Monday, February 25, 2013

I am just going outside. I may be some time.

I always knew this day would come—not how, or when, or why, just that it would.
The reasons I could give for pulling the plug on "From My Position..." are actually pretty few.  I could list them, fisk them, lay them all out...
But I won't.
I will simply thank you, for your time reading my story, for sharing this journey of recovery and healing with me.  I thank the vast majority of you who took my words at face value, who did not read into them for deeper meaning.  I thank those who took offense and came forward with discussion, and those who simply enjoyed sharing the journey. I am truly humbled by the outpouring of your tremendous support--for me, for Project VALOur-IT, for Soldiers Angels, for the Warrior Ride, for all of the encouragement and the years of seeing me and my family through really tough times.
I thank you all--and I thank a few in particular:
Carren—the Mrs.  She who will gripe and bitch about how much time I spend "playing with that infernal contraption" but who knows that this has helped me heal immeasurably, and somewhere, secretly, loves that I found a healthy outlet, when so many unhealthy ones were available.  She’ll go back to being my sole sounding board, my keeper of secrets, of bearing the all burdens I cannot shoulder by myself. 
Code Monkey--From a reader who sometimes commented, to meeting at a milblogcon, to an agreement to tweak some code over a few drinks in PF Chang's, to being the person who goes so far as to decorate for Christmas around here, make fundraising simply work for VALOur-IT (more years than not, if it wasn't for her, we'd not have raised a dime) and who, from time to time, has had the temerity  to tell me I was off sides, out of line, way off base, or worse, that I was really funny.
Matt, Greyhawk, Jimbo, Blake, Blue, CJ, John, Bill, Maryann, and of course, Patti.  People without whom I could never have recovered.  People without whom this sometimes ribald attempt at free expression would have suddenly stopped in 2005, when it was still in its infancy.  These are people whom I have come to rely on in my hour(s) of need.  Sounding boards, encouragers, enablers, gray-bearded wisdom and often the people who roll their eyes and let me run with scissors.
I pause to thank all the good people at the Gun Blog Rendezvous--thank you for being such gracious hosts, and opening your hearts to me and SA/VALOur-IT.  Your kindness has impacted so many lives. I am humbled to even be a tangential part of it.
I am locking the doors here, turning out the lights when I eventually forget to pay the bill, and forwarding the mail to a box I'll check when it suits me.  So many people have helped make this an exciting and enjoyable place to be, and I am amazed that over a million people have read (at least some) of my words.  Maybe I'll revisit this in a year, or a month, or next Thursday, maybe I'll never return to being a milblogger or facebooker or tweeter or whatever.
Maybe I'll build a new place, a new site where I focus on being an “other-than-the-military” blogger.  I might build a site where I don't talk politics, military or otherwise.  Perhaps there's a new place I can expound on topics and trades and hobbies I've picked up over the years, of fond memories and daily experiences. Maybe, someday, I'll find that place--perhaps it's over the next hill, just around the next curve, just another few steps.

Then again, maybe I won't.
--Chuck


Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven't said enough!

62 comments:

Pogue said...

Stay safe & God Bless.

Anonymous said...

May be gone but not forgotten. What a great positive/funny guy you are and I'd love to serve with you one day but alas, it's time to retire.
S/f
Taco

Code Monkey said...

I always figured you'd work a rickroll into your last post.

John of Argghhh! said...

It's always fun to watch you run with scissors...

Code Monkey... I could use some help between now and when the Z -monster is set free...

Anonymous said...

Good luck Major, be well, and thanks for your service to our country. Alemaster, CW5, ret.

Anonymous said...

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Laughing Wolf said...

I'm with Code Monkey, and now waiting for the rickroll to drop in... All the best brother.

souplady said...

I sure hope you and Carren keep in touch and we can get together the next time you are on the East Coast.

MissBirdlegs in AL said...

Dang it! I've laughed, cried & cussed with you here for years. I'll miss you a bunch. Wishing you and the family all the best, Chuck.

Sarah said...

We love you, Chuck/. See you in the real world someday...

CCO said...

