Jump Boots – the Airborne Trademark
Distinctive as Airborne itself, so are the dark, glistening jump boots of a paratrooper. Troopers glory in their significance and only they know the secret pride when they glance down at their boots, polished like glass, and see in them the reflected valorous traditions of AIRBORNE _____ By: Cpl. Jim Ethridge
Jump boots belong to the paratroopers! They are as distinctive as the airborne itself. Others in the armed forces may wear them, but the dark glistening boots are the original trademark of the swaggering soldiers-of-the-sky.
At Fort Campbell, as with other installations were paratroopers are stationed, it is the jumpers’ delight to “fall out” each morning with starched fatigues, blocked hat and the mirrored footwear.
This is true of the 508th Airborne Regimental Combat team. The doughty Red Devils flash all the dash and verve that marked the paratroopers of yesterday. Very early paratroopers wore ordinary army shoes and some even used tennis shoes.
Then somebody devised a leather ankle-top boot with a big metal buckle across the top of the arch. but this proven impractical after several paratroopers came down looking like spiders trying to get the suspension line unhooked from the buckle.
Next came the boot called the Corcoran. The most beloved of the several brands of jump boots on the market. These are still the main choice of the airborne warriors.
Another popular, well-appearing boot is the Skymaster, which has the same thick sole and slash heel as the Corcoran, but it doesn’t quite have the snub, upturned hard toe of today’s famed boot.
An early fad was to replace the manufacturer’s eyelets with huge brass grommets. The grommets called for the nightly ritual of removing the 72-inch leather laces and running a blitz cloth through the big eyelets – all 48 of them!
Red Devils and other paratroopers alike take pride in this hallmark of distinction. They glory in its significance. They are proud soldiers when they glance down at their boots, polished like glass, and see reflected the valorous traditions of the Airborne!
This article and pictures below are from: “The Voice of the Angels” newspaper of the 11th Airborne Division Association, Matt Underwood, Former Editor
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Frank S. Blair – Pendleton, SC; US Army, Vietnam, Purple Heart
Spencer R. Collart – Arlington, VA; USMC, Cpl., Crew Chief, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Sq. 363
Louis Gelada Sr. – Waterbury, CT; US Army, Vietnam, Purple Heart
Victor Hicks – Houston, TX; US Air Force / USAFR, Lt. Col. (Ret.)
Eleanor V. LeBeau – Belleville, IL; USMC, Capt., pilot, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Sq. 363
Tobin J. Lewis – Jefferson, CO; USMC, Major, XO, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Sq. 363
Andrew Mettler – Marietta, GA; USMC, Afghanistan, Major, All-Weather Fighter Attack Sq. 224, Hornet pilot “Simple Jack”
Paul R. Michler – Oshkosh, WI; US Army, Vietnam, Sgt., 173rd Division, Purple Heart, West Point Class ’57, (Ret. 20 y.)
Thomas E. Runyan – Belton, TX; US Army, Medical Corps, doctor
Kenneth H. Sager – Augusta, ME; US Navy, Dental Unit, (Ret. 20 y.)
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PERSONAL NOTE – Monday, 18 Sept. 2023, there will NOT be a post. Nothing’s wrong, I just need extra time to get some things taken care of. Thank you.
IT’S MONDAY ?
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Posted on September 4, 2023, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, Airborne, Army, family history, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 118 Comments.
Airborne all the way!!! It was my honor and privilege to be part of the Special Forces/Airborne in the Philippine Army in those challenging times in the 80s.
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It is my honor to know you!!
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I really like the shiny brown and the black paratrooper boots. Super nice!!!
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Thank you.
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❤️ Nice Post.
Nice and interesting blog ❤️ I hope you also follow mine and WE GROW TOGETHER. 👋🇪🇦
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Thank you.
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Did your family keep your father’s boots, GP?
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No. When I asked about his uniform, dad said at the time, he just wanted out and to get back to normal.
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I can’t blame him for wanting to get back to normal. Your stories are only the tip of the iceberg for knowing what it was like to be there.
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There is no right way to describe combat. No matter how much someone researches.
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My name is Vincent Oluoch Odhiambo i’m a Kenyan citizen, and i really want to join US ARMY.
How can i get a sponsor to pay for my visa, passport, green card and flying ticket to my destination.
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I am afraid I do not have that information. I would say to contact the Immigration Dept. or the U.S. Army
Best of luck to you in achieving your goal.
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Thank you so much
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Such a symbol of courage and commitment.
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Isn’t it though? It makes me proud looking at them, knowing my father wore them!!
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Love those boots! I remember having boots when I worked on gas lines and in ditches and boots that tied up that high gave so much support! They are perfect for jumping!
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I think that’s why they are still popular.
Thank you, Diane.
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Never realized how important their boots were and how proud they were of them. May you get everything accomplished smoothly on Monday.
