This is no sh*t!**

Well, That is a good story, but I got a grunt "No S**t story. It was three days before my 20th birthday in 68 and we were back at a rear area (not very rear) taking a two day R & R by trying to get some real food and sleep. We had been out for over three weeks and needed new everything. Which of course they didn't have so we also were waiting for re-supply. We were in some tents left from some Jar Heads that had either forgotten them or thought that they would just "forget them" (Marines like to travel light). About 100 meters from us was refueling point. There were always two or three trucks there being refueled. The smell and the dust kicked up told us that we didn't have the best location. But we were so beat that we didn't give a S**t. It was early the second morning when we went back for our second shower. The first shower we had was cold and there were so many of us, that we couldn't get real clean. So our tent went down again that second morning for a longer, hopefully warm or hot shower. The shower point was even closer to the refuel area. So no matter if you went in dirty you would be covered in "clean" dust before you could get out of the area. I was almost finished with my short shower, when I determined that I looking at the boards on the floor and that I had this loud ringing in my ears and that I had a nose bleed. It took me a few seconds to really even know where I was or what had happened. When I had enough sense to raise my head and look around, all I could see was twisted canvas and naked butts, smoke and dust. It finally registered in my still groggy brain that there had been a round or an explosion nearby. I set up and felt around to see if all my parts were still attached. Then I checked to see if my "very important" parts were ok. Everything seemed to be ok so I decided to try and crawl. I didn't really know where I was crawling because I still could'nt see anythig for the smoke and dirt. But, figured I might find a hole somewhere that would offer me and my naked ass more protection. Several other guys had the same Idea, so we crawled and scampered down off the wood flooring into a ditch which ran down the hill. So, as I continued to listen to the whine and roar in my head, try to keep my head and ass down, I look around. Aligned in the ditch in almost military pose were a line of dirty, soot covered, naked guys. We all looked at each other and yelled (remember we are all almost deaf) "What the f**k is going on ?? and other inane questions. We later learned that due to some assholes carelessness, the refuel point had blown up. We had to leave that afternoon. When we left we were almost as dirty as when we had arrived. This is my post Papa Ray West Texas USA

The first layer of dirt protects you from all the other dirt you may acquire so, the first layer of dirt ought to be the very best dirt you can find.

And the very best dirt is generally found in the vicinity of mechanized vehicles--it's been crushed, churned and generally beaten into submission by the treads, rendering it amazingly compliant when shower time--or a monsoon--happens to roll along...