Interviewing Leasing Professionals With Proven Track Record and Established Book of Business. Envision Provides: 1) Established Funding Sources   2) Fun Working Environment 3) Full Benefits (Health Insurance, 401k) 4) Aggressive Commission Structure Resumes To: careers@envisioncapitalgroup.com Contact: Jeff Edwards (949) 225-1712

Envision Capital Group is dedicated to providing the best in class products and service to our employers, customers, vendors and partners in the small and middle ticket commercial finance industry. With over 50 years of combined experience we have the knowledge, skills, abilities and relationships to help you reach your goals.

Comedian/Actor Jonathan Harshman Winters III born November 11, 1925 Bellbrook, Ohio. He was a favorite of both Jack Paar and Johnny Carson on their late night TV show. He was wacky and crazy with perhaps his best character Maude Frickert. Robin Williams calls him his idol and greatest influence. Winters also appeared in over 50 movies, had three very popular TV show (1956-57, 1967-69, 1972–74), plus five years "Hollywood Squares"(1975-80), "Mork and Mindy"(1982-83), "Davis Rules" (1991-92) and for decades was a major draw in Las Vegas.
More at The Museum Of Broadcast Communications

These marks "#########################" above and below an article
always mean that it is a Press Release - Editor

Veteran’s Day Salute

To all veterans, here’s to you on this special day of remembrance. To my late father, US Army staff sergeant (WWII), late Uncle Irving, Staff sergeant (Korean War, also a professional soldier), Sue's late father, Don Pooley, Capt. US Navy (World War II), her brother Don, Jr., Captain US Navy (Vietnam), my brother Michael, US. Coast Guard Lt. ( pilot, fixed wing and helicopter) now photographer, brother Peter, US Air Force (NORAD,) also professional military (now retired), writer/poet, Son Dashiell, US Navy, Petty Officer (light weapons specialist, diver, electrician, Riverene unit second in command, “dirt” soldier—five tours of duty in Iraq and Mediterranean waters), Cousin Alinda Flutie, Captain, US Air Force (now retired), and on my mother’s side, several on both sides of the Civil War, Bressler, Corporal, Pennsylvania Rifle Brigade, American Revolutionary War.) L.C. Menkin, US 7th Army

Dash on his way Home

(Dash and Sue, photograph on my desk,
when he graduated from Great Lakes Naval Training Facility)

Readers, thank you for all the emails. I appreciate them very much. I thought I would share part of my son’s email I received on Tuesday: “Hey Dad, were in Kuwait safe and sound...no hiccups real smooth.... Went swimming today got some nice clean sheets :) Starting my weapons and armor turn in tomorrow! Life is good!!!! :) Wearing civilian clothes again :) doing well....As soon as I can I'll give you a call! Waiting to see how were going to fly out...either a military flight, although some talk of a commercial flight??? Friday I'm thinking? Really excited :) Love you guys!!! I'm okay.... Talk to ya later dash”

Classified Ads---Controller

Boca Raton, FL CPA w/ Sarbanes Oxley/ 15 years management exp. as CFO/ Controller/5 yrs w/ PWC Extensive exp providing accounting/ tax guidance for the equipment lease industry. Willing to relocate. Email: bltushin@hotmail.com

Chicago, IL experienced in lease accounting, operations, management, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Seeking position with equipment lessor. Would consider contract assignments or relocating. Email: leasecontroller@comcast.net

Southeastern, MI Controller & Management experience w/ equip lessors &broker. MBA, CPA w/ extensive accounting, management, securitization experience with public and private companies. Willing to relocate. Email: Leasebusiness@aol.com For a full listing of all "job wanted" ads, please go to: http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Jwanted/Jwanted.htm Other e-Mail Posting Sites: http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Posting_sites.htm

ZRG Partners Leasing Employment Index

The third quarter of ZRG Partners, headquartered Westborough, Massachusetts shows a leveling off of the declining trend in the index with a uptick during the quarter.

Kenneth Vancini
managing partner

“While there are selective ads looking for leasing sales people, a closer examination reveals a high percentage are with leasing brokers looking for commission oriented employees," Ken Vancini, Managing Partner said.

“The traditional mix of salary and bonus based roles is now skewed towards opportunistic lessors and brokers seeking talent without high fixed salaries.”

The report notes the second quarter, 2009 "appears to be the low water mark for the index with a slight increase for Q3. However, traditionally large employers are not back to any accelerated hiring. Our index looks at several of the top ten leasing volume companies across multiple hiring portal points.”

"Employment opportunities have shifted predictably. While these roles seem to be selective and focused on risk and operations roles, this is a major departure form the past blend of types of jobs found in our index, where over 40% of roles were in business development and sales in 2007 and 2008.

ZRG is a fast growing, global boutique providing executive search, consulting and advisory services for our clients. The company and its subsidiaries operate throughout the Americas with offices strategically located across the United States and Canada as well as in Asia Pacific with offices in Shanghai . ZRG also provides human capital services in Latin America and in Europe. www.zrgpartners.com/

Full 3rd Quarter ZRG Partners Report

((Please Click on Bulletin Board to learn more information))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

Father Looks At Budget

Loan Officers Say Q3 Credit Standards Tightened

www.creditcollectionsworld.com

U.S. banks continued to tighten standards and terms over the past three months on all major types of loans to individuals or households during the third quarter, according to a senior loan officer opinion survey on bank lending practices released by the Federal Reserve. The percentage of banks that tightened standards and terms for most loan categories, however, continued to decline from the peaks reached late last year.

Some 15% of survey respondents reported tightening standards for credit card loans to individuals or households, down from the 35% that reported doing so in the previous quarter’s survey and the smallest net percentage reported since April 2008. Between 30% and 40% of banks continued to report tightening various terms and conditions on credit card loans, including credit limits, interest rate spreads, minimum required credit scores and their willingness to grant loans to customers who do not meet credit-scoring thresholds.

Approximately 15% of banks, on net, reported having tightened standards on consumer loans other than credit card loans during the third quarter, down from the 35% that reported having done so in the previous quarter and the smallest net percentage of tightening recorded since January 2008. With the exception of interest rate spreads, which nearly 35% of banks reported having widened, reports of tighter terms on other consumer loans were also less prevalent. For consumer loans of all types, 25% of banks reported weaker demand, roughly the same as in the previous quarter.

Approximately 25 % of banks, on net, reported that they had tightened standards on prime residential real estate loans over the past three months, which is slightly higher than during the second quarter, but is still significantly below the peak of 75% that was reported in July of last year.

For the third consecutive quarter, banks reported that demand for prime residential real estate loans strengthened. Some 30% of banks reported tightening standards on nontraditional mortgage loans, which represents a decline of about 15 percentage points from the previous quarter.

Understanding Bank Lending Policy

Approaching Banks with Leasing Programs
by Barry S. Marks, CLP

Stating the painfully obvious, everyone is looking for funding these days. As counsel for few small banks that have been involved in leasing over the years, I thought it might help to mention a couple of approaches to be used in addressing potential small bank lenders.

