Posted on 05/13/2017 3:21:41 AM PDT by Chainmail
Great story and nicely written. God bless you from an AF Vet.
Still have it - it has hurt to some degree for the 50 years and about 30 years ago I had a large blood vessel blow out in the wound site - but I still made it through 24 years more of the Marines, including lots and lots of 3 mile runs.
Have to be stubborn, I guess...
What a great read to start a Saturday morning. Thank you for your sacrifice and for sharing your story.
Well, yes, obviously. Apparently I misclicked a reply link.
Thank you for your service.
Glad you got 50+ more years.
Thank you, Marine.
Your bravery is overwhelming . God bless.
You are right that many didn't make it back - Foxtrot Company usually got it the worst while I was there - I don't know why. I was impressed that almost everyone I met in 2/1 had been hit at least once (usually grenade frags) and just kept going.
I almost certainly went through your trail course and I'm sure that that instruction helped save our lives. That dang place was filled with murderous traps.
Welcome Home and Semper Fi, Brother!
It's a little embarrassing to write about myself but I figured that my 50th anniversary had to be a special day. After this, I think that I'll close the book on all that and let the younger generation vets do all the talking.
Me too, mos 2549, Naval Shore Party, (forward observer for naval guns (artillery)) but in 69 not 66. Oh I was a Lance Corporal too. lol
....yeah,know the feelings....and the conflict.
Glad you shared that story and perhaps it’s another gift from God that you did. Salutes.
I was a rifleman in the Army, 1967 to 1971. Like many I went to Grmany instead of Vietnam. I’ve have spoken with others who didn’t go to Vietnam and we all feel guilt for not having gone.
I was a rifleman in the Army, 1967 to 1971. Like many I went to Grmany instead of Vietnam. I’ve have spoken with others who didn’t go to Vietnam and we all feel guilt for not having gone.
It’s a little embarrassing to write about myself ....”
Oh hell no. Write write write! Think about those few Civil War era diarys the authors of which did not consider particularly important that so fascinate people today for the window that they open.
That was a very amazing and emotional account of one Marines life 50 years ago today.
There is not a dry eye in the room...
Excellent piece Chainmail... Thanks for taking the time to bring back some memories...
I went to grad school for 2 years and got a Masters degree, and by that time Vietnam was winding down. I went to Ft. Benning for Infantry Officers Basic Course(IOBC), and our trainers were mostly Nam vets fresh from the field.
At that point in history, the military was experimenting with a concept called VOLAR, the acronym for Volunteer Army. Our instructors, all enlisted men, used a combination of command language salted with respect of rank, and it usually came out through expressions like: "Now you sirs need to get your asses over here". etc.
By the time I got into the working world it was impossible to serve in a local Reserve unit; all the returning vets who were inclined and able filled up the units to accumulate points and there were no open spots for a Reserve LT.
I went to 3 or 4 summer camps (two weeks each) and was honorably discharged as a Captain. I was willing, but was never called, and I have the utmost respect for all those who were called, who did sacrifice, and who did their duty no matter what.
My guess is I was still seventeen after AIT.
Same here, only on my 18th birthday I got orders to Viet Nam and less than a month later I was out on patrol....that was 52 years ago.
Were did the years go?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.