Michael D. "Moon" Mullins with his usual flair has found a perfect way to bring life to the stories of America's Warriors. His lyrical way with words has opened a window into the past that is closing much too quickly. Out of the Mist, Memories of War touches the soul and brings the reader to a deep understanding of the sacrifices made by those ready to stand in the breach. - D. H. Brown, Award-winning author of Honor Defended, Board member of Military Writers Society of America, Vietnam Veteran

Out of the Mist, Memories of Memories of War

By Michael D. "Moon" Mullins

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Michael D. "Moon" Mullins
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-5140-3

Contents

Preface/Acknowledgements................................................ixIntroduction............................................................xiSergeant Joe Thomas, World War II POW...................................2Shoelaces...............................................................4The Eye of Darkness.....................................................9Old Claude..............................................................19Saturday Night Surprise.................................................26A Walk in the Clouds....................................................34The Edge of Horror......................................................58BOHICA — For Real.................................................68A Woman's Life, Touched by War..........................................78Out of the Mist.........................................................83Peace has its Price.....................................................107A Pair of Queens........................................................112A Quiet Man Talks.......................................................128His Lucky Day...........................................................149Flint...................................................................162Moody Ripsaw............................................................169Sportster-Slim..........................................................178Never on Sunday — Until Now.......................................187Wilbur and Carol, a Love Story..........................................200The Moon in 'Nam........................................................208A Day in April..........................................................209Southwest of Saigon.....................................................213That was Close..........................................................215Scared Awake............................................................218Just One More Step......................................................220Bone Chilling Times.....................................................222On the River Bank.......................................................224The Descent.............................................................226The Groves..............................................................230My Purple Heart.........................................................231Vietnam Vets — the Embers of Anger................................240Serving America — It has been a family affair.....................246Leaving the Wire........................................................262Blinded.................................................................264Infantry................................................................265Here You Stand..........................................................266He is Home..............................................................268Down in His Cups........................................................271Through My Eyes.........................................................273The Torch...............................................................275Loneliness..............................................................279One Serves, One Stays...................................................281The Third Time..........................................................283Doobie Chats............................................................286The VA, a tough bus to catch............................................326Today I Cried...........................................................329Our VA..................................................................335No Room in the Room, er, uh, System.....................................342Awakened Again..........................................................345PTSD Compensation examination results...................................347Saving Grace............................................................351Index...................................................................357

Chapter One

Sergeant Joe Thomas, World War II POW

I walked into American Legion Post #46 in Tipton, IN, one evening seeking permission for a book signing event. My book, Vietnam in Verse, poetry for beer drinkers, had been released a few weeks earlier and I wanted to do a signing in my home county. It was a quiet evening with few people seated at the bar. My eyes adjusted to the dimly-lit room and I scanned the faces, hoping to see someone who could answer my question. Getting permission to sell books in Legion homes has not been a good experience for me, even though I am a 30-year member. Each time I think about that I wonder why. I think they should welcome me. They should be fertile soil for what I do, especially since I donate so much of the proceeds to things supporting veterans. Organizational support is non-existent, but in many ways that is understandable. Too many of us write for any group to select whom it supports unless you are fortunate enough to be politically connected. I am blessed, however. What I learn from the people who I meet in the various veterans' settings is incredible, although most of that has been gleaned at other places than in Legion or VFW bars. This visit was about to prove a wonderful exception to previous experiences.

I sat at the end of the bar until the bartender had a chance to speak to me, at which point I asked for an officer. Fortunately, the commander was there and we chatted a while, setting a date for my book signing. The Ladies Auxiliary leader, a woman with whom I've worked for years, arrived before I left and offered me a warm welcome. The atmosphere changed around me. An older member came in behind her and took a stool at the end of the bar. A beer magically appeared in front of him and people greeted him in a way that spoke of a status reserved for someone very special. My friend Virginia introduced me to Joe Thomas, World War II veteran and former Prisoner of War. I shook his hand, got a hug, and another beer appeared. I realized I was in the presence of the royalty of our world.

Another older member joined us and fueled the conversation. The second gentleman was a Korean War era veteran who had served in the Air Force in stateside duty, but he urged Joe to share at least a little of his story with me. They chatted with each other and I became an interested spectator. I heard the end of his story that night and went home to write a tribute poem. Two weeks later, I returned to share it with him. Joe was pleased. If nobody ever saw it but him I had accomplished my goal. I presented him a gift from my heart. Within days, I heard from his family. A niece asked me for a copy. She told me that I had said things in a way that meant more to the family than I could imagine. Words like that are scarce and give me purpose I never expected when I began my journey into the writing world.

Two weeks later, I returned to Post #46 looking for Joe. I was told he would be there soon — he walks the few blocks from his home every day, weather permitting. The walk is Joe's exercise and the Legion a large part of his social life. His stool is empty usually. If not, it will be. I took a seat nearby and waited, soft drink in hand. The smell of the grill forced me to order a cheeseburger and fries. That Legion Post knows how to do a good old greasy burger the way fast food joints do not understand. I was half way through the dripping burger...