The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Lt. Col. Harold G.(Hal) Moore - Sep. 6th, 2003

Army Magazine ^ | November 2002 | Col. Cole C. Kingseed, U.S. Army retired

[born-to-late]

I bought this movie right after it was out on DVD and watched it several times. Each time reminding me more of where I had been. I was not in Viet Nam, I wasn't even born til 71, but I have seen the hell!!!! It is now 2006 and I was just wondering if Lt. Gen Moore or CSM Plumley were still kicking, so I could thank them in writing for what they did. I thank the guys at work all the time.
Scott/SS

[ICE-FLYER]

Did you ever get a reply to your post as to writing General Moore and Sgt Major Plumley??

[born-to-late]

Sorry for replying to this so late. Activity on here was so sparce I didn’t think anyone posted here anymore. I haven’t received any replies to my post aside from yours.

[infool7]

My friend was recommending “We Were Soldiers” to me, he was so moved he wrote the folowing letter to Mr. Moore. Dear Mr. Moore,

I know nothing of war. By God’s grace, I have been spared what you were not. This world is a very difficult place to understand, and often the work of our Lord seems whimsical and even cruel. Yet many of us are never called to serve our fellow men in the horrific circumstances of war.

I am so sorry for what you have experienced, but I am so thankful for your sacrifice. I was three years old when you were in Vietnam. I grew up wondering why I didn’t feel sad when I heard about soldiers dying each night on the news. I had no way, then, to understand the loss enough to grieve. Now I am in my 40th year. I have three lovely children and a very dear wife. Now I understand the loss better, and now I grieve.

I grieve for the men that were lost; I grieve for the men that were not lost; I grieve for the men who can never forgive themselves for living. Mr. Moore, I salute you for the love you poured out upon the men you led.

Thank you.

May God shed His grace upon you and heal the wounds of this life. May He sustain you in your faith. May He greet you in heaven with those great words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Sincerely,

[Rostamm]

After viewing the movie I was moved to purchase the book and enhoyed both immensely. I, too, have seen the movie several times and marvel at the leadership qualities displayed by Col. (at the time) Moore. As a retired Infantry Officer I am forced to admit my own failings as a leader and can only wish that I knew then what I know now. I was released from active duty in June 1960 and did not enist in the National Guard until 1970. Retiring in 1993, I often wonder how my fellow soldiers from the Big Red One at Fort Riley, KS have fared and what involvement, if any, they may have had in Viet Nam. To serve under a commander as capable as Col. Moore would have been an honor. God bless our service men and women in their latest struggle and I pray that we have leaders of the quality of Col. Moore to lead them.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you for your service.

We aren’t all “called” to be Stonewall Jackson’s, Major Winters, or Lt. Col. Moore’s but we all have an important roll to play, whatever that ends up being. This is evidenced by the many, many men that haved and still serve our country and the many small, sometimes seemingly insignificant things they do that in turn are bigger events than they will ever know.

I would bet that being in your position something you said or did helped someone in some way. I’m sure of it.

You should track down some of those guys, perhaps at a Fort Riley reunion or a unit reunion and see how everyone is.

As we like to remind everyone in the Foxhole, even the men who supply and cook and clean, the Quartermasters are priceless to the guys in the field. God Bless all who serve in whatever capacity and to whatever degree.

We love you all and appreciate you all. Everyday.

Never Forget.