Books'nSundries

~ To Arms !

~ OUR KINFOLK HEROES...



                                                     Jesus said in John 15: 13
"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
                                                        ...and in John 3:16:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
                   believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

    ~~~~~~

                                               ...and in Luke 22:35-36;38:
"And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one . . . . And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them,
          It is enough.

...who Fought in Service of our Country ...for us and for our freedoms...

* The music for this page is in memory of James Daniel Brock, Confederate hero and my Great Great Grandfather. James was a direct descendent of Reubin Brock I from Ireland, whose son Reubin Brock II later fought in the American Revolution. James was killed in the Battle of Cold Harbor near Richmond, Virginia on June 2, 1863. The old Irish ballad "Danny Boy" I believe, captures the sad heart of his wife Francis (Fannie) in the months and years after she received the letter of notification from his company commander (the letter is reprinted in the BROCK MEMORYBOOKS).
...ETM

William F. Thompson, a neighbor of my Great Great Grandfather James Daniel Brock (pictured below), was also killed during the Civil War, he at Yorktown, Virginia. Here is a poem he wrote to his wife Martha E. (Bennett) Thompson, as he left to join the Confederate Army on July 11, 1861:

~ MARTHA ~

O Martha, Sweet Martha,
O Martha, my wife, fair you well, Dear.
I'm going to leave you for several long years,
I'm going to leave you, always it may be,
A valued true soldier to live and die free.
Our country invaded and this you well know,

To God my Protector, my soul He commands,
O will you, Dear Martha, upon Him depend.
He will never forsake you, though often you cry,
May mercy surround you, Dear Martha, Good-Bye.

James Daniel Brock Walter Leon Brock (3 photos) - U.S. Army, much decorated, Joseph L. Earnest
Confederate Soldier fought in all the Philippine campaigns, the longest on Luzon. - Europe
Killed at the Battle of
Cold Harbor, Richmond, Va on June 2, 1863
(James was my GrGrGrandfather)

            Donnie Styles (L)  G. B. Miller   Fred Blackmon   James S. Brock (2 photos) Radio Op.
            U.S.Navy-             Seabee-      (Pacific)-Flew in      & Gunner - killed when his B-29
            (Korea)                 (Pacific)      Catalina PBY's       crashed and burned on take-off.

NOTE: There are many others - these are just the photos that I have available to me at this time. Again I ask those who I have contacted to make your things available to me so I can include them in the Brock and Miller Genealogy/Memorybooks. Through this website I hope that others will come forward and assist in this effort as well.

Reuben Brock II fought in the American Revolution and drew a pension for his services. And the number of his direct descendents who later fought in the so-called "Civil" War both North AND South, boggles the mind. In that Useless War (War for Southern Independence) there were more than 15 of my immediate Brock family I have come across so far who fought for the Confederacy, and I believe there are many more yet to be discovered. There were at least 3 I know of in my Miller family as well, but they took few photos, passed little information on, and I believe there are several more of our set of Millers who fought also. There are relatives who fought in the War of 1812, and many who fought in World War I (one of these was the representative American soldier who had audience with King George V of England and who the king thanked and gave a handwritten note written on Windsor Castle stationery - through him symbolically thanking all the million or so American soldiers who were coming to join the fight). In World War II and Korea there are so many on both sides of my family that they are too numerous to properly list here. Suffice it to say that in my extended families on both sides as to the younger generations than mine, with all the distant cousins - some I know of, most I do not, there were many many of our kinfolk who fought in Viet Nam as well, and to attempt to list them all would not do them justice. Perhaps someone in the family will take on the effort of doing a treatise on this subject??
...ETM

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

About the poem's inspiration:
The scenes of battle moved John McCrae, a Canadian doctor, to write "In Flanders Fields." He wrote the poem as he sat in the area where wounds were dressed, looking out at a field of graves. The poem was later published in England's Punch Magazine in December 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day / Veterans' Day ceremonies throughout the world. McCrae died of pneumonia in 1918, a common killer of Great War soldiers.

