JRBLACKTEAR.COM

What is BLACKTEAR?

1n 1974 Jose (Raven) Rivera was in the US Navy. He served his time on the Air Craft Carrier U.S.S ENTERPRISE CVAN65 the ENTERPRISE was deployed to the Coast of Cambodia on a retrieval mission of US service men that where stranded in hostile bombing areas. Even though there was a cease fire order there was still active bombing from the North Vietnamese, many soldiers and civilians where still in danger of being killed by land minds and on going bombings.

 Jose's job was a helmsman on one of the liberty boats. Many soldiers died trying to reach the liberty boats. some died within a few yards of the boats others died waiting on the beach for the boats to pick them up. At the age of 17 he witnessed first hand death and destruction, it was a sad thing to see at that age it would be at any age for that matter.

On one of his runs he had picked up 25 Marines 5 Army infantrymen and one Air force officer. They where just about to leave the beach when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye, it was a wounded soldier that was crawling out of the brush on his belly and waving with one arm someone said “He won’t make it lets get out of here!” Jose was shocked and upset at the comment and replied “what if it was you out there?” Even though he was not an officer he was in charge of the liberty boat and under Navy Law he was the captain.” he told everyone to stand fast and wait" if I don’t make it back then you head back to the ship" and he gave the helm over to one of his shipmates. He jumped out of the boat and ran with all his might and speed (I was very afraid) he reached the wounded soldier and told him “I got you now soldier your going home” With his adrenalin pumping he picked up the wounded soldier and carried him to the boat and to safety, they made it back to the ENTERPRISE in one piece. He was congratulated by his mates and his commanding officer. The soldier that he rescued was put in sickbay where he lay asleep for 2 days. When he woke up he asked about the person who saved his life and if he could see him.

When Jose walked into sickbay John Red Bear was sitting up in his bunk and smiled at Jose as he walked over to him. Thank you my Brother for your courage and dedication. Jose noticed that John had lost one of his legs and a Tear feel down his check Jose had just finished cleaning up an oil spill on his liberty boat and the tear looked black and shinny as it ran down his oil stained cheek.

“Your tear honors me my friend. Give me your  buck knife” John said with a proud and warrior chief tone in his voice. “From this day on you are my brother in blood and your name will be BLACKTEAR it  means that your the warrior that cries black tears of war and you are one with the warrior spirits and my tribe the Seminoles will welcome you as a brother and kin” he cut his palm and said mix my blood with yours and gave the knife to Jose and he also cut his palm and they clamped hands. From that moment on Jose used BLACKTEAR proudly as his screen name and  as you can see this web page. “The last time I saw my brother John Red Bear was three days after as he departed ship and was sent back home" Over 30 years have passed and to this day I honor my Brother John Red Bear and the name he gave me and where ever he is I hope he is well and happy.

And that is how BLACKTEAR came to be..