Author Topic: 43 years ago today  (Read 5092 times)

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Offline Hodr

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #30 on: November 03, 2010, 04:22:14 AM »
Kids pick up wife and I at Phoenix phoenix airport on firday.  It is supposed to be a birthday surprise but I found out some time ago.  About every three years I go back to Arlington and the wall, this year the kids are picking up the tickets and going with us.  Yesterday FED EX dropped off a case of Makers Mark and some boxes of Cuban cigars these are sent every year by a law firm in Dallas.  There was a man I learned a great deal from who never made it out of Dak To.  I have been in contact with his family ever since.  Pep's mother would not let herself believe him dead and died years later happy, waiting for him to walk in the door.  Pep asked his father in a letter to make sure I didn't run out of good whiskey and cigars.  They have been sent to me now for over 40 years.  His dad set up an insurance policy for that purpose.  I still get to texas to go hunting with Pep's brother.  I no longer drink or smoke so the American Legion here gets a chance to light up and lift a glass in remembrance of a Ranger they never met on New Years. 

blindhari
Sgt  Ranger
Lift your glass Gentelmen
The Toast;  Absent Companions
TANSTAAFL

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #31 on: November 03, 2010, 05:40:12 AM »
Some don't forget Brother.  Great post.

Someday, maybe, I'll find that picture of the entrance to the Dak To SF Camp and post it.  As I remember they also had the widest, deepest and most punji stick filled pit running all around the camp that I had ever seen. 
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
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Offline Oldshooter

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #32 on: November 03, 2010, 08:39:22 AM »
I am soooooo glad this thread resurfaced.  And I might add I am still humbled by men like you, and Blindhari, and all those that served then and Now!

Thanks again Richard, Lets do this every year for as long as we breath!

Sincerely, Randy
“Owning a handgun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.”

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."

Offline mauser98us

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #33 on: November 03, 2010, 02:28:42 PM »
Richard, thanks to you and great souls like you, I was spared the activity in Vietnam. I'm 55 and just missed going.Often wonder if I went if I could have lived up to those who went before me. Once again thanks to the bunch before me. God bless them all.

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #34 on: November 03, 2010, 03:11:18 PM »
Lets do this every year for as long as we breath!

Thanks for your support Randy.  I was going to repeat my prayer request on March 30, 2011; 45 years.
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
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Offline Hodr

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #35 on: November 03, 2010, 07:09:26 PM »
My father ended WWII at Presidio San Francisco helping treat combat shock cases.  My godfathers were two of the men he treated.  One was a long lean Tennessee man who walked Burma with Merril, the other a French/Spanish basque who was a 4th Marine raider.   I listened to thier stories and those of my uncles Army, Army Air Force, Navy and Marine Corp.  Dad was a combat medic at Cisterna 3rd Btn, 6th Inf.  Dad always said the greatest contribution to the war effort was Uncle Ralph.  Uncle Ralph never served in the military.  As the best farmer in the family, they signed over thier shares of the family farm when they enlisted.  for 4 years Uncle Ralph raised more pork, corn, and mules per acre than any man in the state of Missouri.  Burnt by the sun, wind, and the constant outdoors he always looked twice his age and the died young of the farm toil.  When he died the farm was prosperous and clear of debt.  He taught me that a hero is the man who goes in every day and gets the job done, just because it is his job.  I could never have done what he did as well.  Like Dad and the uncles said, "he kept 10 men in the field"

blindhari
TANSTAAFL

Offline teamnelson

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #36 on: November 03, 2010, 11:11:20 PM »
I was recently asked to officiate a retirement for one on my Gunners at the War Memorial on KBay. Its tough for me to go there ... there are 27 bricks in a ring laid around the monument that I helped place with a family member of one of mine that was killed. There's another 13 bricks out there somewhere for my other Marines that were attached to us when they were killed. I was cleaning some weeds out around a brick when a navy CWO5 asked me what I was doing. I told him about that brick with the name LtCol Max Galeai, he was my boss on my last tour to Iraq. I was supposed to be with him that day but he sent me to represent him at a sheikhs council meeting in another town. My buddy Phil (another mustanger) went with him. Later that day I was holding their remains praying over their bodies. (Col Galeais widow just ran the Marine Corps marathon in his honor last Sunday - what a great lady.) Too many bricks.

AtLaw, blindhari, et al, those of us who have lost close friends and brothers in this current war are grateful for how hard you fought to ensure your brothers were appropriately remembered. Thank you.
held fast

Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #37 on: December 22, 2010, 11:57:43 PM »
To Richard and all who served and are serving this country:
 There are not enough words, actions, fame, or fortune to bestow upon my fellow Americans for their sacrifices.
Sometimes it has been said by friends that the lucky ones are ones that do not dream about the past , unfortunately most are not so lucky. We may not talk combat or even avoid the subject,but there is always the memories............. good and bad. Then sometimes it is good to let it out............................

Without your service and sacrifices this world would not be the same
 May the Good Lord Bless and Keep you all Strong
George
"it ain't what you shoot em with......................
  it's where you hit em "

Offline Gun Runner

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #38 on: December 23, 2010, 11:37:26 PM »
Little Doug Rix was the younger kid that lived a couple doors down from me/ As kids we aways told him he wasant old enough to play with us older kids. Doug was a SGT and killed in Siagon(sp).

I went into the navy several years before Doug did. One of the over passes in town has a brass plack with Dougs name and rate, and military service branch on it. The town honors those lost in nam by putting a plack  on the over passes.

I spent a little over 20 yrs in the navy bounceing around the world. Did tours in nam on a communications ship, couple ammo ships( that wil make your hair stand up), and a Mine Sweeper. The Mine Sweeper was after the "WAR" was over. We spent several months there clearing hai phong harbor of mines, in exchange for POW's release. I may not have served on the ground but am proud of being able to help the GUYS come home.

Gun Runner

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 43 years ago today
« Reply #39 on: December 24, 2010, 03:24:29 AM »
On land, in the air or on the sea, we served!  Welcome home Brother.
Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
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