Have We Forgotten?

I've been fortunate. For most of my adult life I've had the honorable privilege of serving in the armed forces of the greatest country on the planet. As I look back upon the legacy of how America came to be I am still empowered by the values and convictions of those who came before me to establish a country where true freedoms and opportunities are available to everyone without regard to race, creed, color, sex, origin, religion, or political affiliation. We are a free nation where anyone can come to our shores legally and pursue a life of their dreams unlike any other place on earth.

Historically, anytime our way of life was threatened or attacked, we collectively arose in defense of the values and virtues of a nation determined to protect that way of life. We did so without hesitation...and we did so without concern to whom we would offend in the process. Leaders trusted and empowered our military to step forward to protect the citizens of America against the tyranny of a cruel world. Our military faithfully and honorably stepped forward with the courage and conviction to win, unapologetically!

When Hitler rose to power and began proliferating a cancer of hate across the world, America recognized it for what it was—evil, plain and simple. We didn't apologize for our differences in

values or the principles from which our nation was founded. We joined the fight alongside the Allies against the Central Powers in 1917 with a resolve to win World War I. We weren't concerned about who would be offended as we were principally focused on the defeat of Nazism. The Allies won in 1918 not because of the political persuasion and empty rhetoric of convincing the Central Powers to play nice and get along or of tolerance and understanding. No, radical Central Powers, led by extremists the likes of Hitler, understood only the firm resolve of a heavy hand. The only way to stop him was to deliver a punishing blow. In other words, we knew how to win!

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, America responded with an immediate resolve of a nation determined to avenge the unprovoked attack on its citizens. Any opposition to the US entering the war was quickly silenced by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Calls from a united America to "Remember Pearl Harbor" empowered a nation through solidarity and a firm resolve to stand tall against evil. President Roosevelt acted quickly and signed a Declaration of War the day following the attack.
Historians believe the Pearl Harbor attack "doomed" the Japanese nation because they "awoke a sleeping giant." In short, America had a resolve to win and did so decisively with a crushing blow to the nation of Japan without regard to world opinion on its methods of awakening the sleeping giant. The Japanese people received a message, as did the world...America is a nation one would pay a heavy consequence should it dare attack.

The war in Viet Nam changed the chapter and the manner in which America handles its aggressors. Politicians arrested the power customarily provided to military leaders to prosecute war. The hands of our military were tied for the first time, essentially opening the door to what we now see as a nation more concerned with the over-sensitive feelings of the world instead of one that proudly stands guard against evil in its many forms, to include terrorism. Somewhere along the course of time citizens became more sensitive to how we handled threats against the American way of life. Demonstrations ensued. Politicians became "uncomfortable." Public sentiment and the concern for reelection drove political policy and subverted military rules of engagement. Clouded judgment negatively affected the primary responsibility of our leaders to employ the full weight of our might to protect the citizens and the values of the United States of America. We had somehow, suddenly forgotten the way to win...

9/11 was a series of terrorist attacks coordinated by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. Cited as  reasons for the attacks were America's support of Israel, its presence in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq and its regime for the aggressive actions of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The attacks galvanized a nation and once again, "awoke a sleeping giant." The reemergence of this mantra begs the obvious question on why the giant continues to sleep.

We continue to fight global terrorism to this day. The attacks of 9/11, London 7/7, Madrid, Boston, Fort Hood, Oklahoma beheading, the beheadings of Daniel Pearl, Nick Berg, James Foley, and Steven Sotloff, school children massacres...all perpetuated by radical Islamist terrorists (al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS, to name the most notorious among them) determined to spew evil throughout the world in the name of a distorted view of their religious beliefs. To be clear, they are wrong and we know it, as do others of the Islamic faith who have not distorted the teachings of their religion. Where is the collective resolve of global nations and their leaders? Where is the will to win?

The recent attacks in Paris France remind us that America and Israel are no longer the only nations in the terrorist crosshairs of radical Islam.  Hours after Friday's standoffs ended, al-Qaeda's radical Islamic terrorist branch in Yemen said it had "directed" the massacre in Paris "as revenge for the honor" of prophet Mohammed, according to a statement released. They have taken it upon themselves to kill in the name of religion.


So how do we win the war against radical Islamic terrorism? How do we win against any form of terrorism? The same way we've always won wars. We remember the lessons of those whom have gone before us.

• We employ decisive tactics supported by proven doctrine shown to be an effective deterrent against such cowardly acts and atrocities.
• We identify the enemy, call them what they are, and bring the only negotiation tactic they fully understand—the full weight and power of a collective people determined to rid the world of hate.
• We set aside political ideologies and concerns for sensitivity. After all, this is war! There is no room for such concerns.
• We employ the technologies for which our nation and our allies are known for through precision strikes, rapid and timely intelligence, and decisive action. 
• We tirelessly hunt our enemies and hit them hard when we find them while we continue to mitigate the second and third order effects of collateral damage and fratricide.
• We untie the hands of our intelligence agencies and empower our military leaders to prosecute war and lead us to victory.
• We retain enemy combatants and prosecute war criminals appropriately and swiftly.

The proverbial schoolyard bully knows all too well who he or she can assault without a threat of retaliation. They can be reasoned with, bribed with favors, or avoided altogether, yet the most effective course of action to take against such bullies is a courageous, direct approach. Such is the case when dealing with fully-grow adult terrorists and enemy combatants.

We cannot expect to reason with our aggressors. We cannot expect a favorable, peaceful outcome or resolution to any degree of certainty by giving in to threatening demands and the ideology of a corrupt sect of the world's population. Tolerance will not work. Denial will not work. Sanctions will not work and will only serve to inflame the situation. A firm resolve coupled by the heavy hand of a determined coalition of peaceful nations will work. Let us not forget that this is the way to win!

- G -
"Those who deny freedom deserve it not for themselves."
                                                          ~ Abraham Lincoln

 Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com
----------------------------------

Just released: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston series.

Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

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Interview With a Spy Part II

I recently flew to Washington, D.C. where I was to attend a conference and later planned to take some time to see my father who lives in Baltimore. I arrived just after sunset on a Sunday and had decided to visit the hotel lounge for a sandwich and a nightcap. There were three people in the lounge when I arrived; the bartender, a man sitting alone at a table off to my right reading a magazine, and me. 

"What can I get you?" asked the bartender.

"Club sandwich and a vodka-seven with a lime, please," I responded.

The Dolphins were playing the Steelers, and the Dolphins were actually winning—which was enough to catch my attention and hold my interest as the bartender placed a drink in front of me and turned away to prepare my order. So I made my way toward a table closest to the television.

"Dolphins fan or Steelers?" came a voice from the man sitting alone in the corner as I sat.

I turned and was surprised to see the familiar face staring back at me, smiling. "Mind if I join you?" he asked.

"Of course not," I said, somewhat astonished to see him there.

"How did you—" I managed before I decided not to even attempt to finish the question.

He just gave me that look, as if I should actually expect him to know.

Here I was, in the middle of downtown Washington, D.C. with none other than G Weston. Talk about uncanny. Well, maybe not, but you get the picture. I mean, here we were in the epicenter of political maneuvering, power, and influence, not to mention a city where there's most likely a camera in every conceivable obscure corner of just about anyplace you can imagine.

"Well?" he questioned. "Dolphins or Steelers?"

"Uhm, Dolphins," I stammered while trying to come to grips with the surprising encounter.

"Me too. Die hard fan, actually," he said as he watched the next play. "Just wish they could do what it takes to get back into the playoffs. Maybe this year," he added.

"OK, so did you follow me here to continue your interview?" I asked, secretly hoping I could pry his attention away from the game and get him to concede to another interview. "Or did you somehow accidentally notice me by sheer coincidence?  

He smiled as the bartender brought my food to the table and waited for the man to walk away before he answered.

"I figure I should follow up with you until we finish our interview," he responded, again with a smile. "Besides, I don't believe in accidents or coincidence."

"Cool," I simply responded. "Would you mind..." I asked as I pulled the cell phone from my pocket and activated the recorder app.

He agreed with a slight nod as I activated the app.

