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A Few of FR's Finest.....
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Posted on 11/12/2002 7:23:17 AM PST by Billie
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 1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar. 2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up. 3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit. 4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it. 5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer |
The Father I Remember
I was 13 years old (the oldest of 6 children) and wrapping newspapers for my route when a car pulled-up to the house and the Chaplin and Officers came to the front door. This I remember about a day that would change my life forever. They met my mother at the door and she broke down and began crying uncontrollably. She asked me to contact the neighbor and began to figure-out what to do next. 30 years later the family is still intact and there is not a bad apple in the basket. Dad was a good father. I still miss him after all these years.
LT Lofton's last mission
Lt. Lofton was flying as co-pilot to the squadron executive officer of VMO-2, MAJ Henry, on November 12, 1969.
LT Pat Dumas and I were in the number 2 bird in a flight of two AH-1G Cobras. The flight was under the call sign Hostage Papa (MAJ Henry's call sign).
The mission originated at the Marble Mountain Marine Corps Air Station near Danang. I believe it started out as a routine supply mission. After a briefing, and pre-flight of the gunships, we checked in with Luminous Base and Danang DASC and married up with 2 CH-46's. We flew southwest toward the Que Son Mountains.
As we approached, we learned that a Marine unit was pinned down in a bomb crater. They had wounded and were unable to manuever because a heavy machine gun had them pinned down. The emplacement was in the hillside above the valley in which the Marines were pinned down. Our first priority was to silence the gun so the CH-46's could evacuate the wounded and resupply the unit.
Both Cobras began to attack the gun. Our gun runs were being made parallel to the hillside, with our gunships positioned about 180 degrees from one another. Trouble began immediately. The gun seemed impossible to knock out. (We learned later it was being moved in and out of a cave).
After a couple of firing passes, first our mini-gun and then the 40mm chunker jammed. Then the intervelometer for the rockets malfunctioned making it impossible for LT Dumas and I to fire any of our weapons.
MAJ Henry and LT Lofton continued the attack by themselves. We went high and dry. After a couple of more gun runs the enemy zeroed in on their Cobra. LT Dumas and I could see pieces of their aircraft being hit and blown away. Almost instantaneously, a small fire appeared around the exhaust. Maj. Henry radioed that he was on fire. LT Dumas advised that there was an open area to crash land at his 10 o'clock.
They made a crash landing in an area pocked marked by previous artillery fire. It looked like a reasonably good landing. We called for help and dove at the crash site. LT Bartlett with a flight of two Cobras diverted to our area. We made several simulated firing passes to keep the enemy at bay until we could extract Henry and Lofton from the area.
There was no sign of them. There was no radio transmission on guard. One of the '46's went into the zone with Barlett's gunships for cover. They found MAJ Henry and LT Lofton. They had been struck by the rotorblade as they exited the burning aircraft. Crewman from the '46 found them and carried them back to their aircraft. Al was a friendly, competent and dedicated pilot. He is gone but he will never be forgotten.
SCOUTS OUT!
starnge days we're livin' in, eh darlin'?...
Thank you ever so much
Luv yez.
Here come old flat top, He come grooving up slowly,
[Dm]He got Joo Joo eyeball, He one holy roller
He got [A7]hair down to his knee;
[G7]Got to be a joker, he just do what he please.
{c:Play riff}
[Dm]He wear no shoe shine, he got toe jam football
[Dm]He got monkey finger, he shoot co-ca cola
He say, [A7]"I know you, you know me."
[G7]One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come [Bm]Together, Right [G]now, over me
{c:Play riff}
[Dm]He bag production, He got wal-rus gumboot
[Dm]He got O-no sideboard, He one spinal cracker
He got [A7]feet down below his knee
[G7]Hold you in his armchair, you can feel his disease
Come [Bm]together, right [G]now, over me
{c:Play riff}
[Dm]He roller coaster, he got early warning
[Dm]He got muddy water, He one Mo-jo filter
He say, [A7]" One and one and one is three."
[G7]Got to be good looking 'cause he so hard to see
Come together, Right NOW!! 'Cuz we're FRee!!
FReegards...MUD
Mr. Temple Owl, sir, pleased to meet you. Quite a story behind you, a wonderful life you're living....the love for your wife and boys is all over your beaming face. Thanks to you and she for all the work and service you've rendered to our great nation. Semper fi, mac. May your day be Freepin' excellent in every way.
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