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GREAT MAGAZINE
Hey, I thought I'd let you know how much I love your magazine. For over 30-years I knew of its existence, yet I was under the mistaken impression SOF was all about hired guns selling themselves to the highest bidder. On a whim I bought a copy of SOF at my local grocery store a couple years ago, and I quickly realized I'd been duped by the liberal's decades-long smear campaign. I now realize your organization is all about protecting our country and crediting the real heroes who get it done. My hat's off to you.

Tom Jones
Burnsville MN

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DID HUTCHISON GET IT WRONG?
It appears that Harold Hutchison, like our government, does not learn from history.

Back in Vietnam, when they first fielded the F-4 Phantom, it was armed with missiles only. Once you used up your fancy missiles, you had shot your wad, and someone in an old MiG-17 was gonna mess up your day.

Later on, the F-16 Falcon was considered the best fighter in the air, but mock combat proved that once the odds against it hit 5-to-1 or greater, the F-16 would die.

Hutchison smears the T-72, which is a good tank; it was the crews, maintenance, and piss-poor tactics that got them killed.

If an aggressor were planning to attack a U.S. carrier group or groups, do you not think he would stockpile enough weapons to overwhelm the known defenses?

The sheer arrogance and ignorance exhibited by Hutchison are typical of the American military – which is why we nearly lost the USS Cole to a suicide boat.

Do you really think an aggressor is going to rely on missiles when he attacks a carrier group? Ever hear of submarines? How about missiles/ torpedoes with nuclear warheads? How about a string of mines, moored to the ocean bottom and released on command? Can they produce nuclear mines?

An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer has what, two close-in weapon system (CIWS) guns for defense against sea-skimming missiles?

That class of destroyer should have at least eight CIWS guns, all of which should operate on their own power system, in the event the ship’s power is damaged, or if aconnection to the combat information center (CIC) is lost due to battle damage.

It is only logical to think that an aggressor would combine high-altitude (plunging) missiles with sea-skimming missiles, and a large number of inexpensive, quiet, diesel-electric subs, or even some of the new super-quiet hydrogen-powered subs in an attack.

But, again, the current U.S. arrogance, and failure to learn from history, will result in disaster for one (or more) of our carriers. The Bismarck, Tirpitz, Yamato, and Musashi were all lost to air power. The “bad guys” in Afghanistan
or elsewhere don’t have to beat us militarily; they will break us financially.

As much as I enjoy your publication, you need to change the name of “Terrorism SITREP” to “Current Events” or “World SITREP.” There is no War on Terror, guys. That is the same bullshit as the war to prevent the spread of communism in the 1950s and 1960s (Vietnam).

It’s all about economics, and access to/control of resources. Anybody who says we are fighting a war against terrorism is either a liar or a fool. (That’s why we have Special Forces in Mali and a base in Djibouti – explain that).

The present-day Mali are well-versed in controlling their turf. Back in AD 1500–1800, they were the Segu, Hausa, and Fulani; prior to AD 1500, it was the Empire of Songhay.

Were it up to me, I’d pull all U.S. forces out of the Middle East and put them on the Mexican border. You do know that the homemade, barely submersible subs are being used to import cocaine into Mexico from Colombia?

Next thing you know, Obama will make Mexico the 51st state; then there won’t be an immigration problem.

RK Butto

I think you have not only misread my article on the DF-21, but also my past articles published in SOF. I not only noted the lack of missiles on the F-4 Phantom, but pointed out that the Navy was potentially making the same mistake by not including a gun on its versions of the F-35.

As for the DF-21 article – the real risk with regard to that missile is that the Obama administration will trade away the system that can stop it dead in its tracks via its misguided desire for arms control agreements.

Sea-skimming missiles are also a threat, but can be dealt with as well. But all of the strike assets in the world are
worthless if they cannot find the carrier.

That is not arrogance – that is just laying out the facts. The risk our carriers face is probably more from the Obama administration and its desire to unilaterally disarm America, as seen with the premature end of F-22 production and the cutbacks to missile defense.

The handouts and bailouts in the Obama stimulus package have cost more than the War on Terror did under the Bush administration. To argue that fighting and winning the War on Terror is a waste of money is not serious. The handouts and bailouts are breaking America’s fiscal back.

As for the T-72 – there are numerous accounts of how it has not lived up to the hype, from the 1982 Lebanon War to Desert Storm. It also has serious design flaws – including the fact that its ammo storage is integral with the aft fuel tank. The term deathtrap is appropriate. The fact is, there can be a lot of hype with weapons systems all around. –

Harold Hutchison

WHERE DO I GET THAT PATCH?
I have a question/need. Where can I get a patch like the one on page 67 of a recent issue – FREE BURMA?