Stay well, sir. I'll miss your acerbic wit.

Anonymous said...

Rats. I was positive you'd use your last post to profess your love for me.
Once again I have shaved my legs and bought a ticket to Hawaii FOR NOTHING!!
I've wasted my life waiting for you!

Take it easy guy. You've got a lot to say that needs to be said. When the time and proper forum arrive, you'll answer the call.

Dan C - No Va

Ricky John said...

Thanks for the laughs and at least save your content - its golden!

Fermina Daza said...

I am sad but not surprised. I am not sure that I've ever told you how much I admire you - not for the whole 'recover from getting blown up' thing but for the way you survived your time at Division. From my limited scope, you never let them break you.

I am grateful that we were able to have lunch while I was still on island and I am grateful to have met you at all. Thank you for your words of support in our mess and I'm praying we see you round these here parts at some point in the future. Know that I'm praying for you and the family...more for them than for you, now that you're no longer blogging ;)

Robert Stokely said...

You are raw courage, and your wife is raw courage with beauty. You have helped many, including me. Thanks for sharing your journey. Stay in touch.
Robert Stokely
proud dad SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 AUG 05 near Yusufiyah Iraq
USA E 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG

OldAFSarge said...

Going to miss you Sir. Words fail me at the moment, just...

Yup, going to miss you. Stay safe, stay focused and God speed.

Anonymous said...

Oh no! Thanks for all the free ice cream.

Kevin said...

Sad to see you hanging them up as I enjoyed what you had to share. Thanks for taking the time to do so and, most importantly, for your service.

Sandi said...

I'm sad that you will no longer be writing here. You did so much good. Without you and your blog, there would never have been Project Valour-IT. And that is just one example of the help you have provided so many people.

Sandi

Anonymous said...


thank you Major it has been an honor to read your words and to have supported you with goodies while you were deployed.howard and Connor Americas Littlest Patriot.

Doug Rogers said...


Driver: Stop!
Gunner: Asshats in the open!
Fire SABOT; Load HEAT.
Keep your head down and keep on chuckin', Chuck, I've enjoyed your trip from day one

Rhea said...

I'm always sad to see a blogger leave the blogosphere, especially one so well loved, as it looks like you are!

I've not read your blog before, but I'm researching milbloggers because the company I work for, a social media agency called Splash Media, is giving away scholarships into our accredited social media training program. We're giving away scholarships to U.S. Military veterans (active or retired). If you're interested, email me rthomas@splashmedia.com

Anonymous said...

Good Luck and God's Speed

Anonymous said...

Awww. I've dropped in from time to time, and enjoyed your perspective. Best of luck in your "next life".

Unknown said...

God speed. Fly with the eagles, don't let the turkeys get you down.

Anonymous said...

Been reading for years, lurking in the shadows. Enjoyed every word. Get on with your life and thanks for sharing.

TonyF

HMS Defiant said...

Thanks for all you've done over the years. Best wishes for a peaceful and successful future.

v/r
Curtis

John Adams said...

Chuck, you walk a hard path. But you also have very many strengths and positive virtues. Continue to express yourself honestly and take care.

Anonymous said...

I started reading your blog years ago about the same time I started reading Thunder Tales, Ed Rasimus' blog. Ed recently left on his final flight into the wild blue yonder. I will greatly miss both blogs. Take care and thank you for your service.

vet66 said...

All the best to you and your family. Knew this day would come as you step back to reassess and step away. Know that you inspired and taught the principles we live by. The journey continues. Thanks for your service and inspiration. You will be missed but not forgotten.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Chuck, for ALL you do..I hope to catch up with you and Carren at some point in the future...

As everybody has said here, I'll miss you, too..

Brat.

Anonymous said...

All the best to you and yours. Thank you for sharing your journey. Here's to fair weather and light winds in your future. God Bless.

Dirtdartwife said...

Have always loved your wit, wisdom and snarky. :) God bless to you and your entire family.

CDR Salamander said...

Fair winds and following seas.

Anonymous said...

Happy Trails Major. Thank you and God bless you and your family.

