March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Day. If you know or see a Nam Vet say,
“Welcome Home “ a simple greeting we longed to hear but were too proud
to ask for. Thanks Sez, 1st ANGLICO
I am a Navy vet, did a Med Cruise in 69-70. My brother was on a sister Carrier TDA on air/sea rescue. I have been to the traveling Wall and also to The Wall in DC. I looked and found a friend from College, he dropped out and of course was drafted. He was a Farm Boy from Eastern CO, and a BAR Man in VietNam. I think of him, and of HS classmates that came back in bad shape. I think I will call my neighbor, an Army Ranger and tell him thanks.
My brother, who was 6 yrs older than me was drafted into the Army in 69. We did not see him until 72 when he was sent home after his unit was wiped out and he got out of the hospital. It turns out a few months in he was "snatched" into the Rangers one day and after that he spent the rest of his time with them. He was shot up twice and the second time his unit was wiped out be he lived. He spent 3 more yrs in the Rangers back in Ft. Hood before he left the Army. He was never the same when he came back from Vietnam. My Dad was a Marine in WW2 and never like my brother in the Army and my Mom always worried about my brother. He later died truck driving in Texas in an accident.
JG sorry about brother. The place changed us. My Dad was shot up on Iwo Jima and never shared anything. He and my uncles (WWII Vets) just forged ahead. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
Well, shit. On my way home, I stopped at the grocery store. Two of us hit the checkout at the same time, I motioned him ahead. He had a Vietnam Vet hat on. If I'da know what today was, I would have commented. (I was in a different Army, '84 to '94).
Tom, do it anytime. “Welcome Home “, say it and watch their eyes. Speaking for myself, I stumble for a reply as I only wear a small lapel pin over my heart. Most Americans have such a small personal space one has to trip them to notice another human. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
Lt. Col Robert David Morrissey Missing In Action since an F-111 shootdown in Laos on November 7, 1972. Panel 01W Line 90 of The Wall Air Force family friends of ours when I was a kid. I have seen what having a service member going MIA does to a family. His wife passed away never having known what happened to her husband and then his son, who was my age passed away. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has his case classified as "Active Pursuit" and I have reason to believe that they are actually going to find his remains. Never ever ever forget.
I did happen to run into some Aussies while in Saigon. Most Americans forget that many other countries were involved in the conflict. Personally served with the ROK Marines as a radio operator providing logistics (I could speak with the helo’s, artillery and naval gunfire). Tough group of fighting men, sez 1st ANGLICO.
I will always remember, David Allen Higgs (Special Forces, USAF). Also, a special mention to Mackay Pugmire (Army) who saw the elephant up close and personal. His reminiscences curled my hair. He's still alive, but like the rest of us, he's Old.
Igor, thanks for sharing and remembering your friends. Personally believe you die twice, when one draws their last breath and when one’s name is spoken for the last time. You are keeping them alive, sez 1st ANGLICO. Would love to hear the elephant story.
Bear Claw Chris Lapp thanks for the Blessing. I need all I can get nowadays, sez 1st ANGLICO. Bears starting to come out of hibernation here, finally. Last fall we had a brownie feasting on the local chickens. It was fattening up, getting ready for winter. The locals in the Butte area were in a panic as it was wrecking their poorly constructed hen houses. It got into someone’s sheep pen and killed one leaving on the spot untouched, as bears are known to do. Couple nights later a Cheechako tried to shoot it with a 38cal. but didn’t kill it, surprise. Then folks started sweating we had a wounded bear on a rampage. Facebook was loaded with sightings and unfortunately a Dad and Son were duck hunting and got between sow and cub. The sow ripped the nine year old face and broke his arm. Dad fought the sow and managed to chase them off. They were more than five miles from the Butte area but folks blamed it on the “chicken slayer”. Sad to say, folks want to live in an area loaded with wildlife but only want tame wildlife (oxymoron?). Spring is coming and so the saga of the “chicken slayer” continues. Personally love all the wildlife, it’s the “wild” Cheechakos I could do without, sez 1st ANGLICO.
I was at the VA Hosp in W. Roxbury Ma undergoing a procedure on Tues. I had to stay overnight for "observation". On Weds there was a ceremony in the lobby with short speeches by various local pols and members a of various Veterans Associations. Some of the speakers recognized various vets in the audience that had retired after lllooonnnggg service.
The longest service recognized was a retired Army Sgt Major with 40 years service.
Nemo, thanks for your sacrifice. Welcome Home and hopefully your procedure was successful. Sez, 1st ANGLICO. Yes thanks again, Irish. Means a lot to a bunch of folks.
I am a Navy vet, did a Med Cruise in 69-70. My brother was on a sister Carrier TDA on air/sea rescue. I have been to the traveling Wall and also to The Wall in DC. I looked and found a friend from College, he dropped out and of course was drafted. He was a Farm Boy from Eastern CO, and a BAR Man in VietNam. I think of him, and of HS classmates that came back in bad shape. I think I will call my neighbor, an Army Ranger and tell him thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes call him. Simple greeting “Welcome Home” melts a Nam Vet’s heart. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
DeleteChristopher S Bryant
ReplyDeletePFC USMC
KIA 1968 Operation Allen Brook
I still remember you. I think about you often. Thanks for being such a cool guy. I still have the brass I policed up after your service. Rest easy.