At least, as my Mother says, “it wouldn’t hurt”.

The guiding principle is: If we in leasing are hungry today the bankers are equally scared. Pressure is being put on banks from all sides to raise capital and restrict lending to the surest of sure things.

Although spreads in bank lending would appear to make lending very attractive to the bankers, the inevitable rise in Fed funds rates makes fixed-price low interest loans unattractive, unless they are short-term.

None of what follows should be unfamiliar to anyone in the business. In hopes of providing advice along the lines of Alexander Pope’s quote “what oft was thought/but ne’er so well expressed” here are some thoughts:

1. Point out to the bankers that leasing will diversify their portfolio. It goes without saying that many small banks are up to their ears in residential and commercial real estate loans, for which the outlook remains bleak. Some auditors may be asking for diversification and personal property lending provides that. Short term (36-month and less) leases may be less frightening in terms of interest rate fluctuations.

2. Leasing may protect customer relationships. Don’t just go with in as an independent broker bringing strangers to the bank. You are bringing the bank potential customers at a time when depositors are a priceless commodity. Moreover, if the bank is willing to share some leads with you, you may be able to close leasing deals where the bank’s loan department has faltered with the bank’s existing customers. Offer to be the bank’s leasing “department”.

3. Lead with your experience and reputation. Obviously not for newbies, those of you who have been in business a long time may be in a position to show the banks that you have the experience to do a good job guiding them through the unfamiliar waters of leasing. Don’t be afraid to push with this rather than how much money they are going to make or any of the other benefit of leasing. Safety first appears to be the banker’s motto these days.

4. Remember that a banker is a banker. Meaning no offense whatsoever to those of you who are recovering loan officers or still in banking, one of the hardest things for the entrepreneur to remember is that a bank simply makes its principal back with interest, not some wonderful upside investment. In fact, if you promise super-high yields, you are likely to run the banker off. Good, solid yields above mortgage and commercial lending rates are attractive but those who promise the earth, moon and sky immediately label themselves as being incapable of delivering bedrock investment.

5. Study up. Remember that whatever kind of leasing you were doing is not the only kind. Many banks want to discount rents by entering into a non-recourse loan with the Originator. This looks like a loan, which is familiar ground. Occasionally, a bank will be interested in obtaining tax benefits, which may be available through long term leases of certain property if the broker understands true leasing. Other banks will be comfortable with treating a $1 purchase option lease as a loan on their books while some will restrict this practice to EFA’s. The wider the range of ammunition in a broker’s arsenal, the more likely it will be able to score a hit.

I wish I could close with a magic expression that would open up the banker’s vault and return you to the days of free money and app-only to 250. If anyone finds that expression, let us know; maybe it will work for loosening up clients’ pocketbooks as well.

BARRY S. MARKS, CLP
MARKS & WEINBERG, P.C.
Suite 525, 2001 Park Place North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
P. O. Box 11386
Birmingham, Alabama 35202
bmarks@marksweinberg.com
www.leaselawyer.com

Author - Chapters in Matthew Bender's "Equipment Leasing" and
the Practicing Law Institute's "Equipment Leasing - Leveraged Leasing Treatises"
Co-Author - "Power Tools for Successful Leasing"
Co-Author - "Technology Leasing: A Lessee Toolkit"
Co-Author - "Power Tools for Small Ticket Leasing"
Director Emeritus - National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers
Board of Editors - Journal of Equipment Lease and Financing
Board of Editors - Leader's Equipment Leasing Newsletter
He is a past president of the Alabama State Poetry Society
and was Alabama’s Poet of the Year in 1999

Interviewing Leasing Professionals With Proven Track Record and Established Book of Business. Envision Provides: 1) Established Funding Sources, 2) Fun Working Environment, 3) Full Benefits (Health Insurance, 401k), 4) Aggressive Commission Structure. Resumes To: careers@envisioncapitalgroup.com, Contact: Jeff Edwards (949) 225-1712 Envision Capital Group is dedicated to providing the best in class products and service to our employers, customers, vendors and partners in the small and middle ticket commercial finance industry. With over 50 years of combined experience we have the knowledge, skills, abilities and relationships to help you reach your goals.

 

Seeking 2 Years + Experience, Vendor Focus Preferred Well Established Funding Sources Nearly 15 Years Reputation for Performance Large Commission Structure with the Right Book of Business Confidential Interview: Sarah Weston Resume: jobs@taycor.com, (310) 895-7718

 

Interviewing Experienced Leasing Salespeople With Ability to Develop Vendor Relationships 52 year old, Family- owned, Self Funded, Small Ticket Company Resumes to: tgalvin@clune.net www.clune.net

 

Vendor/Dealer Leasing Professional, generous commission's package that can lead to base salary and benefits. Join a sales team that has all the right sales tools for developing a successful vendor program in many different industries. Chris Chiappetta, Phone: 800-669-7527 ext. 1208, chris@netlease.com National Machine Tool Financial Corp., funding vendor programs since 1986. We offer competitive rates and a credit staff dedicated to vendor programs. www.netlease.com

 

5 years experience with established vendor relationships. We offer great funding capacity for transactions $10k to $10MM. Quail Company's established for over 30 years. Submit resume to: jrudin@quailcap.com About the company: Quail Equipment Leasing 17 years in business with the ability to develop specialized programs for vendors and unique industries: $10K to $10MM.

www.quailequipmentleasing.com

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

NAELB Costa Mesa meeting Nov 6 & 7, 2009
by Bob Teichman, CLP

On Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, some 136 equipment leasing professionals met at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa, California for the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers Western meeting to exchange ideas, meet funders and service providers, and explore the current state of the equipment leasing business.

Planned and implemented by Laura Noblin, CLP of Matrix Business Capital and her able committee, the meeting featured some 22 exhibitors and some very lively networking at the Friday evening Welcoming Reception. Exhibitor booths were open all Friday afternoon and the exhibitors continued to enjoy visitor activity straight through the closing of the exhibits at noon on Saturday.

Four well-attended workshops were presented Saturday afternoon. While the workshops were described as ranging from basic to advanced, even experienced people took away new ideas in subjects ranging from Packaging to the ever-popular discussion on Fraud, which featured a panel describing how to recognize and protect yourself against it.

Attendees included 40 to 50 long-time practitioners. Of the 136, some 25 people held the Certified Leasing Professional certification enhancing the already high level of professionalism at the meeting.

The overall attitude was one of cautious optimism and, with so many experienced practitioners in attendance, a feeling that “we have lived through downturns before and we will survive this one”.

Business Blogging at AZELA Meeting

Arizona Equipment Leasing Association
Tuesday, November 17, 8:30-11:00A.M.
Chompies Deli – Paradise Valley Mall
On Tatum north of Cactus near Dillard’s
602-710-2910

Come and hear Dave Barnhart of Business Blogging Pros discuss how to utilize “Social Media” to seize the high ground in our marketplace. Learn about utilizing tools like Twitter, Linkdin, Facebook and other tools to improve your outreach and grow your business.

