See how the Rat and I are getting along now? There IS a chance for world peace. There IS a chance Obama and the rest of the Democrats get some common sense. I really do appreciate the Rat agreeing with me on helping Danny in my last blog. Rat will have trouble with that coin thing. If you try to put the rank on those coins some of the guys will be left out. I mean how can Tex get his rank on his coin. If you do it by symbol he will have no stripes. And I've never heard of an E-0 if you do it by pay grade. The Rat will have to figure all of that out because it is his fault, not Tex's. And I've heard that Phil Dubois didn't ever even go by rank. Nobody ever knew what rank he had. The Rat likes ME so much now that he lets me bow before him and kiss his hand. It is almost embarrassing when he does it in some place public like a steakhouse or massage parlor. I also want to take this opportunity to to inform everyone that I am tired of being called Lil Cowboy. From this day forward I demend to be called "GOOBER" after my favorite character in television history. I have aspired to be like him all my life and I feel that at this juncture in my life, I have achived my goal.
I also want to thank "Rat" for all his guidance over the last months. Where woulod I be if he had not been here to pull my bacon out of the fire on repeated occassions. the Rat is a man among men. I am sure all of you know that all that banter between us is just fun.
I want to end this session with stating my alligence to a great leader, "The Rat".

For once, I find myself in complete agreement with the Cowboy. We need to create some excitement and intrest. I believe we should have another auction. Each attendee woulod be required to bring one raffle item. A lot of times, places like Wal Mart, Home Depot, Lowes and Army/Navy places will donate. Some require letters and I would write one up and send tem out to all concerned. I would also like ideas for Reunion memetos. We can stick with the coins, I can get different types, IE,a coin with your rank on it and possibly the date of the reunion, or like we did this year but a different coin. Or for those who liked the baseball hat we raffled this year. It was unique and we can do something a little different so that hat is still one of a kind. I need ideas troops. In case you do not know it, Brigg's two favorite passtimes are eating and sleeping, so you can see it is going to be an up hill battle.

DANNY MABE UPDATE:

I spoke with Evelyn and Danny this afternoon. Evelyn tells me Danny is not doing well. He will eat just enough to get by and will virtually not drink anything at all. He is down to 170 lbs. For him that is not a lot of weight. I spoke to Danny at length and tlod him he had only two choices, eat and live or do not eat and die. I told him I did not want to have to go to Florida to his funeral. I will talk with Evelyn every three or four days and check up on him. If he is not doing better I will make like I was calling and chew his ass somemore.

It would do him a lot of good if you guys would email him and chew his ass. Tell him he has to get his shit together and get better. It does not make any difference how well you know him, he is one of us. Here is his email address. mabe1@tampabay.rr.com

Lets get behind this and do what we can as a unit.

"Brothers Forever"

Rat

We need something to get us kick-started for next year's reunion. We had the "TRA" thing with the Rat getting his nuts roasted in Texas this year. And SWWOW/CS done got illegitatmently "crowned" as Company Sweetheart without so much as an Iranian-style election. So that took care of that. Now we need a new direction. I say it needs to have something to do with Danny Briggs since he is hosting the next reunion. Brigg's Bash In The Burg? Or Brigg's Burg Big-ass Bash? Brigg's Big-ass Burg Bash? The Burg or Bust? The Burg or Dolly's Busts? It needs a title. Then we need to decide what to do about him once we get there.


Tex won't answer his phone.
Harry's crawdeads are croaking with his tigers.
The Rat is looking for a new nest.
The Princess sleeps too much.

I am also a changed man. In the old days I would have made a big deal out of Lil Cowboy sleeping through his alarm and being about three hours late showing up to help SWWOW/CS move into her new digs yesterday. In fact, in the old days, I would have made a big deal of the fact that he needs an alarm. As all real men can utilize his internal clock and wake up at the correct time. However, as I am a new man, I will not take that tack. Because I am a new man, I will not make fun of the fact that it took him an hour to put one, count em, one mirror on a dresser. Six screws. I will also not make fun of the fact that I had to do his side of the bed, that was only two, count em two bolts.
Now I also have to thank him for helping, what little work he did. OOPs, there I go, I'm sorry, I forgot, I am a new man and a good friend of the Cowboy. Really, I am. He is a hell of a guy. In fact, I was talking to him the other day and asked him if he knew where we could get day labor, he told me he knew where to pick up some guys. I did not pursue this because I am not the kind of person that delves into some ones personal life and the fact that I am a new man and would not do something like that to the Cowboy.
Now if the "Old" Cowboy wants to return, I have some unseen photos of him I could post on the web site. However, since I am a new man, I will not do so at this time. That does not mean I could not revert to my old ways.

I hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to next year like I am. I know that Danny Briggs is willing to go to Gatlinburg and personally visit to see what is up and how he can better do the job. Now thats dedication. You see how easy it is to take on a project and run with it.

I spoke with the elusive Tex (1sg) Dilday of the TRA today. He is fine and checking in as required. Tryed to call Harry today but could not connect. "Big" JohnMartin is well and working hard as usual. attempted to call Danny Mabe this evening, no luck.

As I said earlier, SWWOW/CS has finally moved to the great state of Texas, and she is living in Carrollton close to Keith's brother Loy who is a retired Peace Officer. I feel better already. Her place is smaller than her last and there fore her home is now filled to the rafters with boxes and furniture. On top of that, all her school supplies and furniture is stored there too. At this point, you need a road map to find your way through her place.

Being serious for a moment, I want to thank Keith who has gone out of his way to help us out. He has spent a lot of time and energy ensuring that SWWOW/CS's move was as easy as it could be. Thanks Cowboy.

I am extremely worried about the rest of you. It appears that you have forgot how to type. How about getting on here and conversing with those of us who take the time to pass on little tid bits of humor or just plain every day talk. The whole point of this site is to communicate with each other. So how about communicating. Pass on ideas, how your day went, whats new in your life, funny stories. Hell make up shit, but do something.

"Brothers Forever",

Rat

I'm sorry for you about the swimming pool mishap! I would NEVER make fun of you for that! I am a CHANGED man! I need to talk to SWWOW/CS about not having a bigger deck! She may have been in non-compliance with city ordinances. In my "old" days I would have asked you if you even knew a pool was behind you...or if you even knew you were backing up toward the pool. But I don't do THAT now. I will say that if you had your wallet in your pocket when that happened you would have at least been carrying some "clean" money for a change. And in the "old" days I would have said it would not have mattered if you would have had your cell phone in your pocket because you don't know how to use it anyway. BUT not now! I'm a changed man!

I hate to admit it, but the Cowboy has come through again or at least he has indicated he will. Not being familiar with the Carrollton area, I do not know where to find day labor. WELL, the Cowboy has told me he will drive all the way from Trenton early in the morning to help me find some illegals to unload the truck. In addition I think I remember him saying he was going to buy lunch and pay the help. I could be wrong about thios part as I some times drop off to sleep during the day and dream these things.
I am up in Phoenix loading out my daughter SWWOW/CS and bringing her back to Texas. In any case, I am out there this morning cleaning around the pool with a hose. Well, part of the pool decking is some what narrow. I am backing up while hosing off the decking. You have to know what comes next. I drag my self out of the pool and knock on the glass door to get SWWOW/CS attention. She looks up and starts laughing at me. i thought she was going to fall out of the chair. I found no humor in the situation. I am just glad I did not have my wallet and phone on me.
I know my good friend Lil Cowboy will not make fun of me over this unfortunate experience.
I have spoken with 1sg Dilday, so I know he is still breathing.
I do not hear much from ya all and I would like too. I would like some feed back on the reunion. How can we make it better? Did you enjoy your self. Give me an idea of some other locations.
Rick, did you receive your package? How about getting on the Blog sometime? The rest of you need to do some writing also.
Few more days and we hit the road for Gods Country.
No Harry, it is not Louisiana.
Sleep time, got to load the truck tomorrow.

Good Night,
Rat,
Commander, TRA

Overton call me.
Tex, .223
Harry, Get the gear
John, Stay away

Keith, I hold no rank in the TRA but support the Ratster 100%. As a high ranking member of the SRF, "Southern Redneck Forces", and a "blood brother" member of Alpha Company, I also support SWWOW as CS 100%. I guess it would take a vote of the TRA members to change Rat's standing in the TRA and a vote of Alpha Co members to do same for our CS. I don't know where Tex is - haven't heard from him in over a week. Later.

