Hope ya didn't hold yer breath!

Here it is a few days before Thanksgiving 2012 and I feel that I'm now ready to take the plunge. Ready is a relative term, since nothing about this Blog even resembles complete. I think that is what brought me to this point to begin with, I finally came to the conclusion that it will NEVER be complete. There are no goal posts or game clock driving me today. I think that is what attracts me to this medium. If for whatever reason I get behind I have a fall back position. Ahha, the dog did ate my Blog, or, when that fails there is can only be one logical excuse BUSH DID IT! So, lets get on with the task at hand.

As I mentioned in the summer Edition  of the 2012 Hatchcover "I'm working on it" or maybe still working on it! This has not been an easy task to say the least. Probably has something to do with my lifelong battle with procrastination, ya know, mañana , maybe. Yep, it's sloth with five syllables. 

So, today is anew let me begin with that! Seriously, I have been focusing more on the visual aspects of the Blog as opposed to the content. I can't help myself  I'm a visual person. There I said it! I always felt that I was somewhat challenged by the written word and grammar. Even with all my years in parochial school, both my spelling and grammar rely totally on spell and grammar checker of MS word. I really should have a look at some of the letters I wrote in Vietnam to really see just how far I have come. Maybe tomorrow.

I have struggled as to what I really wanted to accomplish with this Blog. Was it to be a portal for the Lost Tribe to share tidbits of information? Or, maybe a historical collection of  memorabilia via photos, reflections and historical facts. I would ponder these options regulalrly. Mañana, yeah that's the ticket. 

Analysis paralysis, a secondary contributor to my current dilemma. Not today though, as I have made a decision to move on and brings me to this point.  I have decided to put the burden on YOU! So, the success or failure of this effort lays squarely upon you. Huh, thought you'd get away easy didn't ya.

As you may have already observed, the tabs below the Hatchcover banner are many and will hopefully will hold some if not all of our history. I can only speak for myself, until recently, I had no idea how much STUFF I had managed to save from back in the day. That being said I'm sure that I'm not alone. All of those boxes I moved around for years and never giving a second thought to the contents. Credit where credit is due. My bride of 44 years for many years discouraged me from tossing much of it. Thus it would move to a new location every 15-20 years. Who knew, that after almost a half a century, the contents would be a treasure trove of memories. If I'm correct I bet some of you folks have got a box or two that has been shuffled around all these years as well.

So here's the deal! I will be the proprietor of this site and hopefully it will be the sole depository of all things Cargo Handling Battalion TWO. As most of you guy's know the Hatchcover (our quarterly newsletter) has been the main means of communication. In time I would hope this Blog would be the source for just one ANNUAL Edition Hatchcover reflecting on the finds of a year via this Blog. Whoa there, I hear Ron Gosset saying, "what about us ONE'ers". Ron, we broke bread together in Danang with you guys and we will always be Brothers.  We were grateful for your support some 40+ years ago and it continues today. Your contributions will always be welcome here. We also have made contact with many shipmates who served before and after Vietnam. Whether you are a plank owner from our beginning or a active member of NCHB 1 or Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) your input is grist for our mill.

I will end with what you can expect from me. As the owner of this Blog I have to set down some Rules of Engagement (ROE). Since this may now be view by many in the blogosphere a perimeter must be established. I invite all to read what we share but will restrict commenter's to the men and women whom I know having a vested interest in the search for the "The Lost Tribe of CHB 2". When necessary contact me please use thewinchman@gmail.com  

• Comments will be allowed at my sole discretion and must be registered
• I am a benevolent dictator NOT without limits to my likes and dislikes.
• Salty language MAY be tolerated if properly disguised and in good taste ( a$$-hole, sh#t head ) keep it clean!
• All media matter received for display will be marked with the CHB 2 watermark to protect from any unauthorised use.
• Please use the common formats for documents (.doc, .docx, PDF, Jpeg etc.)
• I reserve the right to ammend these ROE at my sole discression.

The frequency of posts will most certanly be a product of my time and of course your participation in this venture. May I suggets we refrain from comments on  political events and topics of religion, race and other HOT BUTTON subjects. We are here to callaborate in the efford to reunite our splintered unit and clear out the cobb webs of our memories. All of us are Veterans and some disabled. Keeping that in mind your knowledge of health issues relating to you and your service can be valuable to someone else. I will retain a list of email addresses so we may be in contact in a private manner if necessary.

That being said, I wish all vistitors a very Happy Thanksgiving. Please remember we have troops all around the world who will be away from love ones. So as we sit and enjoy the bounty of our labors remember those who make it possible as they serve to protect our freedom. God Bless America! Our Republic is not perfect, but still the best game in town!