Rick DeStefanis

Rick’s Blog

  • Why Jump From A Perfectly Good Airplane?

    Blog Post July 2026

    My faithful readers, it is an eventful time to be alive, and many of you have been celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth. Let’s hope we can have many more as a free nation. As promised last month, I am clarifying my motivation for becoming a member of the Airborne. For those who don’t know the actual meaning of the term, “Airborne,” it is the official U.S. Army designation for its paratroopers. Although there are other smaller airborne units, the five most recognized are the 75th Army Ranger Regiments, Army Special Forces (AKA Green Berets), 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I was with the 82nd Airborne in 1970, 1971, and 1972

    The All American Patch

    My MOS was 11B2P, which meant I was a grunt who jumped out of airplanes, which included a jump from an antiquated C-47, as well as another from a C-119, and a couple dozen jumps from C-130s and C-141s. Oh yeah, I also made a couple low-level jumps from Huey helicopters, and three night jumps, which were “interesting” to say the least. So, this leads me to my promise for this month—that is to explain why I volunteered for such a thing as the Airborne.

    You see, I have often been asked, “Why in the world did you decide to become a paratrooper?” or “What possessed you to jump out of a perfectly airplane?” And folks are rightfully curious, but I usually try to keep it light with a little humor. Most of the time I tell them, “When you’re 18 years old, you’re subject to try almost anything.” The truth, however, is it’s not quite that simple.

    It was sometime around 1955 to 1959 when my mother used to take us for our “shots” to a pediatrician many miles away out on Jackson Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. His name was Clifton Wooley.

      Norman Rockwell’s “Before The Shot”

    Think of Normal Rockwell’s painting “Before the Shot,” except I was staring at a framed black and white photo of Dr. Wooley wearing full combat gear and a parachute, standing beside a C-47 aircraft. Mama later showed me old newspaper clippings about Dr. Wooley being awarded the Bronze Star and the Silver Star Medals for heroism. He was my first, but not my last unintended inspiration.

    Somewhere around ten or twelve years later, two teammates from my high school football team (who were in the class ahead of mine) joined the Army Special Forces upon graduation. By the time I graduated, one of them was already in Vietnam and the other was in Panama. Both were teammates I highly respected—small in stature but tougher than leather straps. Sergeant Robert Hill finished his service, and we both later worked at the Federal Express World Hub in Memphis. CW5 Buddy (Edward G.) Klein remained in the Army and retired as a highly decorated Master Chief. He lives in Jackson, Mississippi, and we still visit on occasion.

    So, you see, I had three examples of what real men did when they were called to duty. Besides, I hated the idea of hiking or riding in a boat to get to a fight. Little did I know, the Airborne runs everywhere: to first formations, to the mess hall, to sick call, the latrine, the training areas—you name it. We never walked when outside of a building. We ran.

    NEWS on the author business: I have lowered the price on all my English language e-books on Amazon to $5.99. For whatever reason, Amazon has decided to make them less likely to appear with various search words. I am hoping the price reduction will increase sales and perhaps give Amazon a reason to make them more visible. You can use the link below to reach my Amazon Author page where all the books can be seen and purchased.

    https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rick-DeStefanis/author/B00H2YO2SS

    More news: For those who like to just close your eyes and have your book read to you. I used the Amazon virtual voice system to record Valley of the Purple Hearts as an audio book, and it’s available at Amazon.com or Audible Books.

    If you have an interest in purchasing a signed hardcover of any of my books, email me. I have a limited number, and at this point I make no promises. If I receive requests, I will send an estimated cost to those who send me messages with their requests. Send your request to rickdestefanis@gmail.com with “Hardcover Book Request” in the subject line. I will respond one way or another.

    Send your comments. I would like to hear from you.

    Have a Happy Summer.

    Rick DeStefanis

  • JUNE 2026

    The Vietnam War Memorial, the Next Book, and Squirrel Allergies

    Hey Y’all, betcha cain’t do this here! Just kidding. Birthday Greetings…I mean…mine….

    So, here’s the latest from the world of the ungracefully ageing. That’s right. I’m going down kicking and screaming—none of that noble puffery about old soldiers fading away. Don’t get me wrong. I still stand by my axiom that “Fame is for fools,” but I’ll take it only for whatever ancillary monetary benefit that its fleeting dopamine rush leaves behind. I treasure your friendship, more so than a thousand clicks. Anyway, back to the point at hand: I turned 76 and I want to share some observations with anyone who cares to listen.

    Birthdays, I have noticed, are no longer like automatic subscription renewals. When one comes around, it’s now become somewhat of a more mindful event. Each one has the effect of the subtle rumble of distant thunder—not in a bad or ominous way—but a gentle reminder from on high that I need to get stuff done. So, here’s a quick summary of my author world.

