 The Way It Really Is In a prior tale it was mentioned how our troops have always identified with the youth in lands we have traveled. The photo of Ranger Bob Buck in Afghanistan shows that times have not changed. For those who view this, ponder the people in it and compare it to those who decry our actions in that far away land and would have us believe that the people were better off without us. Nuff said? Lou CW3 Robert Buck is a 17 year veteran of the Airborne Forces. He has been in harms way in both Afghanistan and Iraq more than once. Security rules but let it suffice to say that he will once more go forth to protect this nation with his comrades in the 75th Ranger Regiment. The citizens of these United States should never forget the courage and sacrifice these warriors of his ilk willingly put forth to protect our way of life and the safety of all. Ranger Buck it is a great privilege to salute you and your comrades and to know that we rest easier with you on the job. May the Good Lord Bless and keep you and your comrades and all the other men and women in our armed forces. God Speed and know you have our thanks and in spirit are with our Airborne Brothers. Lou On 17 August 2000 a former 82nd Airborne man was manifested by the Big Jumpmaster in the sky to fill out his paratrooper roster. On the 16th day of August one of his soon to be chosen troopers made a parachute jump to celebrate the opening of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He suffered a fatal heart attack shortly thereafter. This former wartime trooper of the 82nd Airborne Division had made four combat drops during the second world war. He jumped into the unknown at Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. During the Normandy campaign he was wounded in the leg and had his helmet shot off his head. He jumped into Normandy again in 1994 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the invasion of France. The airborne tradition of his family lives on in the guise of his grandson LLoyd Runser of Lima, Ohio who completed jump school at Fort Benning last year and had his wings pinned on by this man. Runser is a graduate of West Point last June. This forever airborne man was Arnold "Dutch" Nagel, aged 78 years young when called to duty by the Big Jumpmaster. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge. Our heartfelt sympathy to his surviving family. J.D. Ray and I knew him not but we know the caliber of men such as he was. In addition to our prayers for him and his family we thank you sir for the sacrifices you made for all Americans during WWII. May you always have soft PLFs with your new unit. Amen Lou Schreiner & J.D. Ray --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  It is a small world, just got this from Ranger Buck. Lou: I was just on the 504th site that you run and I read the story of Dutch Nagel. I didn't know he had died. Very sad. May God be with him. A bit of trivia for you to further illustrate how we share some strange cosmic connection----old Dutch proudly jumped with the other WWII vets into the commencement ceremonies of the 50th anniversary in June 1994. Well, he found a current 82d jumpmaster to sign his parachute log book that afternoon. The 82d jumpmaster said to Mr. Nagel, "Sir, it would be my honor to sign your log book." The two paratroopers representing both old and new generation laughed and took a photo of the event. Guess who signed Mr. Nagel's book that afternoon in front of the church in Ste Mere Eglise 6 June 94.............................. SSG Robert Buck I have the picture with me at the moment, I am glad I was able to share one moment of Dutch's life - what a man, what a trooper. God Speed Dutch, happy landings my friend. For those that don't know Buck he is now a CW3 Airborne, Lou 
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