I never had a chance to meet him, because his father married my mother years after he died, but they called him a "baby killer". He was reviled, ridiculed and slandered by many of his countrymen. But he never heard the calumnies and the insults, because by the time the letters containing them were delivered to his parents' home, he already had been buried following a military funeral.
In the pre-dawn hours of July 7, 1968, at a remote outpost near the Cambodian border, the 24-year-old officer was in charge of an artillery battery whose job it was to cut off an escape route into Cambodia that was being used by North Vietnamese forces. An NVA unit of vastly superior numbers launched a surprise attack on the position being occupied by elements of the 12th Marines. Rousing from sleep, the young officer rallied his men and engaged in close combat with the enemy. After dispatching up to 24 enemy soldiers while reversing the direction of his artillery unit, the officer was cut down by fire from a Russian-made AK-47. However, his quick and decisive action in re-positioning his artillery resulted in successfully repelling the enemy attack, with only 15 American casualties (including himself) and saving the lives of many of his comrades.
He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his gallantry.
His father, who served with the Marines in the Pacific during World War II, grieved the only way he knew how. His father was a writer, so he wrote a moving and thought-provoking article about his son for Reader's Digest. After the piece was published, a flood of hate mail flowed into his father's mailbox. Three years later, still grieving the death of his only child, the father used the hate mail as the backdrop for a new novel, Next of Kin. Although no longer in print, the book can be found in many bookstores and online, and it tells the poignant story of the nation's confusion and division concerning Vietnam that was prevalent at the time.
Today is Memorial Day. I urge all who view this to join me in remembering those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country, especially the more than 58,000 who did so during a very unpopular war and who, rather than being honored, were reviled by their countrymen.
As has been said by many who have experienced combat, the only true heroes are those who didn't make it back.
Today I remember with honor and deep appreciation my step-brother, 2d Lt. Michael Lee Dewlen. And although I never got to meet him, I am proud to call him my brother.
R. David Weaver
P.S. -- If you are interested in reading his father's book, you likely can find it by Googling "Al Dewlen" and going to one of the sites that offer his work.
RDW
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Day I Became a Father
It was a harrowing 36-hour period. Shortly after midnight May 24, 1972, a young girl was abducted during a hold-up at a Waco 7-Eleven store, and as a reporter for the local newspaper, I was called in to cover the story. After the girl was released on the afternoon of May 25, my photographer and I conducted our interview, and copy and photos were turned in near deadline.
After an exhausting day and a half, I got home at about 11:00 p.m. on the 25th. It was a Thursday night, and I had planned to take off on Friday and spend a long Memorial Day weekend catching up on much-needed sleep and relaxation. But before I had settled in for the night, my wife informed me that she believed she was in labor with our first child. Instead of going to bed, we packed up and headed for the hospital.
I had seen enough movies and had watched enough "I Love Lucy" episodes to know that babies are born within two hours after the expectant mother gets to the hospital. So I naturally believed that I only was delaying my bedtime by a few hours, at most.
Movies and television programs do not necessarily reflect life as it often is.
After 19 hours of labor, at exactly 8:00 p.m. on May 26, 1972, Dena Gayle Weaver came into the world, and I became a father.
In those days, fathers were not permitted in the delivery room, so I paced in a traditional waiting room for expectant fathers smoking cigarettes (it was the fashionable thing to do at the time, and hospitals had no problem permitting smoking inside their facilities) and watching people come, have their babies, and leave, wondering all along why it could not have worked that way for me.
When the nurse finally rolled the incubator containing my baby into the waiting room, I was amazed at this creature with its eyes wide open, staring calmly up at a disheveled young man with a silly grin on his weary face.
From that moment, my life was forever changed.
I knew very early that Dena was special. When she was only 5 years old, she already was reading music, playing the piano and composing simple melodies. At that time, I surmised that she would become a famous composer and musician. But I was naive, and I believed that Dena's musical accomplishments at such an early age were due to talent, alone. What I later learned was that Dena has the ability to commit all of her effort and focus to whatever task she undertakes.
She graduated with honors from high school. She then attended Baylor University, graduating in four years with a degree in psychology. Although she wasn't sure what profession she wanted to enter at the time, circumstances brought her into contact with the business world when she accepted a position with a bank. During her time at the bank, she earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration and became a trust officer, handling millions of dollars entrusted to the care of the bank.
When the bank closed its Texas trust operations, she enrolled at Baylor Law School, and after three years, she graduated second in a Baylor law school class comprised of the brightest and best law students in the state.
