Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Semper Fi

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope this finds you all well. I don't know about you, but the older I get the more I find myself reflecting on my life. I often sit in my recliner in the morning during my quiet time and think about the past. All the what ifs and what might have beens. In retrospect, God has blessed my life beyond belief. Admittedly, there have been many times in my life when I've failed or wanted to quit. There have been moments when I've just sat and cried because my life was so screwed up. I remember sitting in our apartment several months after our newborn son died and my wife had left me, thinking my life was over. I was broken. I remember vididly something inside me saying, "You have a choice. You can quit or you can keep going." I didn't understand it at the age of 22, but God had plans for me. I didn't see it then, but I do now. Trust me, my life isn't perfect and I still struggle to this day. Growing old is a challenge. It's easy to think about poor health, illness, aches and pain, finances, and a myriad of other things we face as seniors. The one constant in my life when I start wallowing in self pity are those we left behind at LZ Margo. It has now been over 55 years since LZ Margo. 55 years. Those who sacrificed their lives would give anything to be typing away on the DMZ Rats forum this morning. That always snaps me back to reality. In all honesty, it's difficult for me to reflect on the past and be bitter about anything. (I know I say that all the time, but it's true.) N(http://true.No)o,(http://true.No) my life hasn't always rainbows and unicorns, but I'm here today. My barber asked me yesterday why I'm always so happy. I told her because I've been so very blessed. I've had an extraodionary life. My one regret is not seeking help for my struggles many years ago. Therapy has changed my life. If you're still struggling, please don't be afraid or ashamed to seek help. On this day of thanksgiving, count your blessings. Enjoy the time with your family, loved ones, and friends. I think about many of you frequently, and I'm so blessed to know you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and savor every moment. Don't ever, ever give up. Semper Fi "The worst things to ever happen in my life have all turned out to be blessings from God." ~ Steve

I don't know about you, but the older I get the more I reflect back on my life. It's difficult for me to comprehend that it's been 55 years. Those days seem almost surreal now. I was literaly a kid back then. Most of us were teenagers. We saw things that no teenager should ever have to see. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I thought the feelings I was experiencing were normal. Fact of the matter is I will never be normal again after that day. Unfortunately, it took me nearly 40 years to come to that realization. Those feelings nearly destroyed me, our marriage, and my relationship with our children. I always had to be the tough guy. Showing any indication of needing help was a sign of weakness. My injury contributed to that. I was always afraid that if I failed someone would say, "See, I knew he couldn't do it." I've always had to be a little bit better and a little bit tougher because of that. Several years ago I was asked to sponsor a Marine who was in a Recovery Program at our church. To be honest, I didn't think I was capable of helping anyone, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone. Turned out be be one of the best decisions of my life. I accompanied him to a veterans support group one night to show my support, even though I had already made up my mind it was going to be nothing more than a bunch of whining veterans. Again, another great decision on my part. The leader of the group is a psycholigist and a decorated Vietnam veteran. He walked the walk and talked the talk. Truly an amzing man. That visit turned into a 3-year recovery program for me. So much for helping the Marine I was sponsoring. I learned that it's okay not to be okay, and admitting to my problems was actually a strentgh, not a weakness. Gradually, I learned to let down the armour that I had built up around my heart over the years. To be honest, I've never been a tough guy. I was afraid to show emotions and feelings because I thought it made me weak. I can't begin to tell you what a relief it is not having to constantly put on that facade. It changed my life. I recently stopped attending the group because I'm in a much better place. The memories from LZ Margo will always be there, but I process and deal with them much differently now. If you're still experiencing issues from Vietnam, I strongly encourage you to talk to someone and seek help. It will change your life. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I(http://of.mIt)t's "okay not to be okay." One of my summer rituals is to get up early every morning, make my coffe, and sit out and watch the sunrise. It's my "reflecting on life" time. Despite some little bumps in the road, my life has been amazingly blessed. I have to give God all the credit for that. I'm not that good. I realized this morning that I've experienced over 20,000 sunsets and sunrises since September 16, 1968. 20,000. Those who sacrificed their lives at LZ Margo never experienced another sunrise or sunset. B(http://sunset.cM)eing here to experience sunrises and sunsets is an amazing blessing. I now have many aches and pains, but I'm so very, very blessed. I'm sure any of those who sacrificed their life at Margo would give anything to be here for just one more sunrise or sunset. I, no we, are so very blessed. Every day is a gift from God. I hope you're all doing well and are healthy. You're constantly in my thoughts. Semper Fi and God Bless

Today is the day set aside to honor those who have sacrificed thier lives for our great nation. To be honest, I've always struggled a bit when someone wishes me a "Happy Memorial Day." There's really nothing "happy" about today for me. A friend wished me a Happy Memorial Day the other day and my response was, "Every day is Memorial Day to me." It's been nearly 55 years since LZ Margo. Seldom a day has passed since then that I haven't thought about it or those who died. Sometimes it's a sound, a smell or a song, but it doesn't take much to take me back to that day. Admittedly, there are times I wonder why God spared me that day and has blessed my life so much. I recently finished speaking to high school students about my experiences in Vietnam, and how LZ Margo changed my life forever. It has become my "cause" to keep the memory and spirit of those brave men alive. To say that the kids are amazing is an understatement. Not only does it make me feel young again, but it also gives me hope for the future of our country. For the first time in over 20 years, this year I included my struggles with PTSD and depression. I don't know why, but God prompted me to include it in my presentations. My new catch phrase is, "It's okay not to be okay." Ironically, I learned after my first presentation that one of their classmates had committed suicide the week before. Several of the students wrote me thank you letters and told me of their struggles with mental illness, and that I gave them hope. It brings me to tears thinking that someone so young is carrying those burdens. Thanks to God and lots of therapy, today I process those memories in a much more positive way. Maybe I just answered my question about feeling guilty for surviving September 16, 1968. Today we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Remember those heroes we left behind. It's up to us to keep their memory and spirit alive. I urge you to share your stories with others. We owe that to them. We're not getting any younger. Not only is it a very freeing experience, but it preserves an important part of American history. God Bless and Semper Fi.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. God Bless. Semper Fi

Just a quick shout out to wish all of you a very Happy Birthday. I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. It was truly an honor and privilege serving with the bravest Marines to ever walk the face of the earth. I will treasure that until the day I die. Semper Fi

I don't know about you, but I've found myself thinking about LZ Margo a lot this week. My thoughts and feelings about that day are all over the place. Part of me wishes the memories would magically disappear, and yet part of me doesn't want them gone. The sounds of September 16, 1968 are forever etched into my mind. The distant "thumping" of rounds leaving the NVA mortar tubes, and the blood curdling screams of the wounded and dying will haunt me until the day I die. Somehow, erasing those memories doesn't seem fair to those who sacrificed their lives. For me, that would mean those brave Marines have been forgotten, and that their sacrifice was for naught. That creates my dilemma. Even though those memories are still painful, I can't dishonor them by forgetting. Who's going to remember that day and those sacrifices if I forget? I have a good friend who served in Vietnam with the Army. One of his favorite sayings when we talk about Vietnam is, "I'm tired of being tired." Personally, I'm tired of reliving those moments over and over. I'm tired of the countless "ups" and "downs" in my life because of that time so long ago. I can't begin to tell you how many times over the years I've wanted to throw in the proverbial towel and quit. Another dilemma. To quit would dishonor those men, so I keep plugging away. To be fair, those "ups" and "downs" have made me who I am today. I'm tired, but I'm not beaten. Actually, I'm a much better and stronger person because of Vietnam and in particular, September 16, 1968. As much as my memories haunt me, I'm not sure I would change that part of my life. God has, and continues to bless my life beyond belief. It's difficult for me to be angry or bitter when I've been so blessed. Yes, there are times when I still feel "tired" and defeated, but the blessings in my life out weigh those moments by far. I often reflect on the amazing people God has put into my life over the years. I'm honored and humbled to have served with you at LZ Margo. Today is a day of reflection and remembrance for me. Let's honor those brave Marines we left behind by never forgetting their sacrifice, and by living our lives to the fullest. We owe that to them. Semper Fi

There are times when it's difficult for me to wrap my head around the fact that you've been gone for so long. In hindsight, those days are almost surreal to me. It seems like yesterday that we were 19-year old Marines who had a chance encounter just hours before you were killed. You are eternally 19, and I'm growing old. (I'm not complaining because God has blessed my life beyond belief.) It's ironic that our brief conversation turned into a life changing event for me. Not sure why, but the impact was profound. Our conversation haunted me for years. I could remember the trivial things we talked about on the afternoon of September 15, 1968, but I couldn't (and still can't) remember your face. After meeting with your brother, John, I've come to peace with that. It's important to me that you know you haven't been forgotten. Regardless of how brief our meeting was 54 years ago today, you made a life-long impression on a 19-year old kid from Buffalo Grove, IL. You are remembered . . . I promise. Semper Fi

To those gentle souls we left behind nearly 54 years ago, you have not been forgotten and will live in my heart until I take my last breath. Semper Fi

Thinking about all of you and those gentle souls we left behind so long ago. It is also a reminder to me of how much God has, and continues to, bless my life. I am honored and humbled to have served with you. God Bless. Semper Fi

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Semper Fi

I celebrated my first Marine Corps birthday 54 years ago today at MCRD San Diego. The Marine Corps changed my life. Even though my memories of those days have faded a little over the years, what an amazing journey it's been. I will always be proud to say I've served my country and that I'm a United States Marine. Semper Fi "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." ~ William Shakespeare Hope you're all are doing well and have a blessed day.

I don't know about you, but there aren't too many days that go by that I don't find myself thinking about Vietnam and the life changing events of LZ Margo. As the anniversary approaches, I feel like I'm on sensory overload. My mind is constantly thinking about the "what if's" or "what might have been." The memories of that day are still vivid. Sometimes, too vivid. They are forever etched into my soul. The screams, deafening explosions, and the continual "thumping" sound of NVA mortars leaving their tubes are permanently ingrained into my mind's eye. To this day, begging God to spare me that day is the most humbling experience of my life. It's ironic because up until September 16, 1968 I thought I was invincible. I'd seen friends killed and wounded, but that was never going to happen to me. I'd been in several fire fights, mortar, and rocket attacks prior to Margo, but I never thought I was going to be wounded or die. In fact, I don't ever remember being scared until afterwards when I had the opportunity to think about what had transpired. LZ Margo was different. I don't know why, but I knew I was about to die. I was no longer invincible. I was so certain that I mentally said goodbye to my mom and dad, and to my brother and sisters. There was very little cover, so I just laid there and waited for the inevitable. As scared as I was, it was one of the most peaceful and serene moments of my life. It seemed that the mortars were never going to stop. The explosions were deafening. The screams were louder. Some of the rounds hit so close that they lifted me off the ground. I remember there were moments when I thought the attack was stopping, but the NVA were just walking the rounds to another part of the LZ. When the next barrage came back I was wounded. In hindsight, I realize God had heard me begging for my life and spared me. Back then it had nothing to do with God, I was just lucky. I've thought about it thousands and thousands of times over the years and still don't know why He spared me. How, in the midst of all that chaos, did they find a corpsman to treat my wounds? How did I get medevaced on the first chopper? Why didn't the helicopter we were on crash because it was so overloaded? Why didn't I bleed to death? I'll never know the answers to those questions, but they've given me a purpose in life. That purpose is to keep alive the memory and spirit of the heroes who sacrificed their lives at LZ Margo. That is my sole purpose and I will continue to do so until the day I die. Over the years I've been told by some that I need to "get over" Vietnam. How do I "get over" something that is engraved into my soul? How do I "get over" a life altering experience that's made me who I am today? To be honest, I don't want to forget. To forget would be a grave dishonor and injustice to those brave men who sacrificed their lives. That's why God spared me. To be the voice they no longer have. That's our responsibility. We are United States Marines and the camaraderie and love we share for one another is what makes us unique. We are a brotherhood like no other. I've seen things that no teenager should ever have to see. We've all seen those things. The events of September 16, 1968 will forever be with us. As difficult as those times were, I have no regrets. I can't begin to tell you how much I've struggled, and there have been many times I wanted to give up. The blessing is that those sometime seemingly insurmountable struggles have made me a better and stronger person, and I can't be bitter or angry about that. God has, and continues to bless my life beyond belief. Semper Fi

I know some of you have already seen this, but I thought it only fitting to share it again because the 53rd anniversary of John's death falls on Memorial Day this year. This is something I wrote to honor John on Memorial Day 2014. It was printed in a Chicago area newspaper. John was killed when our patrol was ambushed on May 31, 1968 just outside of Con Thien. His death, as well as many others, have had a profound impact on my life. Thanks for the memories, John. Memorial Day 2014 This week marks the 46th anniversary of your death. Friends and families will be getting together this Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. Unfortunately, most will give little or no thought to you or the thousands upon thousands of brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I will think about you and all the others as I do every day. Your beautiful smile is forever etched into my mind’s eye. Today I am reminded of how truly blessed I am to be able to smell the delicate fragrance of blooming lilacs, the aroma of countless grills riding the breeze in our neighborhood, and the scent of freshly mowed grass. Simple pleasures that you gave up so long ago that we take for granted. I want you to know that you are greatly missed and will never be forgotten. I have kept your spirit alive in my heart and you are my hero. Semper Fidelis In memory of John A. Dennis “H” Co 2/26 Marines KIA May 31, 1968 Vietnam Ironically, John was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO on June 14, 1968, which would have been his 20th birthday. His daughter, Catrina, was born 6 days later on June, 20, 1968.

Yesterday I had the honor and privilege of speaking to History classes at Glenbrook South H.S. in Glenview, IL. (Tom, if you read this your pictures have added so much to my presentation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to use them. ) It was the first time I'd been back in the classroom in 2 years because of the pandemic. I was so excited to speak to the kids. Actually, I had an adrenaline rush that I've never experienced before. I asked God to use me to touch someone's heart with my story. The classes went great and as always, the kids were amazing. When I got home, I had an email from one of the teachers whose class I'd spoken to. I'm including it below. I had this in my 'inbox' when I got home. Hello, I just want to say how amazing and impactful it was to have Mr. Haisley tell his story in class today. It has made a life-long impression on me and I am truly grateful for this experience! I am so happy he was able to do this and thank you so much! Sincerely, Elle ***** This email got me to thinking, which can be pretty dangerous at times. ;-) Each of us has a story and is unique. Mine is no more special than anyone else's. That being said, I'm issuing a challenge. Memorial Day is just a few weeks away. I'm challenging you to share your story about LZ Margo with someone you don't know or someone close who's never heard it. Very simple and not complicated. There won't be a test on this, but I'm asking you to post what happened when you shared your story. If you post something, you get a free can of ham and motherf@%#*ers. Just kidding!!!!! Let's see how many people are successful by Memorial Day. Semper Fi

Just thought I'd check in and see how everyone is doing. The weather here in Northern Illinois is finally starting to warm up a bit. We had snow flurries yesterday and a hard frost this morning, but we're supposed to be in the 70's next week. It's been so nice to get out and work in the yard a little. It seems like this past winter dragged on forever. We've also been spending quite a bit of time with our 3 grandchildren. They keep us young. Lauren and I have both of our COVID vaccines, so we feel a little more comfortable being out in public. I got some great news today. I've been asked to speak to local high school students on my experiences in Vietnam the first week in May. I've been speaking to high school classes for about 20 years, but was unable to do so last year because of the pandemic. As some of you know, talking about my experiences and those we left behind has become my passion. I truly believe that kids today need to know about the sacrifices that so many have made for our freedom. I'm truly honored that some teachers have made me a part of their American History curriculum and have given me the opportunity to share my story. I hope you're all doing well and staying healthy. Take care and God Bless. Semper Fi

It's been a few weeks since anyone has posted so I thought see how everyone is doing. As usual, not much going on here in Northern Illinois. It seems like one day just blends into the next. Lauren and I haven't socialized a great deal and have managed to stay healthy. Our weather hasn't been too bad, so I can't complain about that. We haven't had much snow and it hasn't been very cold. I think we've used our fireplace more this year than in any of the 40 years we've lived here. Admittedly, it does make things toasty for my daily afternoon nap. I'm really looking forward to warmer weather and being able to spend time outdoors. Other that, same old stuff. Thinking about everyone this morning and praying you're all well. Have an awesome day and stay healthy. Semper Fi

Just want to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. This has been a difficult and trying year with COVID to say the least, but we have survived and the new year brings hope. Regardless of all the craziness, I still consider myself so very blessed. Stay healthy and God Bless. Semper Fi

Happy 245th Birthday United States Marine Corps. It is truly an honor and a privilege to have served with such amazing Marines. Semper Fidelis

A crisp fall morning here in Northern Illinois. Thought I'd check in and see how you're all doing. I say this every time I make a post, but I'm not sure where the time goes. My travels for the year are over. I managed to keep fairly busy this summer with a trip to Colorado to visit with my family and our son, and I made 2 trips to Indiana to visit and spend time with several of the guys I was in boot camp with. We always joke that we were once 18-years old and lean and mean, and now we're all in out 70's. My brain continues to tell me I'm 18, but unfortunately my body doesn't agree and won't comply in any way, shape or form. Our grandchildren continue to be the bright spot in our lives. I don't know what we'd do without them. What a blessing they are! Lauren and I remain healthy, which is another blessing. I continue to get together with my small group from church every week for dinner, and we do an hour long Zoom meeting every Sunday morning. We've been eating outside keeping the appropriate social distancing, but I'm not sure what we'll do now that winter is approaching. I really miss going to church every Sunday morning. Admittedly, I'm a "social butterfly" and need contact with friends and family on a daily basis. Hope you're all doing well and staying healthy. I'd love to get together again and see everyone. Once wasn't enough. We're not getting any younger. Maybe we can plan a get together next year. It doesn't have to be fancy like our first reunion. I miss the camaraderie that we shared in Detroit. Have an amazing day and God Bless. Semper Fi