My father was one of Merrill’s Marauders in Burma in WWII. I’m sure you have heard of them – no need to explain further. As a kid – I’m 54 now – I heard of his “adventures” in the jungles and am proud. I’d sure like one of those patches and more info on helping those patriots over there.

Thanks for your time.
John Yashinski
Red Lodge, MT

MEMORY OF SOF ’S OLD DAYS
If my memory still serves me, it was sometime back in the early 80s after some gun show, a bunch of us would up at your place to do some serious “partying.” I was there with my dog “Smokey” and my wife at the time, Lorraine. The only other name that I can remember was “Chuck” Taylor, who had been teaching at Cooper’s “Gunsite.” The reason I remember Taylor is that when I woke up from sleeping (passed out) on the floor and took my dog out for his morning walk, I found a .45 caliber “grease gun” with a 30-round loaded magazine on the hood of his car out in front, covered with dew – and it had been out all night!

Yes, sir! Those were some wild times…

Dan Dennehy

TEXAS-STYLE READINESS
This was something passed along: Seems a guy cruises thru a stop sign, or whatever, and gets pulled over by a local policeman. Guy hands the cop his driver’s license, insurance verification, plus his concealed carry permit.

“Okay, Mr. Smith,” the cop says. “I see your CCW permit. Are you carrying today?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well then, better tell me what you got.”

Smith says, “Well, I got a .357 revolver in my inside coat pocket. There’s a 9mm semi-auto in the glove box. And, I’ve got a .22 magnum derringer in my right boot.”

“Okay,” the cop says. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, back in the trunk, there’s an AR15 and a shotgun. That’s about it.”

“Mr. Smith, are you on your way to or from a gun range...?”

“Nope.”

“Well then, what are you afraid of...?”

“Not a damn thing...”

JP Maldonado

AN OLD BOOK
I recently ran into a book I had not read in 30 years titled The Five Fingers by Gayle Rivers. As I have been reading SOF for about the same amount of time, my memory tells me you once did an article about the author and the book. From what I remember, your research indicated that the book was pure fiction. Is my recollection correct or am I losing brain cells at an alarming rate due to age? Keep up the good work!

Sam Farrell

ISRAELI-STYLE SECURITY
I’ve long said that the bullshit that the TSA has imposed is outrageous and of little or no help in providing security at our airports. The Israelis have simply got their shit together when it comes to airport/airline security! But as long as we have the TSA (under ANY “leadership,“ not just Janet Incompetano!), our airport/airline security will be nothing more than a joke! Each time I flew into or out of Israel, the Israeli security was top notch and the screening
very thorough, pretty fast and noninvasive! (I crossed into and out of Israel at a non-airport crossing as well, and the security there was just as efficient.)

Let me add here that each time I flew into or out of Israel, I was carrying personal weapons (a suppressed Remington 700PSS and once a suppressed AR-10 along with the Remington). On this side of the pond we were questioned by El Al security as to the purpose of our visit and then we were taken to a private room (there were four in my party), where the weapons were checked. At the gate, our hand luggage was passed through one of the big x-ray machines we so commonly see now. Quick and easy, no fuss and no bother.

Coming out we were separated and each of us was questioned by a different El Al security agent. Another agent spoke with the person that accompanied us to the airport (an Israeli police major/sniper). After the individual questioning each agent compared “notes,” we were allowed to go on our way. Again, no fuss and no bother. In and
out and on our way. The Israelis have refined airport/airline security to a fine art (they had to based on the threat they are constantly facing). When was the last time an El Al plane ever had a problem? The Israelis have offered their expertise to the morons at TSA. It was declined.

Steve

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
My name’s Shaun and I‘m from South Africa. Your magazine is the best and keep up the good work.

Shaun
South Africa

THANK YOU!
I just got my Jan 2011 copy of Soldier of Fortune magazine. I can’t thank you enough for your continued support
for the protest of the Harrison Jack case and the Hmong. I will make sure this gets out to all I can. Includes 3 photos...Great! Thanks, Bob, and I hope to get more info to you very soon about the latest plans that Vaming and the groups are working on to bring this injustice to the American people. Thanks to you and Harold and all the others who help to keep us old vets informed.

Bill Fortier
Sacramento, CA
For further updates on the Harrison Jack case, go to www.sofmag.com.