How would you like to seize the high ground in your market? Not just survive but become the leader? Social media has leveled the playing field. The rules have changed and maybe for the first time you have the opportunity to grow your business like never before.

About Business Blogging Pros

Business Blogging Pros is dedicated to the belief that small businesses can have a large impact without correspondingly large marketing and PR budgets. While we are enthusiastic proponents of blogging and what a good blog can do for a small business, we found most small business owners to be unaware of blogging’s potential. We intend to correct that.

About Dave Barnhart

Dave is President of Business Blogging Pros and a passionate blogger. Dave has been neck-deep in the Internet since the days when the most powerful search tools were gopher and veronica – long before the World Wide Web existed. In the early 90’s Dave was using powerful databases on the Internet to help companies increase their intelligence about their markets and competitors.

Bringing together Funders, Brokers and Services
www.azela.net

Fee: $15 payable in advance, both members/non-members
RSVP/Registration form to: Larry Zaks email: lzaks@leasplans.com or
fax: 602-944-4417
Note: membership fee is $25 per year

Chase to Increase Small Business Lending by $4 billion in 2010

Will hire 325 additional bankers to help business owners
Demonstrates Chase's support for small business, overall U.S. economy

NEW YORK, - Chase announced today that it plans to increase its lending to small businesses by up to $4 billion in 2010, boosting expected new lending to about $10 billion to this vital segment of the U.S. economy.

This will provide businesses with increased access to working capital, term loans for expansion, commercial mortgages, lines of credit, and business credit cards. While the $4 billion in additional credit will be available to qualified businesses with annual sales of less than $20 million, the majority of new loans will be targeted to companies with sales of less than $10 million.

Chase has $29 billion in outstanding balances in loans, lines and credit card balances to businesses with annual sales of less than $20 million. Small businesses are typically served by specially trained business bankers, and generally will receive a credit decision within a week of application.

Chase also will hire 325 additional small business bankers - most of them working from Chase bank branches to help reach small businesses with annual sales of less than $10 million. That adds 17% more bankers to the 1,900 bankers who currently support the less than $10 million segment.

"We will provide more credit - and more one-on-one advice -- to small businesses at this crucial time because they are so important to the U.S. economy," said Charlie Scharf, head of Retail Financial Services at Chase, part of JPMorgan Chase & Co. "We urge small businesses owners to use the additional capital to expand and create jobs, and spur economic growth.

"We will continue to follow disciplined underwriting standards to confirm the businesses can afford the financing over the long term, he said.”Obviously, our new loan volume will depend on demand from qualified businesses."

In addition, Chase will:
Allow customers to request a second loan review to ensure the bank has examined all possible ways to provide the credit. Small business owners can call (888) 788-3082 to speak directly to a Chase credit expert to learn why a loan was declined, whether additional information would be helpful, and what the customer might do to get the credit eventually. Roll out an expanded line of credit cards called Ink from Chase with features and benefits to help business owners manage their everyday cash-flow needs. Host webinars and Credit Town Halls throughout 2010 to help small businesses learn more about the credit process.

About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), which operates more than 5,100 branches and 15,000 ATMs nationally under the Chase brand. Chase has 146 million credit cards issued and serves consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs and mortgage offices as well as through relationships with auto dealerships and schools and universities. More information about Chase is available at www.chase.com

1,500th Veteran to open small business franchise

Washington, D.C. --- Veterans Day for U.S. Army veteran Brian Gadson will be even more special this year. He’s just signed up for a different tour of duty, becoming the 1,500th veteran to buy a franchise small business using discounts offered by the International Franchise Association’s “VetFran” program.

Gadson will soon open a Meineke Car Care Center in St. Louis. Meineke, one of the top 10 companies that sell franchises to veterans through VetFran, is the second largest automotive service franchise in the Americas with approximately 900 worldwide locations.

“Meineke Car Care Centers is extremely proud to have our franchisee, Brian Gadson, recognized as the 1,500th veteran to purchase a franchise under the VetFran program,” said Kenneth Walker, CEO of parent company Driven Brands Inc. “Meineke is also proud that in 2009 we reached our personal goal of providing $500,000 in VetFran discounts. We are sincerely honored to have these great individuals who have served our country so well as part of the Meineke Car Care Centers team.”

Initially launched during the Gulf War nearly 20 years ago, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, commonly known as VetFran, was re-established following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since then, nearly 400 IFA-member franchise systems have volunteered to offer financial incentives to help honorably-discharged veterans become franchise small-business owners. The participating companies and the discounts they offer can be viewed at www.franchise.org under “Franchises for Veterans.” Incentives range from reduced initial franchise fees to waivers of training costs and free product inventories.

VetFran gets no government funding but is officially endorsed by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Veterans Enterprise which helps promote small-business ownership for veterans and named IFA a “Champion of Veterans Enterprise in 2003.”

The award-winning program was also recently tapped by the American Society of Association Executives to receive its Award of Excellence for creating an “outstanding program which has resulted in significant benefit to American society.”

More veteran-owned franchises are soon to open. During the most recent survey of participating companies, IFA learned that more than 200 franchise agreements were in various stages of negotiation as well.

Congress is also displaying interest in helping veterans become franchisees. New legislation designed to aid veterans in buying franchises was introduced recently by U.S. Reps. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) and Aaron Schock (R-Ill.). The Help Veterans Own Franchise Act, H.R. 2672, would provide a tax credit for franchise businesses that offer qualified veterans a discounted initial franchise fee.

About International Franchise Association The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,250 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site at www.franchise.org

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
Announces New Board of Directors

Kenneth R. Collins, Jr.
Chairman and CEO, Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Inc.
Elected Chair

Kenneth R. Collins, Jr.
Chairman and CEO of Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Inc.
located in Pottstown, PA

Cincinnati, Ohio ---Adopt a Pet

HARRISON
Catahoula Leopard Dog [Mix]

“ (ID #337) Hi, my name is Harrison.

"I was found as a stray wandering the streets worrying how to care for myself. At least here at the shelter I have my basic needs taken care of like food and water plus a roof over my head. However, I am longing to find my forever home and a family to love me. Do you have room in your heart and your home for me??

"I am a young fellow, about three years old and I weigh around 35 pounds. I have already been neutered, given my basic shots, microchipped, and heartworm negative.

"I am being sponsored by Sheltered Paws Dog Rescue. That means they are providing you with a getting started Goodie Bag when you adopt me. The bag contains a collar, leash, ID tag, training DVD, CD with helpful articles, booklet with training information, toy, and treats." Harrison

Contact: Kathie nitrofishblue@yahoo.com

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH336.html

Adopt a Pet

Adopt-a-Pet by Leasing Co. State/City

Fitch Rates
GreatAmerica Leasing Receivables Funding Notes LLC 2009-1

GreatAmerica Leasing Receivables Funding LLC 2009-1 is set to come to market with the November TALF subscription. The $459.8 million deal is backed by small ticket commercial equipment leases from GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation.

Wells Fargo is serving as back up servicer, indenture trustee and lead underwriter on the deal.