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Thanks, Bev. I’ll be happy to get back to normal after the 18th thru the 22nd.
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What fantastic boots they were and different models, but they had to be strong to make the landing in the best and safest way possible.
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You are exactly correct, Mary Lou. Thank you.
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The Marines were always eons behind the Army in footwear.
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I was not aware. Can you elaborate on that, Mustang?
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During World War II, the Marines issued what were called “boon-dockers” as combat or field duty footwear. These were “rough cut” leather shoes that extended upward about an inch above the ankle. They could not be “bloused.” This footwear remained through the Korean War. Subsequently, when the Corps went to issuing rough cut black leather boots with (I believe) an eight-inch neck for their active duty personnel (1957), reservists continued to receive the rough cut boon-dockers (the Corps had ordered so many). Neither of these did much to care for the feet of Marines. If there is any one thing that will impair the combat readiness of an infantry unit, it is that the men incur trench foot, athletes’ foot, and infected blisters from poorly crafted insoles and ventilation. It took the Marines a while to transition to the “jungle boot” in Vietnam, where foot problems were rampant. So we always looked with admiration to those “comfortable” jump boots that were not allowed to have or wear. As an aside, the modern RAT boot required for Marines (at around $350.00 a pair) is about as much as I paid for my first car, a 1951 Ford 2-door fair liner. Which means that the boon-docker probably cost around $2.50. Don’t quote me, though.
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haha, love the end of that story! Thanks for taking the time to bring this to us!!
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I love all the pictures, really helps describe what was involved.
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I have always felt that the pictures tell the story better than I do!
Thanks, Alan.
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I was curious, and found that the Corcoran jump boots still are being sold, along with several other Corcoran styles — although the historic jump boots are sold out at this time. It tickled me to see that there also was a women’s oxford that was just as shiny and spiffy — but it, too, is sold out. Just as well. I couldn’t afford any of them! Isn’t it interesting how boots can become a symbol of a group? Down here, people talk about ‘shrimpers’ boots,’ which always are white and made for deckwear. And of course there are ‘gum boots,’ which gave rise to a traditional form of dance among South African miners.
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You never fail to educate me, Linda.
Thank you for helping to contribute to this post!!
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Triggered a lot of memories.
I was a US Army airborne ranger from 1983 to 1985. Bought a set of Cochran jump boots while I was at airborne school in Fort Benning Georgia, at the airborne PX. Most uncomfortable boots I ever wore in the army. Had to shine them to a mirror finish to be worn with my dress greens. It was a lot of hours of polishing for very few hours of wear. What a colossal waste of time.
Like a lot of so-called traditions, they are just used to take up time while you were in the Barracks.
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Thank you for your service. I suppose things do change over the years, but keeping a soldier busy never changes, eh?
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That “seashell” meme is hilarious! Thanks for recognizing good footwear. They say an army marches on its stomach… but its boots can’t be far behind 🙂
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The Leyte mud did a number on those boots, but otherwise, they could be a troopers’ best friend.
Thanks, Sam!
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Love their boots!
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Thank you.
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YW
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I enjoyed that post…it’s good to learn of other armed forces’ ‘traditions’.
Father served with a highland regiment. He said that the boots had to be polished sufficiently that the guard could check that no underwear was worn beneath the kilt before the men could leave the castle where they were stationed…
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Ouch, hope it wasn’t Winter! But seriously, those Highland units were quite tough!
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It always amazed me of how clean a soldiers shoes could be!
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Yes, I suppose you’re right. In combat, they’re never clean, but otherwise – they’d better be clean!!
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I think of the risk and bravery of paratroopers as I look at these men. The are in the sky – so vulnerable. My goodness. That is not a role for the weak of heart. My praise to all the paratroopers. ❤️
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What a wonderful comment, thank you.
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Happy Labor Day, GP! ❤ xoxox 🙂
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Thank you very much! I hope you enjoyed yours!
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The Army knows that seemingly ordinary or routine things and practices can have powerful effects. The Sick Bay cartoon is priceless.🤣
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Thanks, John. Glad you liked it!
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I got a good chuckle out of the cartoons.
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I don’t like to put in any that have cursing, but the boot seemed appropriate, lol.
Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, GP.
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Fascinating -I would’ve never thought that.
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Traditions can be made from the smallest of ideas, eh?
Thank you, Dolly.
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My pleasure, GP.
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Interesting. Didn’t know that the paratroopers had special boots.
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I believe it was for safety first.
Thank you, Rosaliene.
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Thanks, GP. A terrific report on a great source of pride.
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Thank you, John. Much appreciated!
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It never seemed like a chore to shine your boots so you could shave using the polished toe as a mirror. It seemed more like an honor.
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Exactly – and you should know, Don!!
Thank you for including that!
