Author Topic: Lives of squaddies: (Read 752 times)

Toad · « **Reply #15 on:** November 18, 2001, 01:08:00 PM »

<S> Rnagerbob.

For the going then and the telling now.

Thanks.

Hangtime · « **Reply #16 on:** November 18, 2001, 01:41:00 PM »

When we got back from the Land of Bad Things we, or at least, I; suffered from a kind of culture shock.

The mood of the country was pretty grim; and patriotic bombast was very subdued.. it ended abruptly at the gates of Travis AFB.

I was asked once shortly after I got out if I was "some kind of patriot.. or if I felt 'guilty'".

I told him I was neither.. that I was instead 'lucky'. And that once there, any notion of patriotism amongst us was expressed with at best sarcasm, at least derision, and that we did what we did for each other.

And that was enough reason to do it.

Swager · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2001, 02:05:00 PM »

Hey RB,

I knew it was you from some things I heard while you were back in JG2.

I am now, as I was before, impressed.

<S> and Thank You!

RangerBob · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2001, 09:14:00 PM »

Hangtime says it best. We did what we did for each other.

For me it did not end at Travis Air Base. From there I went directly to Germany to serve in another Airborne unit, and finally to the very best duty of all. At the end of my military service, I became the Captain of the 7th Army Parachute Team, travelling all over Europe putting on ski diving shows hehehehe.

To some the war was a waste. On the other hand, what would the world be like if we hadn't stood up against creeping Communism? What would all of the other small countries trying to be free say about us, if we never went at all?

I'm wondering if Hangtime would share some of his thoughts, his unit, the dates in country??

Where are the other silent types among us??

Vietnam was our last real costly war with massive casualties. How many of us are left to tell what that was like?

Ranger Bob

Hangtime · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2001, 11:48:00 PM »

That was a long time ago... It's kinda wierd sometimes tho. I can't remember what i had last night for dinner.. or what exactly i did last week at work. But I do remember Vietnam.. sometimes, i can even smell it.

I served with the 9th Infantry, mostly in the delta, with E Co, 709th Maint Bn (service and evac) in support of the 56th Bn, 77th Artilery at Can Tho. I DEROSed in March of 69.

My MOS was 62M20; RT Loader and forklift operator. I was initaily assigned as the HQ company's mail clerk, got lucky again and was xfered outta the brass's hair and went to S&E (Co E) my third month.

An unremarkable tour.. as I said, I was quite lucky; 2 companys of the battalion were with the Riverine units... that duty truly sucked. For us in Service and Evac the war amounted to a salvage operation and critical parts supply system. All the senior guys in a Maint Bn are pro's.. specilaists working with Warrant Officers following log book proceedures on equipment or weapons in place. Dull stuff, mostly. We had some moments tho.. life could get exciting on occasion.

I think I heard somewhere that 3.5 million GI's cycled thru Vietnam over 10 years or so, so there's more than a few of us left. Most of us did unremarkable things, saw damned little if any action and just did what we trained to do. For every 1 grunt pounding the bush, there were 7 of us REMF's around to keep him alive; supplied, commed, and fed.

And, like I said.. it was a long time ago; and in a land far; far away. It was worse than college, better than home. Part of growing up I guess.

Hangtime · « **Reply #20 on:** November 19, 2001, 12:00:00 AM »

that wuz weird.. double post. :/

[ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: Hangtime ]

indian · « **Reply #21 on:** November 19, 2001, 10:00:00 AM »

My Dad is a Vietnam Vet and I actualy got to see him awarded the Bronze star with V for Valor for action in vietnam. This came ten years after the deed was done. He actualy ran into his old CO. My Dad was in the 101st Airborne (which I am a proud member of the Officail Army Brats, got the paper to prove it) he was a Green Beret until He Broke his back jumping out of planes. I was 10 years old before I saw him home on a regular bases.

I dont remember all the details of the Day he earned the Braonze star but will try to put it in words. Most know how medals starts. On this day Sargent Toon and his company were stationed on a airfield which was under heavy attack mortar rounds hitting everywhere, when a Helicopter carrying wounded was hit and crashed. Sargent Toon grabbed 2 of his men and rushed out to the burning Helicopter, amoung all this open fire to save the men trapped on board the helicopter. It goes into detail about how he riscked his own life to save others.

The reason he was there he became a medic after he broke his back. I very proud of my Dad he is a very decerated Vietnam Vet. He Has atleast 4 Bronze Stars. I wish I could remember all the metals he wears. He wears 2 campaign ribbons 4 rows on the left side (got to look them up next time I visit him). He is the reason when I joined the Army I selected the Army.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 19, 2001, 10:15:00 AM »

Thanks Rangerbob, Hangtime, others.

eskimo

Nifty · « **Reply #23 on:** November 20, 2001, 12:49:00 PM »

Like Rip, I ain't gonna name them, but we've got some vets in our squad too. Those guys put their lives out there for us and I'm thankful for every single one of 'em. I'm proud of 'em and consider myself very lucky that I get to wing up with 'em.