MATURITY DATE CURRENCY ORIGINAL AMOUNT COUPON RATE RATINGS CUSIP ISIN LONG TERM DISTRESSED/LOSS SEVERITY SHORT TERM A-1

15-NOV-2010 USD 108,456,000 .495% -- -- F1+ 39153VAN4 --

A-2

15-AUG-2011 USD 70,496,000 1.61% AAA -- -- 39153VAP9 --

A-3

15-MAR-2013 USD 190,784,000 2.54% AAA -- -- 39153VAQ7 --

A-4

15-DEC-2013 USD 49,051,000 3.19% AAA -- -- 39153VAR5 --

B

15-NOV-2014 USD 19,965,000 4.52% AA -- -- 39153VAS3 --

C

15-DEC-2016 USD 15,528,000 6.48% A -- -- 39153VAT1 --

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com

Sports Briefs

California Nuts Briefs

“Gimme that Wine”

Today’s Top Event in History

1982 -- Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated in Washington, D.C.
The memorial was designed by Maya Ying Lin, a young Asian American woman who, as a Yale undergraduate, submitted the winning entry among more than 1,400 participants. The monument consists of two walls of black, polished granite sliced into a hill side, leaving an impression that the monument is buried. Engraved on the stone are the names of the 58,000 U.S. soldiers who died in Vietnam. Today's dedication ceremony is attended by thousands of veterans, their families & friends.

The Wall

Vets and The Wall

This Day in American History

1620-The Mayflower Compact, the first social contract for a New England colony, was drafted and signed by 41 adult males in Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims did not settle there, but went on after a time to Plymouth.     1647-The first Colonial law requiring towns to hire teachers and construct schools was passed by Massachusetts. It ?ordered that every township in this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty householders, shall then forthwith appoint one within their tow to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in general.? Towns of 100 families were required to ?set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youths so far as they may be fitted for the university.?     1778--- The Cherry Valley massacre was an attack by British and Seneca Indian forces on a fort and village in eastern New York .Captain Walter Butler (the son of Colonel John Butler) led two companies of Butler's Rangers along with about 300 Indians. Joseph Brant was also present, but with his forces seriously reduced due to contention with Butler. The Senecas were angered over the burning of Tioga by forces under Colonel Thomas Hartley. The Fort, actually a pallisade around the village meeting house, could not be taken, but the town was destroyed. Despite the efforts of Butler and Brant to stop it, more than thirty women and children, and several Loyalist townspeople were killed and scalped. This, together with the massacre at Wyoming Valley helped pave the way for the Sullivan Expedition into the Iroquois homelands of central and western New York to neutralize the threat of future incursions. The British has promised the Iriquois land after the war. While Caucasian loyalist were awarded land in Canada, many Indian tribes did not want to move to a far away land. http://www.cooperstown.net/cherryvalley/     1811-Birthday of Confederate General Ben McCulloch, born near Rutherford City, Tennessee. Raised in Tennessee, McCulloch followed his friends Davy Crockett and Sam Houston to Texas in 1835. Measles kept him from joining Crockett at the Alamo, where its defenders, including Crockett, were massacred when the Mexican army overran the mission during the Texas War for Independence. McCulloch served with Houston at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, in which Mexican General Santa Anna's army was defeated and Texas gained its independence. After the war, McCulloch served in the Texas legislature and the Texas Rangers, the primary law enforcement agency in the Republic of Texas. He fought under General Zachary Taylor during the Mexican War and served as a U.S. marshal in the 1850s.When the Civil War broke out, McCulloch became a colonel in command of Texas troops. He rode to San Antonio and forced the surrender of a Federal arsenal there, while his brother, Henry, took control of Federal posts on the Texas frontier. In May 1861, Ben McCulloch became a brigadier general in the Confederate army and was assigned to defend Indian Territory. He formed alliances with several tribes in the area before moving his force to southwestern Missouri, where he played a key role in the Confederate victory at Wilson's Creek on August 10, 1861. McCulloch commanded a wing of the Army of the West as it approached a Union force led by General Samuel Curtis in northwestern Arkansas in March 1862. Curtis took up a defensive position around Elkhorn Tavern and waited for the Confederates to attack. On the night of March 6, McCulloch marched his troops around Curtis's right flank and prepared for an early morning assault on March 7. Curtis discovered the movement, and blocked McCulloch's advance. That day, at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Curtis held off a furious attack by McCulloch's force. McCulloch rode forward to monitor his men's progress when he emerged from some underbrush directly in front of a Union regiment. Identifiable by his trademark black velvet suit (he eschewed uniforms), a volley from the Yankees killed McCulloch instantly. His successor, General James McIntosh, was killed minutes later and the leaderless Confederates retreated. McCulloch's death was the turning point in the battle, and the Confederate defeat ensured Union domination of northern Arkansas for the rest of the war.     1831 - Nat Turner, a minister and slave, was hanged and then skinned in Jerusalem, Virginia, for inciting a slave uprising. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1518.html http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=30264582     1836-Birthday of writer Thomas Aldrich Bailey: American author and editor. Best known for his book The Story of a Bad Boy (1870), an autobiographical work. Aldrich was born at Portsmouth, NH, and died at Boston, MA, Mar 19, 1907.     1836-Birthday of writer Thomas Aldrich Bailey: American author and editor. Best known for his book The Story of a Bad Boy (1870), an autobiographical work. Aldrich was born at Portsmouth, NH, and died at Boston, MA, Mar 19, 1907.     1846- Ann Katharine Green birthday, her "The Levenworth Case" (1878) is considered the first detective story written by a woman and is considered the developer of the scientific detective novel. Her Ebenezer Gryce's scientific and deductive reasoning investigator predates Sherlock Holmes. Although her writing was of the age, her plotting and adherence to factual legal maneuvering is admirable today. http://www.abacci.com/books/authorbooklist.asp?authorID=411     1864- Sherman's troops destroy Rome, Georgia. Two days after Lincoln's reelection in 1864, Sherman began his "March to the Sea" by destroying the city of Rome (History of Rome, Georgia) and tearing up track between Dalton (History of Dalton, Georgia) and Allatoona Pass. His theory to win the war was to cut the Confederate supplies, aiming for major ports on the Mississippi and the Atlantic Ocean. General William Tecumseh Sherman ordered General Montgomery D. Corse to destroy everything at Rome that could be useful to an enemy, as well as the railroads in and about Atlanta, and northward to the Etowah. All garrisons from Kingston northward were ordered back to Chattanooga. Thus having cut himself off from the rear, he concentrated around Atlanta, on the 14th of November, four corps of infantry, the right wing under Oliver Otis Howard and the left under Slocum, embracing 60,000 infantry, and 5,500 cavalry under. Union Brevet Major General Judson Kilpatrick http://www.civilwarhome.com/shermangeorgia.htm http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/hargrett/platter/001.php http://www.virtualology.com/oliverotishoward/ http://www.famousamericans.net/johnmurraycorse/     1865- President Andrew Johnson presented Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a military surgeon, the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor at the personal recommendation of General Sherman for her heroism in treating wounded in hospitals and on the battle fields. She was the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor, her country's highest military award. What is known is that she did treat the wounded and that she was taken prisoner for several months by the Confederates. However, she had angered many officers because she insisted on wearing an Army uniform even though she had been refused an Army commission, but was allowed to served as a volunteer doctor along with commissioned officer men. She had been married in trousers and refused to take the vows of honor and obey or her husband's name. After the war she continued her ways by wearing trousers and speaking out about suffrage and dress reform . She practiced medicine in Washington, D.C. Walker was a lifelong advocate of woman suffrage, dress reform, and the abolition of capital punishment. On June 3, 1917 an Army review board revoked the medal along with 909 other medal holders after Congress revised the Medal of Honor standards to include only ?actual combat with an enemy? She refused to give it up. She died several years later. (1917 was at the height of agitation by women for the vote.) On June 10, 1977, the medal was formally restored by an act of the U.S. Congress. http://www.undelete.org/military/mil3walker.html http://www.northnet.org/stlawrenceaauw/walker.htm     1885-General George S. Patton, Jr. birthday: American military officer, graduate of West Point (1909), George Smith Patton, Jr, was born at San Gabriel, CA. Ambitious and flamboyant, he lived for combat. He served in the punitive expedition into Mexico (1916), in Europe in World War I and in North Africa and Europe in World War II. He received world attention and official censure in 1943 for slapping a hospitalized shell-shocked soldier. While a full general, owing to his critical public statements, he was relieved of his command in 1945. He died at Heidelberg, Germany, Dec 21, 1945, of injuries received in an automobile accident. http://www.employees.org/~ferguson/Patton.html http://www.pattonhq.com/homeghq.html http://www.generalpatton.com/biography.html     1886-Four men accused of participating in the Haymarket Riot that occurred on May 4, 1886 were executed in Chicago, IL. A labor rally had been called in Haymarket Square to protest the shooting of several strikers by Chicago police the previous day. Anarchist and communist speakers were addressing a crowd of several hundred mostly German-born workers when a squad of 180 police officers arrive to break up the rally. A bomb, thrown by a person who was never positively identified, fatally injured 7 officers and wounded 70. Police fired into the crowd, killing one worker and injuring more than a dozen. A grand jury indicted 31 suspected labor radicals in connection with the bombing. Eight men were tried for murder, seven were convicted. This day August Spies, Samuel Fielden, Adloph Fischer, and Albert Parsons---were executed by hanging. The other three were pardoned in 1893 by Illinois govern John Peter Altgeld. 1889-Washington became the U.S. 42 nd state, the first to be named for a person born in America. The first governor was Elisha Peyre Ferry, a Republican, who served from 1889 to 1893. ( lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov11.html )     1898-composer/singer/pianist Hoagy Carmichael born Bloomington, Indiana http://www.hoagy.com/ http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/hoagy/ http://www.redhotjazz.com/hoagy.html     1890-African American Daniel M. McCree patented the portable fire escape. McCree created a portable version made of wood that could be attached to the windowsill of a home, enabling people within to escape from second and third story levels during a fire.     1911 - On this 11/11/11 date, Janesville, WI was hit by an F4 tornado killing 9 and injuring 50. Within an hour of the tornado, the survivors were digging out in blizzard conditions and shivering in zero temperatures.     1911 - a record high of 83 was set in Oklahoma City, OK. Then a cold front plunged temperatures to a record low of 17 by midnight and 14, another record low, by the next morning     1918-Cease Fire, World War I Ends. At 11:01am the Great War ended as Germany, bereft of manpower, supplies & food, signed an armistice agreement. The war's toll were 10 million dead (6 million of them civilians), 21 million wounded & 7 1/2 million taken prisoner or missing in action. Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France & Great Britain each lost a million or more lives, and U.S. forces counted 115,000 dead. Influenza was to sweep the world due to the conditions after the war, killing millions. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov11.html     1919- Clark Griffith becomes a club owner, along with William Richardson, and president when he buys a controlling interest in the Washington Senators. Unable to get financial help from the American League, he mortgages his ranch in Montana to secure the needed cash.     1921-The first burial at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in the National Cemetery at Arlington, VA. President Warren Gamaliel Hardin, accompanied by practically every prominent government office, attended the services, and the unveiling of the national shrine, which was built to honor the large number of American soldiers who lost their lives in World War I but whose bodies were never identified.     1920-David Sinton Ingalls was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He served as assistant secretary of the Navy for aeronautics from March 1929 to March 1932. While attached to the 213 th Squadron of the British Royal Air Force, ?alone and in conjunction with other pilots shot down at least four enemy aeroplanes and one or more enemy balloons,? becoming the first Navy Ace in World War I. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the British Government.     