SHOCKING MISPORTRYAL OF ISRAELI RAID
I was shocked by September’s Terror SITREP, portraying Israel’s raid on the Gaza Flotilla negatively. The flotilla was not about delivering medical supplies. It was a stunt staged by the IHH (a group with ties to Islamic terror gangs) to provoke an Israeli military response. If IHH wanted to deliver medicine, they would have accepted Israel’s offer to dock and personally oversee delivery to Gaza by land. The stunt backfired when Israeli Commandos fired in self-defense at a knife- and club-wielding mob, killing 9 IHH operatives.

Legal experts (not just Israeli or Jewish) agree that a nation may enforce its blockade in international waters if a vessel intends to violate it, as the flotilla showed in initial radio contact. This was US policy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Gaza was blockaded to begin with by Israel and Egypt, when Hamas undermined peace talks, staged a coup, and fired a barrage of rockets on Israel‘s civilian population.

Hamas’s constitution reads: “The Day of Judgement will not come until Muslims fight the Jews, when the Jew will hide behind rocks and trees. The rocks and trees will say O servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.”

What if Mexico fell in a coup to a group that wanted gringos to hide behind rocks and trees, and put action behind their words? Would a Venezuelan ship on a “humanitarian” mission pass freely?

Mike Chernyak

The Hamas constitution – as well as their track record – does seem to indicate a desire to kill as many Jews as they can. Those on the relief convoy were also making reference to a 7th century massacre of Jews. What also does not get much mention is the fact that Mein Kampf is a big seller in Gaza.

It seems easier for certain people to demonize those like the Israelis or officials from the George W. Bush administration who seek to fight terrorists than to actually confront the facts about the war on terror and what will be needed to win it head on, for whatever reason. – HH

RKB IS RIGHT ON
I want to respond to the Colonel’s editorial on the rules of engagement (ROE) in Afghanistan and to the article in Bulletin Board called “New Terror Alliance” in the Jan ‘11 edition of Soldier of Fortune. Both stories are examples of the actions of what I call control freaks in both politics and the news media. They hate the freedom that people have and want to destroy the idea or control it. The ROE in Afghanistan, like in Vietnam, are designed to handicap the American forces so that they will fail in their attempts to bring freedom to these countries. The ROE are deliberately designed to ensure the death of thousands and tens of thousands of America’s troops in order to defeat freedom in Iraq. The same thing is true with the news media ignoring the raid on terrorist organizations.

They didn’t “miss the boat—they deliberately ignored the story because they support any group that will undermine or destroy freedom.

Dan Harms

Thank you very much! – Ed.

OBAMA SHOULD READ NORTH
After “Taps,” another folded flag, and another sunny day, my brother’s Jan 11 SOF arrived. I missed Frederic (my older brother, who served in Vietnam), and reading his latest SOF kept me connected to him. Fred and I would have laughed at Lt. Col Brown’s comments: Of course, don’t expect logic from these bottom feeders; and Lt. Col North’s ending remarks: It would be nice if our commander-in-chief would take note of positive changes instead of bemoaning how difficult the war is. Two weeks prior to his death, Frederic, his daughter, and I drove through Israel from TLV to Jerusalem, Bethlehem to Tiberius, Haifa to TLV. Frederic discussed weapon choices with young Israeli guards at multiple checkpoints; we ate with locals, climbed Masada, floated in the Dead Sea, waded in the Sea of Galilee, and drove lost much of the time. Jews and Muslims alike said, “Follow me: I’ll show you where you need to go.” We never saw any of the bloody sights shown on TV. Does it “defy logic” to demonstrate to the world that Jews and Arabs and other opposing factions are, in fact, living together “harmoniously”?

Kay Merkel Boruff
Air America widow

Dallas, TX

BEST PHOTO
The cover photo of Gunny Popaditch is, in my opinion the “best” cover photo I have seen from SOF. While I am biased, and always a Marine, it is not the branch of service that is best reflected in the photos; it is because what Gunny allows US to see: America’s best!!

A defender of this nation, our people, and our intent to maintain the significance of who we are and what we represent.

Ken Brown, Vietnam 67–69
Spokane, WA

BEST COVER
The debate over Soldier of Fortune‘s best cover ever is certainly a never ending one. From the many great photos taken in various combat zones, to RKB riding an elephant on the Ho Chi Minh (Aug. 1994). And certainly Gunnery Sergeant Popaditch made for another great cover.

