rlfj: Blog

I received a few questions about the Hesco walls I mentioned. I remember seeing them on television once, and they go together very quickly. You can find out more on wikipedia

In Chapter 38 I introduce Route Malibu. Route Malibu actually existed, and Route Indigo is simply a fictional southern continuation, just like 4th of the 4th is a fictional continuation of 2BCT. Many of the things I have written or will write about Route Indigo are directly taken from descriptions of Route Malibu.

Several people commented on tears coming to their eyes during the scenes at the concert. FYI, when writing those scenes, tears came to mine, too. Worse, I had to read them more than once, for editing purposes, which means the tears came more than once.

Several people asked about the song at the end. Did I have music or more lyrics? Sorry guys, it’s tough enough just putting sentences together. Making things rhyme is well beyond me. As for music, I have many fine talents, but that ain’t one of them. Curiously, as I rode around town on errands, I heard an old hit by the group Toto, whose first big hit was labelled ‘Hold the Line’. Totally different song.

I am always learning things in the stories I write. Chapter 36 is full of that type of thing. There really is an Al Faw Palace, and it really was used as a luxury hotel for VIPs, generals, and entertainers. It was often called the ‘Rick’s Café’ of Iraq, and the troops who worked there actually did have to receive special training in running a hotel. God only knows what the place is like since we turned it all back over to the Iraqis, but I suspect they have fucked it up just like they’ve fucked up the rest of the country.

For those who were curious, there is no Tolley Hunter. She is totally fictitious. The USO is quite real, however, and does a great job of getting performers in front of the troops. The USO reports that 28 performers have died during tours. Several other major performers, such as Glenn Miller, have died on tours, but were actually members of the military and not part of the USO. The military tries to take care of their performers, but it is a war zone, after all. This sort of thing could happen, and the aftermath I describe is quite predictable.

This chapter and the next few will deal with the aftermath of the last battle Grim and his minions were involved in. Not a lot to say, but it should be enjoyable.

For those who’ve never heard of the Valorous Unit Award, it is a real award. According to Federal law:

“The VUA requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. Nevertheless, the unit must have performed with marked distinction under difficult and hazardous conditions in accomplishing its mission so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same conflict. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air is not sufficient. This award will normally be earned by units that have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans.”

The VUA is normally awarded to company or battalion level units but has been given to smaller units. A fire team would be unusual, but it is considered a specific unit of organization in the official Table of Organization and Equipment. An important item to note is that this award is given for action over a short period of time, a specific battle or element of a campaign.

I learn stuff all the time when I’m writing!