Calling All Geezers! by Scipio

I always loved the sound of that term, “geezer”, even though it is most often used in a pejorative way.  When I was in my twenties, I thought when I get old it would be cool someday to be call myself a “geezer”. In my mind the term “geezer” conjured up an image of an older person shuffling along, stopping to wheeze, maybe an oxygen tank trailing behind, leaning on a cane or walker, having difficulty hearing or seeing.  That is what I imagined. Nothing really “cool” about that, but the term, “geezer”, is cool and I loved it.  I looked forward to the time I could self-deprecate and call myself a “geezer”.

I have noticed that as people age, they age and become enfeebled in many ways and at different stages and ages in life.  With some people it becomes apparent and limiting in their fifties, with others, their sixties, others their seventies, others their eighties, others their nineties, and some never.

People of the age (whatever that age may be) to be considered a “geezer” often embrace that status (not necessarily the term) as a self-limiting factor focusing on what they can no longer do, not what they can still do, if perhaps only feebly. They tend to coast through the end of their lives, and, at least subconsciously, watch the clock for the day they punch out permanently.

Well, guess what “geezers”, that’s not the end of your story.  The last chapters of your life are still to be written. Patriots have no age limit.  Freedom fighting isn’t just for the young and strong.  Liberty needs all you “geezers”. You can be a “geezer” with a sense of purpose and not be “geezer bound” by the shackles of your mind and what society and your body tells you.

When I was in the US Army infantry, we were told that for every one of us on the front lines (weather Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy) we were supported by three support personnel in the rear. I know I really appreciated the effort it took for the cooks to get us a hot (relative term) meal daily when we were in the field. I knew there was extra ammo, sand bags, material being brought up behind and in support of me.  I knew there were motor pool personnel keeping those trucks, PCs, and tanks serviced and moving. I knew there were mechanics and technicians keeping air craft in the air.  Technicians were keeping communication flowing, artillery was available for fire missions, and missiles were primed for launch.

They weren’t trained to do my job, they weren’t face to face with the enemy, and physically probably most of them couldn’t do what I did.  But I needed them or I couldn’t do my job. We did have one thing in common that formed a bond, they went through the same basic training and knew what we were going through.

There is no reason any of you “geezers” can’t at least be one of those three support persons that the out-front patriots need.  Frontline duty isn’t out of the question. You have one thing many young patriots don’t have, life experiences.  Bring that to the fight.  Bring yourselves to the fight.  Liberty needs you.

Even if you are not old enough to be an old “geezer” but have physical limitations, come to one of the “basic training” classes being taught. You have value as well, you have something to contribute.

When I first discovered Brushbeater, American Partisan etc., one night I was challenged by NCscout when at the end of one of the early podcasts I listened to, he ended by saying, “Get off your ass and train!”  First of all, I don’t like being talked to like that.  Secondly, I felt like he was talking directly to me. I paid my dues, been there done that. But I knew there was more still left in me, and it tears me up to see America self-destructing. That challenge caused a dust up in my soul, and I had to answer the question planted in my mind, “What am I going to do?”

Immediately the excuses started parading through my mind.  The headline excuse, not a reason, was because I was a “geezer”.  I was a card-carrying member of the” Geezer Club”. I was 75 years old. Besides, I have bad neuropathy (among other issues) in my fingers and toes from Agent Orange exposure.  I am over weight and out of shape. Machine gun fire left me with diminished hearing, especially in the right ear, my eyesight is poor, and I’m grumpy.

Looking at the training options available, I decided to do the one thing I had experience in, infantry team leader.  Yeah, just perfect for any 75-year-old “geezer”! Preparing for it I trained for three months walking rugged trails, doing exercises, weight lifting, doing up/downs because I knew I would be doing that in fire team movements and maneuvers in training.  Sometimes practicing up/downs in the living room late at night my wife would come to see if I had fallen.  I didn’t do it with the finesse I did when I was 20 years old!

Two weeks before my 76^th birthday, I completed Von Steuben’s Training two-day Team Leader Class led by Mike. I was the worst one in the class, and the slowest. I had to have things repeated to me because I didn’t hear them or forgot (finally Mike got to where before I was to lead something he asked me first, “Do you know what we are doing?”)

All the “geezer” issues I had were full front and visible from the get go.  Those other students training with me were great and accommodating but never letting me slack.  I learned there are things I can still do, others I can’t.  I am aware there are some rear echelon things I need to learn to do and plug into. Most importantly I know what I can do, need more practice in doing. My training has just begun.

I am nothing special.  I am aware most 76-year-olds can’t do what I can physically.  I give God all the glory because he gave me this wonderful, healthy, strong body and I will continue to use it for His glory and not mothball it.

 “Geezers! Follow Me!”