    The 5th Rawlins book, A Winchester Reckoning, is out and available wherever books are sold. If you want to read a summary of the story, here’s an internal link to see it on this website. BUT wait! Not now! Come back to it after you finish reading the post…please….?

    Silhouette of 5 men on horseback against the background of a sun and a foreground of prairie grass on fire

    ( https://rickdestefanis.com/rawlins-a-winchester-reckoning/

    If you think you want to read the story, click the cover after you click the link and it will take you to Amazon, or you can use the link below to take you to other bookseller sites.

    https://books2read.com/Rawlins5 )

    Meanwhile, back at the ranch….check this out. Other writing news: The next book in the Vietnam A Soldier’s Heart Series is targeted for publication next spring. Scooter Red and The Spirits of The Dead is a continuation of my focus on the spiritual beliefs of the Vietnamese people and their counterparts in the American army—in this case an American Creole/Cajun soldier who finds himself in Vietnam.

    Scooter Red grew up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, but spent most of his summers with his Uncle Gautreaux down in the Louisianna Bayou County where he learned the ways of the Acadian Catholics, the Cajuns, and the Creole spirits made famous by Madam Laveau…and of course, his outlaw uncle. Yes, it’s another of my “Ghost” stories that takes place in the jungles of Southeast Asia, but one that tells with meticulous detail and unrelenting realism the experience of jungle combat in Nam.

    While I am at it, I want to thank those of you who purchase my books by reminding you that 10% of the profits earned through your royalties go to veteran charities. There are only a select few that I have chosen based on their rankings on Charity Navigator. My mailbox is packed most every day with mail from various other charities, and sometimes they test my resolve at not being smart-alecky, but it’s hard when I get these wonderful color brochures begging for funds for such diverse recipients as blind dogs and one supporting aging donkeys—really. As a matter of fact, I am contemplating starting my own charity. I think I will call it Donations for Squirrels with Nut Allergies. Send your hard-earned cash before another squirrel suffers. 

    Here’s a special salute to some of my dear veteran buddies: Lee Thomas, Buddy Klein, Recon Walker, Orie Illie, Eric Barnhardt, Doc Enzenauer, Nite Train Hoskins, Full Throttle Antis, Top Spencer, Jay Klages, and all of you in the Warriors Lunch Group.

    And one last reminder: the Traveling Vietnam Wall comes to Olive Branch, Mississippi tomorrow 6/4 with a 300 motorcycle veteran escort. The opening ceremony will be Friday at 10:00 a.m.

    Next month…or maybe August, I’ll talk about what in the world made me think I had to be a paratrooper. Stay tuned, by subscribing here on the website: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/702640/106123997749445740/share

     

  • A Memorial Day Comment

    I saw some recent posts on the internet saying veteran support was going out of style and honoring veterans was a dying trend, especially for the younger generations—never thought of myself as a “trend,” but they might be onto something. We are dying. The World War II vets are mostly gone, and the Korean and Vietnam War vets aren’t far behind.

    Yes, it would be easy to get angry, but it would be a waste of time and energy. After all, the internet is much like a septic tank where a lot of light-weight turds float to the top and spew their progressive observations before floating away. Sorry, my writer creativity got the better of me on that one. No vitriol here, just a little sadness.

    Anyway, I believe this all started long ago when the word “hero” began to be marginalized by using it to describe dudes who could hit baseballs or dunk basketballs—harmless enough. But now, every Sunday the eulogies of those passing away roll by on the television screen listing guitar players, Hollywood actors, broadcast industry talking heads, and just about anyone other than veterans who may not have won Grammys, Emmys, or Oscars, but things that came after a much higher degree of self-sacrifice—little purple ribbons and medals that aren’t displayed in a trophy cabinet or on the fireplace mantel.

    I say this so I can say the ones who deserve recognition most are those who never came home—those who died for their country or have been eternally listed as Missing in Action. Monday is the day set aside for that purpose. Many people will attend events where headstones will be marked with flags and taps will be played. Gold Star families will visit the graves of their lost members and leave flowers. And most Americans will spend time with family and friends, attend cookouts, and enjoy a holiday that most of us know was bought with the lives of real heroes.

    Enjoy your holiday. It’s meant to be enjoyed, but when you say that prayer over the food, remember those who gave their all.

    If you happen to live in the metropolitan area of Memphis, Tennessee, The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be visiting the community of Olive Branch, Mississippi just south of there from Friday, June 5th through Sunday, June 7th. It will be displayed at the soccer complex on Church Road. Here’s a schedule of events.