31 March 2026 thoughts. Lessons, we must learn.

31 March 2026 thoughts. Lessons, we must learn.

1- I am an old man now. I will be 68 years old soon and in-kind dreams. I remember beautiful faces, wonderful places and gentle voices. I believe all of us should leave stories. I was lucky. My grandfather was a storyteller and today. I wish I wrote them down to paper. When we are young, we don’t know. One day, we will stand alone. Once student must become the teacher.

2- I told many soldiers in taverns. Be kind to your wife and family. You don’t want your last words to be negative. When you must leave. Leave with kindness, kisses and embrace. In 1981. My grandfather Manuel left my grandmother with my father to visit family in Mexico. He would be gone 45 days. When he returned. I had to tell him. His wife had died. My grandmother fell ill and we lost her. He told me. Get my 45, I am going to blow my head off. I took his 45 pistol, secured it, and I took him home with me. Me and my sister took care of him. We told him. We needed him alive. He learned to accept and he became a sad old man. He told me often. I wish I was kinder to the old gal.

3- My second brother committed suicide in 1989. Scott followed his brother; I hope to a better place. I was a big shot. A manager, making money and no time to listen. After the funeral, I realized. Me and my brothers never spend time doing fun things. I gave lectures and I never asked. How are you? Please come to me, if you need anything. I quit my job, re-joined the Army and I disappeared for 10 years. In the Army, I was the old man. I listen and I assisted other soldiers. I learn, I wasn’t so important. I learn what was important. Training soldiers and being a friend. I left the service with new wife and I raised 4 children. I tell my children, I tell my grandchildren. Please come to me, if you need anything. We can solve any problem.

4- New president sending soldier to fight wars. The peace president had killed many in many locations. He had killed USA citizen. I have been to three soldier funerals. I have stood by the boots of good friends, and I had no words for their children. This president. No different than other presidents. My division was sent to Los Angeles riot, and we were sent to Hurricane Andrew in New Orleans. My unit gave me 300 rounds at the Los Angeles riot. They wanted blood and in New Orleans, we forced the population to leave New Orleans. To leave and they were not allowed to return. I have written often. Soldiers are not peacekeepers; they are trained to fight and kill. Old wise saying. Know the past, so you do not repeat. Remember World War one, remember World War two, the Korea war and the Vietnam war. If you try to take a village, if you try to take a shoreline or roam into a unknow forest. Soldiers will die. This president had forgot. Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam. Home field advantage. Is difficult to defeat. My question is simple. Why is my USA/Israel attacking Iran, Palestine and Lebanon? Why did we steal Venezuela tankers? Why are holding Cuba and Venezuela prisoners? My USA. Once sender of medicine, food and water. Now is standing alone. My message here is simple. Soldiers train to protect the USA. Not attack.

4- Old wisdom. Lead with concern, kindness and love. Nothing good to say, say nothing. Do not allow a two-face leader with personal greed to lead your country. Every male soldier killed. A father, a son or a grandfather. Every female soldier killed. A mother, a sister and a grandmother. Every person killed in Iran, Palestine and Lebanon. Are real people. I like the oldest wisdom I know. If you do not stop war. The war will find you.

5- I hold my Ojibwa blood close. We must protect nature and we must know. This is one earth and one people. We must seek calm and peace for the sake of every child.

John