How come Tex has not been on here? It can't because he doesn't know how to get on. If Harry can do it ANYBODY can do it and he gets on now and then. The Rat still owes Harry $50 because the Longhorns screwed around and let LSU beat them. Harry may be about ready to rescind the Rat's leadership role of the TRA and/or SWWOW/CS's new title as CS. I wouldn't blame Harry if he takes either or both actions. The Rat has to learn that now he is now a Texan he MUST honor his debts.
Speaking of the Rat....he called and told me he arrived by TWA in Phoenix yesterday. he said it was a four hour flight, but he slept four and a half hours of it. Go figure. I am NOT putting him down for it. I wouldn't do that "anymore". I'm just suggesting that either he was lost in his sleep (not surprising) OR Terrorist World Airlines has got some new incentives on now for flying with them. Like "Just keep sleeping after we land as long as you want to. We value our elderly customers' comfort."

In response to SWWOW/CS's request for the Yankees to take first place I decided to call my old buddy George Steibrenner and demand some changes be made after the all star break that I KNOW will put some fire under their butts! And although I have very little control over the Red Socks I will call up the owner of the Rangers and tell HIM that they need to sweep Boston in both series they have left to play them. Maybe that will help both SWWOW/CS and the Yankees. You just ask me for the Moon girl and I will give you that AND the stars! I ain't bashful when it comes to throwing my weight around.
I have heard and seen nothing but good things about the Rat for some time now. Other than Lynn tripping him and causing him to be somewhat down in the back, and then he decided to introduce himself to several Texas size wasp, it seems all is going well for him. (And NO...I'm NOT going to say he wasn't watching where he was going again and got lost in the trees.) He called me yesterday and we even had a very pleasant visit. I guess the old adage about "treat others as you would want them to treat you" works in our case too! Since the Rat decided he needed to be nice to me, I've returned the favor and we are now like Forrest Gump and Bubba.

I am not sure how, but I know that it is Lil Cowboys fault that my dad's and my baseball team is THREE games behind the first place runner! He is the AD of his high school so maybe he has some kind of pull with the MLB?? All I know is that he better change it and make the Yankees in first palce and the Red Sox in second if not third!!!!!!

How are the rest of you good looking men? I am packing and hate it! I hate moving and I seem to do it ALL the time. I need to find myslef a man and get married. I bet I would not move around as much. Is my inmate still available or did he get fried? LOL

Write more soon. Hope to hear from you all soon.

Love,
SWWOW/CS

Hello all you young, good looking, strong and sexy men of the Alpha Company! How are you all doing? I am awesome! I just saw the movie The Hangover and OMG that was soooo funny. I would reccomend you all going to see it. I laughed so hard soda came spouting out of my nose. That was a sight to see.

My dad does give compliments. You have to earn them, but if you get one you are golden. Just ask any of my friends. They are gald he even speaks to them. He actually gave my friend Amanda a hug good bye. I know, Rat can be sentimental. It is not often but it does happen.

I would have no problem being on the home page. I actuall have a very good picture of me from my 33rd birthday just a few months ago. Let me know who to send that too and I will be more than happy and proud to represent this company.

You all have a great day and remember that I love ya'll.

SWWOW/CS

I talked to the Rat today and I'll be damned if I didn't get a compliment! I REALLY did! I gave him a book to read and he told me he actually enjoyed reading it. He even "thanked" me for it! We were so gushy and mushy to each other, you would have thought we were Barny Franks and Nancy Pelosi shacked up in the Holiday Inn. But I DO appreciate him. And I appreciate all he has done and does for all of us. I wish the guy doing the pictures for the web site of the Texoma Reunion would get those done so you all would get off the Rat's back about that! I guess I'll take his 6 on everything here in the blog because no one else will.
And that good ol SWWOW-CS... bless her little pea-picking heart.... I don't want to hear not one discouraging word about HER either. I'm gonna find her a princess crown to wear and take some pictures of her for the web site. She SHOULD be on the Home Page of the site if you ask me.
Good night Brothers!
Keith

I never thought I would see the day when Lil Cowboy conceded anything. However, there is always a first time. I want to congratulate SWWOW on her new post as Company Sweetheart. As Commander of the Texas Republican Army, I am going to promote her to the rank of SGT. E-5 with a date of rank of 4 July, 2009. I want to thank my mentor and 1sg for supporting SWWOW in her endevor.
I appreciate Lil Cowboy's honoring his promise and I will do the same. No pictures other than reunion pictures will appear on the web site.
I am thinking of promoting Lil Cowboy, and I will in short order, no pun intended. I will convene a promotion board consisting of myself, Harry, Tex and 26. I will notify all concerned within one week. Lil Cowboy will have two weeks to study for his board from date of notification.
Have a good night everyone.
Rat,
Commander, TRA
Overton is still on the move.
Tex, 6x8x9
Harry, 6x8x9
Lil Cowboy, we need the bait.

I will humbily submit to SWWOW that she deserves to be Company Sweetheart. I actually was pulling for her all this time. Just like I worked "behind the scenes" to help her Dad become Commander of the TRA. But I am not one who looks to be in the spotlight, so I will let others take all the accolaides for helping SWWOW-CS gain her fame. All of my my attention to detail and toughness towards SWWOW-CS and the Rat were meant to make them both strong people such as myself. Kind of like the pressure it takes to turn a chunk of coal into a diamond. I will say no more discouraging words about either of them. I promise.
It is good to see Tex back on the blog! I was afraid he had gone fishing with Harry again but decided to sit in the seat at the front of the boat himself. Harry's method of fishing is not for everyone.
I am patiently waiting for the Rat to produce the pictures of this year's reunion. I know he will do a great job with them. He has ONLY had a few weeks to put them on the blog so I want you other guys to lay off of him.
And congratulations again to SWWOW-CS! I don't care what your Daddy says about you, I think you are alright!

Good afternoon gentlemen,
Thank you for electing me YOUR Company Sweetheart! I promise to live up to the name. When ever you feel down and need to hear how young and handsome you look, I will be there for you! I will live up to my promotion I PROMISE!
Lil Cowboy, I am sorry that you were out voted. What is it that you have against my family??? You did not vote for my dad, you did not want me to be CS? Did we do something to your family in a previous life? Maybe you should seek some mental health.....it may do you good.
I am off to run errands. I love you all and you all really are the best 30 year old looking men I have seen in a LONG time!!!

XOXOXO
SWWOW and CS!!!!!!

Thanks Tex, I knew all true southern gentlemen would cast a yes vote. But please don't blame me for the Rat's present state of mental condition. I tried to convince him years ago not to drink from that mountain stream after the plane dumped all that agent orange in our AO.

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted here, thing's have been a little crazy here in the Republic. I am very happy to cast my vote for SWWOW for CS. Sorry Lil Cowboy, but I have to go with my gut feeling and do this, because it's the right thing to do. After all, that great redneck leader Harry cast his vote for her, and we must remember he was to one that got the Rat where he is today.

I am proud to call SWWOW our CS and Rat our CO!!!

From the Republic,

1st Sgt. Tex

They use to come to my defense! I don't have a thing against SWWOW or SWWOW becoming Company Sweetheart. I'm just saying it should be done in a proper way. What if Lynn wants to be CS? Or Tex?? Or maybe Danny or Tommy (boots)??? She MUST be put to the test. Not even her "very" Old Man got to be Commander of the TRA without due process. I will honor SWWOW if she gets to be CS but it will be with reservations.
And I'll have each of you know that the blonde and brunette in the hot tub were NOT a Golden Retriever and a Lab. Thats all I will say about that. And if the Rat has any pics of me that HE thinks will embarrass the wives I predict he will post them. I think he is doing all he can to scare the wives off from the reunions as it is! Little does he know wives!

