators became casualties in their work, and the crew chiefs and medical corpsmen who accompanied them suffered similarly. Furthermore, helicopter ambulance missions in the Vietnam War were lost to hostile fire at a rate 3.3 times higher than other aviation missions. Even compared to the loss rate for non-medical helicopters on combat missions, the ambulance loss was 1.5 times higher. Warrant officer aviators, who occasionally arrived in South Vietnam without medical training or an assignment to a unit, were sometimes warned that air ambulance work was a good way to get killed.
This next one about killed me, the young man favors so much, one of my nephews, I had more than a few tears myself.
A TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN CORPSMAN OF THE VIETNAM WAR
The cost of the helicopter war was high, 2202 Huey pilots were killed: The Army lost 2,249 to hostile fire—more than half of them Hueys—and 2,075 to accidents; the Marines lost 424 to all causes. Between 1966 and 1971, one Army helicopter was lost for every 7.9 sorties—564 pilots, 1,155 crewmen, and 682 passengers were killed in accidents alone. More Hueys were downed in Vietnam than any other type of aircraft.
1st Lt. James Phillip Fleming Distinguished himself as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F Iroquois, transport helicopter when he aided a Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force on 26 November 1968. The call was heard by Captain Fleming’s five ship Green Hornet flight. Two gunships and three transport helicopters arrived to find the team trapped on three sides with their backs to an impassable river. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing the 6-man Green Beret team, who were surrounded and besieged by the enveloping reinforced N.V.A positions, near Duc Co, Vietnam.
"THE VIETNAM WAR touched a generation of Americans with its human tragedy, sacrifice, and strife. In terms of casualties, it was the fourth most costly war in American history. However, despite a monumental military effort and modern technology, the war was lost as support from the American public and its elected officials waned. Now, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, as we embark on what might well be another protracted war, lessons from the Vietnam experience become relevant. On a positive note, a refined system for the triage, management, and evacuation of wounded military personnel evolved in Vietnam. A wounded soldier could actually be at a well-equipped base hospital within minutes after injury. At those facilities, casualties had a more than 90% chance of survival, despite some of the most horrific wounds in the history of warfare."
Kelly, Patrick J. M.D.
"Note: The man in the door could be the gunner on the right or the crew chief on the left."
I was only in the air one time, that one trip in a Bell UH-1 Iroquois made it easy for me to see why these flying tin cans were loved, yet regarded as a notorious death trap for the crew.
Yet day after day, these gallant young men were willing to take the risk, and valiantly gave their all, in the name of freedom; or so they thought.
Sometimes, it is the bad guys who win. Sometimes, it is for our lack of fortitude and courage; that we let them. As fathers sons mothers and daughters in every nation; Many a brave sentinel of freedom, gave and will give their all. As they nobly take up the banner now, and in the future. Let us take heart, and let not their precious lives go in vain.
The Man In the Doorway
The Man In The Doorway....a poem by Michael Ryerson, USMC, FAC, 1966-1968, RVN "michaelryerson@sbcglobal.net" Email Michael Ryerson
Tribute to the Door Gunner
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward and we raced for the open doorways. This was always the worst for us, we couldn't hear anything and our backs were turned to the tree line.
The best you could hope for was a sign on the face of the man in the doorway, leaning out waiting to help with a tug or to lay down some lead.
Sometimes you could glance quickly at his face and pick up a clue as to what was about to happen. We would pitch ourselves in headfirst and tumble against the scuffed riveted aluminum, grab for a handhold and will that son-of-a-bitch into the air.
Sometimes the deck was slick with blood or worse,
sometimes something had been left in the shadows under the web seats, sometimes they landed in a shallow river to wash them out.
Sometimes they were late,
sometimes...they were parked in some other LZ with their rotors turning a lazy arc, a ghost crew strapped in once too often, motionless, waiting for their own lift, their own bags, once too often into the margins.
The getting on and the getting off were the worst for us but this was all he knew, the man in the doorway, he was always standing there in the noise, watching, urging...swinging out with his gun, grabbing the black plastic and heaving, leaning out and spitting, spitting the taste away, as though it would go away...
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward and began to kick the boxes out, bouncing against the skids, piling up on each other, food and water, and bullets...a thousand pounds of C's, warm water and rounds, 7.62mm, half a ton of life and death.