The tradition of poppies:
Inspired by McCrae's poem, American Moina Michael wore poppies to honor the war dead. She also began to sell poppies to raise money for disabled veterans. After meeting Moina Michael in 1920, Frenchwoman Madame E. Guérin started selling handmade poppies to raise money for poor children who were living in the aftermath of the Great War. Soon thereafter Field-Marshall Earl Haig, the former British Commander-in-Chief, encouraged the selling of paper poppies to raise funds for veterans. This tradition spread throughout the countries which compiled the British Commonwealth, and then to the United States.
...http://www.rowlandandassociates.com/Flanders.htm

Firearms and the study of them, especially the obsolete arms of World Wars I & II, have been an interest of mine all my life, I suppose from being an impressionable pre-teenager during and just after WW II, and seeing my older cousins and uncles go off to war, some not coming back. For those of like interest I will show the most prominent of the small arms used by our kinfolk and the Allies of WW II, with a brief description, and will leave those of the Axis powers for a later update:

Colt 1911A1     M1 Garand      M1 30 Carbine  M3A1 Submachine ThompsonM28A1
- .45 Caliber     .30-06 Caliber   .30 Caliber          Gun - .45 Caliber     - .45 Caliber
                                                                                "Grease Gun"      Submachine gun

     (Click to enlarge the photos)
Browning M2 Machine Gun            Browning M1919A4
   .50 Caliber (MaDeuce!)            Machine Gun - .30 Caliber

* "If man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live
...Martin Luther King

* "Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
...Martin Luther King

   (Click to Enlarge)


                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Personal SELF DEFENSE:
                                ...stuff we all should know.

* "The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
...George Washington, First President of the United States

The 2nd AMENDMENT of the Constitution of the United States:
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* "The constitutions of most of our states [and of the United States] assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed and that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press."
                                                                                      -- Thomas Jefferson

    ~ Choosing an arm for personal self-defense:
                                        By © Emil T. Miller (Tony)

                   (A common sense discussion for women as well as men)

      Although it is truly one of the most personal decisions a person must make in life, when it comes to self-defense, there is should be no question. When a person comes in fear of his or her life, they will, can, must and certainly should use whatever means are at hand, including, and especially including resistance with deadly force.   There are those who go through their whole life never having to face such a situation. Such cannot be depended upon however, especially in this era when so many trivialize human life. Resolving these things in one's mind beforehand is paramount. Failure to act in most such cases, is the loss of one's life or a loved one's life. Forethought and provision should be made to control such situations. Our laws remain clear on this point in spite of the Liberal's efforts to change them; citizens have the lawful right to use deadly force (usually a firearm, but whatever is at hand will do) if they come into fear for their life or that of others.
    Proving this to a judge and jury after the fact is not always easy, but the decision to act at such times is clear to most. The question is whether one will choose to be "carried by six or tried by twelve", and for most people the six pallbearers can stay home since answering for one's actions is preferable to rotting in one's grave. Even if a man's own life for some reason seems not that valuable to him, the threatened lives of his loved ones or others around him certainly should be. The Good Book calls one who will turn his back on his family an infidel. His fellow man prefers to call him a coward. In certain quarters of the political spectrum (read Liberal Democrats), their agenda for the disarming the American people in spite of our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms, calls for them to advocate offering no resistance at all to any such threat or fear, eminent or otherwise. The sheer folly of this is laughable, yet many gullible souls have fallen for this hogwash.
     Let us however, move this discussion along, assuming that the rational decision has long since been settled in one's mind, and that the only question remaining is that of choosing beforehand, the best means for self-defense (and family defense, home defense, farm defense, business defense, the defense of others near you, etc.). For the sake of brevity let us also move past other less decisive means of self-defense such as fisticuffs, knives, clubs, Karate, and on and on - straight to the ultimate means of defending one's self and those near and dear to us: Firearms. OK let us use the "G" word, so exercising to the Liberals. GUNS.   And for this discussion let us be even more specific; HANDGUNS.
     The primary reason for going straight to the crux of the matter is that perpetrators of such acts as murder, armed robbery, car-jacking, rape, kidnapping and the like, since they are basically either crazy, sexual perverts, cowards or vicious, sadist fanatics, or high on drugs, will have also gone straight to the thing that will allow them to intimidate or do their heinous deeds with the least risk to their own sorry bods.
    Now having concluded that we will use deadly force to prevent our deaths or those around us, we must make our choice as to the weapon (a firearm is not a weapon until it is used as such) which we will hopefully have at hand in such situations.   There are so many choices that to the average person it is bewildering. Many useful, extensive and informative articles have been written by very knowledgeable experts, but it can all be simplified so as to make the initial choices fairly easy, until such time as one's own knowledge, ability and experience comes more positively into play.
     First we must keep in mind as to the questions which must be answered before our own individual choice can be made. These can be many, but I feel they can be narrowed down to just these 5 common sense questions:

     1. What is the smallest caliber and type of bullet that is adequate for stopping a crazed person high on drugs?
     2. Which means of delivery can I best use personally to hit this person? (What gun should I buy?)
     3. Where should I carry my handgun? (On you, where and how on you, in the car, where in your car, in your suitcase, briefcase, etc.)
     4. How should it be carried? (holster, pocket, purse, type of holster, etc.)
     5. When should I carry it ?

