The History of James Peterson from my memory
Dec 19, 2021 18:34:29 GMT -5
JayJones, jcoyle, and 2 more like this
Post by frank on Dec 19, 2021 18:34:29 GMT -5
Did you ever meet someone that you instantly liked? It is rare.
Jim came to us from another unit. He was really tall and had an awesome career to enhance his height. The unit was well off with equipment and canvas. We originally did 80/20 Living Histories versus tacticals. That has now changed toward more tacticals as events were cancelled due to Covid.
I realizes early on that Jim's opinions and ideas warranted my full support. The membership totally agreed. Soon, our tacticals turned from Run and Gun to practical squad tactics. Living Histories continued to be our major focus until the recent pandemic.
Jim could have easily become the leader of Charlie Company, but no, his expertise was Sergeant, with a capital "S". He was satisfied teaching the Way of the Army! From tents, flies, rations, weapons, tactics, cooking and generally adapting to whatever he saw as a problem. Nothing was too small or too big for him to apply his talent to.
As his CO I listened intently to his orders and advice and stories. I noticed that officers were not big in his opinion. I would say the first year he tolerated me, respected Chief Meyer and welcomed most while he quietly evaluated them.
Eventually, I think we were actually friends of the first order. How do I know this you ask? Well, I will miss for a long time to come his bellowing at me, "Bitch"! Not exactly thanks or anything like that but I knew we were getting close. He even listed me as going to Enfield with my name, Frank, not CO, or Captain. The C & S had really come together at Monroe. We provided the most awesome displays, and vehicles and 9 Wall Tents! Jim and I were first on site there. Little did I know that would be our last time together.
As the "Old Man" of the unit, literally, I know we must honor Jim by forging ahead. If we fail he may come back to haunt each us. As it is, making the coffee at 0400 or sitting around the campfire at night is going to be tough.
So, I put the challenge to each and every member, things will not be business as usual in many ways. We will not have Jim's daylight forecasts, map diagrams, updates on attendance, plans and squad assignments, just to name a few of the things done by him.
I hold my fondest memories of Jim in my heart and memory.
We will meet again brother.
With high regard and prayers,
Major Frank Michael Cachia, CO
Charlie Company, 505th PIR
Jim came to us from another unit. He was really tall and had an awesome career to enhance his height. The unit was well off with equipment and canvas. We originally did 80/20 Living Histories versus tacticals. That has now changed toward more tacticals as events were cancelled due to Covid.
I realizes early on that Jim's opinions and ideas warranted my full support. The membership totally agreed. Soon, our tacticals turned from Run and Gun to practical squad tactics. Living Histories continued to be our major focus until the recent pandemic.
Jim could have easily become the leader of Charlie Company, but no, his expertise was Sergeant, with a capital "S". He was satisfied teaching the Way of the Army! From tents, flies, rations, weapons, tactics, cooking and generally adapting to whatever he saw as a problem. Nothing was too small or too big for him to apply his talent to.
As his CO I listened intently to his orders and advice and stories. I noticed that officers were not big in his opinion. I would say the first year he tolerated me, respected Chief Meyer and welcomed most while he quietly evaluated them.
Eventually, I think we were actually friends of the first order. How do I know this you ask? Well, I will miss for a long time to come his bellowing at me, "Bitch"! Not exactly thanks or anything like that but I knew we were getting close. He even listed me as going to Enfield with my name, Frank, not CO, or Captain. The C & S had really come together at Monroe. We provided the most awesome displays, and vehicles and 9 Wall Tents! Jim and I were first on site there. Little did I know that would be our last time together.
As the "Old Man" of the unit, literally, I know we must honor Jim by forging ahead. If we fail he may come back to haunt each us. As it is, making the coffee at 0400 or sitting around the campfire at night is going to be tough.
So, I put the challenge to each and every member, things will not be business as usual in many ways. We will not have Jim's daylight forecasts, map diagrams, updates on attendance, plans and squad assignments, just to name a few of the things done by him.
I hold my fondest memories of Jim in my heart and memory.
We will meet again brother.
With high regard and prayers,
Major Frank Michael Cachia, CO
Charlie Company, 505th PIR
