Marshall in the Middle
In My Foxhole……..An essay by William Marshall
My foxhole held many Americans and a few who weren’t. It held many colors, creeds, and religions. My foxhole held many weapons, both mass destructive and personal protective. When I look at where I was, I’m so proud of those I was in the foxhole with. We made it. Well, most of us… On this…
I want Door Position……….. An essay by William Marshall
If you are not on the Jumpmaster team, then the only other places to be were door position or stick pusher. Stick pusher meant that you were one of the last guys out the door. You sit in the front of the aircraft, walk a long way to the door, and also a long way…
The Airborne Soldier: Unified by Shared Hardship
The life of an Airborne Soldier is one defined by a unique blend of discipline, courage, and camaraderie. What sets the Airborne apart is not just the physical demands of jumping from an aircraft or the rigorous training required, but the shared hardships that transcend rank, creating a bond that is difficult to replicate in…
Yumpmaster, oh Yumpmaster…….. An essay by William Marshall
My next door neighbor in the barracks in one of my Army Schools, ANCOC, brought a hispanic lady home from the bar one night. As the headboard banged against that wall that separated us, my buddy got to hear exactly what he wanted. She said exactly what he told her to say, she would not…
My squad was the best…….. An essay by William Marshall
I remember a challenge by my first squad leader. He asked me, “Which squad is the best squad in this unit?” I was confused. I was brand new, I really didn’t know what to say. I was a private in the 82nd Airborne Division. I was a young trooper stepping into a legacy that few…
What it means to be Airborne……. An essay by William Marshall
It is one thing to jump out of an airplane, it is one thing to volunteer to serve your country. It is one thing to raise your right hand, it is another to take the next step. Many ask me about jumping from a plane and how we ever got the guts to do…
Whispers in the Wind……. An essay by William Marshall
Fifteen-year-old Ava stood at the edge of the small cliff, peering over the precipice to the winding river below. Her heart raced, not from fear but from excitement. Her friends had dared her to leap from the cliff, a rite of passage in their small town. Many had done it before, but not her. Yet.…
I spent the weekend in Heaven………. An essay by William Marshall
SGM(R) Bobby Howard is one year older than my dad. He was the Soldier of the Year and the NCO of the Year and Drill Sergeant of the Year in every unit that he was in. He joined the Army in 1963 at age 17. He talked about how Korea didn’t have any trees left…
Ardennes was a proving ground……. An essay by William Marshall
No walking on Ardennes between 0630 and 0730, if you did, you heard about it. Ardennes was a proving ground for us. We ran Area J, we ran Longstreet for the Division run but for the most part we ran Ardennes. I grew up on Ardennes. There we times when we brawled with our brothers…
It is my job to judge you………… An essay by William Marshall
I asked him in my best military tone, “Say again?” “Yep,” he said, “Basically, if I read the Bible correctly, it is my job to judge you and help you to see the error in your ways, according to the Bible. You should understand that you are wrong and lost in your sin, in accordance…
We want war…….. An essay by William Marshal
In the quiet of the morning, a routine email from Google unveils the intricate world of air defense artillery—a daily testament to the far-reaching strategies that underscored my twenty years in the army. This reflection delves into the paradoxes of military aid and action, revealing a narrative where defense often morphs into offense, with global…
Strike in Advance vs. Turn the other cheek…… An essay by William Marshall
USA is opposite of Christ…… right? We employ, Strike in advance, strength through power, defy me and I destroy you. Whereas Christ recommends the opposite, turn the other cheek, help no matter what, wash the feet of, condemn not lest yea be condemned……. USA is opposite of Christ……. Let’s forgive others their transgressions and we…
Can a Warrior beg for Peace, who can speak out?…… An essay by William Marshall
As I sit here tonight, my mind is troubled by a conversation I had with a friend, a fellow warrior. He told me that I should leave the country because I spoke out against our country’s warmongering ways. He compared me to Eric Snowden and called me a hypocrite. But is it hypocritical to want…
Whose to blame (Your life matters to me)………… An essay by William Marshall
Most of us have been touched by suicide. If you haven’t, it will come. It is particularly confusing to us when we watch our mentors, our leaders succumb to some crazy call to end their lives. It always makes me look at myself. Look inward. Try to place blame on……. On……… I guess I have…
Cherryyyyyyyy!!!!!! An essay by William Marshall
The Cherryyyyyyyy just seemed to go on and on. In my world of the 82nd, if you dropped something in the mess hall, fumbled your weapon, messed up just a little somehow, and you heard it from your buddies……. Cherryyyyy!!!@@@@ AATW!
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