Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 41 years ago

Woody & Jim - I read this entire thread when it first was posted. I have read the whole thing several times since then. Each and every time, my eyes got wet. Jim, what you did with the cases Woody sent you was outstanding, and, yes, the jeweler did a great job.

I have had the good fortune to meet Woody, and it rained inside. Jim, I also hope to meet you some time. Both of you, again, have my utmost thanks for what you were doing 40+ years ago for me, personally, as well as for your country. I was in college at the time and missed out on being drafted - my "lucky number" never came up. I was embarrassed by the way our guys coming back from VN were treated when they got home. I still am. I know every one of our service men and women are heroes, but the story of you two is special. Maybe we can get another buffalo hunt going sometime, or maybe just get together to have some ribs in CB (I won't even order water, Woody ).

Thanks again to you two and to all of our country's best and bravest. Bless you all.


BTW - When's the Sharps 'sposed to show up, Woody?

Nick best guess is late August or Sept.It's been a long wait for sure.Thanks for all the kind words and wish you could have made the CF lunch next month,lots of new guys to rain on!

Just read the entire thread...with tears shed....graduated HS in �67...lucky number came up....steel pin in my arm kept me out....lost friends in VN....It seems that the older I get, the stronger the pull of the past becomes....can only imagine the depth of feeling EvilTwin and Flyboy Flem have felt....thankful they were able to connect....thank you for sharing and....Thank You for Your Service....

An amazing story, indeed. Thanks to those who served. I was too young for that war. My brother is older, but was kept out by his bum knee. His best friend in high school served, and wound up with two Purple Hearts.

2 days ago, the rusty gates to the past were pulled open. I am frankly floored!! My BIL actually found a photo of Oscar "Speedy" Gonazales.This part however has floored me. I am the guy in the middle. I forget who the guy on the far right is. Too long ago. It was taken on Speedy's camera and his sister got it with his belongings. In 2007 she sent the pics to a guy who was in Charlie Company.



This has blown me away. I had forgotten the pic was even taken. You are seeing me as the psychotic 20 year old Infantryman I was back in the Bad Old Days. A drink to Speedy.

Cheers to Speedy. RIP, you are remembered.

Nice find! Thanks for your service ET!

That is really something.

Drink to Speedy.

Great pic Jim,I'm sure this brings back many memories of another lifetime.The bond of "Brothers in arms" transcends time and place but is difficult for many to comprehend..finally great to put a face on your lost friend Speedy.RIP brother.

Great picture, sir. Thank you for your service, back in Vietnam and what you still do now. Thanks for bumping this post back to the top as well. Great story connecting you and Woody.

you know where I stand brother...

Truly amazing to have that turn up after all this time.

Another lifted in his memory.

When my BIL first showed me, he blew it up and I pretty nearly went into shock. I look at it and look at it and the memories pile up hard. Everybody had pics taken with other guys and most never paid it any mind. I could be in 100 photo albums but I just wouldn't remember unless one turned up like this. My camera was shot up in my rucksack by an RPD and was given an unceremonious disposal. I actually hesitated to put it up because it jits me so hard.

The Ghost Of The Past by Thomas Hardy

We two kept house, the Past and I,
The Past and I;
I tended while it hovered nigh,
Leaving me never alone.
It was a spectral housekeeping
Where fell no jarring tone,
As strange, as still a housekeeping
As ever has been known.

As daily I went up the stair,
And down the stair,
I did not mind the Bygone there --
The Present once to me;
Its moving meek companionship
I wished might ever be,
There was in that companionship
Something of ecstasy.

It dwelt with me just as it was,
Just as it was
When first its prospects gave me pause
In wayward wanderings,
Before the years had torn old troths
As they tear all sweet things,
Before gaunt griefs had torn old troths
And dulled old rapturings.

And then its form began to fade,
Began to fade,
Its gentle echoes faintlier played
At eves upon my ear
Than when the autumn's look embrowned
The lonely chambers here,
The autumn's settling shades embrowned
Nooks that it haunted near.

And so with time my vision less,
Yea, less and less
Makes of that Past my housemistress,
It dwindles in my eye;
It looms a far-off skeleton
And not a comrade nigh,
A fitful far-off skeleton
Dimming as days draw by.

Jim didn't ask your permission to post these but think it's appropriate that others see them especially knowing the full story of Hill 474 and the loss of your friend Speedy.Thanks to chapped lips for the original research.

When that picture was taken, how long had you been over there?

Jim, that is amazing. Thanks for sharing this with us. I am really looking forward to feeding the tiger again with you again this fall, amigo.

WOW!

Cool story. Damn cool opening the mail to find those!

Me as well Gentlemen, a true mind blowing glimpse into a helluva trip through survival.

God Bless Ya Jim and RIP Speedy, as well as all the other Men who fought and died in that war.

Gunner

Welcome home guys. This is all I have to say about that.

Here's a little music from Johnny Cash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAbgmXVaOc8&feature=player_detailpage