CHAPTER TWELVE

Clark AFB, Philippines

I presented Lieutenant Colonel George Roth to the group. I alluded that George and I had worked together for several years stating, "He speaks for me. As executive officer, he is concerned about you. Take personal matters to him."

George declared that I was one of the finest officers in the Air Force, revealing that I had turned down a baseball career to come into the service. He told them that I had designed and built a propeller aircraft from leftover scrapes that was stronger and faster than many jet fighter planes. George's voice went quiet when he uttered, "After his wife died, he became more intent on making your and my jobs safer and more productive. Any questions?"

I retrieved a dollar bill from my wallet and exclaimed, "All seriousness aside, I could not have written that any better. Here is what I agreed to pay for it." I lifted the dollar above my head so everyone could see it and handed it to George. Each attendee laughed including General Gofourth.

A young female Major raised her hand and quizzed, "Are you going to take your shirt off and pose for us like you did at Chanute AFB?" Everyone laughed at the proposal. I was somewhat stunned as I asked for her name. She acknowledged, "Major Margret O'Brien." I asserted, "That was for publicity to raise money for a charity." But I thought why would a young woman have the audacity to speak to me like that.

She professed, "We are attempting to produce funds to help orphans coming out of Southeast Asia. We are doing it here at Clark AFB, but it has worldwide interest." Then she looks at me with puppy dog eyes, a big smile, and requests, "Would you be open to an elimination challenge where you face the top five challengers?"

I looked at her directly and responded, "I would be proud to, but someone else has to do the organization, preparation, and planning. Also, it cannot take away from my job." She shared, "I am good at promoting and planning." I responded, "George may be able to assist you to get started. He helped his wife and her aunt with the one at Chanute."

Margret and I became best friends. There was nothing romantic about us. She was grieving over her deceased husband, Joe. I was still languishing for Le Ann. The fact is we were like the three musketeers, George, Margret, and me. We had fun together as we helped each other through our grief.

Margret and I went out together a few times. We even kissed, but it was nothing more than surface. She was not Le Ann, and I was not Joe. We were comfortable with each other, and there was no pressure to make it more.

I exposed my concerns about Kulabta. Margret replied that with two different mail systems it is no wonder that my letters never reached their intended target. Perhaps she was correct. Long distance mail between two countries was difficult during time of war. There could be several countries in between. But that one rejection letter...

Margret had me speak into a camera five times, each with a different slant, about the plight of orphans from Southeast Asia and the elimination FFF challenge fight. The segments could be run independently or spliced together to make an infomercial lasting twenty-five minutes. The promo film was distributed to all the world-wide networks. Articles were sent to every major newspaper including the Air Force Times with pictures of me in my fighting trunks and shirtless. I was blushing. However, I knew that the cause was good. Mixed feelings became my way of coping.

Margret was an expert in public relations. Donations and responses came in from many parts of the world. Hundreds of couples sent requests wanting to adopt the orphans. I received thirty-two marriage proposals with pictures of the prospective brides. Another twenty-three wanted to introduce me to their grand-daughters. One little Thai boy sent me a photo from Chiang Mai wanting me to be his daddy. I did not know whether to laugh or to cry. I was confused and elated at the response. The picture from Chiang Mai tugged at my heart.

Two hundred had registered by sending their entry fee. The prize of ten thousand dollars for beating me was a tremendous lure. The elimination day rendered five of the toughest opponents that I had ever witnessed.

Chiang Mai John was in his four star general uniform. Jeopardy happened to be dressed as a full colonel. Master Tuk looked distinguished in his Royal Thai Guard, two star general, formal apparel. I was honored to have such a distinguished audience.

Papa Tuk, as I affectionally referred to him, came over bowing in a Thai Wye and then hugged me He trembled as he said, "I apologize for the way I treated you. You deserved better." I replied, "You love your daughter. I cannot find fault with that.

I do want you to know that I never disgraced her nor cheated on her." He responded, "I know, as you speak. I looked into your soul, through your eyes, that you tell the truth. I still love you as a son." His revelation caused me to cry deep inside.

Bewilderment was on his face. I knew what he was going to ask. "Kulabta killed any chance that I will ever love her again. She put a curse on me. She vindictively proclaimed that I would be cursed and suffer loss and anguish in any loving relationship I attempted and enjoyed."

Continuing, "that curse killed my mother and father both of whom I loved very much. It massacred my wife, unborn baby and left my two children motherless. If anything, I loathe her. My hatred for her will burn through eternity. There will never be peace in my life. I do not care if I live or die! I guess she is happy? She wins. Too many loved ones have been lost. I want the tragedy to stop."

My anger was stirred by my encounter with Master Tuk. He contemplated what I pronounced with tears falling down his cheeks. I felt remorse at my dumping my feelings on him, even though it was intense and inflated. It was not his fault.

The anger was plaguing my thoughts the next day as I confronted my challengers. As the bile built up inside me, I fought with a savagery I never formerly faced. The intensity was so severe that I pounded my opponents cruelly. Everybody cheered and shouted, "great fights," but I knew in my heart that I had lost control.

I saw Kulabta in the crowd crying, but then she disappeared. Just as the prize money was presented, I captured the mike from the announcer and explained that I did not deserve it. The children needed it more. The attendees believed I was being generous and cheered me. Actually, my guilt goaded me to contribute the prize.