My grandfather was to me what your dad was to you. I lived in the city but right near a great smallmouth bass river and, when I was in 7th and 8th grade (1977-78) fur prices were at an all-time high. Me and my best friend swore we’d join the Marines together—my great uncle Charlie was on Guadalcanal and all over the island hopping campaign, and another uncle was a Navy corpsman attached to a unit that was on Iwo Jima. (My aunt would say “He was never right after that.”) I also lived close enough to my uncle Waldo Blue (it’s his actual name) that I would spend September until deer season in his 400 acre farm’s woods. We would listen to the Ohio State games while cleaned our squirrels. My father was incredibly smart and talented—like your dad—but he was physically abusive with me and verbally/mentally abusive to me and my mom. If it hadn’t been for my grandfather, who was a Methodist preacher (but took fishing much more seriously) and my uncle, James R Wilson who lived in Georgia and took me hunting every year after my parents split (he was the editor of Georgia Wildlife magazine for 30 some years) I would be in jail or dead now. Thanks for you AND your son’s and father’s service, and Don—you were a helluva father. I think that’s even more important than anything else. Sorry for that windbag of a text. Semper Fi

Don, being a father of two son and daughter. You sir are a great father, well done. I watched the Shawn Ryan, you raised a warrior, you must be extremely proud!

This is Fantastic! Enjoying every second...Please continue, Sr.

What a great story. We did a similar thing with our only son. Got him the heck out of a small (40k) Midwestern town and moved out in the country when he was about 7. House was built in 1907 out of limestone, huge barn in 1881, chicken coop from the 1800’s, a blacksmith’s shop, this place was owned by a fairly wealthy family but the “yard” alone was 8 acres. I had his butt mowing, painting, working on machines and bought him at 6 his first single shot .410. Hunting, fishing you name it. We truly lived in the country, no town, no city no village just out in the “county.” Boy did he learn EVERYTHING! To the day he’s now 33 with a wife and son, getting him out of the city even a small one taught him how to survive so to speak. And his friends they loved it. Winter camping, building a fire pit and eventually a 45’ by 45’ deck where I bought him a 22’ tipi from Montana. Those boys were set then. Clay pigeon shooting off the deck, camping in the tipi etc. so thanks for the fantastic story as more fathers need to do what we did, helping our kids gain skills in the great outdoors at a young age. Thanks for making me smile about bringing up my son and your great story!

I've been a member for quite awhile and love your site. But I have to say this is some of your best work. I love to hear the dynamics of how you were raised and of how you and Diane raised DJ. Absolutely glued to the computer to hear what made you who you are today.
Not to be remiss, I want to thank Diane for her team work with you as a partner in all of this. The spouses have to be so tuff to keep the home fires burning. Great job!!!

Loving this series! Don is an excellent story teller. I’ve watched DJ’s interview and hearing his upbringing from Don’s perspective is very interesting. Thank you for doing this.

Hello good people sorry I missed the festivities. Got home from dinner last night and not feeling well, flu like symptoms and nasal congestion. Went to bed at 2200 and woke up at 0900. Wuhan rapid test today was negative going back in the morning depending on how I feel. Enjoy your evening and LS.

Johnny Cash - Hurt (Official Music Video)

Snowed in Brevard NC. Visited our kids, stayed at a hotel here and woke up to snow. Tried to leave Transylvania county but got stuck and had to turn around. Wife and I are back at the hotel now. Will try again tomorrow.

This is an editorial in the "Chicago Thinker" from students at the University of Chicago regarding the school's vaccine mandate. While it is a bit of a long read, the is extremely well thought out, reasoned, and sourced. 

Might take a couple of tries as it seems there are those who don't want it to be read.

 For those so inclined here is the link.
https://thechicagothinker.com/editorial-uchicago-must-end-its-booster-mandate-we-are-not-lab-rats/

Watched the shawn ryan interview and wow what a story he has.. God bless you guys!

Apparently there is some new street artist in DC.

Someone should redo Johnny Cash's song. Five ft high and risin. Rework it for Joe, 33 and fallen'

"Father Frank" Who Don talks about in the video proves that you don't have to be a big guy to be a SEAL. It is all in the Mine.

of course, our home is getting snow but its rain here. Thanks who ever left the ropes!

Good Morning Peoples! Freezing rain, good day to just stay inside and watch Football. Long walk out to the Outhouse this morning. "UGH"

Really enjoy these insights into your life. Such immense pride in your son I tried to show my kids too.... haha....,they grew up in rural area and had guns at young ages.
Cheers mate.

https://wgme.com/news/offbeat/goose-flying-upside-down-is-simply-showing-off-say-experts

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (2005 Remaster)

Good Intel on current weather situation


🔴LIVE - Major Winter Storm Coverage - Storm Chasers ON THE GROUND - Live Weather Channel

Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies (Official Music Video)

Good fine morning ESEs and Elegant Echos coffee time! Also V8 juice and beer, a solid round out to start the day 👍

Good Morning. Ing ing. VIETNAM. ! ! And Too You’ze All From Cardinal 🙏🍷Chuck. Oops Time For Confession (. Their A Lot Of Fun 😃😂

Wildwood Weed (Jim Stafford) w- lyrics

LMFAOOOOOOO!!!!


"He's the President Now Baby (And He Don't Even Know His Name") | BUDDY BROWN | Truck Sessions

Rock Candy

A good Jeep off road will do the same!

