Anne Clarkson (Clarkson)

I was in the US Army for 10.6 years as a Counter Terrorism Officer. I was also on the Badder- Meinhoff Gangs hit list for the first 9 months, they were the first real terrorist, the first international terrorist. It was in due to my job, nothing personal, or so 'they' told me. They tried on at least three separate occasions in that 9 month time frame to kill me, it was not pleasant. After my tour of duty was over I was left the FRG and the NOT SO Cold War. If anyone tells you it was a Cold War let them know that I personally sent several MP's home in body bags with toe tags. I returned to the USA and attended the MP Advanced Course and CGSC this was followed by an MP Command and Desert Shield which rapidly became Desert Storm. I actually felt safer there than in Germany. I performed the duties as the G2 the Intell. Officer, during Desert Storm and was again on a 9 month long hit list. The biggest problem I faced this time was not the terrorist but my immediate supervisor. He succeeded where the Terrorist failed, he almost killed me. As a result of both actions I was considered a 'Combat Action Veteran'. I suffered several severe injuries that resulted in a combined 100% disability condition. This included a PTSD level equivalent to that of a POW. All of which resulted in my retirement at 35 with full pay and benefits and all of which I would gladly exchange for 10 more years in the military. But sadly these disabilities put me out into the civilian world, a place I was not really prepared for. I have still never did learn how to be a civilian so I am still struggling with it. I can tell you this, when you are born in a military hospital, raised in a military family, when 4 of your 5 siblings join the military and four of those same 4 are also disabled Veterans right beside you, how do you just sit back and become a civilian? None of us have figured that out yet. There should be a class on demilitarization for military personnel not just for military weapons. We hard core military folks really have a damned hard time adjusting to the civilian life style. You have no idea how often I want to drop some one for twenty push up when I see them in the 20 item or less line and they have 35 items in their buggy. It's the little things that bug you . Anyway I have too much education to go back to school and to little body left to take a real job so I do what I can do, write and fossil hunt and fish. I also lecture at the local museums and schools and volunteer whenever possible. But, I have degenerative bone disease from Desert Storm so I am often stuck at home with the critters but that's okay it could be worse. I am just happy I made it home and have my family with me, that is my critter family, lol, if I lived with my siblings I would go nuts . Here is something to consider, I think that the fellas in journalism should also learn a little bit about the military before they go blabbing about military killing machines. All soldiers learn to use a rifle but that does not mean that they are all trained killers. Many soldiers are trained cooks that only qualify two times a year with a rifle and some barely pass. Others are clerks, nurses and dental hygienist they can do you more harm with a drill than a rifle. So I wish that the reporters didn't paint us all with the same brush, that is like saying that just because you are a doctor you can do brain surgery. Or because you are a Painter you can paint the Mona Lisa, well guess what, you can't and all soldiers are not crazy or crack shots. Most soldiers are lucky to past their range qualifications twice a year. So please don't paint all soldiers with the same brush, some of us are really nice folks once you get to know us. Personally my one big hope in life is to live long enough to see my Great Grand Nieces and Nephews grow up make something of themselves. They don't have to

All things WWI, animals and old as in historically significant not just any old junk (I am old junk so I really don't need any more me). I have 6 books in print and am working on my 7th, this is the first one that is non fiction. Maybe one day I will sit down and write my autobiography. That ought to be funny