She is now a third-year securities litigator with a large, multi-national law firm, and she currently is spending her birthday in Houston working on a major case involving billions of dollars and impacting thousands of people worldwide.
To say that I am proud of her is an understatement.
So happy birthday to Dena Weaver, one of the great successes of my life.
R. David Weaver
After an exhausting day and a half, I got home at about 11:00 p.m. on the 25th. It was a Thursday night, and I had planned to take off on Friday and spend a long Memorial Day weekend catching up on much-needed sleep and relaxation. But before I had settled in for the night, my wife informed me that she believed she was in labor with our first child. Instead of going to bed, we packed up and headed for the hospital.
I had seen enough movies and had watched enough "I Love Lucy" episodes to know that babies are born within two hours after the expectant mother gets to the hospital. So I naturally believed that I only was delaying my bedtime by a few hours, at most.
Movies and television programs do not necessarily reflect life as it often is.
After 19 hours of labor, at exactly 8:00 p.m. on May 26, 1972, Dena Gayle Weaver came into the world, and I became a father.
In those days, fathers were not permitted in the delivery room, so I paced in a traditional waiting room for expectant fathers smoking cigarettes (it was the fashionable thing to do at the time, and hospitals had no problem permitting smoking inside their facilities) and watching people come, have their babies, and leave, wondering all along why it could not have worked that way for me.
When the nurse finally rolled the incubator containing my baby into the waiting room, I was amazed at this creature with its eyes wide open, staring calmly up at a disheveled young man with a silly grin on his weary face.
From that moment, my life was forever changed.
I knew very early that Dena was special. When she was only 5 years old, she already was reading music, playing the piano and composing simple melodies. At that time, I surmised that she would become a famous composer and musician. But I was naive, and I believed that Dena's musical accomplishments at such an early age were due to talent, alone. What I later learned was that Dena has the ability to commit all of her effort and focus to whatever task she undertakes.
She graduated with honors from high school. She then attended Baylor University, graduating in four years with a degree in psychology. Although she wasn't sure what profession she wanted to enter at the time, circumstances brought her into contact with the business world when she accepted a position with a bank. During her time at the bank, she earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration and became a trust officer, handling millions of dollars entrusted to the care of the bank.
When the bank closed its Texas trust operations, she enrolled at Baylor Law School, and after three years, she graduated second in a Baylor law school class comprised of the brightest and best law students in the state.
She is now a third-year securities litigator with a large, multi-national law firm, and she currently is spending her birthday in Houston working on a major case involving billions of dollars and impacting thousands of people worldwide.
To say that I am proud of her is an understatement.
So happy birthday to Dena Weaver, one of the great successes of my life.
R. David Weaver
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
New Babies, Baptism, Confirmation, Poker & Golf
It's been about three weeks since I posted, and quite a bit has happened during that time. My two brand new granddaughters are growing like weeds. I am always amazed when a newborn begins to grow, develop a personality and actually becomes a little human being.
I had the singular honor of receiving Lillian's very first smile, and it was a special moment that I never will forget (although Dad, Mom and Nanna were a little jealous). Unfortunately, she and her mother are leaving very soon to return to Korea. Nancy is traveling with them, and for that I am grateful, as the long journey likely would be too much for Mandy to handle alone. I am going to miss them.
Annabelle keeps growing, and she is one of the most even-tempered, happy babies that I ever have seen. She seldom raises a fuss, and she is very quick to give a smile or a giggle to whomever is paying attention to her. She was baptized this past Sunday at her Church, and I was thrilled to be able to witness it. As the minister was holding her in preparation for the baptism, she gazed up at him and gave him a great, big smile.
Grandson Matthew has been attending classes at his Church since January, and this Sunday he is scheduled for confirmation. Matthew is 12 now, and he has grown into quite the young man. I am very proud of him.
While my family continues to grow and prosper, my poker game is on a roller coaster. I love the challenge of playing, and I have enjoyed some success. But just when I think I have figured out the best strategy to employ, I have a session where it seems that nothing works. So far, I still am ahead for the year, and I hope to continue to learn more and become a better player. Maybe some day I will be at the final table at one of those big tournaments playing for a big payday.
My golf game is stuck at a level with which I am entirely dissatisfied. I changed my golf club membership a little over a year ago, and I now am playing at a course that is much more challenging than the course I had spent the past 25 years playing. My handicap mushroomed from 12 to 17, and I am having trouble getting it reduced to where it was.
Meanwhile, I am getting ready for the Bishop Iker Golf Challenge at Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose. It is a beautiful golf course, and I always have enjoyed playing it. The annual charity tournament benefits Camp Crucis, which is a facility owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and I am proud to have been one of the sponsors of this tournament during the past four years or so.