GW: So, I'm trying to recall just where we left off in our last interview, uh, discussion. I seem to recall asking you whether you're enjoying your new role in life.

JGW: Yes, I believe I was telling you just how quickly my mind can move under certain circumstances.

GW: Yes, let's talk about that mind, shall we?

JGW: We agreed that we're pretty much alike, you and me.

GW: Oh I'm fairly certain you're far more advanced than I am. After all, you're the spy whose abilities are critical to the success in most all of your missions.

JGW: OK, let's say for a moment that's true. Do you ever recall writing something about me or my influence on a mission or a situation where I operate independent of your ability to eloquently describe it?

GW: (I hesitated...a move that I had apparently had written all over my face.)

JGW: Didn't think so.

GW: OK. So, where would you like to go with this interview? What would you like the readers to know about you or the stories you're involved in?

JGW: Well, you mentioned the mind. I think I'd like everyone to know how fascinating the dream realm can be. I believe most everyone dreams but very few of us can recall more than a few remnants of what we believe we experienced. Don't get me wrong, the whole operational aspect of the job is exciting and has been known to spike my adrenal glands on more than one occasion, but having an ability to operate in more than one aspect plane of consciousness is a definite advantage.

GW: So, are your abilities limited to a few gifted people like yourself?

JGW: As you know, I have only met one other person who has come close to having the same abilities. He wasn't very nice. Those who have read Dream Operative know how that situation turned out.

GW: Then I take it that you consider yourself unique but not alone.

JGW: I would like to think that there are others who have abilities similar to mine that use it for the greater good, yes.

GW: It must be a fascinating experience...to actually know you're dreaming and to consciously move about in that state of mind.

JGW: I have to admit, it hasn't gotten old at all. I learn something new every time I enter that world.

GW: Can normal people like me ever expect to get to a place where we could remember our dreams with any clarity? If so, how?

JGW: The simple answer is yes. All you have to do is just ask.

GW: Explain.

JGW: When you lie down for the night or for a nap, simply ask to remember your dreams. Let's break that down, shall we? When you ask any question whatsoever, it is heard. Some of us believe God Himself hears it, while others believe it is simply the universe that absorbs the request. Either way, any question that is asked will be answered. It's what is known as an aphorism, or a universal truth. All we have to do is expect a response and remember to look for the answer. Also, if you take the actual word "remember," and break it apart slightly you get the word "re-member." Think about it...if you "re-member" something you are in fact putting the pieces back together again. It becomes a simple matter of collecting all the pieces until you establish order.

GW: That's great information and it's all well and good for after the fact—once we have awakened. But what about increasing our level of conscious awareness inside the dream state?

JGW: Let's save that for another time, shall we? For now, let's just agree that most anyone can slowly begin to remember their dreams if they ask. Oh, and it helps if you lie very still once you first awaken.

GW: Why is that?

JGW: Physical movement disturbs the remnants of the dream for some reason. It's something I haven't quite figured out why just yet. Oh, and one more tip. Keep a note pad at your bedside to record all of the elements of your dream that you can remember. Dreams belong in the alter-conscious realm and are not known to last long inside the conscious mind. Writing them down helps keep the remnants in place for easier recall.

GW: Good advice. Care to talk about why you're really in D.C.?

JGW: No.

GW: (smiling) OK, so let's talk about your next assignment. Where do you see it taking you next?

JGW: You know the drill. I'll reveal that to you incrementally as you're ready to write the next chapter of the next book. I think we both already know there's some business to take care of in the Caribbean. Good thing too because, as you know, I prefer a warm climate. Guess we'll just have to wait and see where that takes us.

Well, will you look at that...another Dolphin touchdown.

I looked up at the television and smiled as the Dolphins fans celebrated. When I turned back around he was gone. As suddenly and mysteriously as he had first appeared he had disappeared. But I'm certain of one thing—we'll have an opportunity to continue our chat some other time.

So stay tuned...- G -


Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com
----------------------------------

Just released: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston series.

Get your copy of my first novel Dream Operative.

Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) or Amazon.com and order your copy of these exciting novels!

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Gone But Not Forgotten

It's only fitting this Memorial Day that I honor the memory of a man who I have come to know as a true American Patriot─not so much by the valor he so courageously personfied in Southeast Asia and the annals of Viet Nam or the twenty-nine years he unselfishly served our country as an Airman in the United States Air Force─but for hero he was to his family, and for the influence he had on me.

Lawrence "Larry" Waddy, Jr. had an attractive spirit from the very moment I met him. His smile was contagious and his wisdom engaging. I learned of Larry's love for reading and easily related to him on an intellectual level from the start. A quiet-spoken man by nature, we would sometimes chat about writing, the structure of dialogue, and how the written word can literally change lives. He also had a love for photography which was evidenced by some of the most memorable shots in some of the world's most unique places.

Larry's warm smile and gentle ways provided an allure about him that was tough to resist. He was a true gentleman whose ways served as an example for others to emulate and to aspire. I see his spirit in his sons today as they too imbue the morals and values he must surely had instilled in them throughout their lives. I rest knowing his spirit lives on in them as they too will pass along the virtues he personfied in them.

Because he was introduced to me as "Dad' it was the name I had courageously decided to use; After all, his son Lance is as close as any brother I've ever had. It's been said that family can be defined in many ways and is oftentimes made up of people who aren't always connected by true blood lines. Such is my case with the Waddy family.

Larry died one week before the Memorial Day weekend, but not before having fought his last good fight against the infirmities that would take him from this earth to a place of eternal rest and solace where he joins his band of brothers and sisters that have gone before him. He leaves behind a legacy fitting of a true hero, having earned a Bronze Star and the highest enlisted rank in the US Air Force─Chief Master Sergeant.

A brilliant man with a brilliant mind and a joyful soul, I'm grateful to have known him, this father figure, hero, and friend. He will be missed but never forgotten.

In Memory of Chief Lawrence Waddy, Jr....Dad

Honor Memorial Day

In the true spirit of Memorial Day I wish each and every one of my fellow veterans an honorable day of rememberance. It is because of your sacrifices and those who served beside us that we live in the most diverse and free nation on earth, even to this day.

As the fitting motto states, "All gave some, Some gave all." Therefore, we Honor Memorial Day with reverence and respect to those who courageously stood against tyranny and oppressive forces with the conviction of their nation's values and democratic principles behind them and the resolve to emerge victoriously emblazoned in their hearts.

This solemn day we especially remember those who gave all so that future generations could have the hope of living in a world less voliatile and more free. Most of their names have been lost or faded over the years by most, but their sacrifices will never be forgotten and is evidenced by the fact that we are still free today.

America's might has been chipped away by those who fail to fully comprehend the value of strength through peace. Most of today's leaders have never served in the armed forces and can only lead by the wise counsel of their military advisors, should they decide to consider it. Those that do add to their arsenal a decision power that equips them with a courage to err on the side of democracy and America's foundational principles of freedom for all.

This day of memorium fittingly belongs to all who have given a part of their life to the greater cause of freedom and to the families who support them. If you are veteran or a family member who has supported a veteran, we salute you, not just during this Memorial Day holiday, but every day.

Honor Memorial Day!

Until next time!

- G -


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What are we fighting for?

Like a slow boil, an erosion of cohesion is taking place across America. Emotions are strong, opinions are diverse, and discord dominates. Why? What have we become? We are America because of and in spite of our differences. Our strength lies in the fact that we do not have a dominant race but are instead an eclectic melting pot of cultural diversity. Instead of embracing that however, we have allowed it to divide us.

Recently, I’ve watched as politicians, pundits, news media, and community organizers vie for a dominant position on perhaps one of the most sensitive topics of our time – race in America. Each side carries a self-serving agenda in the hope of acquiring power to assert their will, viewpoint, or motive across the very eclectic people of America using race as the basis of their argument. And not one of us likes it.

As a nation, we have historically existed because of and in spite of the predominant diversity of our demographics. We often clash over ideals and are a passionate people when it comes to the protection of our inalienable rights as Americans. It’s not always pretty, but we find a way. Even yet, we remain one of the strongest forces on the planet among all others, some of whom may never taste the very freedoms and rights we take for granted on a daily basis. Ask anyone who has served or traveled abroad just how real that statement is and they’ll affirm it.

Keep your passions in check.

I’m a white male. I generally lean conservative when it comes to a political point of view. I’m not overly religious but operate from a highly spiritual perspective. Like you, I have opinions, viewpoints, ideals, and passions. I also have a culturally wide diversity of friends and family. Those who know me know that I don’t give one damn about the color of your skin. My opinions are based on the content of one’s character and whether or not he or she is a uniter or a divider. The best I can offer to a person of color is empathy. I have not walked in their shoes so it is true that I have no idea of the disparages they encounter. But it goes to my point that if we collectively seek truth and healing, the cultural differences will strengthen us instead of continuing to exist as an American vulnerability.

It is said that we can learn a lot about a person in the first seven seconds of meeting them. I believe that to hold true for most of us. But the ugly divide that predominates our country at this time demands a lot more time than seven seconds to come together and move past that which divides us. The key to conquering that divide is in our approach.

Agree to disagree…without decay.

Most people don’t simply want to get their way. They want to be heard and they want their opinion to be respected. It’s really that simple, because if we respect the viewpoint and opinion of others, we gain empathy. When we gain empathy, we gain insight. And when we gain insight, a powerful healing effect takes place that brings us together. Only then can we collectively break away from that which divides us and begin to move toward that which unites us.

An opportunity.

We have an opportunity before us today that will define us as a nation. That opportunity has revealed itself to us on a grand scale by the increased rhetoric that continues to dominate the underlying issue. That issue is that there still exists a deep racial divide in this country that we need to get past. The opportunity lies in just how we handle it. It’s not up to politicians to exploit this opportunity because, as we’ve seen all too clearly, their judgment is clouded by their agenda.

It saddens me that those who have led this country (both past and present) seem so willing and ready to brush aside the opportunity to effectively lead us through the steps of healing we so desperately need as a nation. The opportunity to find common ground and come together as a nation is lost in personal, political, or cultural platitudes.

The opportunity that lies before us is one that requires us all to respect the differences we have while keeping an eye on the topic. Let’s not make it any more personal than it already is. OK, easy for me to say–or is it? There has been many a time when I’ve mistakenly injected my own bias or “feelings” into a topic when there was no reason to do so. The result: communication breakdown, discord, and resentment. The societal similarities can be seen on a daily basis.

Leaders need to lead, advocates need to advocate, rights and opinions need to be protected, and healing needs to take place. America needs a voice of confident calm to overtake the “conversation” I keep hearing that we so desperately need. I’m not convinced that voice should come out of Washington because, as I said earlier, they seem to be mired in their own ineptitude and shortsightedness.

I personally believe the rising division in our country is not about race insomuch as it is about the sociopolitical and economical realities we’re under. As a matter of opinion, I believe that, as a people, we continue to move past the blatant ugliness of the 1960’s. We are genuinely hurting in this country, as is most of the world. The economy is on the verge of collapse or a significant correction at best (believe it), unemployment is much worse than we’re told, savings are at an all-time low, the nucleus of the family has deteriorated, and we are more concerned about celebrity than our true heroes and warriors of freedom. It’s true that we have differences. But those differences rarely rise to the feverish pitch they have recently. What am I missing?

There is simply not enough room in this forum for me to depart on a diatribe of suggestions to address the issues that divide us. Suffice it to say, however, that we all need to take a step back, focus on the issues while doing our level best to keep our emotions in check for the sake of addressing those issues. Because the moment it gets personal, the conversation is over.

Let me know what YOU think. Something tells me you will...

Until next time!

- G -


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Sequester

As an active civil servant for the Department of Defense, I am called upon to serve at the direction of those appointed above me in my chain of command, from my immediate supervisor all the way to the SECDEF, who responds in accordance to the will of the president in response to the defense requirements and objectives of America. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always agree with the logic or some of the processes of our government. It's not perfect, but it's still the best in the world. What I do find difficult to comprehend lately is the ensuing madness and ineptitude that seems to continually emanate from our elected leaders, especially when it comes to running the housekeeping of our beloved nation.



