Dennis1209

Reading one of your posts brought back another forgotten memory...   Prior to boot camp I was in what was called "reception station" for 4-5 days before I got assigned to a basic training company. Got issued our fatigues, name tags, TA-50, etc. and did all our paper work in processing. Three hots and a cot, not much to do, cool gear... Hey, I'm really, really going to like this Army service thing! Even got a request form to fill out for where you would like to be stationed. I believe I put down Hawaii and Alaska if I remember correctly?   Finally on the 4th or 5th day we were told we were leaving for our on base training barracks and meeting our drill instructors (D.I.'S), formation in front, now. Loaded into the buses and took the short ride to our destination. Buss stops in front of some nice new barracks and a half dozen of these neat looking guys in crisp O.D. green fatigues wearing nice Smokey the Bear hats are standing there looking at us. Hey, this military life sure agrees with me.   24 hours later... What the hell have I got myself into :ugh:

As the old saying goes, "keep your AR close, and your pistol even closer". <The Book of Dennis, chapter 3, vs. 17, NDV, New Dennis Version>   I'm in the same boat, my driveway is 150 yards from the road and I see suspicious activity on occasion. A few weeks ago I had my mailbox intentionally run over, along with many other mailboxes in the county. We have crime here too like anywhere else and no doubt criminals out driving slow mostly during the night scoping out their next theft, vandalism or victim.   Unfortunately, the law doesn't allow me to confront suspicious people and vehicles off my property. Hell, I can't even legally protect my property on my property without becoming the criminal.   I am considering buying an outside surveillance camera system with record, night vision and zoom. It's a sad state of affairs when you have to resort to wasting more funds to protect self and property. It's even sadder when by law a criminal trespassing on your property meaning to steal from you or doing you / your family harm has any rights what-so-ever.   Not much you can do other than reporting it to your local report takers off property. On your property, best run and hide and let them have what they want or risk legal trouble, law suites and financial ruin.

Range brass thieves and Lot Lizards, the scourge of the world I'm telling ya...

Thought a light thread on some of your military memories would be fun and nostalgic.   Basic training, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO., 1970:   Had to hang a sign on the foot of my bunk bed for 3:00 A.M. so the C.Q. runner got me up for my first KP (Kitchen Patrol) duty in basic training. The rotating hourly trainee fire guard pacing the hallway for no apparent reason wasn't allowed to wake anyone. The E-2 C.Q. runner had to loudly barge in and yell at the top of his lungs, "get up, get up trainee"...   Getting up, showering, shaving, getting dressed to military standards, making my bunk tight enough to bounce a quarter off of in "ten" minutes was quite a feat! Anywho, reported to the mess Sergeant for duty on time. Because in Army basic training there's nothing not on time unless you're a glutton for punishment.   My rank at the time was "E" nothing and I was being yelled at "DRO" come here, do this, do that? What the heck is DRO and was never told and dare not ask. There were PFC'S (E-3) on mess staff yelling at me to do this and this. Being a private E-Zero, I thought a PFC was almost God, much-less someone who had more stripes!   Preparing for afternoon mess, my military Deity called me and another basic trainee to sit down here on a pickle bucket and peel these potato's, with one of those little hand peelers. I should mention at this point our mess hall fed the entire battalion. We had to haul out all the potato's from the storage room, fifty pound sacks at a time. I'm here to state, the entire state of Idaho doesn't produce this amount of potato's in a year!   We're getting yelled at to hurry up and peel faster... We're doing our very best and now it's about time to start cooking them, and we're only 1/4 done peeling them. Times up, now we get a severe chewing out with some select words frequently used to describe us trainees. Then we're instructed to take all the unpeeled potato's you so-and-so trainees over to them two huge stainless steel appliances over there and dump them in. Come to find out, they're stainless steel potato peelers, and in short order they are all peeled, but maybe half their original size. We're thinking, what the heck, why didn't they just use them in the first place? That was my first experience on why I loved the Army so much and spent a couple of decades in their ranks.   My second experience...   Wrapping up evening mess and everything is about clean (8:00 P.M.) and I'm pooped and ready to go back to the barracks and get all the sweat and grease off me. Here comes the E-6 (Staff Sergeant) mess Sergeant toward us and we snap to "parade rest" awaiting his instruction to return to your company. He states that me and two other trainees are going to clean out the grease trap before we are released.   At eighteen years old I thought, no problem, let's get this done in a hurry and back to the barracks. My eyes are shifting back and forth to a number of sinks and wonder which one(s) needed cleaning!   The Mess Sergeant directs one of his PFC'S to take us and get the pump, shovels and barrels. I'm thinking...   I'm here to tell you in no uncertain terms... If you've never pumped and shoveled the most vile stinking sludge ever known to man...   Some things just stick in your nostrils, you know?   In hind sight, what an experience and went from boy to man faster than natural progression. Did I mention I love the Army?