My firm's new financial rehabilitation program is beginning to gain momentum as more and more people come to realize that simply discharging debt in bankruptcy is not enough to begin to build a foundation for permanent financial security. I am optimistic that as the message of hope that my firm is seeking to convey spreads, we will be able to assist more and more families in financial distress.
Until next time,
R. David Weaver
I had the singular honor of receiving Lillian's very first smile, and it was a special moment that I never will forget (although Dad, Mom and Nanna were a little jealous). Unfortunately, she and her mother are leaving very soon to return to Korea. Nancy is traveling with them, and for that I am grateful, as the long journey likely would be too much for Mandy to handle alone. I am going to miss them.
Annabelle keeps growing, and she is one of the most even-tempered, happy babies that I ever have seen. She seldom raises a fuss, and she is very quick to give a smile or a giggle to whomever is paying attention to her. She was baptized this past Sunday at her Church, and I was thrilled to be able to witness it. As the minister was holding her in preparation for the baptism, she gazed up at him and gave him a great, big smile.
Grandson Matthew has been attending classes at his Church since January, and this Sunday he is scheduled for confirmation. Matthew is 12 now, and he has grown into quite the young man. I am very proud of him.
While my family continues to grow and prosper, my poker game is on a roller coaster. I love the challenge of playing, and I have enjoyed some success. But just when I think I have figured out the best strategy to employ, I have a session where it seems that nothing works. So far, I still am ahead for the year, and I hope to continue to learn more and become a better player. Maybe some day I will be at the final table at one of those big tournaments playing for a big payday.
My golf game is stuck at a level with which I am entirely dissatisfied. I changed my golf club membership a little over a year ago, and I now am playing at a course that is much more challenging than the course I had spent the past 25 years playing. My handicap mushroomed from 12 to 17, and I am having trouble getting it reduced to where it was.
Meanwhile, I am getting ready for the Bishop Iker Golf Challenge at Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose. It is a beautiful golf course, and I always have enjoyed playing it. The annual charity tournament benefits Camp Crucis, which is a facility owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and I am proud to have been one of the sponsors of this tournament during the past four years or so.
My firm's new financial rehabilitation program is beginning to gain momentum as more and more people come to realize that simply discharging debt in bankruptcy is not enough to begin to build a foundation for permanent financial security. I am optimistic that as the message of hope that my firm is seeking to convey spreads, we will be able to assist more and more families in financial distress.
Until next time,
R. David Weaver
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Happy Birthday, Lucy!
Lucy Clowers and I have a lot in common. Not only am I her proud grandfather, she and I are the only two members of our extended family to be named for movie actors. The "R" in my name is for Ronald, and my mother tells me that she named me after Ronald Reagan (long before he sought any political office), because she thought he was "dreamy". Lucy's mom, my daughter Erica, has been a loyal and avid fan of Lucille Ball since she was a little girl, so when she had her first daughter, she named her Lucy (but I call her "Miss McGillicudy").
Today is Lucy's 10th birthday, and she had planned to celebrate it with a sleep-over with friends last night, followed by a day at Six Flags today. Unfortunately, those plans are having to be postponed, because Lucy has developed an ear infection. Hopefully, she will get to celebrate with her friends in a couple of weeks.
Quiet and unassuming, Lucy carries a presence that is difficult not to notice and admire, although she tries hard to avoid being the center of attention. She is tall, has long shiny brown hair and has wide, expressive eyes. Frankly, she is beautiful, and she likely will break some hearts as she grows older.
Not only is Lucy physically attractive, she is brilliant. She is a consistent straight-A student in school, and she is a dedicated and talented dancer who, along with her cousin Hayley, has excelled in dance competitions in which her dance school has been involved.
So this is for you, Miss McGillicudy. Happy birthday, and get well soon!
Grandpa
Today is Lucy's 10th birthday, and she had planned to celebrate it with a sleep-over with friends last night, followed by a day at Six Flags today. Unfortunately, those plans are having to be postponed, because Lucy has developed an ear infection. Hopefully, she will get to celebrate with her friends in a couple of weeks.
Quiet and unassuming, Lucy carries a presence that is difficult not to notice and admire, although she tries hard to avoid being the center of attention. She is tall, has long shiny brown hair and has wide, expressive eyes. Frankly, she is beautiful, and she likely will break some hearts as she grows older.
Not only is Lucy physically attractive, she is brilliant. She is a consistent straight-A student in school, and she is a dedicated and talented dancer who, along with her cousin Hayley, has excelled in dance competitions in which her dance school has been involved.
So this is for you, Miss McGillicudy. Happy birthday, and get well soon!
Grandpa
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dishonoring Texas History
Whatever one may think about Texas Aggies (I am a die-hard Baylor man, myself), there is one characteristic about this rather strange group that is admirable -- they are serious about observing and honoring our state's cherished traditions.
Yesterday was San Jacinto Day in Texas. On April 21 of each year, we are called to commemorate Sam Houston's victory over Santa Anna and the Mexican army at San Jacinto, a victory that ended the Texas Revolution and confirmed Texas as an independent nation. Each year, Texas Aggies "muster" in honor of this day, and from what I can tell, they are about the only group that takes a moment to recall the heroes of Texas independence.
For that gesture I am grateful.
March 2 also passed unobserved in most corners of the state. Banks, courthouses and offices were open for business as usual. But March 2 also is a special day in Texas history. It is the date upon which Texas patriots declared their independence from Mexico and gave voice to the revolution that already had begun.
Four days later, on March 6, the Alamo fell. That day was not observed, either.
As a direct descendant of an Alamo defender, I am more than a bit disturbed at the lack of respect shown for our state's history. Texas law requires all public schools to instruct students in Texas history (the only state I know of that makes such a requirement), but it seems as though the lessons are taught but then quickly forgotten.
We observe Cinco de Mayo (Mexico's Independence Day), Martin Luther King Day and Cesar Chavez Day, but we do not observe those special days in Texas history that have played a major role in making us what we are. March 2, 1836; April 21, 1836; and January 1, 1846 (when Texas officially joined the United States, although the Articles of Annexation were adopted some months earlier) are all special days in our history.
I am a native Texan, and my roots are deep in the Heart of Texas. I am proud of my Texas heritage, and I consider myself, along with all of my fellow Texans, to be unique. We are not part of the run-of-the-mill from Iowa, New Jersey, or California. We are Texans! And that makes us special.
Whatever our differing political philosophies may be, it's high time we began to understand and accept the responsibility of our heritage and call upon our elected officials to declare these special days as days of observance.
If you agree, make your voice heard. You can do that by posting or otherwise distributing this blog item or by contacting your State Representative and Congressman.
As succinctly stated in the Baylor University motto, "Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana!"
R. David Weaver
Yesterday was San Jacinto Day in Texas. On April 21 of each year, we are called to commemorate Sam Houston's victory over Santa Anna and the Mexican army at San Jacinto, a victory that ended the Texas Revolution and confirmed Texas as an independent nation. Each year, Texas Aggies "muster" in honor of this day, and from what I can tell, they are about the only group that takes a moment to recall the heroes of Texas independence.
For that gesture I am grateful.
March 2 also passed unobserved in most corners of the state. Banks, courthouses and offices were open for business as usual. But March 2 also is a special day in Texas history. It is the date upon which Texas patriots declared their independence from Mexico and gave voice to the revolution that already had begun.
Four days later, on March 6, the Alamo fell. That day was not observed, either.
As a direct descendant of an Alamo defender, I am more than a bit disturbed at the lack of respect shown for our state's history. Texas law requires all public schools to instruct students in Texas history (the only state I know of that makes such a requirement), but it seems as though the lessons are taught but then quickly forgotten.
We observe Cinco de Mayo (Mexico's Independence Day), Martin Luther King Day and Cesar Chavez Day, but we do not observe those special days in Texas history that have played a major role in making us what we are. March 2, 1836; April 21, 1836; and January 1, 1846 (when Texas officially joined the United States, although the Articles of Annexation were adopted some months earlier) are all special days in our history.
I am a native Texan, and my roots are deep in the Heart of Texas. I am proud of my Texas heritage, and I consider myself, along with all of my fellow Texans, to be unique. We are not part of the run-of-the-mill from Iowa, New Jersey, or California. We are Texans! And that makes us special.
Whatever our differing political philosophies may be, it's high time we began to understand and accept the responsibility of our heritage and call upon our elected officials to declare these special days as days of observance.
If you agree, make your voice heard. You can do that by posting or otherwise distributing this blog item or by contacting your State Representative and Congressman.
As succinctly stated in the Baylor University motto, "Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana!"
R. David Weaver
Friday, April 16, 2010
No Longer the Baby - Happy Birthday, Samantha!
For almost four years, Samantha Clowers enjoyed the distinction, attention and pampering that comes with being the youngest grandchild. Within the past three months, there have been two additions to the family (which exacerbates Grandpa's memory problems, but that's another topic for another day), and "Meetha" has gone from being the youngest to the third youngest -- in other words, the middle of the pack, along with Lizzie, Haley and Lucy.
