Vietnam...2239 day in a Vietnam prison

An American POW...2239 days

Just under 10 years after the end of the Vietnam war, I met my wife to be. Her father had been United States Air Force pilot. He never served in Vietnam, however, over the years,  many times I heard him speak about a particular American POW; his name was Ron Mastin.

RONALD LAMBERT MASTIN Captain - United States Air Force


Shot Down: January 16, 1967
Released: March 4, 1973

Held in captivity for 2239 days

My father-in-law died in 2010. However, stories about Mastin's heroic 2239 days in prison continued via my mother-in-law over the years. This Christmas, she shared with me a Christmas Card from Ron & his wife. I have never met Mr. Mastin, but after hearing his history from my in-laws and researching him on the net, it makes me proud to know that Milton Sharp, my father-in-law flew in the same cockpit with a great American hero....a hero who suffered like very few American service men ever had to.

Below, I have shared 6 parts of an interview with now, Lt Col. Mastin and three other Vietnam era POW s. I hope you will appreciate their stories, as I have.

And by the way, when you run into veterans of Vietnam (and of course all other conflicts), thank them. Look them in the eye and say thank you!

See Mastin's Veteran Tribute. 

Part 1

 Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Poetry Inspired by Montana

I have fallen for the water

I have fallen for the collective gathering of spring fed waters that cascade down the rocky valleys and mountainous terrains. Water that trickles over the rocks formed by time and river bottoms that remind you of God's hand holding the water, if for a moment.

Capturing the second that the dandelion pod make land on the silky trickling  river, and watching the mountain escaping her river bank to created the clouded horizon; and the only sovereignty that God allows is that of the bald eagle or the condor. Yet beneath the water only to rise for its food is the rainbow with its animated colors. And though God himself gives man the occasion to capture the power and the glory of this beauty, if not for a moment, for a lifetime in his heart.

Yes, like the waters that fall, I too have fallen for the river, the never ending river of God's glory.

T. Kyle Swicegood

Veteran's Day - 2015

 Veteran's Day 2015

As written from http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

"In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

Veteran's day is a special day, one where we can reflect on the service of men & women who put country above self. A friend of mine, Jeff Sims, a veteran and chairman of the Triad Flight of Honor spoke at one of our outings for World War II veterans; he said " a veteran is someone of gave the American people a blank check and said cash it, even if it means my life"



As an American, proud of our past and hopeful about our future, won't you join me in celebrating the brave men and women of our military....they're the best!

  

Part 1 - John Caudle

Part 2 John Caudle

Charle Craig Hanes

Fred Reidenbach

POW Harold Frank

Maj. Gen. George Johnson

My Friend Becky....My, she has a story!

I hope you enjoy this short story from my friend, Becky Tarlton. She is known all across North Carolina as a hardworking and honest auctioneer. Everybody's got a story....I think you'll enjoy hers!

T. Kyle

Shake my hand.  Good to see you.  I like an affirmative handshake.  There was a time when a contract was made and blessed with the shaking of hands.  My how things have changed.  How many times have you heard these sayings?  A person is only as good as their word.  A person’s word is their bond.  If you can’t say something good then say nothing at all.  Treat others as you wish to be treated.  There are many more but how many do we really try to live by?  I am sure we all fall short in some way or another.  I speak of my Dad every chance I get.  I always found him to be congenial with me and with others.  I never heard a cross word exchanged between he and my Mom.  Actually never heard him say a curse word until one time he was trying to load a very stubborn mule.  He and the mule were at odds.  He was hot and sweaty and so was the mule.  The mule kicked at him and he gave that ole mule a piece of his mind.  I immediately tattled on him.  My Dad was one of eleven children.  His own father passed away in the flu epidemic of 1918.  His mom remarried, but he also passed leaving the family to take care for themselves.   My dad started working in the Dan River Mill when he was 9 years of age.  His salary was to maintain the family.  While working in the mill he started trading horses and mules.  Keep in mind that in those days the farming as well as travel was via livestock.  Then came a time that my Dad was sick but still worked his mill shift.  The supervisor informed him he would be required to make a double shift.  He was sick and needed to go home.  He was told if he went home not to come back.  That was his last day in the mill.  He started trading to make a living.  The year was 1922 and trade was busy.  He traveled from county to county for court day.  On the day court was held in the county seat all the folks traveled to town.  Brought their wares to trade, buy and sale.  Dad said he always tried to end the day with a good saddle horse so travel to the next town would not be so hard on his bottom.  There were few hotels and he couldn’t afford one anyway.  He slept in cemeteries.  He claimed the deceased didn’t mind and the live ones didn’t linger around at night.  After hobbling the horses so they could graze he would bed down for the night.  During the trade days the farmers would bring in their cattle and horses for auction.  During the auction my Dad would be hooking horses behind the platform.  The teams were called snatch teams.  The farmers could see them work before purchase.  While my Dad was working he would me listening to and mimicking the auctioneer. 

On one such occasion the auction began but the auctioneer was less than competent.  The farmers were loosing excessive money.  They physically made the auctioneer leave the premises.  But then there was the dilemma.  There was a field of livestock and no auctioneer to work.  Someone exclaimed, get the kid in the back hooking teams.  He can sell the stock and he knows stock prices.  They put my Dad on the block that day and many days there after. 

His career started that day in 1926.  He continued to trade and auction.  He would bring horses in from the Dakotas via rail car.  He would have holding pens set up for their arrival and customers waiting to purchase as soon as the train arrived.  He had a livery stable in downtown Salisbury in an area known as Hogan’s Alley.  He would auction several horse and cattle sales per week.  By the 40’s and early 50’s he had several drivers hauling livestock from state to state.  Local farmers depended on him for good work stock to take care of their crops.  They would choose a work type horse early in the Spring and pay for it after the crops came in.  If the crops failed they would bring the horse back with their apologies.  The next year he would supply them another horse and wish them a better year.

My growing up years was filled with horses, mules and cows.  And of course the auction chant was a large part of my every day life.  My dad would work auctions that would last all day, all night and into the next day.  He would be weary and so tired when finally coming home.  There was his little girl ready to crawl in his lap.  Happy for his return, I would say, Daddy will you auction something for me?  You know that man’s voice was tired and his body was weary.  He would say,  Aww right now, take a look at it and what do ya want to give for it…and so it began.  I loved to hear him work.  My happiest days were spent on the auction block beside my dad.  I would not get down, just lay my head down and take naps.  Sometimes they let me ride the horses and ponies through the sale.  I would ride so many that I would fall asleep in the saddle while waiting my turn in the ring. 

At home I would stand on a box while auctioning to a make believe crowd.   I always desired to be an auctioneer.  My dad really tried to discourage me.  He knew the things that I enjoyed and would want to auction were reserved for men only.   So I started working retail while still in high school.  I continued to work and attend community college.  I did retail management for years and finally an armed nuclear security officer for McGuire Nuclear Station.  After all of that came a family.  Thankfully my three boys enjoyed horses as much as myself.  We traveled showing horses as well as participating in rodeo events.  At one such event they needed an auctioneer to sell their “Calcutta” riders.  There was no one to be found.  Someone said get Becky to do it.  I did and once again I had that burning desire to be an auctioneer. 

In 1987 I attended auctioneer school and things have never been the same since then.  It was a rigorous two weeks of study.  We were learning numbers, contracts and all the different kinds of auctions.  I met some wonderful people in that class and we are still friends today.  I believe there were about 63 students in that class.  When my Dad attended the student auction he listened attentively.  I ask him later what he thought and did he see future auctioneers.  He said yes there were several he thought would make it.  I ask him if I was one of them…all he did was raise his eyebrows.  I have seen that look many times in the past…like when he thought I paid too much for a horse or saddle.

My auction career started as a bid caller.  You know that is what I thought an auctioneer really was.  I sold at horse auctions in several locations.  Finally in 1995, I was hired at my first auto auction.  It was a big thing for me as well as all women.  Until that that day in June there were no female auto auctioneers in North Carolina.  I was such a novelty that when I would start selling the dealers from the other lanes would crowd into my lane just to hear the lady work.  Even now when I am at a commercial farm equipment auction it is usually an all male environment.  I like it…doesn’t bother me a bit.  I love the auction industry.  I must admit there have been lots of changes since those days of listening to my Dad.  Hand shakes are just that…a shake. 

You better have a good attorney written contract and sometimes those are not even good enough.  We do have a licensing board that does its best to weed out less desirable and corrupt people calling themselves auctioneers.  Our state provides continuing education to keeps us informed of new laws as well as helpful ideas and ways to improve our businesses.  The other big thing since I began is the Internet and online auctions.  Many of us have fought this modern age miracle but I believe this enhances our auctions.  I am not sure what my Dad would say about online and simulcast auctions but I believe he would be all for it.  He always believed a person could not have too much education and that we should try to learn something new everyday.  He did not have the opportunity for education.  His learning was self-taught through working and yet he was one of the smartest people I knew.  He could calculate in his head faster than you could enter it into a calculator.  He watched world and local news every day.  If he heard something he could remember every word.  If he saw your buyer number one time at the auction he would recall it. 

Any one that knows me surely knows I love the auction chant and the action of a live auction.  However these days I spend many hours cataloging for online only as well as live auctions.  We spend time with auction previews as well as auction checkouts.  In this day there is room for all of them.  We are so fortunate to be able to practice the way that is best for our seller and ourselves.  I am so pleased to be an auction professional.  My Dad was an auctioneer for his entire life.  He only slowed down when his vision would not allow him to see the bidders.  He might not could see them as well as he once did but he could still call the auction right up until he passed in 1996.  I was very blessed with loving parents and a Dad who was a good and kind person…and one great auctioneer!!

Post Comment: You can reach Becky on Facebook here! . I encourage you to reach out to her and give her your thoughts about her story!

Business lessons I learn from a cramped plane seat.

Some people hate flying. I'll admit, in my younger years, I was scared to death, tightly holding on to the arm rest, and having a racing heart at the slightest bump.

Times have changed however. I have found the solitude at 30,000 feet is golden. My cell phone is off, people are quiet and the constant hummmmm of the engines become peaceful. Today, I took off from McCarran Airport in Nevada and just as we reached our cruising altitude, the captain said, "look out the window to the right and you'll see Mt. Zion National park as well as the Grand Canyon,  the Colorado River and Monument Valley." All of these are huge land masses, but at 30,000 you can see it great. I can't help but think it's the view God in heaven must see as he looks down from his kingdom.

Today alone, we flew over Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Eight very distinctive and diverse eco-systems.

Back to the flight; I learn a lot about business by getting out of my world and visiting other areas; in fact,  I learn a lot by flying. Here's a few nuggets I take from my travels and flying.

1.  I think metaphorically, it pays to look at life, relationships, and business from above. So often when we are "on the ground" we are only able to look at situations, relationships and problems in a one dimensionless capacity. As I know you'll agree, life is not one dimensional. Try to view these areas of your life looking from 30,000....you'll see all aspects of them more clearly.
2. It really pays to have some quiet time. Now, I understand my introvert friends reading this are saying "ya think". But for us extroverts who complicate our lives by also being talk out loud- multi-taskers, consider having some quiet time. This is also a great time to reflect and exercise your spiritual life; prayer. When you look out your plane window, surely you are in awe!
3.  Be nice. It is so interesting to watch people with an entitled mentality get service from a flight attendant. I would say that serving a diverse group of people who are tired, hungry, cramped and sometimes scared is a very tough job. Nice just wins. That Golden Rule thing pays incredible dividends whether you're asking for that extra cup of java or working with fellow employees, team members or clients.
4.  Slow down and enjoy the view. On today's flight, I saw some spectacular views; canyons,

   

   Monument Valley

   rivers, mountains, and more. Being on a plane forces you to slow your world down (even though you're going about 400 miles per hours). Looking at your life from a high altitude gives you the ability to reflect on lots of positives. Quietly celebrate the great achievements as you look down, but also, look at the problems you have. I find that when you're taking that roof-top view of things, solutions can sometimes be more easily determined. 

These are just a few of the things that I thought about today at 30,000. The captain just said we're 300 miles from Charlotte....so, I'm going to look down on my life, exercise some quiet time, be nice to my neighbors and fellow team members,  flight attendants, think about my achievements, ponder on solutions for problems I may have, and finally, give thanks to the Lord above for such a beautiful country that I have flown across today.

T. Kyle

John Caudle Interview, World War II Part 2

John Caudle, Part 2. An interview with a hero!

John Caudle and his B-29 Crew. Photo most likely taken at Tinian Island

This post is a followup to part 1 of an interview I conducted with John Caudle, a Farmington, NC World War II veteran. I think you will really enjoy this time I spent with John. You can see in his eyes the reflections of 65 years.

Enjoy


T. Kyle

John Caudle, Farmington, NC World War II Hero

Meeting John Caudle in 2009 was a rich experience. John was scheduled to be on the first rounds of veterans going on the Triad Flight of Honor, a trip for World War II veterans to see their memorial.  
To describe John,  I would call him a humble gentleman. By age 18, he was stripped from his country roots and traveled all across our country and even a small island in the pacific, Tinian.

A young John Caudle during the  war.

This island was the launching pad for the Enola Gay, a plane that was engaged in the paramount event of World War II and will forever be engraved in the annals of American World War II history.  Caudle knew the bombardier of this famous plane, John Ferebee, who was from the same small county in North Carolina. 
John served as a tail-gunner in a B-28.

I hope you enjoy this reflection John offers, a relection over 60 years after this amazing experience.

 Click to watch part 1 of his story.

James Foster, A Cooleemee World War II Hero

In 2009,  it was my great honor to take James Foster from Cooleemee on the Triad Flight of Honor to Washington, DC.  Mr. Foster demonstrated a meek, kind demeanor. You'll hear him talk about working triage the day Eisenhower pushed the American troops on the banks of Normandy.  Later, he found himself post Battle of the Bulge liberating concentration camps. I think you will be moved by this great American!

 

Click to watch interview

John Barber...Gone but not forgotten. A World War II Veteran

One of the great memories I will cherish for a lifetime was my participation on the Triad Flight of Honor committee.  Together, with the support of Rotary 7690 and citizens all across the Triad, we took over 1300 veterans to see their memorial.  Listening to these veteran, I learned so much of what made our country strong.

A World War II veteran that was known by many in Davie County, North Carolina was John Barber. I hope you will enjoy this 20 minute interview with a gentleman, a veteran, a public servant and loving husband.....John Barber.

Click to watch the video

A lamp unto my feet.

As a person who grew up in a Christian Church, I'll admit that 2015 is a climate where a lot of faith people are shy to admit, confess and demonstrate their belief system. Television, new organizations and many politically motivated groups will label you very quickly as zealot, crazy, or ultra religious. I woke up this September  11th morning thinking about my reliance on God in my life and wanted to share a few simple scriptures that I hope will encourage you to reach out to the creator.

1. John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “ This means that from the beginning of time, Christ was alive and in our time he has been made real in flesh and the bible’s very words are of Christ.

2. Psalms 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. “ Our every decision should be made based on His word. It makes dark places light.

One of those incredible sunrises over Shackleford Banks.

3. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. “ The word is powerful. It is the road map to salvation. It’s active. It separates soul and spirit.

4. Matthew 4:4 says But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  We may believe we can make it through this world on our own, but we can’t. We may live, and we may even prosper, but the word of God is what brings sanctification (this is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy.) in to our life.

My son Lewis at 35,000 feet reading his Old Testament

5. Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” This is more of my favorite metaphoric  descriptions of God’s word. It is our protection. It is our shield. We are truly up against cosmic powers, darkness. How else can’t we withstand against evil forces. They are around us; our family is affected by them.

6 Finally. Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. “ Meditate, both day and night. Yes I know, are we monks??? I believe this applies to us as follows. If we bath ourselves with God’s work, our decision of what we say, where we go, and how we treat people with be our 24 hour thought process.

I have written this because I acknowledge I am a broken person. I believe the only way I am put back together is NOT my friends, not my job or successes, and not even my incredible marriage. It is through the Lord Jesus Christ.  There are only two ways to enter into his spiritual realm; Prayer and His Word.  I encourage you to not be afraid to open your bible and also go to a quiet place and simply speak to the Lord. It may seem odd at first, but I believe in time, it will become as natural as speaking to a friend.... And why not, He is your father.

TKS

A Gift of a Rainbow

 The Gift of a Rainbow

Norman Maclean ended his beautiful novella with these words "The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of those rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters.”

As I spent my second week in Montana this summer, something in me continued to hear the mysterious words "haunted by water".

So it was in August of 2015, I took my son to the great waters of the Missouri and the bending rocky and conifer laden banks of the Blackfoot River where Maclean experienced a youth that inspired him to write "A River Runs Through It".  Being August, we knew that the days would heat up so we rose early to get on the river as the fish were longing for their rising tricos (a common name given to Tricorythodes mayflies, which hatch most abundantly in August on trout rivers) and other winged dry flies. We met up with our guide, Taylor Todd with Cross Currents Fly Shop in the sleepy town of Ovando, Montana. With its perfect scenic blend of old and new, we rested our vehicle in this town of approximately 50 people. Lying in the Blackfoot Valley, Ovando sits just off of Montana Hwy 200 between Helena and Missoula.

Our Guide, Taylor Todd and Lewis and his first Rainbow

When Todd picked us up, I could see the anticipation in the eyes of Lewis, my son.  While he is an experienced outdoors man, he had never felt the excitement of a rainbow trout tugging on his line. I knew we were in for an experience.

The day yielded a modest catch. Although modest, each of the fish were beautiful. One of the things that cause fly fisherman to be so avid about the sport is the powerful fight that these amazing aquatic creatures exhibit, but its also the rainbow of colors that warm water fish just can't compare to. We spent 6 hours on the river and enjoyed the beauty that we knew was divinely created.  I knew however, that modest as our catch was, we were on our way to the Mighty Mo (Missouri) the next day! I was confident we were just mending our line on this day for what would be a great catch coming up.

A luminous smile

On our second day of fishing, we positioned ourselves in the boat, Lewis in front, and me in the rear. It was no time and I heard Lewis' drag on his reel screaming. His rod was bend over like an upside down crescent moon. I was so excited that I reeled my line in to just watch; and it was beautiful to watch. As Lewis began to fight the fish, he gathered enough time to look back at me desiring approval for his technique. Taylor had already shown Lewis how to bring in the big ones. Catching a trout is a fine line between hogging
the fish and giving too much slack. Dancing on the water, the fish was doing everything it could to get off. But Lewis, after about five minutes, managed to bring in the boat an 18" trout. His smile was luminous. As I sat there on the back of the boat an watched the son I was given communing with the waters and enjoying the gift of a rainbow; I knew He would never be the same. For a moment, I relived my first catch in the cold waters.

While Maclean was haunted by the waters, I knew that Lewis from this point on would be haunted by the most wonderful sport in the world.....Fly Fishing. The gift that Montana brought was beautiful mountains, fast flowing rivers, loads of elk, mule deer, mountain goats, eagles and a five minute battle with a rainbow.

The Elk at sunset.

Good times are one of the hardest things to leave behind. On this trip, everyday was a new chapter in what seemed to be our own book of life in the middle of Big Sky country! On the same waters that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark mapped the northwest territory, we traversed the turns and straight stretches on the canyon sided banks. I can only imagine what their thoughts were.  
I would say that the waters brought us closer together. But like the waters, we too had to drift on to another place. But for just a few small moments in our life, we were one with the river, one with the fish, and one with each other; together like only a father and son could be. I love Montana, but even more, I love my son and the common bond that we share with God's beautiful creation.

A father son double!!  Near Craig, Montana along the banks of the Missouri River.