Intro by a VietNam Vet Old Fart Ranger

[garyedolan]

I received a B.S in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy in 1969 and a J.D. from New York Law School in 1977. So, I am an attorney licensed in the State of New York, a public accountant and a Certified Trade Broker. My 5-year military career includes a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970 with Company C (Ranger), 75th Infantry (Airborne). While on active service, I was awarded the Airborne, Ranger (Class 4-70), Jungle Warfare Expert and Combat Infantryman Badges as well as ten Combat Air Medals, the Bronze Star and numerous other achievement medals. My last assignment was Tower Committee, Jump School. I retired as an LTC from the Army Reserves. I served as President of Company E (Long Range Patrol), 20th Infantry (Airborne) and Company C (Ranger), 75th Infantry (Airborne) Association, Inc. I authored the book, Of Their Own Accord, published May 2004, which relates the heroics of the Rangers in Viet Nam.

In 1996, I founded and served as CEO of eBarter, the world's first online, interactive barter exchange and predecessor to BigVine, Inc., of which I am the Founder. Bigvine was the premier online barter exchange and was funded with $60 Million by the world's leading investors, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the partners of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., American Express, NBC and Sanford Robertson (founder of Robertson Stephens & Co., LLC.).

I currently works as an attorney in my own practice serving select clientele and conduct seminars on elite leadership in the US and abroad to corporate executives. In 2004, I was selected as the keynote speaker to address the senior managers at BP Petroleum's Global Convention at Manchester, England. The topic was US Army Ranger Leadership applied to business. As a direct result of that presentation, I was invited to extend my stay and address elements of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's cabinet in London. Thereafter, in November of 2004 and again in May of 2006, I conducted a full day's seminar on the same subject for the leaders of the major industries, including Coca-Cola, Orange, AIG and numerous banks, in Bucharest, Romania.

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, skiing and have been a New York high school/college baseball umpire for 5 years. Me and my wife, Linda, live in Farmingdale, New York and have three grown children & two grandsons.

[Silverback]

You're not as old as the Pastor...welcome

[Hawkeye1Alpha]

Welcome Sir. I was in CO "K" the year that you graduated from the Point. I used to live in Newburgh and played high school football at West Point. ( My dad was stationed at Steward A.F.B.) I remember seeing the cadets marching around the quads and fields that we played on which overlooked the Hudson. I was always inspired by the Academy and while I was in the Army some of the best leaders I've had the pleasure to serve under were West Point Graduates. Again, welcome back and by the way, you 've lived up to RLTW in all aspects of your life!

[42L5V]

Welcome, Sir. It's an honor to make your cyber-acquaintance.

[Steadfast]

WELCOME home Sir!

Private Message (PM) inbound.

I've just returned from your site. Very nicely done. Lotsa pic's.

[Slowpoke]

Welcome youngster.

[Invictus]

Welcome here Ranger.

Great pics on your site, thanks for sharing them.

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. Your book was a good read.

[Scoty]

Welcome, Sir!

[RANGER513]

Welcome here, Sir.

[AbnRgr289]

Welcome.

[Looon]

Welcome Sir, and thank you for your service!!!

[Gordo173]

Welcome Ranger