Today is Samantha's birthday. It occurred on Easter Sunday four years ago, and it could not have been a better time for me. On that particular day, I did not really want to attend Mass (which happens sometimes with me), but I had no good reason not to go -- that is, until I got the call that my daughter, Erica, was headed to the hospital to have her baby. So I got a big break.
Although Samantha no longer is the baby of the family, she shouldn't be underestimated with respect to her attention-getting skills. After all, she had nearly four years within which to perfect the art. She is an expert at melting my heart with her shy smile, and her timing is impeccable when dispensing affection to her Grandpa.
Someday, Meetha may become the CEO of some large enterprise, because she is not the least bit reluctant to let it be known how she thinks things should be done. The acid test is going to be how she reacts to no longer being the baby. So far, by all accounts she has performed well, and I am very proud of her.
This is Samantha's last year in pre-school, and she will be entering the larger and more dangerous world of public school kindergarten next year. If she makes the adjustment there as well as she has adjusted to no longer being the baby, she will do fine.
So happy birthday, Samantha. You are a big girl, now.
Grandpa
Today is Samantha's birthday. It occurred on Easter Sunday four years ago, and it could not have been a better time for me. On that particular day, I did not really want to attend Mass (which happens sometimes with me), but I had no good reason not to go -- that is, until I got the call that my daughter, Erica, was headed to the hospital to have her baby. So I got a big break.
Although Samantha no longer is the baby of the family, she shouldn't be underestimated with respect to her attention-getting skills. After all, she had nearly four years within which to perfect the art. She is an expert at melting my heart with her shy smile, and her timing is impeccable when dispensing affection to her Grandpa.
Someday, Meetha may become the CEO of some large enterprise, because she is not the least bit reluctant to let it be known how she thinks things should be done. The acid test is going to be how she reacts to no longer being the baby. So far, by all accounts she has performed well, and I am very proud of her.
This is Samantha's last year in pre-school, and she will be entering the larger and more dangerous world of public school kindergarten next year. If she makes the adjustment there as well as she has adjusted to no longer being the baby, she will do fine.
So happy birthday, Samantha. You are a big girl, now.
Grandpa
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Baseball, Bluebonnets & Mortgage Payments
After an uncommon winter that brought us North Texans a White Christmas and a mid-winter blizzard, spring finally has arrived. Early spring weeds are sprouting on our lawns, and bluebonnets are popping up everywhere. Pollen levels are up, and I have been sneezing my head off.
But the spring season has a darker side. Those of us who pay our property taxes and homeowner's insurance through the mortgage on our homes are receiving the annual escrow analysis notices from our mortgage companies, and for most people, monthly mortgage payments are being increased due to higher insurance costs and property taxes.
Sometimes, mortgage payments increase by several hundred dollars per month.
There is an old saying that nothing is certain but death and taxes (and insurance); however, relief is available if your mortgage payment has increased to the point that you are unable to comfortably service your mortgage and provide for your other cash-flow obligations. Federally sponsored mortgage loan modification programs are available to qualified homeowners that can substantially reduce monthly mortgage payments. For those unable to successfully negotiate a loan modification, other forms of relief also are available.
The good news is that no one must lose his or her home just because the rising cost of taxes and insurance results in a burdensome mortgage payment. So if you or anyone you know is facing a financial crisis due to a sudden increase in mortgage payments, contact me at rdweaver@weaverlawfirm.net.
Solutions are available, so don't allow economic pressures to rob you or your loved ones of your right to enjoy your life.
R. David Weaver
But the spring season has a darker side. Those of us who pay our property taxes and homeowner's insurance through the mortgage on our homes are receiving the annual escrow analysis notices from our mortgage companies, and for most people, monthly mortgage payments are being increased due to higher insurance costs and property taxes.
Sometimes, mortgage payments increase by several hundred dollars per month.
There is an old saying that nothing is certain but death and taxes (and insurance); however, relief is available if your mortgage payment has increased to the point that you are unable to comfortably service your mortgage and provide for your other cash-flow obligations. Federally sponsored mortgage loan modification programs are available to qualified homeowners that can substantially reduce monthly mortgage payments. For those unable to successfully negotiate a loan modification, other forms of relief also are available.
The good news is that no one must lose his or her home just because the rising cost of taxes and insurance results in a burdensome mortgage payment. So if you or anyone you know is facing a financial crisis due to a sudden increase in mortgage payments, contact me at rdweaver@weaverlawfirm.net.
Solutions are available, so don't allow economic pressures to rob you or your loved ones of your right to enjoy your life.
R. David Weaver
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