Winter Olympics and a Snipers Tale

With the start of the winter Olympics I thought I’d share a dream of mine.  Out of all the events I like the biathlon.  It combines cross country skiing and shooting in one sport.  What the casual observer may not appreciate is the athlete’s abilities to slow their heart rate and breathing.  Can you image skiing for close to an hour then having to calm yourself to take eight or so shots at 100 yards or whatever it is with a small caliber rifle? Many people can ski and many can shoot…putting the two together is another story.

If I ran the Olympics I would have a Winter decathlon of sorts.  It would combine downhill, slalom, cross country, bobsled, short and long track skating, skeeting, and shooting skills all together to identify and award the most well rounded athlete.  And in the end what would this athlete be?  In my definition he and she would be Winter’s True Warriors.

I have no doubt that many of the participants in a new and revised Winter decathlon would have military backgrounds. The brave men and women of our country and those of foreign lands have to be well rounded, skilled, versed, and experts in many areas in order to preserve not only their own life but the lives of the people they are fighting with and for.

Our World is constantly at war.  Why?  Quite simply war is the result of a lack in communication.  It is the greed of oligarchies and dictators.  It is the turning away from the true teachings and embarking on a path of dark shadows and hidden agendas.  War is never won, it is only quieted.  Battles are won, wars are a losing quest, for even in victory we suffer the loss of consequence.

On second thought our World is not at war.  It is engaged in numerous battles to prevent war.  This will always be the case, until such time that good conquers all evil, til love vanquishes all hate, and cleanliness washes away all our dirt.  What will it take?  I have an idea, but it is up to you to find the answer.  Perhaps it will be the day….nah that’s just a dream, but many others have the same dream.

© Bryan A. Stross 2/9/2018   5:15 AM EST  

In honor of all the sharpshooters out there I offer this posting from 10 years ago…It’s called

A Distant Mist Filled Hill

During the Vietnam War many of our expert marksmen had sniper duty.
Their missions often involved being positioned on hills off the trails the enemy used to travel with their troops and supplies. The snipers did not take out just any target. Their aim was always directed at the officers and commanders of the Viet- Cong. How you may ask did they know the difference between the leaders and the everyday troops. Well you see our guys and those of our allies had to observe their potential targets carefully for signs of leadership.  This could be through uniform or visual communication skills, giving orders and directing for example. It was these leaders they looked for and ultimately trained their sights on. The Viet-Cong never seemed to figure this out…which was to our advantage in a war of hide and seek and hide again. My sincere gratitude goes out to these men of cunning and bravery. May your sights always be clear and your aim true to the cause of freedom.


A Distant Mist Filled Hill
So here we are on a distant mist filled hill, looking for the shiny helmets in the chill.
For some their stomachs feel a familiar ill as they put in their sights the final kill.
For me it’s just another run of the mill. In my mind I block it out as I hide behind the sill.
It seems so dark at times, no one to send the bill, For my heart aches for the dead only until
The next one comes up the trail and I get my fill. The rations they give us taste like a sour dill
Often times I rest and think of a lost love, Jill. The memories help erase the guilt like a magic pill.
Here comes another one, I’ll rest my sight on his gill.
The silent shot rings out the sound and flash nil. Never do I miss; it is the aim of an expert will.
© B.A.S. 11/11/08 7:00 AM EST
In war all is not fair….the faithful win the spoils.
In love all is not fair....the unfaithful forever toil.
To my brothers and sisters at arms, may your victories be many
And your loses be mere battles in a war against evil and hate.
A war that will have a certain victory for those who follow the faith.
In His Majesties Service:
Psalm 118 Proverbs 18

If you think our sights aren’t trained on you….well I guess you’ll never know what slapped ya upside the head.   Have a Blessed SonDay…the day after Saturnday.    Victory is a silent maiden…✨✝️ 

Yeah I know he was only a 6 point but it was meat on the table til the big boy showed up….🦌