And when the deck was clear, we would pile the bags, swing them against their weight and throw them through the doorway, his doorway, onto his deck and nod and he'd speak into that little mic and they'd go nose down and lift into their last flight, their last extraction.
Sometimes he'd raise a thumb or perhaps a fist or sometimes just a sly, knowing smile, knowing we were staying and he was going but also knowing he'd be back, he'd be back in a blink, standing in the swirling noise and the rotor wash, back to let us rush through his door and skid across his deck and will that son-of-a-bitch into the air.
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward, kicked out the boxes and slipped the litter across the deck and sometimes he'd lean down and hold the IV and brush the dirt off of a bloodless face, or hold back the flailing arms and the tears, a thumbs-up to the right seat and you're only minutes away from the white sheets and the saws and the plasma.
They came in low and hot, close to the trees and dropped their tail in a flare, rocked forward and we'd never hear that sound again without feeling our stomachs go just a bit weightless, listen just a bit closer for the gunfire and look up for the man in the doorway.
Mike Ryerson was an 0844/0846 with 11th Marines at Chu Lai (hill 69)
and then an FO with 5thMarines for a while before being transferred to 3rd MarDiv,
12th Marines(hill55) and then to the DMZ (Dong Ha, Charlie 2, Con Thien) with 4th and
9th Marines. Feb '66 to Mar '68(yes, 25 months!) michaelryerson@sbcglobal.net
Casualty Statistics of Air Ambulance Crews
Statistics confirm that air ambulance pilots and crewmen were at risk of being injured, wounded, or killed during their one-year tour. About 1,400 Army commissioned and warrant officers served as air ambulance pilots in the war, one of the most dangerous types of aviation in Vietnam. About forty aviators (both commanders and pilots) were killed by hostile fire or crashes induced by hostile fire. Another 180 were wounded or injured as a result of hostile fire. Another forty-eight were killed and about two hundred injured as a result of non-hostile crashes, many at night and in bad weather while on evacuation missions.
These totals mean that slightly more than one-third of the aviators became casualties in their work, and the crew chiefs and medical corpsmen who accompanied them suffered similarly. Furthermore, helicopter ambulance missions in the Vietnam War were lost to hostile fire at a rate 3.3 times higher than other aviation missions. Even compared to the loss rate for non-medical helicopters on combat missions, the ambulance loss was 1.5 times higher. Warrant officer aviators, who occasionally arrived in South Vietnam without medical training or an assignment to a unit, were sometimes warned that air ambulance work was a good way to get killed.
This next one about killed me, the young man favors so much, one of my nephews, I had more than a few tears myself.
A TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN CORPSMAN OF THE VIETNAM WAR
The cost of the helicopter war was high, 2202 Huey pilots were killed: The Army lost 2,249 to hostile fire—more than half of them Hueys—and 2,075 to accidents; the Marines lost 424 to all causes. Between 1966 and 1971, one Army helicopter was lost for every 7.9 sorties—564 pilots, 1,155 crewmen, and 682 passengers were killed in accidents alone. More Hueys were downed in Vietnam than any other type of aircraft.
1st Lt. James Phillip Fleming Distinguished himself as Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F Iroquois, transport helicopter when he aided a Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force on 26 November 1968. The call was heard by Captain Fleming’s five ship Green Hornet flight. Two gunships and three transport helicopters arrived to find the team trapped on three sides with their backs to an impassable river. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing the 6-man Green Beret team, who were surrounded and besieged by the enveloping reinforced N.V.A positions, near Duc Co, Vietnam.
"THE VIETNAM WAR touched a generation of Americans with its human tragedy, sacrifice, and strife. In terms of casualties, it was the fourth most costly war in American history. However, despite a monumental military effort and modern technology, the war was lost as support from the American public and its elected officials waned. Now, in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, as we embark on what might well be another protracted war, lessons from the Vietnam experience become relevant. On a positive note, a refined system for the triage, management, and evacuation of wounded military personnel evolved in Vietnam. A wounded soldier could actually be at a well-equipped base hospital within minutes after injury. At those facilities, casualties had a more than 90% chance of survival, despite some of the most horrific wounds in the history of warfare."
Kelly, Patrick J. M.D.
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