[A Navy Vet]

Seems we were both Gator Navy around the same time. I was '75 - 78. USS New Orleans (LPH-11). Purple shirt on the flight deck.

I salute all HM's. Although not happy about the twin bullets after leaving Subic Bay. Damn, you guys were brutal. Stick...next! You guys had no mercy. I can still feel your less than hospitable shots. Har! But then, my ex-wife thanks you!

[dagogo redux]

USS Peoria, LST-1183.

I am in full agreement about your assessment of the way our troops are now used for everything but winning wars.

Sorry about the “bullets.” We weren’t trying to be brutal, at least I wasn’t, but the doses were huge and thick, and the needles were therefore necessarily like railroad spikes. Perhaps you can think of it as a small price to pay for the uniquely bizarre experience of total immersion - however briefly - in the animal soup that was Subic back in the day.