Somewhere along the lines of checks and balances and a collective team approach of "we are the United States," we became enemies with and among ourselves. We have turned away from values and principles that have defined us as a nation and have instead become so polarized that it is literally crippling any chance we have to recover from the choices we have made to this point. Forget progress. We must first focus on stopping the hemorrhaging that'll get us to a place where we can begin to heal. We must return to the basics of that originally defined America if we are to project strength of any kind, let alone power from a purely defense perspective.

Our government, under the leadership of a divisive president and a dysfunctional legislative branch, are so at odds with each other that our country is quickly finding its way to a grinding halt. Washington hasn't created a budget in over four years, while spending has spiraled out of control to unprecedented levels. If any one of our families even attempted to operate a personal budget using Washington D.C.'s "creative processes" as a model, they'd not only be flat broke but would no doubt be in jail or an insane asylum. You simply cannot spend what you do not have!

I can report from an inside perspective, that the manner in which our government "reacts" to its fiscal obligations serves only to support uncertainty and discord among those of us who are entrusted to execute the mission while doing our level best to be good stewards of the taxpayer's money. There's a whole lotta belt tightening going on...has been for years. Given a defined framework (a budget) from which to operate and function, your government is able to plan and execute smartly in order to meet national security objectives. The absence of a budget, on the other hand, actually increases waste and decreases efficiency. Go figure!

As a civil servant, I have accepted ─ albeit with some reservation ─ the discontinuance of pay raises since 2010 (aside from the paltry one-half of one percent we recently received in 2013), and like so many other Americans, have seen the tax holiday expire, gas prices rise, and now, a possible sequestration, or furlough ─ which is essentially just another government word for "layoff." And we're being told (or sold) by Washington that we're in the midst of an economic recovery? What am I missing?

Because I belong to an organization whose charge is to support and defend the constitution, I understand the definition of sacrifice. I've lived it and seen many friends and colleagues die for it. Like so many others alongside me however, I keep waiting for the rest of the nation to come together to do their part. One party, one sector, one "side", or one man alone cannot fix this, nor should they be expected to. It is going to take the collective will of ALL Americans to stand up and address the issues.

America is wounded!  She is on one knee and needs EVERYONE to come to her aid.

It never ceases to amaze me that, for so many problematic issues in our country, politicians can typically be found at the epicenter, each side pointing fingers at the other in a standoff blame game, while those of us who pay their salaries fall victim to their inaction, ineptitude, and infighting by way of layoffs, pay freezes, hiring freezes, tax increases, and budget cuts. It's high time THEY become truly accounatable for their actions...or inactions. (Term limits anyone?)

I did not sign up for the kind of change we were promised five years ago. Granted, America needed to be changed then inasmuch as it still needs to be changed (some would argue even more so now than then). But the change America needed five years ago was a slight adjustment by way of a course correction, not a complete reversal. As a people, we know how to get there. We know that hard work and smart decisions are just the beginning to correct the course we need to be on in order to become strong once again.

Everyone knows with certainty that the sequester can be avoided. Unemployment can be lowered. Prosperity and pride can return to our country...if we'll just get out of the way, allow the free enterprise system to work, and stop trying to define the manner in which it should be framed. It cannot be fixed unilaterally. It cannot be repaired idealistically. And it cannot continue on its current trajectory for much longer.

It has been said that the best lessons lie in learning what not do inasmuch as they reside in learning the right thing to do. My hope is that we have learned all we need to know about what not to do in time to keep America from having to go down to both knees.

Let me know what YOU think.

Until next time!

- G -

 Please visit my website: www.gwestfal.com
----------------------------------

HOT off the presses! I have just released my first novel! Visit my website (www.gwestfal.com) and get your copy of Dream Operative today!

If you'd like to receive a notification anytime I publish a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit my Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator

Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom of the left column. You'll be subscribed and will receive notification whenever I publish a new blog or provide updates to my novel Dream Operative. And help me by recommending this blog to others and "liking" my FB page.
 

Please visit my Introspection bog at: http://gwestfal.blogspot.com/

 

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