Donna, Los Osos, CA

Parrothead Jeff said...

I've followed you for a long time and I'll miss your writings. Best wishes in all you do from now on!

Anonymous said...

God bless you and your family.
Learned a lot from you over the last eight years.
Thanks for bringing us along, as you recovered.
Keep it up!
Will continue to mention you in prayers.
Thank you.
V/R JWest

Anonymous said...

My best to you and your family. And thank you for your service.

Anonymous said...

Battle carry sabot sir.

Anonymous said...

There always comes a time to move on. Some aren't wise enough to see it. My best to you and yours.
Maxx

Anonymous said...

Thank you for what you've done for others.Your sacrfices although painful, made you almost super human in the eyes of many. You have always sounded like Officer, who if I was getting Ass-Chewed, you did because you cared enough for others to school 'em.

256A
Vaya Con Dios

Nina said...

Your commentary will be missed. Particularly your way of phrasing things. Many a time I needed a double keyboard alert as I was reading a post of yours. . . .plus a trip to the chiro or massage after forcefully nodding my head in agreement!

Important things for you to always remember.

1. Amazing family you have - who we all know you treasure every day.

2. People near and far (many like myself who've never met you) but have been inspired by, laughed with, ranted in agreement with, and more

3. Valour IT. Enough Said.

Have fun moving down the road in this great adventure called life!! And know that a glass . .or five has been raised to you this night.

virgil xenophon said...

Started reading you before you were wounded. Life is dynamic, as we all know, but I'll still miss visiting. Didn't come by often enough after Katrina interferred w. my own life. Best of luck..

Vaya Con Dios..

lorraine said...

Your contribution to the writing world will be missed. If you start blogging somewhere else please link. I started somewhere in the middle and read back to fill in details. Please leave the blog up for those searching for an example of excellant word craft. Thank you for sharing and best of all God has to offer for your future endeavors. lorraine

Grandpa Bluewater, said...

Fair winds and following seas. You always were honest, cogent, and direct.

My regard and respect to your lady wife.

BZ
BT AR

WE3-47-08 said...

Good luck to you, Brother!!

God Bless

Stu Clark
4/2 ACR (Former)

Chap said...

Well done, brother. You did good. Don't forget we're still out here if you need it.

xformed said...

Thanks for the sharing, the mentoring, and the guts to step out and help thousands of others directly, and many more indirectly.

Consul-At-Arms said...

My very best wishes to you and the missus in all your present and future endeavors.

Unknown said...

Semper fi, bro. You've been an inspiration to those of us who don't have the balls to put our voice out there. Stay strong.

Cargosquid said...

It has been an honor to follow your journey for the past few years and read your words.

God Bless, Good Luck and Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Hope we see you again.

Mary*Ann said...

Thank you for years of great reading. God bless you and your fammily.

Anonymous said...

All the best to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

All the best to you and yours. Thanks for all you have given us, in your blog and in your service to our country.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the ride! It was a great experience reading your words and understanding your journey. All the best to you and your family.

Biermann

David aka True Blue Sam said...

God Bless You, Chuck.

Anonymous said...

All the best to you and yours Major Z, I'll still google you once in a while to see if you do have something new floating around out here. It's been an honor to know you, for if it hadn't been for you, I'd've never known about SA nor donated, nor gotten nearly as involved as I did. I will miss you. Thank you, for everything, as in actually everything. Watch your six. --alexa

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your service Major. May healing and peace continue your journey.

NotClauswitz said...

Hey! real-life at the Gunblogger Rendezvous (even though Reno kills me) and you showing up to light the party cake, is what kept me sane - and having known that it was real. Do it again when you can. DirtCrashr

NotClauswitz said...

Thanks for coming to the Gunblogger Rendezvous!!

Leslie said...

We love you, Chuck!! Thanks for all the wonderful things you have given us. Thank You for Your Service (and I still have a picture of you and that dead cow in my locker at work...).

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Chuck.

Through all our pain and suffering hold on to life and watch our children grow.

Me? just a proud father of an Iraq veteran who did his best.

Bill