Military Sniper's One Mile - Kill Shot (Not make-believe)

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:38:04 EDT
Subject: OPEN IN PRIVATE Fwd: One Mile Kill Shot (UNCLASSIFIED)To: undisclosed-recipients:;

IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH, DON'T cut & paste & OPEN THIS.
It shows actual recent combat footage of sniper kills of insurgent bad guys from a mile away in order to save outnumbered Marines in contact. It shows "red wall" aftereffects. I know that's what our 20mm gatling guns did on our Air Force AC-130 "Spectre" Gunship but at 3000 - 6000 feet AGL (& a longer slant range) & no sniper scope, we just KNEW what it was doing (making a "red mist") and we didn't have to see it. That seeing-it repeatedly, even of enemy soldiers, can and HAS caused many troops PTSD nightmares & flashbacks. It can be readily cured if addressed in a PROFESSIONAL Combat Veterans PTSD therapy group such as the VA and Vet Centers have provided for the last 20 years.

Troops are inclined to do the exact WRONG thing and deny it and try to numb out with alcohol & drugs so they don't have to face it. One can never get away from their own memory or mind, tho. Working THROUGH it, one has to deal with it in a supportive group of other vets to see it is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation or environment. Then, THEY CAN READJUST TO FUNCTIONING NORMALLY IN A LESS ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENT.

Cheers, RICH
Cut & Paste if you choose to see it.
http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=219051&ESRC=army-a.nl

HNT #71 - My latest tattoo addition!!

Note the medal in the middle: the Meritorious Service Medal! Awarded in my case for continuous & constant, sustained support and work throughout 4 years at the United States Air Force Academy: 60 - 80 hours each week, & no 0vertime pay for uniformed military! It is depicted here in the correct order of precedence between the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and the Air Medal.

I was awarded 8 other medals & multiple Oak Leaf Clusters, but I want to highlight my career with just these 3 highest here! They attest to the fact that I served my country well & honorably!

A couple of weeks earlier, I had my forearm band totally re-inked to brighten the colors. Tattoo wearers (collectors) need to use SPF 100 to preserve their tats (esp. colors) from sunlight; I had been incorrectly told SPF 50 was sufficient. This forearm band appears to be a Celtic design but it has a military/naval history. This is a very simple version of the Turk's Head Knot that ancient mariners used to while away the hours by tying them around the wooden masts of the old sailing ships. The US Navy used them for ceremonial decorations until very recently. General Lord Baden-Powell adapted this knot as a neckerchief slide for recognition of his highest trained Scoutmasters, those graduating the "Wood Badge" course. [I'm proud to be a "Wood Badger," myself.]

Here's how they all look together:

Tommy is the artist at Mike Sizemore's "Kill Em All Tattoo" in Clearwater, FL who re-inked the armband. Mike did all the other work seen here + my Gangster Girlie portrait on the inside of the arm; with 15 years' experience & excellent portrait ability, he's worth the $150/hr charge.

But Tommy ($100/hr) & I have figured out how to finish this half-sleeve with a consistent patriotic theme: All visible parts open around these tatts will show red & white stripes like the US flag unfurling as the background. My shoulder will be topped by various size negative (white) stars at the top surrounded by bright blue outside the stars fading out further away. I'd like to have a few stars closer to the neck and a few falling off on the sides of the flag. FREE stars, not in any tight pattern! (Now that I am finally fairly free in my life.)

Only a very special reason will lead me to add anymore tattoos beyond this half-sleeve. If a new girl I love gives the OK, I'll probably add a small, anonymous portrait of her perfect breasts to one corner of my chest so I can enjoy her beauty whenever I want! Proof that I will NEVER forget her! A tattoo's forever!