1922 - Novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. born Indianapolis, Indiana. His novel ?Slaughterhouse Five? is based on his experiences as a prisoner-of-war at Dresden and its total destruction in 1945. Vonnegut uses fantasy and science fiction to highlight the horrors and absurdities of 20th century "civilization". http://www.vonnegut.com/artist.asp     1923-birthday of Alto sax player Charlie Mariano ,born Boston, Mass. http://www.move.de/amm/MARIANE.html http://www.ecmrecords.com/ecm/artists/559.html http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bio.asp?oid=7725&cf=7725     1925-Jonathan Winters birthday, comedian, actor ("The Jonathan Winters Show," "Mork & Mindy"), born Dayton, OH. http://www.jonathanwinters.com/     1927-Singer Mose Allison birthday, Tippo, MS (one of my favorites; Warren Luening and I went to the clubs Mose was playing. Warren later would then sit down at the piano, both sign and play the songs perfectly?He was a trumpet player, today the top studio trumpet player in concerts, movies and on records with the top singers. http://www.shs.starkville.k12.ms.us/mswm/MSWritersAndMusicians/musicians/Allison.html http://www.moseallison.com/ http://www.moseallison.net/ http://pkl.net/~silas/mose/index.html     1928-singer Lavern Baker birthday, Chicago, IL ?Tweedle Dee? and ?Jim Dandy? were among her hits. http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=60 http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusicArtistsB/baker_lavern.html http://www.oldies.com/artist/biography.cfm/id/308.html     1928-birthday singer Ernestine Anderson Houston TX. Her intro to jazz singing is at age 12 at the Eldorado Ballroom in Houston. Performs with Russell Jaquet, Johnny Otis, and Lionel Hampton. Known for her warm, blues-influenced vocals. Helps revitalize Seattle jazz scene at Jazz Alley in the 80 & 90s. http://www.ddg.com/LIS/InfoDesignF96/Ismael/jazz/1950/Anderson.html http://www.ernestineanderson.com/main.htm     1929 -- Dick Clark, TV producer, host of American Bandstand, former Philadelphia DJ.     1929- Andy Kirk and his orchestra recorded "Froggy Bottom" in Kansas City.     1932 - The National Broadcasting Company opened new studios at Radio City in New York City, celebrating the event with a gala at Radio City Music Hall. http://www.newyork.com/visit/attractions/radio_city.html http://www.radiocity.com/themusichall_history.html http://www.restorationsbybernard.com/     1933--"Great Black Blizzard" ? first great dust storm in the Great Plains. http://www.ptsi.net/user/museum/dustbowl.html http://kyky.essortment.com/dustbowl_rcmk.htm http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/dustbowl/filmmore/transcript/index.html     1934-tenor sax player David Lastie Birthday, New Orleans, LA     1936-singer Buddy Ace ( James L. L http://www.theiceberg.com/artist/30678/buddy_ace.html and) birthday, Jasper, Texas     1938-?God Bless America? first sung: Irving Berlin wrote this song especially for Kate Smith. She first sang it during her regular radio broadcast. It quickly became a great patriotic favorite of the nation and one of Smith's most requested songs.     1940-Birthday of California US Senator Barbara Boxer, born Brooklyn, NY. 1940-Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson tell us about KC in Piney Brown Blues, Decca 18121 http://www.umkc.edu/orgs/kcjazz/jazzfolk/turnj_00.htm http://www.nmaa.si.edu/cgi-bin/search/isearch.pl?DB=pcdb&FORMAT=one&FPASS= N&FHIT=9&ESET=RECORD&QUERY=creator@id/000313 http://www.umkc.edu/orgs/kcjazz/jazzfolk/browp_00.htm http://www.ne.jp/asahi/ko-1/crossroads/blues/j/turner.htm     1940 -the 'Armistice Day Blizzard' raged through the Midwest and Great Lakes. One of the most powerful and destructive winter storms on record. Over 150 lost their lives with 69 lost on ships caught on Lake Michigan. 26.6 inches of snow fell at Collegeville, MN and 16.2 at Minneapolis, MN. Winds gusted to over 60 mph.     1943--LINDSTROM, FLOYD K. Medal of Honor - Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Mignano, Italy, 11 November 1943. Entered service at: Colorado Springs, Colo. Birth: Holdredge, Nebr. G.O. No.: 32, 20 April 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 11 November 1943, this soldier's platoon was furnishing machinegun support for a rifle company attacking a hill near Mignano, Italy, when the enemy counterattacked, forcing the riflemen and half the machinegun platoon to retire to a defensive position. Pfc. Lindstrom saw that his small section was alone and outnumbered 5 to 1, yet he immediately deployed the few remaining men into position and opened fire with his single gun. The enemy centered fire on him with machinegun, machine pistols, and grenades. Unable to knock out the enemy nest from his original position, Pfc. Lindstrom picked up his own heavy machinegun and staggered 15 yards up the barren, rocky hillside to a new position, completely ignoring enemy small arms fire which was striking all around him. From this new site, only 10 yards from the enemy machinegun, he engaged it in an intense duel. Realizing that he could not hit the hostile gunners because they were behind a large rock, he charged uphill under a steady stream of fire, killed both gunners with his pistol and dragged their gun down to his own men, directing them to employ it against the enemy. Disregarding heavy rifle fire, he returned to the enemy machinegun nest for 2 boxes of ammunition, came back and resumed withering fire from his own gun. His spectacular performance completely broke up the German counterattack. Pfc. Lindstrom demonstrated aggressive spirit and complete fearlessness in the face of almost certain death.     1944-- Frank Sinatra began a long and successful career with Columbia Records.     1946-First Game at Madison Square Gardens. The New York Knickerbockers of the Basketball Association of America ( predecessor of the NBA) played their first home game at Madison Square Garden. Before a crowd of 17,205, the Knicks lost in overtime to the Chicago Stags, 78-68. The halftime entertainment consisted of a fashion show and a brief exhibition basketball game between the New York Giants football team and members of the Original Celtics, basketball's legendary team form the 1920's.     1946-Claude Thornhill, with Fran Warren, cuts, ?A Sunday Kind of Love.?     1948-trumpet player Marvin ?Hannibal? Peterson birthday http://www.bostonphoenix.com/alt1/archive/music/reviews/02-08-96/REX/ HANNIBAL_MARVIN_PETERSON.html     1950---Tops Hits All My Love - Patti Page Goodnight Irene - The Weavers Thinking of You - Don Cherry I'm Moving On - Hank Snow     1952-birthday drummer Kahil El'Zabar drums Great Lakes IL.     1955 - an early season arctic outbreak moved into Washington and Oregon damaging shrubs and fruit trees. Many new temperature records were set with lows at the zero mark in western Washington and as low as 19 degrees below zero in eastern Washington.     1955--Billboard Magazine publishes the results of its annual disc jockey poll. The most played R&B single is Johnny Ace's "Pledging My Love", the most promising artist is Chuck Berry, the favorite R&B artist is Fats Domino and Elvis Presley is voted the most promising Country And Western artist.     1958-Hank Ballard and the Midnighters record the original version of "The Twist". It was issued as the B side of the Gospel style ballad "Teardrops On Your Letter" and although it reached #16 on the R&B chart, Ballard's version of "The Twist" wouldn't appear on the Billboard Pop chart until just after Chubby Checker's version took off two years later.     1958---Tops Hits It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty Tom Dooley - The Kingston Trio To Know Him, is to Love Him - The Teddy Bears City Lights - Ray Price     1964 - 24-year-old Tom Jones records "It's Not Unusual" for Britain's Decca Records. The song, originally offered to, but turned down by Sandie Shaw, will become Jones' breakthrough hit, reaching #1 in the UK and #10 in the US.     1966---Tops Hits Last Train to Clarksville - The Monkees Poor Side of Town - Johnny Rivers Dandy - Herman's Hermits Open Up Your Heart - Buck Owens     1967-Van Morrison performs his current US #10 hit, "Brown Eyed Girl" on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.     1974---Tops Hits You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet/Free Wheelin' - Bachman-Turner Overdrive Jazzman - Carole King Whatever Gets You Thru the Night - John Lennon with The Plastic Ono Nuclear Band Love is like a Butterfly - Dolly Parton     1978-- "MacArthur Park" by Donna Summer topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.     1978 -- Gay San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone are assassinated by ex-supervisor Dan White. White is later convicted of the lightest charge possible in the infamous "Twinkie defense"; defense argued that White was depressed because of over consumption of junk food. A year later he commits suicide with carbon monoxide from his car in his garage.     1978 - Donna Summer's disco version of "MacArthur Park" rose to the top of the Billboard chart, besting Richard Harris' 1968 rendition by one spot. It would be the first of four number one singles for Summer.     1982 -- Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated in Washington, D.C. The memorial was designed by Maya Ying Lin, a young Asian American woman who, as a Yale undergraduate, submitted the winning entry among more than 1,400 participants. The monument consists of two walls of black, polished granite sliced into a hill side, leaving an impression that the monument is buried. Engraved on the stone are the names of the 58,000 U.S. soldiers who died in Vietnam. Today's dedication ceremony is attended by thousands of veterans, their families & friends. http://thewall-usa.com/ http://www.vietvet.org/thewall.htm     1982-Shuttle Columbia launched from Kennedy Space Center, FL, with four astronauts: Vance Brand, Robert Overmyer, William Lenoir and Joseph Allen. "First operational mission" delivered two satellites into orbit for commercial customers. Columbia landed at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, Nov 16, 1982.     1982---Tops Hits Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes Heart Attack - Olivia Newton-John I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) - Michael McDonald You're So Good When You're Bad - Charley Pride     1987- Braves' Steve Bedrosian narrowly edges Cub Rick Sutcliffe by two points (57-55) to win the Cy Young Award. 'Bedrock' is the third reliever to win the award in the National League.     1987--- Van Gogh's paining the "Irises" sells for record $53.6 M at auction, painted in 1889 after he entered a mental asylum. Ironically he only sold one painting during his lifetime, to his brother, who also displayed many of his works for sale as an art dealer. His brother supported him most of his life.     1987 - a Veteran's Day snowstorm dumped record early snows over the mid-Atlantic with 17 inches at Washington, D.C. This amount of snow is rare in winter let alone the middle of fall. Thunder and lightning accompanied the snow for several hours     1988- Dodgers' hurler Orel Hershiser becomes the ninth pitcher in National League history to win the Cy Young award unanimously as the 'Bulldog' receives all twenty-four first place votes from the sportswriters.     1989-Civil Rights Memorial is dedicated in Montgomery, AL http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmemorial.htm http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g30712-d105609-Reviews-Civil_Rights _Memorial-Montgomery_Alabama.html http://www.tolerance.org/memorial/index.html     1989- "When I See You Smile" by Bad English topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.     1990 — -- Kansas City linebacker Derrick Thomas sets an NFL record with seven sacks, but Seattle quarterback Dave Krieg somehow slips free of Thomas to throw a 25-yard game-winning touchdown pass in the closing seconds as the Seahawks beat the Chiefs 17-16.     1990---Tops Hits Love Takes Time - Mariah Carey Pray - M.C. Hammer Giving You the Benefit - Pebbles Home - Joe Diffie     1991 - Thunderstorms dumped golfball sized hail at Montyville and Norwich in southeastern Connecticut during the early morning hours     1992 - Bobby Fischer won his re-match with Boris Spassky in Sveti Stefan, Yugoslavia. The match was organized by banker Jedzimir Vasiljevic. Fischer had 10 wins, 5 losses, and 15 draws. He got $3.65 million for his winnings and Spassky received $1.5 million.     1995 - Smashing Pumpkins' album "Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness" hit #1 on the U.S. album chart. The Smashing Pumpkins (Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'arcy and Jimmy Chamberlin) band was formed in 1988.     1998 - Top Hits Doo Wop (That Thing)- Lauryn Hill Lately- Divine The First Night- Monica One Week- Barenaked Ladies     2001-- St. Louis first baseman Mark McGwire tells ESPN he will retire ending his 16-year career. The prolific home run hitter, who ranks fifth all-time with 583 career homers, has decided not to sign the two-year, $30 million extension the team had offered.     2002 -- Barry Bonds becomes the first player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player Award five times. The 38-year old Giant left fielder, who also won the award with the Pirates in 1990 and '92 and with San Francisco in 1993 and last season, was National League's batting champion with a .370 average and broke 1941 Ted Williams' on-base percentage record with an amazing .582.OBP.

