Embedded Files
"Happy is the man who, like Ulysses, has made a glorious voyage, or has won the Golden Fleece, and then returns, experienced and knowledgeable, to spend the rest of his life among his family." ~ Joachim du Bellay
In Brief
I'm an Alabama Boy living in Virginia with my wife, among kids and grandkids, between the Blue Ridge and beaches, surrounded by battlefields. I married a beautiful Birmingham Girl. She and I have settled in the Old Dominion to be close to our family.
I grew up in Birmingham, the middle son of a railroad man and a country girl.
I am a retired career soldier, joining the Army at twenty-three and staying for twenty-four years.
I served as a scout and infantryman in the 82nd Airborne for seventeen years. I'm a Master Parachutist and wear the Combat Infantry Badge. The Army assigned me to NATO in Izmir, Turkey, three times, for two years on Her Majesty’s Service in the British Parachute Regiment, and to teach ROTC at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). I am a graduate of Class 47 of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
After the Army, I worked at VMI for over sixteen years as the Corps and Institute Sergeant Major. I stayed there too long, becoming a tired old man. I left just in time.
More
After 41 years, I removed my uniform and promised I would never put it back on. I haven't. I no longer use my rank, and I won't answer to it. My name is John.
Unlike my uniformed days, I have plenty of free time for family, travel, and hobbies. It is a better way of life.
I've slowed down a lot. I do only one thing on my to-do list each day. Most days, I walk the trails around my house, visit one of the many parks in the area, or scour a local battlefield. I spend cold and rainy days in my office writing, working on this site, doing family research, or reading. Some evenings, I am out back with my telescopes.
Saying I'm an avid photographer would be an understatement; I take photos of everything.
I spend so much time with my grandchildren that I am in danger of becoming a nice guy.
The Name and Panther
The name for my site comes from those early days of the internet and e-mail. Looking for an address, every combination was taken. I added my regiment to my last name and became neel505 at AOL. I kept the moniker for my site and just about everything.
My panther comes from the 505th Parachute Regiment's unit crest. That panther is for the regiment; this one is mine.
Too Much More—Blah, Blah, Blah, Yak, Yak, Yak
I'm a typical Middle Kid. My brothers were studious, well-behaved, and educated at the same liberal arts college, you know - Tools. I'm not the smartest of the three, just the best-looking. Of course I'm kidding—I'm way more intelligent than those two frat boys.
I double-space between sentences, do not think "disrespect" is a verb, and conjugate plead as "plead, pled, pled." I love commas and put them anywhere and everywhere. My spelling sucks. I do not do Math.
I use Army rank abbreviations and 24-hour time. Sorry Bout That, AP Stylebook.
I call my friends Mate. Cheers means goodbye, good luck, thank you, and Let's Drink. I speak just enough Turkish to get where I'm going, order food, and get myself in and out of trouble. I often speak in movie quotes and will expect you to get the reference. If I call you "Bobo" or "Sports Fan," treat both as terms of endearment.
I was a bad student, educating myself with the Encyclopedia Britannica and World Book. I have an inner need to impress people with my intelligence. Ask me a simple question, and you'll get an exhaustive answer, with historical context. Take Notes.
I read a lot, mostly Sci-Fi, science, biographies, and history.
Politics, politicians, and people who can't talk about anything else piss me off. I haven't liked a president since Ronald Reagan.
I'm a Music Snob. My tastes are forever stuck in the '60s and early '70s. To me, the Beatles and their bubblegum music still suck. Dan Fogelberg remains my favorite Artist. I like old Springsteen before he became so socially conscious. The Eagles are the best group ever.
I'm an Auburn Fan. War-damn-Eagle! Pity Me.
If you want to delude yourself by believing in a supreme being, that's fine with me, as long as you do not attempt to impose your superstitious taboos upon me or step on my toes. I do not believe in gods. Don't think you can convert me; you will only run away, doubting your security blanket beliefs and crying. True Story.
I am mostly tolerant of idiots, but do not expect me to buy into your lies, delusions, perversions, or recreational anger.
I am a proud American Southerner, white, male, a Baby Boomer, and a well-armed and trained Life Member of the NRA. I say Ma'am and Sir, hold doors, tip my hat, and wave at total strangers. I will refer to you by your proper pronouns and will not care if it hurts your little feelings. My heroes are Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Turner Ashby, and JEB Stewart. I use a Pixel Phone, Windows Computers, and all things Google. I detest your grammar-school-girl Apple products. Deal With It!
Pleased to meet ya,
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse