Addendum:

 

Apparently while suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Dissorder, my friend Rick has dissappeared.  I don't know if he has killed himself or whether he has decided to have a new life.  Since he has been gone now more than a month, I suspect he won't be coming back.  I have written some of my thoughts here for those who care.

 

Rick Ingram

 

I have only three regrets when I think about my friend Rick Ingram.  The first is that I wish that he would have come and talked to me before he decided to take his leave.  Maybe I could have reasoned with him and convinced him that he had a lot to live for.  I regret that we never make our big reenacting tour.  I wish would we could have gone back east for the reenacting tour we dreamed about, marching in some of the biggest reenactments, enjoying the camaraderie of the campfire, and then finding a hotel with a hot tub in it to heal up in afterwards.  I regret not having grown old(er) together.  I had visions of us sitting in the same retirement village arguing over whether the MG 34 or MG 42 was the best German machine gun of WWII and if the Confederacy would have lasted longer if Gen. Jackson had survived his wounds.

 

For all the rest, I regret nothing!  I have many joyous memories to share.  He and I became friends shortly after I got out of the Air Force.  We met at a gaming convention and ever after that, he harassed me about my bright, kelly green Sherman tanks.  He went out to a local bar with me to celebrate the birth of my first child and was also there, helping with advice and baby pins, when I changed her first poopy diaper without the support of my wife. 

 

We solved all the world’s problems several times over beer and steamer clams.  We were barred from the Onion Bar and Grill Trivia contest for winning too much.  We would have won them all if it hadn’t been for the sports category.

 

We played paint ball together.  We collect painted, reorganized and repainted thousands of military miniatures.  He was the master at improvising terrain pieces and kit bashed equipment.  We wargamed and rehashed all the major battles of our time and invented many more.  In the process, we adopted a group of young men that we mentored and supported.  Rick has kept that alive by continuing to adopt kids in need and helping them get on with their lives. 

 

He drafted me into the 15^th Alabama reenacting company and I am still convinced that he rigged the drawing at that first reenactment so that my daughter won the pistol and got my kids hooked.  From there I have made many friends and connections that will last me a life time.

 

If it hadn’t been for Rick, I don’t know that I would have survived the transition to civilian life.  He listened, cajoled, insulted, and otherwise got me out of my funk and into the real world.  I am still grateful.

 

So as I write this, we don’t know if he is still with us or decided he needed a new life and has left our presence for another, however my life is richer for having had Rick in it.  Rick Ingram, I am glad to have known you!

Who would win the 2008 Presidental Election.

 

Paid Novemeber 8, 2008

 

Rick chose Obama

 

Mark chose McCain

 

Mark bought a Pitcher of Palouse Porter, Steak Quesadillas, Chips and Salsa

 

Bet 2

 

Paid March 28th 2009

 

Would Rick be kept on Active Duty past the 5 year limit.

 

Mark said Yes

 

Rick said No

 

Rick bought two pitchers of Scottish Ale, Steak Quesadillas, Onion Rings and a Veggie Sandwich for Mark's vegatarian daughter who joined us and was scribe for the new beer bets.

 

1.   Obama lowers middle income taxes in the first year in Office.

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

2.   There will a terroist attack in the US in by non-US nationals in Barak Obmama's first year in office.

 

Rick says No,  Mark says Yes.

 

3.   North and South Korea will be united by the end of Barak's presidency.

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

4.   Gas will be at or above $3.25 at the Conoco below Mark's house by August 1st 2009

 

Rick says No,  Mark says Yes.

 

This is a win for Rick.  Let me know where and I'll buy the beer.

 

5.   Obama will be a one term president.

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

6.    The Democrats will lose control of the House and Senate in the next election.

 

Rick says No, Mark says Yes.

 

It's a tie if they lose only one house and then we both buy ;-)

 

After one pitcher of Scottish Ale on March 28th 2009, we decided to brain storm on some other beer bets.  This time we had a scribe (my daughter) so we could remember all the ones we came up with.  The increased number may be the influence of my scholarly daughter, the second pitch of Scotish Ale or maybe just the fact that she helped us remember them all ;-)

 

7.  Rick's middle son gets married before March 28th 2011.

 

Rick says No, Mark says Yes.

 

8.  Rick's middle son joins the military by December 31st 2009.

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

9.  World Ends in 2012 at the expiration of the Mayan Calendar.  This will be measured by CNN going off the air.

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

10. Mark's middle son will get in a car wreck before he is 20 (January 12th, 2011)

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

11.  Mark's middle son will get in married by  March 28th, 2011)

 

Rick says Yes,  Mark says No.

 

12. Rick will find the love of his life (he is a widower) before the 28th of March, 2011)

 

Rick says No, Mark says Yes, however Rick would be happy to pay up on this one so come on ladies, there is half a pitch of beer in it for you if you can weep Rick off his feet!