However my vote goes to the Feb. 1993 cover (subtitled: American ‘Nam SF Vet Fights In Bosnia), which depicts former Special Forces vet Giles Pace in Serbia. In my opinion this captures the true spirit of Soldier of Fortune, The Journal for Professional Adventurers. Thank you for 35 years of great work.

Shawn Wintle
Brandon MB
Canada

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DEAR RKB AND STAFF:
Congratulations on 35 years.
I am enclosing a photo of a young friend of mine (3rd from right: Spc. Jared Waechter) taken somewhere in
Afghanistan in May of 2010.

I am a subscriber to Soldier of Fortune and thought you would be interested in this photograph. I sent Spc. Waechter and his squad of seven men (2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Charlie Co. 508 Reg., 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd ABN) each a T-shirt which was advertised in your magazine by Black Ink Design.

I would like to ask you to consider printing the enclosed photo in Soldier of Fortune with a few words like “keep up the good work.” That would be something very special for these soldiers.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ken Arthur II

MACKENZIE MEMORIES
I was the UN Peacekeeping Movcon Officer in Sierra Leone (in charge of all air, ground and water movements in SL) from 1999 to 2004. After reading about Lt. Col. Robert Mackenzie’s death in this month’s SOF, I recalled an ambush on two correspondents in 2000. I remember two men coming into my Office in Freetown and talking to my deputy (Girish Sinha, a retired Gurkha major) about transportation to Makeni (about 116 miles east).

There was a battalion of Indian troops stationed there that were being assaulted each day and night. In fact, just before the two arrived in my office, I was notified that one of the Indian MI-8 transport helicopters had been shot down departing Makeni. I was later involved with recovery of the crew and aircraft. As I recall, my deputy sent the two men over to our press officer to see if he could assist.

A day or two later I saw our press officer extremely shaken up at our morning briefings. When I ask what had happened, he told me he had assisted the two in obtaining a driver and car for the trip. On this morning he had been notified that the two, in addition to their driver, had been found killed around Lunsar, about 75 miles east of Freetown.

As a note, we also had a entire Nigerian company overrun and killed in that area after they ran out of ammunition (another story that really ticked me off). Anyway, I was wondering after reading about Lt Col Mackenzie if he could have possibly been one of these correspondents?

As a side note, I also remember reading about our infamous South African Hind Pilot (flew for the SL government with a partner) in one of your articles while in SL. I can assure you, EVERYONE on my staff read it, since we had drinks nearly every afternoon at the same Beach Side Bar.

Keep up the great world news information that ONLY you are reporting on!

Sincerely
Lt. Col. Dawson Smith (Ret.)

Yes, Lt. Col. Mackenzie was KIA in Sierra Leone, while leading a Ghurka merc unit against the RUF, but in February 1995. We would be interested in your evaluation of the performance of the U.N. troops in Sierra Leone. As we understand it, Executive Outcome with 250 men and a couple of MI-24s and $25 million defeated the RUF in a few months, whereas the UN had 16,000 troops and $500 million and never did. – RKB

URBAN LEGEND – BUSTED!
I wanted to do some fact checking on a rumor I heard here while visiting the DMZ in Korea. Is there a ransom offered by SOF for a square foot of the flag flying near Freedom Village? If so, how much? What are the delivery terms and terms of proof? Thanks for your help. Right now, it’s like an urban legend around here to say that. In fact, the flag is near meaningless until you mention the bounty. If I were able to verify this tidbit of information with someone of authority at your organization, that would be golden! Maybe even let me in on when the notion of this
first arose.

VRCTR1(SW) Daniel Coe

“No, No, No! A thousand times no. We also would like to know where this rumor started. Somebody with too many funny cigarettes. I remember in Grenada I and another reporter started a rumor that Che Guevara (of course, that slimeball had been whacked in ‘67) was up in the hills with poison gas. Sure enough, that soon grew legs with the boobs and dorks that were self-styled journalists. SOF has offered $1,000,000 for a Nicaraguan MI-24, $25,000 in gold for the defection of a Cuban DGI agent and $10,000 in gold for Idi Amin, but nada for the North Korean rag. Oh, by the way, those SOF rewards are no longer in effect. Sorry about that! We do have a $1.00 reward in effect for the identity of the ATF informant involved in a highly questionable sting against General Vang Pao. – RKB

THANK YOU
My father and grandfather both were fine soldiers, serving during WW II and WW I respectively. My father was a Captain in the 911th Field Artillery Battalion, 86th Infantry (Blackhawk) Division, and fought in Germany toward the end of the war. I recently donated his memorabilia to the new Field Artillery Museum at Ft. Sill, where he trained in 1942.