Excellent and heartfelt tribute to your friend, sez 1st ANGLICO
DeleteMy brother, who was 6 yrs older than me was drafted into the Army in 69. We did not see him until 72 when he was sent home after his unit was wiped out and he got out of the hospital. It turns out a few months in he was "snatched" into the Rangers one day and after that he spent the rest of his time with them. He was shot up twice and the second time his unit was wiped out be he lived. He spent 3 more yrs in the Rangers back in Ft. Hood before he left the Army. He was never the same when he came back from Vietnam. My Dad was a Marine in WW2 and never like my brother in the Army and my Mom always worried about my brother. He later died truck driving in Texas in an accident.
ReplyDeleteJG sorry about brother. The place changed us. My Dad was shot up on Iwo Jima and never shared anything. He and my uncles (WWII Vets) just forged ahead. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
DeleteHi Irish!!!,
ReplyDelete10-4......
skybill
PR-2, USN, '66-70, Vietnam '68 on the USS PRINCETON LPH-5.....
“Welcome Home” skybill, appreciate your sacrifice. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
DeleteThanks to all who served in the armed forces. May God continue to be with you.
ReplyDeleteJeff, thanks. I’d do it again for an American like you. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
DeleteWell, shit. On my way home, I stopped at the grocery store. Two of us hit the checkout at the same time, I motioned him ahead. He had a Vietnam Vet hat on. If I'da know what today was, I would have commented. (I was in a different Army, '84 to '94).
ReplyDeleteTom, do it anytime. “Welcome Home “, say it and watch their eyes. Speaking for myself, I stumble for a reply as I only wear a small lapel pin over my heart. Most Americans have such a small personal space one has to trip them to notice another human. Sez, 1st ANGLICO
DeleteLt. Col Robert David Morrissey
ReplyDeleteMissing In Action since an F-111 shootdown in Laos on November 7, 1972.
Panel 01W Line 90 of The Wall
Air Force family friends of ours when I was a kid. I have seen what having a service member going MIA does to a family. His wife passed away never having known what happened to her husband and then his son, who was my age passed away. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has his case classified as "Active Pursuit" and I have reason to believe that they are actually going to find his remains.
Never ever ever forget.
Sad story. Hopefully they have success and find him. Thanks for sharing, sez 1st ANGLICO
DeleteObserved every August 18 in Australia, previously called Long Tan Day.
ReplyDeleteI did happen to run into some Aussies while in Saigon. Most Americans forget that many other countries were involved in the conflict. Personally served with the ROK Marines as a radio operator providing logistics (I could speak with the helo’s, artillery and naval gunfire). Tough group of fighting men, sez 1st ANGLICO.
DeleteI will always remember, David Allen Higgs (Special Forces, USAF). Also, a special mention to Mackay Pugmire (Army) who saw the elephant up close and personal. His reminiscences curled my hair. He's still alive, but like the rest of us, he's Old.
ReplyDeleteIgor, thanks for sharing and remembering your friends. Personally believe you die twice, when one draws their last breath and when one’s name is spoken for the last time. You are keeping them alive, sez 1st ANGLICO. Would love to hear the elephant story.
DeleteIrish, 1st ANGLICO here. Touched my heart you’d highlight my comment. Karma on you. May your burden be lighter.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, Guys.
ReplyDeletemobius, thanks. In a heartbeat, I’d do it again for an American like you, sez 1st ANGLICO
DeleteMay all of you be Blessed all the days of your life and someday be with those who are in a better place. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteBear Claw Chris Lapp thanks for the Blessing. I need all I can get nowadays, sez 1st ANGLICO. Bears starting to come out of hibernation here, finally. Last fall we had a brownie feasting on the local chickens. It was fattening up, getting ready for winter. The locals in the Butte area were in a panic as it was wrecking their poorly constructed hen houses. It got into someone’s sheep pen and killed one leaving on the spot untouched, as bears are known to do. Couple nights later a Cheechako tried to shoot it with a 38cal. but didn’t kill it, surprise. Then folks started sweating we had a wounded bear on a rampage. Facebook was loaded with sightings and unfortunately a Dad and Son were duck hunting and got between sow and cub. The sow ripped the nine year old face and broke his arm. Dad fought the sow and managed to chase them off. They were more than five miles from the Butte area but folks blamed it on the “chicken slayer”. Sad to say, folks want to live in an area loaded with wildlife but only want tame wildlife (oxymoron?). Spring is coming and so the saga of the “chicken slayer” continues. Personally love all the wildlife, it’s the “wild” Cheechakos I could do without, sez 1st ANGLICO.
DeleteI was at the VA Hosp in W. Roxbury Ma undergoing a procedure on Tues. I had to stay overnight for "observation". On Weds there was a ceremony in the lobby with short speeches by various local pols and members a of various Veterans Associations. Some of the speakers recognized various vets in the audience that had retired after lllooonnnggg service.
ReplyDeleteThe longest service recognized was a retired Army Sgt Major with 40 years service.
Thanks for posting this Irish.
Welcome home all.
Nemo, ET3 USN '64 - '68
Nemo, thanks for your sacrifice. Welcome Home and hopefully your procedure was successful. Sez, 1st ANGLICO. Yes thanks again, Irish. Means a lot to a bunch of folks.
ReplyDelete