Either a Dictator or King he must beome
DEADLY CHARISMA (Pt. 1)
One of the reasons I wanted to start writing here was to help straighten out some of the jumbled memories I have accumulated over the years. Of particular interest to me, (and no one else in all likelihood), are the memories of the last 4 years or so. This time frame encompassed vast changes in my life and psyche. I will be publishing this bit of time largely under the title of Deadly Charisma in serialized bits for easy consumption and to avoid lengthy posts reminiscent of a Wahkonta Anathema comment!
During this time I met one of the most extraordinary men I am likely to ever encounter, SSG Vince Calangelo. You may think I am succumbing to hyperbole here but I assure you that it is not the case. Page on gentle reader and the facts will bear it out. Besides Vince you will meet a supporting cast of eccentric soldiers who are noteworthy in their own novel manners.
The events I will write of here are simply my recollections and not necessarily the stone cold facts so much as my perception of the facts as I knew them to be at the time. I will endeavor to change most if not all of the real names involved both to protect their privacy and to prevent slander lawsuits. Your mileage may vary.
First a bit of setting is necessary. In the winter of 1999 I had left Korea after 4 straight “Ironman” tours, (meaning I didn’t ever leave the peninisula even on leave), and I had arrived at Ft. Hood, Texas as a Sergeant E-5. I was an experienced Korean linguist and Electronic Warfare Operator. In other words a REMF, pogue, or uber-geek. I had separated from my wife and child and just found out that the girlfriend I had for the last 5 months and who had preceded me to Ft. Hood by a month or so had immediately taken up with her old girlfriend upon arrival and had not seen fit to tell me about it. In short I was homeless, alone, and pretty world weary.
Immediately upon signing into Bravo Company 15th MI BN I was enthusiastically greeted by no one except the grizzled old First Sergeant, 1SG Gregarious. In a nutshell he was a cheerful, crusty, old bastard who loved to yell for fun. I immediately warmed to him as did everyone else who has ever met him. No one was working at the time due to it being right in the middle of Christmas exodus so I was given a barracks room and little to do. This might was the best thing that could have happened to me as I was in no mood to deal with others at the time. The PS2 had just come out and $550 was enough to rent one that kept me occupied and distracted.
After a week or so, Exodus was finished and I met the rest of the company en masse all in one day. Enter SSG Vince Calangelo.
To be continued……