We don't care for soldiers here in Clarksville!   Yep, as an inmate that's what I was told by a couple of jailers at the Clarksville, TN. Jail house. I sure hope times have changed and they treat their returning veterans better than when I was there in 1973. The Clarksville PD made prey of the Ft. Campbell soldiers and that's an undisputed fact by people who served at Ft. Campbell back in that era. I'm still bitter and always bi-pass that hell hole when I have to travel that way.   It's my experience all military towns and law enforcement resent military personnel and are out to take advantage of them financially and berate them.   One of numerous examples: In 1973 I recently returned from my second combat tour in Viet Nam and was assigned to Ft. Campbell, KY. after my 30 day leave. Due to my rank I immediately rented an apartment somewhere outside of Erin, TN.   One morning I was running late to make 6:00 A.M. formation, and as any military man knows, it's not good to miss or be late to muster! So, to try and make muster on time, the ole Camero exceeded the posted speed limit on the backwoods country roads. At that time of the morning and in BFE ain't going to be any cops and I can make up some time... WRONG!   Got pulled over and a citation issued, maybe 15-20 MPH over the limit. O.K., no big deal, life goes on and I'll deal with it when the time comes. Guilty as sin of speeding! I think I'll try and beat the ticket because money is money after all and I've sure earned mine and want to keep as much of it as possible. So, instead of sending in the payment for the ticket, I decide to try and fight it in court by myself as a 21 year old. Stupid is as stupid does at that age?   Court day at the Clarksville, TN. Courthouse: After waiting an eternity I plead my meager case... GUILTY as charged says the judge, step over to the collection window and pay your fine.   Darn, I tried anyway, oh well lets get this done with and go get a decent meal at the mess hall because I'm starved. It's my turn at the collection window and I whip out my checkbook to write a check to pay my fine. The gal behind the collection window almost panics and immediately calls over a deputy of some sort before she says anything. She informs me they do NOT take personal checks, cash ONLY. I said, “O.K., I'll be right back, I'll run to (Plantation Bank?) on base and will be right back and pay it.   The ticket had no printed mention of payment methods what-so-ever, front or back as I checked.   No. No. No. You can't go anywhere if you can't pay the fine in cash, you're under arrest! That “deputy” handcuffed me and took me to jail and booked me in. Long story short, I walked down the chow line and got my paper plate, my plastic spoon, my small can of Veinnia sausages, little can of fruit, small bag of potato chips, two pieces of bread and a small carton of milk. Not the Army mess chow I had my mind set on. In reflection, Army food ain't that bad compared to jail food!   Talking to a couple of the jailers after “dinner”, they told me about my status. Unless someone came down and paid my fine in cash, tomorrow morning I was assigned to the chain gang and hard labor. I was assigned a cell and permitted one phone call shortly after that. One of the jailers made a remark to me, “we don't much care for you soldier boys” and his partner shaking his head up and down in agreement.   Many years later they came out with them “Rambo” movies and I said, hey, I can relate to that!   Fortunately, I called the C.Q. and he called my First Sergeant and he came down and bailed me out. I was so embarrassed and ready for an Article 15 or something. I apologized to “Top” and he laughed if off. Everyone’s out to get the serviceman!   I found that true throughout my twenty year career. I sincerely hope things have changed for the sake of our current military personnel.    

Not saying you didn't hear glass breaking but, on occasion just as it seems I'm transitioning from awake to sleep, I'll hear a loud something in my ears that jars me awake?   You did the best thing IMO. When in doubt call 9-1-1, as that's what they get paid to do and taxes are paid for.   When my ADT alarm went off at 3:00 A.M., I discovered my Remington 870 was to unwieldy for the configuration of my home, as I had to make my way from the bedroom to the kitchen to silence the blasting alarm. Given the choice I would have stayed in the bedroom and called 9-1-1 and had the shotgun trained on the bedroom door that do not have a lock on it.   Since then, I made some changes, one of them being I installed a 6 position stock on my 870 and makes a big difference rounding corners. But still more comfortable and maneuverable with a HG.

Without going into a long history lesson for y'all... Ever think about what and why we're doing for nations and people out to destroy U.S.?   Who would argue we're educating our current and future enemies in the best colleges and universities in the U.S. to make war on U.S.and defeat U.S.? If you need examples, check your history and current / formal university enrollment. Don't just take my word for it.   Training current, potential, unstable nations and future enemies of U.S. in special forces combat and operations on U.S. soil has become common place.   The government doesn't even try to keep it a secret anymore?   I suspect they must know better than U.S.?

Like above, I have Mountain House and it's not bad in #10 cans with a 25 year shelf life.   For a trip to the woods for a few days, military MRE'S are compact and the way to go if you just want to rough it out and keep your belly full and survive.

  Tell me about it. Went to Wally World two days ago grocery shopping with the wife, and naturally I had to visit the ammo counter. Usually they have 12 ga. 00 buck and I buy a box or two just to slowly get some stock. Not today, they had nothing I could use what-so-ever except two 5 round boxes of 12 ga. rifled slugs, and they followed me home.

  I received a response from everyone but him?

Not trying to stir anything up but, would it be legal to plant a non-native species?   I believe it's the fastest growing grass on earth and I would have a dozen uses for it. Looking forward to the responses...

Have a question?   I have a SOG Tomcat I really like but don't carry off my property because of the 4" law. Measuring the blade, it's a shade over 4" from the tip of the blade to the handle. Looked up the TN knife law and it's very vague and doesn't mention any measurements, just length.   SOG says the knife blade length is 3-3/4". Is that measurement just the length of the cutting edge?

Its been my experience just to wait for the correct climatic and soil conditions and plant the seeds outside.   I'm always in a hurry myself and never saw any advantage of starting the seeds early or starting the garden outside too early. I can't tell you how many years I transplanted tomato's, peppers, etc. just after the last frost and the plants stayed alive, but really didn't grow until the air / soil temperature got really warm a month later.   However, it is something to do to get you psyched up and ready to play in the dirt  :pleased:   I too am a firm believer of heirloom seeds and shy away from anything GMO when given the choice.

Well, as far as the cones on the road, think about it?   I spect the road crews has wised up a bit or maybe they're challenging you?   I don't know bout you but, when I took my cycle test and auto test they put them orange cones out and said, zig zag through em fast and don't hit em.   Putting them orange cones on the highway now-a-days prolly means to test yo skills and see if you've improved any with age and speed?   A challenge if you will, to get you off the cell phone?  :surrender:

Yea me too, decisions, decisions?   Currently I have what I feel is enough range ammo for my monthly IDPA shoots for eight months. But, if I shoot the match every month and things don't return to normal, then what? I suppose I'll shoot every other month for awhile and see how things go?   Got a new Aimpoint red dot and iron sights just installed on my .223 AR and want to get it sighted in. Guess I need to dig into my limited emergency stash to get it sighted in, should only take less than a magazine to accomplish. A gun not sighted in is useless.   If things don't ease up in the next few months I'll really start to conserve.   But, short of government interference, the law of supply and demand will prevail no matter what if there's a market for it. You may have to pay a lot more than previously but, a black market will evolve just like anything else.   I have an ammo addiction and maybe a thirty day stay in an ammunition rehabilitation center will appease the court on my first offense?   I love sniffing the smell up my nose of gun powder in the morning, no spoon, syringe or rolled up dollar bill needed :rofl:

  I bought a new Glock 19 Gen. 3 not long ago at LA Firearms in Union City, they had a few in stock. Had I bought it a few weeks earlier it was $495.00 OTD, paid $550.00 and was happy to get it.   They even had a decent supply of .45 and 9mm ammo in stock I took advantage of.

Maybe it's making a little sense why the DHS is buying hundreds of millions of rounds now. You think they might be anticipating anything?

  Living near that area for decades, having in-laws living next to there, knowing the response times of the St. Louis PD for in progress home invasions of my mother-in-law. Not even mentioning the gang-bangers around there...   Unless you take the initiative of protecting you and your property, it's always the uniformed report taker that may or may not show up. Heck, you can't even get an accident report from the St. Louis PD for insurance purposes unless it's over a few thousand dollars in damage, and the wait sitting on the road can be hours.   In St. Louis, the best defense is a good offense if on your property, IMHO.   Unfortunately, it would be my luck getting a jury of my peers from Clayton or Ladue, rather than my neighborhood in a self defense situation on my property. In other words, the gated communities and not the real St. Louis.

They showed where their loyalty lies as an American business the gun community has supported. A zebra doesn't change its stripes over night unless the lion is taking some hide off of it.   I've done a lot of business with them and to this day still get one of their fliers every other week. Even after sending them a nasty email and requesting they remove me from their database as a former customer.   I'm just one little peon who doesn't put a dent in their bottom line but, there's a bunch of us little pip squeaks and collectively we appear to be getting noticed.   As far as I'm concerned, they'll have to do much more to repair the damage they stirred up before I'll even consider spending a penny with them. In the mean time, I'll continue to express my disgust with them to whom will listen.