These questions could each take many pages to fully and completely cover, and quite frankly, I feel I could write them about as good as anyone. But space doesn't allow, and many people just need to have some good, simple reasoning available to them first off. People can use basic information in the process of choosing what is right for THEM, and this is the way it not only should be, but it MUST be. When one's life is on the line he should have for instance, the firearm that is best for HIM or HER, not which suits some other person or writer best, even (and maybe especially) one who is intimately familiar with a lot of different firearms.

QUESTION # 1: Novices have little choice but to depend on several things; advice from people in the know, proven statistics, and the general consensus. It behooves all to check these things out in detail for oneself, but here we will try to get some thinking started. This question has generally boiled down to a minimum of a .32 caliber, copper jacketed, hollow-point bullet in a cartridge with at least a "+P" rating (a more powerful powder loading than a standard .32 cartridge). There are pros and cons, but the majority seem to agree that this is the minimum that should be trusted. Of course .38 Special, .45 caliber, 9 millimeter, .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and other such are surely much better, but there are several things you as an individual will need to consider before going higher in caliber and power for your first choice in a self-defense handgun.

QUESTION # 2: Now comes the question as to what sort, or type of firearm, and what caliber should YOU as an individual chose to use. Familiarity with the arm you choose is prerequisite and of great importance, but in choosing it is advisable to try out several - as many different calibers and types of handguns as possible. And here is the place to not only try them out, but especially try different sizes of firearms, under qualified supervision. These are basically; a) single-shot firearms (not advisable), b) revolvers (highly advisable), and c) semi-automatic pistols (questionable for novices especially), and in different sizes/capacities as possible. Remember that we are discussing self-defense here, as opposed to plinking and pleasure shooting. Shooting ranges have a selection of arms which can be tried for a nominal amount, and Gun Clubs have as many as have the members, with great fellowship to be had as well. Your friends into the shooting sports are an excellent choice to seek help and advice (and to try out their stuff!). National Rifle Association instructors, Gun Club instructors, and personnel at shooting ranges are excellent sources of help, advice and support, and all offer good fun as well.
     If recoil bothers you (it does many women and even some men), this can be a factor in your choice, and it is one reason why several firearms and calibers should be tried out. The venerable .22 caliber has almost no recoil, and neither has the .25 caliber. But unless the bullet is precisely placed they will do little but make your assailant mad. Consider starting with the .32 caliber +P and working up to the largest caliber you are comfortable with. Don't settle on anything yet though, there are other things to be considered.
     Once you have some calibers in mind, carefully consider the impressions you had as you tried out various types. Were you more comfortable with the revolver, or do you think that with practice you could handle the complexity of semi-automatics in a stressful situation? The answer is usually the revolver, even with considerable practice. Others are fun and you should buy one for plinking if you want, but the respected choice for a first handgun for self-defense is the revolver. It is my choice personally, even though I am very familiar and comfortable with semi-automatics. I want to be SURE of the thing, should I come in fear of my life and have to bring it into action quickly under that pressure! Even many law-enforcement officers insist on the revolver for this reason, and they are required to practice and be familiar with both types usually.
     With the semi-automatic pistol, several questions must be readily in mind all at once when a confrontation occurs - depending on which make and model you have; i.e., is there a cartridge in the chamber or do I need to rack the action back and let it fly home to load a cartridge from the magazine? Is the pistol's chamber loaded and it cocked and locked with the safety on? ...or not (if so the safety must first be disengaged). Is the chamber loaded so that all I need to do is move the safety to the fire position? In either case do I move the safety up, ...or do I move it down? All the while I must remember to keep my finger out of the trigger guard and away from the trigger because just a touch in the case of a cocked semi-automatic and it will fire. Do you begin to see the problem?
     Let us then, for the sake of this discussion, settle on the trusty, time-tested and proven revolver. It is inherently safer than a semi-automatic in that its trigger is harder to pull, has a longer travel before the hammer will fall, and one must be deliberate and positive in pulling the trigger back far enough for the thing to fire. Indeed, I once told my wife that I love her too much to let her carry anything but a revolver.
     Now if you agree with this line of reasoning so far, and you have indeed settled on a revolver as the type that would best suit YOU, let us see if a choice of caliber can be made which is also most suitable to YOU, since YOU are the one who will be using it to defend YOUR life.   Here it must be stressed that you must practice with the arm you will carry, especially initially, until it is comfortable to you to shoot; until you are used to whatever recoil the caliber you have chosen gives you, until you are used to the trigger pull, until you can hit a man-sized target at 30 feet at least 5 out of 6 times, and until you can eject the empties and reload in a reasonable time. Perhaps it is a good thing to know that the average confrontation seldom involves more that 3 or 4 shots according to police statistics - but don't count on it. Have a speed-loader in your purse or pocket with an additional loading. Again, in the stress of the moment, cold naked fear and excitement can take hold and confuse a person as to just how the firearm operates and performs, of what condition of readiness it is in, and here is where practice and familiarity is the only sure and reliable things that will overcome all that.
     Here it might be helpful to let you know what my personal choice in a handgun for personal defense happens to be. Not that it it would be YOUR best choice. Only YOU can decide that. When it comes to personal self-defense I am a wheel-gun man exclusively. I prefer a hammerless .38 Special caliber snub-nosed revolver with +P cartridges and jacketed hollow-point bullets. It is the personal choice of my wife as well, and for all the reasons mentioned above. The make happens to be Taurus, Model 85, an excellent quality revolver with a lifetime guarantee and a smooth trigger pull, and for only a 2 inch barrel it is surprisingly accurate out to a considerable distance. We prefer the hammerless "snubbie" for reasons of better concealment and being less prone to snagging when bringing it out and into action. Actually I prefer the same configuration in a Colt Detective Special just a tad over the Taurus because of its glass-smooth trigger pull, but for the cost difference there is no question to me that the Taurus is the better choice for the two of US.

QUESTION # 3: Where should your revolver be carried? One person cannot answer this question for another. This of course could be in one's own home for one reason or another, for instance if there is word of a dangerous escaped felon in your area. But we will assume in this discussion that you must carry it while you are away from home for some compelling reason or other. The way I look at it is whether or not I have to go into or through a dangerous place or situation where there is a high likelihood that my life might be at risk. These places are to be avoided if at all possible, but if you feel you cannot avoid such, and must face it through, then this may be the place and time you should go armed. But let us be realistic. For the average person such situations probably do not arise except for say for instance, once in 5 years, or say when on a driving vacation. For me it is very very seldom. One should never get into the mindset that going armed all the time or most of the time or even very often is the thing to do, unless for specific reasons and/or circumstances. It is just that for those occasions when common sense and reason dictate that to carry your revolver is required, one must be ready - and this takes thought, effort and preparation beforehand.

QUESTION #4: How should your revolver be carried? For purposes of this discussion let us assume you feel you must have it on your person as opposed to in your car, (or on your nightstand, near your front and back doors, hidden in your barn, garage, etc). You have already decided:
     (a) that you will carry it on this occasion whatever that might be, to wherever that might be, and for whatever reason. (There are certain places and areas I would never be without one should I feel or be required to go there).
      (b) Then next, you must decide whether you will carry it openly or concealed. Local and/or state law may determine this decision for you, as may the circumstances of the situation you will be going into in any case.   Here again, your call.
     (c) If you will carry concealed you must decide just how deeply you should conceal it considering the necessity and time it might take you to draw it and fire accurately. For quick accessibility the side or cross-draw belt holster covered by a buttoned coat or long shirt worn outside might be in order. Or even a shoulder holster. Only YOU can decide. For deeper concealment the Galco S.O.B (small of the back) holster is an excellent choice. It must be selected form-fitted to the specific revolver you have chosen, and these things make it an expensive way to go - but heck, what does that matter when your life may depend on the right choice? Then there are those preferences and circumstances which lend themselves to ankle holsters or boot holsters under the pants leg.
    (d) But for deep concealment the best in my opinion is the "belly-band" holster. This is simply an inexpensive, wide, black (or tan, or white) band of doubled elastic nylon with a place sown in to insert and secure the revolver between the two bands, and it is "buckled" by Velcro. Such a holster is usually worn under your shirt and pants, but over your shorts (or panties). I adjust mine so that the handle is just behind my belt buckle and do not button my shirt below that point. Because I have become rather pudgy in these later years, it never shows in the least and is absolutely invisible as long as one is not constantly feeling of it and adjusting it. This is a dead giveaway to anyone with an eye for it, no matter how or where it is concealed on you, and one must understand that carrying a handgun however way you will do it takes considerable getting used to in order to avoid such an obvious thing.
     For the ladies, there are a whole host of handbags on the market now, at the top of the fashion and as cheap or expensive as you can stand, which are specifically designed for concealed carry purposes. Women law-enforcement officers use them, women judges, payroll clerks, as well as knowledgeable women who carry with (or without) carry permits. You can find these nice handbags not only at gun shows, but at the major department stores as well, but you have to ask for them unless you know what you are looking for. Another place to find them is at gun stores and law-enforcement supply stores. Don't be bashful, just go right in, bolly right on up and ask to look at them. They will be happy to sell you one, no questions asked.
     This is not to imply that there are not other ways and places women can carry concealed. Many prefer the S.O.B (small of the back) type holster with a loose jacket or other such worn over it. And there are other places for even deeper concealment - but we will leave that to the ladies, many who utilize the ankle holster when slacks are worn, or considerably higher up in the case of a dress or skirt.