Football Cheers

"You got to want it to win it and we want it more. You got to want it to win it and we want it more. Go Niners."

"We're headed for the top, We're solid as a rock, We can't be stopped, Because we're HOT HOT HOT!!!"

"Clap your hands, and stomp your feet, and jam to the rhythm of the Grizzly beat, It goes (stomp, clap, stomp stomp, clap, stomp clap), Do it "

"Its time, to cheer, Seahawks are here, Seahawks, Seahawks, Yeah, This is our year!!!"

IF YOU WANT TO WIN THIS GAME ...> YOU HAVE TO SHOUT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!!! WE SAY "GO" YOU SAY...FIGHT!! GO...FIGHT! GO...FIGHT! Everyone together yell: WIN

(At least I didn’t put the Raiders in the lyrics. editor)

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The Famous Patton Speechby Charles M. Province
(abbreviated introduction)

(It is appropriate this rated “X” (explicit language ) be read today, as it is not only “Veteran's Day,” but George S. Patton's birthday.)

Anyone who has ever viewed the motion picture PATTON will never forget the opening. George Campbell Scott, portraying Patton, standing in front of an immensely huge American flag, delivers his version of Patton's "Speech to the Third Army" on June 5th, 1944, the eve of the Allied invasion of France, code-named "Overlord".

Scott's rendition of the speech was highly sanitized so as not to offend too many fainthearted Americans. Luckily, the soldiers of the American Army who fought World War II were not so fainthearted.

After one of my lectures on the subject of General Patton, I spoke with a retired Major-General who was a close friend of Patton and who had been stationed with him in the 1930's in the Cavalry. He explained to me that the movie was a very good portrayal of Patton in that it was the way he wanted his men and the public to see him, as a rugged, colorful commander. There was one exception, however, according to the Major General. In reality, Patton was a much more profane speaker than the movie dared to exhibit.

Patton had a unique ability regarding profanity. During a normal conversation, he could liberally sprinkle four letter words into what he was saying and the listeners would hardly take notice of it. He spoke so easily and used those words in such a way that it just seemed natural for him to talk that way.

He could, when necessary, open up with both barrels and let forth such blue-flamed phrases that they seemed almost eloquent in their delivery. When asked by his nephew about his profanity, Patton remarked, "When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old ladies at an afternoon tea party, but it helps my soldiers to remember. You can't run an army without profanity; and it has to be eloquent profanity. An army without profanity couldn't fight its way out of a piss-soaked paper bag."

"As for the types of comments I make", he continued with a wry smile, "Sometimes I just, By God, get carried away with my own eloquence."

The Speech:

General Patton arose and strode swiftly to the microphone. The men snapped to their feet and stood silently. Patton surveyed the sea of brown with a grim look. "Be seated", he said. The words were not a request, but a command. The General's voice rose high and clear.

"Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight. When you, here, everyone of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players. Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American."

The General paused and looked over the crowd. "You are not all going to die," he said slowly. "Only two percent of you right here today would die in a major battle. Death must not be feared. Death, in time, comes to all men. Yes, every man is scared in his first battle. If he says he's not, he's a liar. Some men are cowards but they fight the same as the brave men or they get the hell slammed out of them watching men fight who are just as scared as they are. The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared. Some men get over their fright in a minute under fire. For some, it takes an hour. For some, it takes days. But a real man will never let his fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his innate manhood. Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base. Americans pride themselves on being He Men and they ARE He Men. Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are, and probably more so. They are not supermen." "All through your Army careers, you men have bitched about what you call "chicken shit drilling". That, like everything else in this Army, has a definite purpose. That purpose is alertness. Alertness must be bred into every soldier. I don't give a fuck for a man who's not always on his toes. You men are veterans or you wouldn't be here. You are ready for what's to come. A man must be alert at all times if he expects to stay alive. If you're not alert, sometime, a German son-of-an-asshole-bitch is going to sneak up behind you and beat you to death with a sockful of shit!" The men roared in agreement.