  Substitute the word "State" with local community and you got my vote.   IMHO, any level of government has no business in educating our children. What's best learned for an urban student isn't necessarily best for a rural student. And having a government agency deciding what liberal books will be mandatory, what curriculum will be used and what standards are not an acceptable choice for me.

  True, however... You can pass all the laws to the liking of a liberal but, they don't mean a thing unless you have enforcement and funding.   It will be interesting to see which side LE will take on this unconstitutional issue, as it will probably be a litmus for other state LE actions me thinks.

Is it just me, or does anyone else get the feeling the alphabet soup of government agencies are not your friends in the Father Land?

Now that's stepping up to the plate being an American patriot and being a leader in the industry.   I wish the ammunition manufacturers would take a closer look at the DHS and the only possible reason for such a mammoth ammo stockpile.

I've proposed this question a number of times with what it must have been like to live before modern dentistry...   I remember what it was like to go to the dentist as a kid and get a cavity drilled out and filled. Heavy stinky "smoke" coming out of my mouth and pain, then when the drill got deeper and hit the nerve...  At the time that was modern dentistry and very much appreciated in reflection. Look at where we are today where sissies get proper dental care.   Think you can do your own dentistry and pull a tooth when a SHTF might occur, think again.   There are certain things that are almost unbearable in life, a migraine headache, gall stones and a toothache to name just a few. I can't operate on myself so I'll share an experience.   About twenty years ago I developed a severe toothache on a Thursday. I'm thinking, I hate dentist's and maybe this thing will ease and go away. Go to work Friday and it's so bad I can't concentrate on anything and I need an appointment at the dentist office, NOW! I feel every heart beat in my tooth and it's impossible to go to sleep. I have the wife call our family dentist and the AH says even with an emergency, he can't see me until next Tuesday, not accpetable.   I tell my wife to call every dentist in the yellow pages and not tell me any bad news. She does, and the nearest appointment I can get is next Tuesday at noon. You got to be kidding me... My eyes have bags under them and I'm in severe pain and can't eat, sleep, concentrate or anything.   A new product is on the market called something like "oralgell" or something. I tell the wife to go out and get me a few gallons or so. It tastes very bad but works for about 10-15 minutes tops, it eases the pain about 30% but not enough to get any sleep.   I've been one who thought I had a high threshhold of pain, being tough and all. Well, I've heard of sailors and such pulling their own teeth. So, I proceed to drink about a twelve pack of beer to try and deaden the eventual pain. I get my straight end pliers, vice grip pliers and 90 degree offset pliers and decide I need immediate relief and some sleep.   It was a jaw tooth and I gave it hell, with no success. I successed in chipping the tooth and not even loosening it one bit with streams of tears pouring out of my eyes and a twelve pack of beer under my belt.   Needless to say, I made my scheduled dental appointment very early and humbled for relief.   The dentist administered 3-4 shots of novicain with little effect, as he put his implement just touching my tooth my spincter muscle tightened so tight I broke his seat. Well anyway, I had to grin and bear the pain for awhile to get my relief. No wonder I couldn't do it myself, he had to drill a hole on the side of my tooth so he could put this tool that looked like a cotter key extractor in it an start prying, and after I heard crunching in my ear, he switched to some sort of stainless steel pliers to get it out.   I'm here to tell y'all, after that first crunch, I felt immediate pain relief. The rest of the prying, pulling and digging was nothing but an annoyance.   Based on my experience, a person can not remove his own tooth unless he's crazy. You can not see what you're doing and do not have the proper tools or knowledge to remove a tooth.   I always thought I was born 150 years too late in my younger macho years attitude and wanted to live back then. Not anymore, as I discovered real pain and the benefit of living in the modern age.   So, I'm not a tough guy after all. Real tough guys preceded me and have my utmost admiration, respect and sympathy.   No wonder their average life span was maybe 40 years. I'll bet a dollar to a donut their dental hygiene played the biggest part in their longevity.

P.S. I forgot to mention, if you have kids or use the same path frequently to your door / porch, etc. Zoysia doesn't hold up well under any traffic before you have a dirt path.   Sure does look good if you're willing to spend a lot of time with it instead of the important things in life like, hunting, fishing, camping, trapping, giving the spouse what for, washing the 4X4 and boat, etc.  :rofl: