Thats been a half-ass slogan of mine for a few years. Started right after I joined the service. I was already under fire for my accent, cowboy hats, boots, chewing tobacco, and quite frankly my social ability was of your typical North Georgia Hick. I got nicknamed Hillbilly pretty quick. There was a guy from South Texas who was called Country so it was taken

I had no problem with rucking up when it came time though, and one of my squad mates asked before a deployment why I wasn’t worried. At the time I told him something I read in a Louis L’Amour book, playing macho. “If something happens, I’m going out with my boots on, by gawd.”

I never lived it down and it become my battle cry when we decided to paint the towns on the weekends.

Now-a-days the phrase isn’t quite as serious as that first time. I’m glad to see a recurrence of it, so now I don’t feel as foolish.

That being said.

Tonight is a night when a lot of folks go out with their boots on. Either work boots, dancing boots or dress boots. It’s the last day of 2009, and lets face it a lot of folks are happy to see this one go. I know I’m one.

So while ya’ll are partying it up, and reviling the end of the year, and showing the new one in to the door. Take a moment to toast the guys and gals of our Armed Forces who aren’t seeing another New Year, and who made it possible for us too.

Drive safe, or better yet, don’t drive at all. Take a taxi, get a bus. Call a friend. Hell if your close, call me.

Friends, don’t leave your battle buddies stranded. Better to be annoyed with them calling you at 2 am to ask for a ride than to not have’em at all. Trust me on this.

I’m staying low key, I’m going to my moms place to play games with my kiddo until the wife is off work. Very low key for my usual desire to burn down the barn as it were.

So go out with your boots on tonight everyone, have a great New Year

Just come back wearin’em as well.