His father fought for the British in France as an adjutant in the Royal F.A., 3/1st West Riding Yorkshire Brigade. He loved to talk about his war experiences; my father did not. I donated my grandfather’s memorabilia to the National WW I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, several years ago. I myself tried to enlist in 1969 and passed the Navy flight aptitude test; however, I did not pass the physical requirements due to a medical condition the doctors discovered in my late teens.

The article on you and your military experiences in the 35th anniversary edition was impressive. You are a true Soldier of Fortune. There was a television series by the same name in the late ‘50s or early ‘60s with “Tim Kelly” and “Tubo Smith,” which I watched religiously. It has been a pleasure sharing a few military memories with you.

Best regards,
Ken Arthur II
Architect, Emeritus A.I.A.
Artist

REHABILITATED?
Did you see the stuff on AF General Lavelle? He’s the guy who did “secret” air raids on North Vietnamese forces massing on the border, prepping for the Easter Offensive. His raids began in late 1971 and went for a month or two into ‘72, before the offensive started. Every fighter and recon pilot knew what was coming—they could see the troops massing for months. Nixon let Lavelle fall on his own sword by taking responsibility for launching the raids under false “self-protection” pretenses, when in fact Nixon authorized it himself.

Lavelle was reduced in rank from general (four stars) to major general (two stars) and forced to retire under a cloud. He’s dead, but now recent Nixon tape releases have clearly shown Nixon planned it all and sacrificed Lavelle. Lavelle’s been “rehabilitated” (just like in the old Soviet Union!) and his rank returned to him and his widow as of this month. Admiral Thomas H. Moorer helped with the lies. Chairman of the JCS back then, Admiral Moorer was also the guy who, when our Linebacker II story came out, denied it happened and tried to call me a nut case to discredit me and the magazine.

“Aviator”

NO NEGOTIATIONS
The United States should not negotiate with tyrants. Please tell that to Jay Mallin and Donald Bohning. They have written a series of articles for SOF in which the ever present remark is that the American government should change its policy toward Cuba. Keep in mind that the embargo should be lifted only when the Cuban government allows the
legalization of opposition parties and free elections in Cuba.

Sincerely,
Bernardo Pestano

TO DR. BRASS
I agree completely with your stand on the efficacy of torture. My great uncle Lance Corporal Harry Harris, South Sask. Regiment, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, died in Normandy in August 1944 while fighting elements of 12th SS Panzer Division “Hitler Youth,“ who were notorious, even among the Waffen SS, for their lack of adherence to the Geneva Conventions.

I also agree, now that it was a mistake for America to have gone charging into Iraq in the manner it was done. Abandoning the strategic high ground to chase elusive enemies through the tactical tall grass for the better part of a decade, combined with the de-regulation of the financial industry in the 1990s that precipitated the 2008 financial crisis, has placed the United States and the entire Western world in immense strategic danger.

I have enclosed a copy of a letter to the editor of the Economist that should explain the problem. A close analogy is the dance of death between the three gunfighters near the end of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Two of them don’t know they’re already screwed because the third has ‘fixed’ the game. Give them the names—America, China, and Russia.

Lee Van Cleef plays Russia, guess who plays America and it ain’t Clint. “The only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know”— Harry Truman

Yours Truly
Randy Rogers Quesnel,
B.B. Canada

35 YEARS… TIME FLIES
Congrats and kudos on 35 years of kicking freedom’s enemies, both foreign and domestic, in their teeth, whilst sticking a sharp stick in their eye! Has it really been 5 years since I was sending you congrats on your 30th? Hell, next month it’ll be 21 years since we first met at Gunsite! The time has truly flown! Excellent article on the Afghan
dope situation; that story needs to be flogged through every news outlet that has the hair on their ass to repeat
it!!

The Magellan Star article shows what our military can do, the marines in particular, in a maritime environment, when unleashed. But it also shows what an anal retentive and micro-managing bunch of timid pukes reside in the civilian national command authority!!

The marines should have been allowed to stand that bunch of thugs on the Star‘s fantail and “Benelli” the whole bunch over the side (the pirates that is, not the NCA)!

BTW, interesting sticker on the side of the long camera lens that one “marine” is holding: “team 6“ Loved Dr. Brass’s “behind the scenes at SOF“ story, in particular his (on-going) personal matriculation through the years. I’ll have to pick up a copy of “Panther’s” book also.