Patton's grim expression did not change. "There are four hundred neatly marked graves somewhere in Sicily", he roared into the microphone, "All because one man went to sleep on the job". He paused and the men grew silent. "But they are German graves, because we caught the bastard asleep before they did". The General clutched the microphone tightly, his jaw out-thrust, and he continued, "An Army is a team. It lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit. The bilious bastards who write that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don't know any more about real fighting under fire than they know about fucking!" The men slapped their legs and rolled in glee. This was Patton as the men had imagined him to be, and in rare form, too. He hadn't let them down. He was all that he was cracked up to be, and more. He had IT! "We have the finest food, the finest equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world", Patton bellowed. He lowered his head and shook it pensively. Suddenly he snapped erect, faced the men belligerently and thundered, "Why, by God, I actually pity those poor sons-of-bitches we're going up against. By God, I do". The men clapped and howled delightedly. There would be many a barracks tale about the "Old Man's" choice phrases. They would become part and parcel of Third Army's history and they would become the bible of their slang. "My men don't surrender", Patton continued, "I don't want to hear of any soldier under my command being captured unless he has been hit. Even if you are hit, you can still fight back. That's not just bull shit either. The kind of man that I want in my command is just like the lieutenant in Libya, who, with a Luger against his chest, jerked off his helmet, swept the gun aside with one hand, and busted the hell out of the Kraut with his helmet. Then he jumped on the gun and went out and killed another German before they knew what the hell was coming off. And, all of that time, this man had a bullet through a lung. There was a real man!"

Patton stopped and the crowd waited. He continued more quietly, "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters, either. Every single man in this Army plays a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain. What if every truck driver suddenly decided that he didn't like the whine of those shells overhead, turned yellow, and jumped headlong into a ditch? The cowardly bastard could say, "Hell, they won't miss me, just one man in thousands". But, what if every man thought that way? Where in the hell would we be now? What would our country, our loved ones, our homes, even the world, be like? No, Goddamnit, Americans don't think like that. Every man does his job. Every man serves the whole. Every department, every unit, is important in the vast scheme of this war. The ordnance men are needed to supply the guns and machinery of war to keep us rolling. The Quartermaster is needed to bring up food and clothes because where we are going there isn't a hell of a lot to steal. Every last man on K.P. has a job to do, even the one who heats our water to keep us from getting the 'G.I. Shits'."

Patton paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "Each man must not think only of himself, but also of his buddy fighting beside him. We don't want yellow cowards in this Army. They should be killed off like rats. If not, they will go home after this war and breed more cowards. The brave men will breed more brave men. Kill off the Goddamned cowards and we will have a nation of brave men. One of the bravest men that I ever saw was a fellow on top of a telegraph pole in the midst of a furious fire fight in Tunisia. I stopped and asked what the hell he was doing up there at a time like that. He answered, "Fixing the wire, Sir". I asked, "Isn't that a little unhealthy right about now?" He answered, "Yes Sir, but the Goddamned wire has to be fixed". I asked, "Don't those planes strafing the road bother you?" And he answered, "No, Sir, but you sure as hell do!" Now, there was a real man. A real soldier. There was a man who devoted all he had to his duty, no matter how seemingly insignificant his duty might appear at the time, no matter how great the odds. And you should have seen those trucks on the rode to Tunisia. Those drivers were magnificent. All day and all night they rolled over those son-of-a-bitching roads, never stopping, never faltering from their course, with shells bursting all around them all of the time. We got through on good old American guts. Many of those men drove for over forty consecutive hours. These men weren't combat men, but they were soldiers with a job to do. They did it, and in one hell of a way they did it. They were part of a team. Without team effort, without them, the fight would have been lost. All of the links in the chain pulled together and the chain became unbreakable."

The General paused and stared challengingly over the silent ocean of men. One could have heard a pin drop anywhere on that vast hillside. The only sound was the stirring of the breeze in the leaves of the bordering trees and the busy chirping of the birds in the branches of the trees at the General's left.

"Don't forget," Patton barked, "you men don't know that I'm here. No mention of that fact is to be made in any letters. The world is not supposed to know what the hell happened to me. I'm not supposed to be commanding this Army. I'm not even supposed to be here in England. Let the first bastards to find out be the Goddamned Germans. Some day I want to see them raise up on their piss-soaked hind legs and howl, 'Jesus Christ, it's the Goddamned Third Army again and that son-of-a-fucking-bitch Patton'."

"We want to get the hell over there", Patton continued, "The quicker we clean up this Goddamned mess, the quicker we can take a little jaunt against the purple pissing Japs and clean out their nest, too. Before the Goddamned Marines get all of the credit."

The men roared approval and cheered delightedly. This statement had real significance behind it. Much more than met the eye and the men instinctively sensed the fact. They knew that they themselves were going to play a very great part in the making of world history. They were being told as much right now. Deep sincerity and seriousness lay behind the General's colorful words. The men knew and understood it. They loved the way he put it, too, as only he could.

Patton continued quietly, "Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get the bastards who started it. The quicker they are whipped, the quicker we can go home. The shortest way home is through Berlin and Tokyo. And when we get to Berlin", he yelled, "I am personally going to shoot that paper hanging son-of-a-bitch Hitler. Just like I'd shoot a snake!"

"When a man is lying in a shell hole, if he just stays there all day, a German will get to him eventually. The hell with that idea. The hell with taking it. My men don't dig foxholes. I don't want them to. Foxholes only slow up an offensive. Keep moving. And don't give the enemy time to dig one either. We'll win this war, but we'll win it only by fighting and by showing the Germans that we've got more guts than they have; or ever will have. We're not going to just shoot the sons-of-bitches, we're going to rip out their living Goddamned guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We're going to murder those lousy Hun cocksuckers by the bushel-fucking-basket. War is a bloody, killing business. You've got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. Rip them up the belly. Shoot them in the guts. When shells are hitting all around you and you wipe the dirt off your face and realize that instead of dirt it's the blood and guts of what once was your best friend beside you, you'll know what to do!"

"I don't want to get any messages saying, "I am holding my position." We are not holding a Goddamned thing. Let the Germans do that. We are advancing constantly and we are not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy's balls. We are going to twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him all of the time. Our basic plan of operation is to advance and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through the enemy. We are going to go through him like crap through a goose; like shit through a tin horn!"

"From time to time there will be some complaints that we are pushing our people too hard. I don't give a good Goddamn about such complaints. I believe in the old and sound rule that an ounce of sweat will save a gallon of blood. The harder WE push, the more Germans we will kill. The more Germans we kill, the fewer of our men will be killed. Pushing means fewer casualties. I want you all to remember that."

The General paused. His eagle like eyes swept over the hillside. He said with pride, "There is one great thing that you men will all be able to say after this war is over and you are home once again. You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great World War II, you WON'T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, "Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana." No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, "Son, your Granddaddy rode with the Great Third Army and a Son-of-a-Goddamned-Bitch named Georgie Patton!"