Hi, this is Little Miss Priss,
I am sorry that Lil Cowboy feels that me being Company Sweetheart is a mistake. He knows just like all of you that the phrase "dirty ole men" is just a phrase. I honestly think you all look handsome. Older men are more gentlemen like..... unlike Lil Cowboy who is older than I am but younger than you all. He has not learned his manners yet.
I did not want to let this cat out of the bag, but Lil Cowboy has to learn a lesson....Lil Cowboy called me today for my home address. He is sending me information about my new school district that he found in the newspaper. Very nice of him. I knew that the south was known for its incest, but I never thought that the south was into animals as well. We all have heard Lil Cowboy talk about how he is a women magnet. Well I think he may have a few screws loose in the head. When he called to get my address I asked him what he was up to. He said that he being the stud that he is was sitting in his hot tub with a blonde and a brunette. I told him that although the Golden Retriever (the blonde) and Chocolate Lab (brunette) were female, dogs do not count as being in the tub with two women. I am very worried about him. If you all go visit him and have animals or he comes to visit you PLEASE watch your animals closely.

SWWOW

Earlier I wrote on the Blog that I would not post any pictures other than official reunion pictures on the web site. Did I not, HuH? What is wrong with him? Here I attempt to hand him an olive branch and I get nothing in return. I may be forced to release pictures of a certain cowboy in female garb, if I was to have this picture, which I am not saying I have. I am still willing to keep my end of the bargin. However, I question of SWWOW being elected Company Sweetheat is not up to Lil Cowboy, even if he thinks it is. He can piss and moan all he wants, but it is what it is. Conrgatulations SWWOW.

Rat
Commander, TRA

The Rat has failed again to do his sworn job. How long does it take someone to put pictures on a web site? He must be lost again OR he lost the pictures. Maybe the pictures are on the the parking lot of Krogers in Sherman where I found his phone! I know he got some pictures from Lobo, Danny, and myself weeks ago. And WHO put the the times we post stuff on the blogs as being in the West Coast time zone? Now I'm only going to have 5 more minutes to stop this deal for SWWOW and she has 2 hours and 5 minutes to make it pass. This is not fair! More of the Obama type stuff going on here!

I feel like the Republicans did last week when I was watching C-Span and they got the energy package jammed down thier throats by the Democrats who didn't even know what they were passing. It made me pass gas! But at any rate... this business of SWWOW being Company sweetheart cannot pass without a formal vote of the men at next year's reunion. hell, Tex or somebody else might want THAT title! We ain't the Chinese, Iranians, or Democrats. we are SUPPOSE to be red-blooded American Alpha Males who use parlimentary procedure! And where does "miss prissy" come off talking that way calling you all "dirty old men"??? Shame on her!

My Dear Handsome Vetrens,
You all know that I will honor the title of Company Sweetheart. I am a true, red-blooded, all AMERICAN gal who is the daughter of a decorated war hero and the commander to a bunch of EXCELLENT men. Lil Cowboy just does not want to be replaced as Company Sweetheart. You all know that he has loved getting all this attention from everyone and he thinks that I will start to get it all. Well, I am a bit better looking, I am a REAL teacher, not just some jock coach, I LOVE all of you as if you were my own blood and I am pretty sure that you all enjoy hugging me hello more than you love hugging him hello. So please do what you know is right and vote me in. I know that I have Harry's, vote, my dad's, Danny Briggs and Tex. If no one else votes and Lil Cowboy is the only one that votes no by midnight tonight then I win!!!!
By the way, I have quite a few friends that are male, who were/are in the service and they have explained to me the correct way to unfold a flag. So if any of you know how....shame on you!!!!!! As Company Sweetheart I am just watching out for you and covering your back, we do not want your loving wives to know about you dirty old men!!!

SWWOW and CS as of tomorrow!!

xoxoxoxo

Ok, I said I would agree to support SWWOW and stop writing personal stuff about the Rat, IF the Rat didn't post ANY pictures of me on the web site. I think my overture of compromise should be adhered to. If not then it must be back to the good old days of letting you all know of when the Rat does his thing and gives us all something to talk about, which is pretty often. And my support of SWWOW will be withdrawn posthaste. She would then have to go through the rigors of EARNING her title just like any other "chicken fried" member. I think Harry is throwing his support of SWWOW out there way too soon. Tex, Danny, and 2-6 are even being silent and waiting in the wings on this one. I do not blame them. This is way too important to just let it slide right through like its Obama's energy plan or something. I must be the ONLY true card-carrying Republican amongst us. I even know how to properly unfold a flag. Do any of YOU know how???

I vote in the affirmative for SWWOW to become CS & I urge all southern rednecks to do the same.