New Riders of the Purple Sage - Panama Red


New Riders of the Purple Sage - Panama Red

night all.


Johnny Russell "Rednecks White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer"

Afroman - Because I Got High (Official Music Video)

Beck - Loser

Cinderella - Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) (Official Music Video)

Alice In Chains - Man in the Box (Official Video)

Stone Temple Pilots - Sex Type Thing (Official Music Video)

How about one for Mick


Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport - sang by Rolf Harris

Taking a dip down that worm hole...


Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg - Still D.R.E. (Official Video)

Pearl Jam - Even Flow (Official Video)

The Cult - Fire Woman

How times change. This was Billboard Magazine's #1 single of the year in 1966.


The Ballad Of The Green Berets

Seven Nation Army

Son of a Preacher Man

Cecilia

John Fogerty - The Old Man Down the Road HQ (official video)


John Fogerty - The Old Man Down the Road HQ (official video)

Sister Golden Hair

This dedication is going out to my special girl Robin...


Nightbird (2016 Remaster)

December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) (2006 Remaster)

Hey Hef, what time is it ??


Motorhead- Time to Play the Game (lyrics)

puff puff pass


The Tide Is High (Remastered)

y0 H..... WTF time is it?????


Kid Rock - So Hott [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

evening all


The Black Keys "Tighten Up" Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition [Official Audio]

Eric Church - Drink In My Hand (Official Music Video)

Tyler Farr - A Guy Walks Into a Bar

Well I think you both did an outstanding job raising this retired Navy SEAL.

Blonde Star Emergency

More Cow Bell


Moo Cow-a-Sockee

Cheech & Chong - Earache My Eye

Thoroughly enjoying the video. Keep ‘‘em coming Senior.🤗

Getting ready for our dinner tonight, catch up with you folks later👍🇺🇸

I feel like Kurt Caldwell from the new Dexter: New Blood kind of reminds me of someone, although the hair and beard aren't quite as good.

Looks like the same time I was in the Corps. Had to pass through San Diego on my way to a tour on Okinawa. I hated San Diego. All that laid back, unsat, beach bum attitude BS. Was only there a bit over a week but enough for me. I think I passed Eric Clapton on a beach walk.

Awesome Part III. Raised him right!

🇺🇸

JUST IN: National Tsunami Warning Center Update As Waves Hit West Coast Following Volcano Eruption

Awesome part 3 series Senior! Thanks for the video! Also if anyone is wondering what time the music starts tonight just ask Blairzy

Present.

i watched the dj interview- all 4 hours- it reminded of something i saw previous- after a couple of seals died in argentina or the falklands or something- missed appointment?- a seal with higher rank was bitching about the loss he said he didnt think that was the proper use or purpose of seals- i thot seals were more trained up and were supposed to be used for special things like special ops and not for everyday frontline combat or- really- every day kicking in doors- i wonder if higher ranking soldiers should be valuing seals more maybe they shouldnt be sent on missions with sketchy intelligence that turn into traps maybe dj shouldnt have triggered that door opener that concussed him so much just a minute before they abandoned the sketchy trap maybe dj should have valued his seal team members more and NOT made that detonation maybe seals shouldnt be used so much for kicking in doors i wonder what is amphibious about the afghani desert any thots? what is the purpose of seals? sea to land assaults? u kinda far from the ocean

Again, am absolutely loving all the photos. Hope y'all been enjoying your Saturday 😊

These are the best videos that you’ve ever done Senior Chief. Bravo and thank you.

Back From Poker 2nd Week in A Row. I Lost It’s low Stakes But I Got A Reputation To Uphold This Is Embarrassing The Vatican Threatening To Demote Me To Bishop 😂. Excuse Me While I Go. Meditate By Myself

Looking for something to watch tonight ?? Once again Uncle Dana and the UFC are leading the way in combat sports. Tonight live from the Apex Facility in Las Vegas, UFC Fight Night. Another free event for the loyal fans. Preliminary card starts at 5PM EST. The Main card starts at 7PM EST. Both cards will be shown on ESPN. This is the first of many great events to come in 2022. Enjoy the fights or whatever it is you folks have planned for tonight.

  Don I am impressed that you supresed Rightful Fatherly Pride, and kept mum on your Operator untill He was ready to tell it.
Bravo

snowing here, BIG flakes coming down pretty good, last I knew "they" say only gettin bout an inch of snow

On deck, afternoon Echo Plt. (Thx EWS)

I watched the entire 4 hour and 38 minutes of DJ’s interview with Shawn Ryan and you and Diane raised one hellava’ warrior.
In the interview he describes how the .45 round stuck in one of his magazines (that hangs on the wall in your office) saved his life.
That kid has been through the ringer …

On deck, afternoon Echo Plt. (Thx EWS)

Don's always had his shit together! Can't wait for the next episode. Well what can't wait is this report...
back to it! Chat later.

Just in time...Thanks EWS...... writing recap reports from the week in Dallas, Needed a break!
Gonna watch now 😀

thank ya Senior, looking forward to more!

rollin in at 7th and where is Chuck's red carpet???

Hard Six For The Cardinal 🍷And The Corps

Loving this series. Don taking us right through his life as a Seal and a father.

Hello folks

woot!

Good series !!

Hi everyone

Enjoying this series