    Once during all the car-jacking that was going on in Florida a few years back I wore my revolver the whole two weeks when I took my family there on vacation (see the picture on the Author's Bio page of me on the beach) and not one of my family ever noticed it or suspected I had it on me the whole time night and day except that when I went to bed I put it under my pillow. When we got back home and I showed it to them they were absolutely astounded, because I had worn it even when I went wading in the ocean with my grandchildren. It went everywhere me and the family went; in restaurants, on amusement park rides, at the beach, in the stores, everywhere. And to top it off, my son refused to believe I had it on me, and when I insisted he shake me down and try to find it, he could not find it! His eyes got big as saucers when I deftly pulled it out to prove it was on me. But you must understand this; if you have a handgun on you, law-enforcement officers will find it if they have probable cause to shake you down. They are trained to do so.   Best to tell them first off, keep your hands where they can see them, and follow their directions.
     It might also be interesting to note here that, although I did not have one at the time, the State of Florida will now issue a Florida carry license by mail to anyone who has a valid carry license in any other state of your home residence (those tourism dollars call the tune don't they? This very fact and the fact that they passed a very sensible carry license law was what stopped all that car-jacking in Florida during the Klinton years (I never did learn how to spell Slick Willie's name).
      I might note here as well, that if you have a handgun on you and are asked to get out of the car if you are pulled over for a traffic infracton or other reason, the best procedure is for you to keep your hands on the top of the steering wheel, and if he asks you to get out of the car, to so advise the officer first off. It is considered advisable to say something like: "I have a firearm on me under my coat and I have a license to carry it." This will tend to build confidence in you and help allay a tense situation which could develop should the officer discover it himself and get excited that you did not mention it. Keep in mind too, that after he routinely calls in your license number his dispatcher will probably tell him that records show that you have been issued a carry permit, making the officer tense before he even returns to you. Any sudden or unexpected moves on your part at that point just might make a poorly trained or inexperienced officer react precipitously. Always keep your hands in sight and not in your pockets, like high on the steering wheel or at your side, and don't make quick or sudden moves.

QUESTION # 5: When should you carry your handgun? This is many times governed by where it should be carried as discussed earlier. but if the question is simply when should one go armed, this is easy for me to answer. I don't know. Only YOU can (and must) answer this. I let common sense be my guide. First off, as stated before, I just don't go into dangerous or suspect places or situations unless for some compelling reason I feel I must do it. Then there is no hesitation; I go a-packin'. The question as that Detective friend of mine put it to me is always, "do you want to be carried by 6, or tried by 12?" I know what MY answer is, but I cannot answer for YOU!

     Perhaps there should be a 6th question. Should you get a carry license? There are some who feel they will never need to carry, and will not get one until some situation comes up making them deeply wish they had one after all. And too, there are many who have the conviction, based on the 2nd Amendment of our U. S. Constitution, that no American citizen can or should be required to have any license at all for his firearms - the 2nd Amendment being license enough as it was for 200+ years of our history until lately when the Liberal Democrat Gun Grabbers reared up. These feel it is an insult to them and to our Founding Fathers to even suggest such a thing. One can stand on principle and on the side of the right and of the Constitution, and it is not in me to criticize it. Again, your call. But one must also face the reality that the Liberal (Socialist) Democrats have succeeded in passing legislation requiring carry licenses in many areas (and many other onerous laws contrary to our Constitution) which would require us to be millionaires to fight in court for our rights under the Constitution. So here again, this question is a very personal one, another question that only YOU can answer. I personally feel that if a carry license is available one should get one, whether you ever intend to carry or not. If it is not available in your state you should do as I did in Tennessee, work hard with others to get one passed. And if you do a lot of traveling, get one in those states you travel to and through if available, unless they have reciprocity with your home state. We are after all, a law-abiding citizenry (except for the perp scumbags who don't obey the law and will never give up their guns anyway).
     In the meantime, get out to the range (or the back pasture) and get in some pleasure shooting (practice for me is pleasure!). The tin cans are waiting.

                                                           ... © Emil T. Miller (Tony Miller)
                                                                                      (Click here for AUTHOR'S BIO)

NOTE: In later updates we will offer such discussions as * Home Defense, * Farm Defense, * Business Defense, and other related topics.

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