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They look as if they could take some pounding
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With falling out of the sky on top of them, I sure hope so!
Thanks, Derrick.
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Those boots have a reputation everywhere. While in Basic at Fort Ord in the 70s, the patch and boots were well respected (I earned my Smokey Bear hat there in ‘73).
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Fantastic! Do you happen to still have that hat?
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I sure do. The brass on the front needs polishing but I’m not getting inspected so I won’t bother. I keep it in a press.
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Outstanding!!
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GP, you must have been in a leadership position in the service. The use of the word, ‘outstanding’, is a dead giveaway. During training, that was probably the most used word when someone was dishing out compliments. We had a Drill Instructor who made it a 3 word compliment, “Out-Effin-Standing”, except he didn’t mince words on the middle part. He used it constantly, especially if something wasn’t quite right when he would tell us not to blame the Army, “blame the effin civilians”. I’m sure you met your cast of characters, too.
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Sounds about right to me, Stephen!! haha, thanks for the laugh!
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👍
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I enjoyed learning about the boots, and I can imagine the pride a paratrooper feels, even when dealing with the nightly ritual of a 72-inch shoelace and all the grommet eyelets.
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Back then, the paratrooper was the elite and the boots let everyone know it.
Thank you for your interest, Jennie.
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Isn’t that wonderful? Best to you, GP.
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Have a great week, Jennie!
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Thank you, GP!
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Thank you for a very informative blog post. I had absolutely no idea that so many different types of footwear had been used, or that so many different names were involved. I wonder what a “Corcoran” was, or perhaps, is!
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The original manufacturer of the boots was Corcoran Shoe Company in Massachusetts.
Thanks for your interest, John.
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Wikipedia says that “They are also known as paratrooper boots, or “Corcorans,” after the J. F. Corcoran Shoe Company, one of their manufacturers.” So, it’s as simple as that. To me “Corcoran” sounds like an Irish name, although I have no proof!
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I looked up the origin and this is what popped up….
Corcoran History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms. Origins Available: Ireland. The name Corcoran comes from the Gaelic Mac Corcrain or O Corcrain, both of which are derived from the word “corcair,” which now means purple, but originally meant ruddy.
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Those ‘brown’ boots are beautiful 🙂
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I thought so myself. Thanks for taking such a close look at them, June.
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That boot in the bum has gotta hurt! 😂
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Especially if it’s steel-toed, lol
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😂 A trip to the ER is in his future.
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🙄😂
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Steel-toed?
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It makes the boot more durable and sturdy.
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I love starting the week with so much new information. I had no idea about jump boots–or about holding it to your ear. Sent the post to my son the SSGT to test it for me.
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hahha, I would LOVE to hear his reply, Jacqui!!
Have a stupendous Labor Day!
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Nice informative post, GP. Like Ralie Travels, I distinctly remember the difference in the way Airborne troops bloused their trousers.
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I’m glad you found it interesting, Tim.
I also appreciate your service as well.
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the swaggering soldiers-of-the-sky
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Yes they are that exactly, Joy. Thank you!
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When your pride extends to the tip of your polished boots, you know you’re proud of your service. Great article.
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Thank you. I’ll relay your remark to to the author, Dan. Thanks!!
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In case of fire, grab ’em and run out the door in stocking feet…
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That should be a sign in every barracks! lol
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❤️
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🩵🩵🩵
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A small addition to your post: at least at the time of Vietnam, the way the pants fit into the boot, not over it, was call “blousing” and was only done by airborne troops and certain special units [now it appears to be widespread]; the blousing was accomplished during Vietnam, if possible, using elastic cords just above the boots so that the boots would be more comfortable.
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Thank you for contributing to the post.
Thank you for your service.
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Happy Labor Day, GP. Loved reading about the Parachute boots. The mention of the Red Devils reminds me of the time I had the pleasure and privilege watching the British Red Devils Parachute team land on the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego. The American Leap Frog parachute team was supposed to land next, but after one of the Red Devils had to be fished out of San Diego bay, the powers that be decided that weather conditions were deteriorating too quickly for the American team to jump. On the British Red Devils – ” The Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team was established in 1964 and has been the official British Army Parachute Display Team since 1979.”
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Thank you for contributing that to the post!!
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Same goes to you.
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Glad you liked it GP. Love you Labor Day gif. I found a few pictures of the Red Devils I didn’t know I had. Maybe I’ll try to blog about it sometime.
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I’ll look forward to it!
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In the to do queue.
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The boots are quite impressive. I’m guessing that their height helped support the ankles and prevent injuries during landings, too.
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Yes, that was the idea.
Thank you.
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The weight!
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What they can pull off is quite remarkable.
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Thank you, Ned
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Thank you, John!
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Thank you.
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Thank you for both the great intro and for sharing the article!!
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Thank you.
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