All-in-all a most excellent 35th anniversary issue!

Re: terrorism SITREP #7, SOF‘s (sub-Saharan) African source; who was that masked dude?

Semper fi and de opresso libre,
Jess

MEETING “GUNNY”
Old Jack Wagon (Gunny Lee Ermie of Mail Call fame) and I had a great time last Saturday at the Atlanta Veterans’ Day Parade. He’s a “regular” guy, just like you and I.

Regards,
Tom Foster,
Vietnam Vet Advocate

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY
Many thanks for 35 years of “10-RING REPORTING” on everything important to the military community. We admire your honesty and dedication when reporting on the labors of the free world’s defenders. NO PUBLICATION has done more for SO MANY. We look forward to your 45th anniversary. Continue the good fight.

SFC Ernst Stavro Blofeld,
19 SFG(A)

45th anniversary? What about the big 4-0? Or maybe the big 5-0? – Ed.

AVATAR PRO-MARINE?
The movie Avatar promotes a strongly positive image of Marines, not an unfair image as SOF‘s April Bulletin Board argues. The film had only three characters specifically ID’d as Marines: Two were on the side of the good guys—the hero and the female chopper pilot; the third was the incompetent commander of the science-fiction version of Blackwater, hired to protect the mining corporation from the legitimately pissed-off locals, at which he abjectly failed, not heeding COL John Boyd’s dictum that the moral element of grand strategy is decisive.

Two out of three ain’t bad, when it comes to Hollywood‘s usual hoplophobic (to borrow one of Col. Jeff Cooper’s favorite coinages) slant.

The two “good” Marines stood up very well for the Marines’ motto “No better friend, no worse enemy.“ The ten-foot-tall blue people they befriended were well led by the paraplegic Marine in an action not unlike the Minutemen took against the Brits.

None of this occurred to me after seeing the movie, until people started to jabber about it. I walked out after the movie; all I could think about was how bad I wanted one of those big orange flying lizards.

Michael M. Finley

The sentiments expressed in the item from April’s Bulletin Board were from Colonel Brian Salas, who was the director of public affairs for the Marine Corps. – Ed.

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“A MAN AMONG MEN” REMEMBERS

I registered on your site today and was very pleased to see that you have kept
the spirit of the Rhodesian soldier alive with your T-shirts.

Bob McKenzie, whom I knew well, spoke very favorably about your people and magazine!!!

An Ex-Rhodesian Soldier
Andrew McNeil

ARTICLE FOR GLENN BECK
I have a favor to ask. In the July 2010 issue is an article by Gaucho, “The Takeover in Argentina.” In it he gave a very clear accounting of the current conditions in Argentina. I find the parallels to what is happening in the US to be uncanny and would like to get an electronic copy to forward to Glenn Beck for use with his programs. I don’t know if that is possible and will NOT without permission scan the article.

As a lifetime reader (I once had issue #1) and a lifetime subscriber, I have always found SOF to be ahead of the information curve, even with the long lead time of a magazine. For your info, my wife gave me my first subscription back in 1977.

Tom Perry
Please feel free to pass the article on to Mr. Beck. – Ed.

RALLY FOR THE HMONG
A “US vs. Harrison Jack” protest rally was held 15 October, at the capitol building in Sacramento. It was a success with a great attendance and speakers, with coverage from the Sacramento Bee. At a court hearing, the judge tore into the prosecution over their weak case. We have photos of the rally.
Bill Fortier

I am truly honored to support such a worthy cause. You are doing the Lord’s work! – RKB

SOF CONVENTION?
I was ask the question if there was going to be a SOF convention this year and if so where (Vegas)?

Thanks for your help.
Bill

Sorry, no convention this year. Last convention was in Raton, New Mexico, 2001. We discontinued conventions because we down sized and no longer had the necessary personnel to put it on. Thanks for your interest. And stay safe. – Ed.

BEST COVER EVER?
Is the November 2010 cover of Soldier of Fortune the best ever? I think so! That one remaining eye of hero Marine Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch perfectly captures the 235-year-long fighting spirit of Americans in uniform! Your cover says it all.

For that cover, I salute SOF publishers Dr. Martin Brass and Lt.Col. Robert
K. Brown.

Capt. Joe Columbus Smith
1 RAR, Ret.
Portland, OR

Best cover ever? What do SOF readers think? IS this the best ever, or is another cover more worthy of the title? We’ll print your responses. – Ed.