That's a few days back. But I am glad you made it back. Be Well, RZ.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
I hope you guys are happy! It’s been 3 days now, and I’m still singing that song ( I think I’m gonna die rag) I hadn’t thought about it in 45 or 50 years!
Last edited by Whelenman; 05/11/21.
Well we're Green and we're Gold, and we play better when it's cold. All us Cheese heads have our favorite superstar. We love Brett Favre.
It was 50 years ago this year when I was discharged from active duty. I was the oldest in my platoon. Of course most were teenagers. I had been to college and I could have gone to officer training. I didn’t think I’d fit in well with officers.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
Glad you made it home ok. A good friend for many years died from Agent Orange. Two high school classmates and my brother-in-law couldn’t live with the memories and they did themselves in. You might look up if there’s a VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) organization near by. I find the American Legend here is a lot more active and helpful than the VFW. The VFW here is more of an alcoholic club - (here at least.) But the VVA is a damn good organization too.
My high school classmates - a lot of them - got a free ride to south east Asia. Most Vietnam but some Laos.
Last edited by Bugger; 05/11/22.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
My dad was in the Navy stationed in the MeKong delta. A man down the street from me was the first Sargent to make enemy contact in the Ia Drang LZ X-Ray battle. He's in General Moore's book. Mom got no letters for 3 weeks after the Tet offensive. She was scared to death. I'm still amazed at the guts these young men had.
We owe a lot to those brave young men that served over there. I used to work with a Vietnam vet who came home from Vietnam in 1969. He said when they got close to Fort Campbell, they were told there was protestors throwing bags of dog schitt at the soldiers getting off the buses.
We owe a lot to those brave young men that served over there. I used to work with a Vietnam vet who came home from Vietnam in 1969. He said when they got close to Fort Campbell, they were told there was protestors throwing bags of dog schitt at the soldiers getting off the buses.
I sort of wish the enlisted men had the go ahead to take matters in their own hands. We were blamed for the war by the mass media and the population believed it. Being spit on, not allowed to go to churches, professors refusing to give good grades, and employers posting on HR doors “NO VETERANS!”. Even the police were harassing veterans.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
Arthur K. Pirkle wrote a book titled 'Valhalla's Child" which was an autobiography written as a novel. It's very interesting. He describes the fictional protagonist as being spat on and kicking the flower child in a sensitive place. He told me that that fellow wasn't going to have any kids. Pirkle is gone now but was a very good man. Tough as a boot.
Originally Posted by Bugger
Originally Posted by roverboy
We owe a lot to those brave young men that served over there. I used to work with a Vietnam vet who came home from Vietnam in 1969. He said when they got close to Fort Campbell, they were told there was protestors throwing bags of dog schitt at the soldiers getting off the buses.
I sort of wish the enlisted men had the go ahead to take matters in their own hands. We were blamed for the war by the mass media and the population believed it. Being spit on, not allowed to go to churches, professors refusing to give good grades, and employers posting on HR doors “NO VETERANS!”. Even the police were harassing veterans.
Fifty years ago - I had just gotten back from Vietnam in March and was applying for VA/GI Bill benefits for school. Imagine my shock to find out I would only be getting $125 a month and out of that came tuition, books, and living expenses. Oh yeah, I had to requalify every semester and there was about 10-week delay in getting my check. After two years, got married and my check only went up $175 a month. I had hopes of med school but quickly soured on that when despite working two part time jobs, I still ended up having to borrow money just to make it out of undergraduate. A real struggle to make the best grades when you're fall asleep in class. So much for the military paying for my college degree - big difference from the days when my father came back from WWII. However, not complaining.
Then, raising two daughters who I promised would not have to work their way through school, my wife became disabled and I no choice but to take out student loans to keep my promise for them. Over a 15-year span, paid every damn dime back of those loans but I'm not complaining.
Now they're letting people off the hook on their student loans for no real reason or hardship except maybe to sell their vote - and in the long run my tax dollars will go to paying for it . . . NOW I"M COMPLAINING.
Fifty years ago? Seems a lot better than what we have coming.
AKA The P-Man
If you cherish your memories with kids, be a good role model . . . . so the RIGHT memories of you mean something to them.
In 1965 I volunteered for the Air Force. I signed up for 5 years so I could be a pilot. Jobs were scarce in SW PA where except in coal mines. My father had already did a stint of 30 years and was suffering fro black lung.
I did all the test, passed with flying colors and went for my physical. I passed everything and was walking down the hall to the last doctor. They pulled me out of the line and checked my back. I had limp they said I would never make it out of Basic Training. They put big a slash across my paper work and FAILED. 30 seconds changed my life, Navy, Army or Marines would not even consider me then. I would probably would not have survived Vietnam.
It was tough 2 years until I finally landed a job with Sandia Laboratory in NM . First thing , I was put in a group designing weapons used in Vietnam.
Always felt guilty for not being able to go, but I truly thank all those that served and especially for those that never came back.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
saddlesore, you tried. That's a lot more meaningful than heading for Canada. And, besides that, what you did was likely far more helpful. I was put straight in my thinking about that by a Seal who spent a lot of time in VN. I served but didn't go to VN, felt a little bad about that and he said "You did your part" and meant it.
Besides, Sandia has got to be an interesting place to work...
Besides, Sandia has got to be an interesting place to work...
I worked on the Daisy Cutter that cleared helicopter pads, Walleye TV guided missile, and dual 30's on helicopters with a heads up display. Those guns followed wherever the pilot turned his head. Also did a lot of work on the Coin program which was McNamara's electronic fence, and some programs that are still classified. Then they sent me to the Nevada Test Site where the underground nuclear test were just getting started after the above ground test were banned by treaty. I did that until 92 when the underground test were stopped because of the treaty signed by Bush. All those test were for finding ways to harden the U.S. Weapons systems from nuclear blast and radiation. Today my lungs are crapped up from breathing all that crap after detonation when recovering experiments. I have had several friends die for radiation caused cancers.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
Besides, Sandia has got to be an interesting place to work...
I worked on the Daisy Cutter that cleared helicopter pads, Walleye TV guided missile, and dual 30's on helicopters with a heads up display. Those guns followed wherever the pilot turned his head. Also did a lot of work on the Coin program which was McNamara's electronic fence, and some programs that are still classified. Then they sent me to the Nevada Test Site where the underground nuclear test were just getting started after the above ground test were banned by treaty. I did that until 92 when the underground test were stopped because of the treaty signed by Bush. All those test were for finding ways to harden the U.S. Weapons systems from nuclear blast and radiation. Today my lungs are crapped up from breathing all that crap after detonation when recovering experiments. I have had several friends die for radiation caused cancers.
See what I mean about the importance? Yes, radiation is not to be messed with. But useful, too.
In 1965 I volunteered for the Air Force. I signed up for 5 years so I could be a pilot. Jobs were scarce in SW PA where except in coal mines. My father had already did a stint of 30 years and was suffering fro black lung.
I did all the test, passed with flying colors and went for my physical. I passed everything and was walking down the hall to the last doctor. They pulled me out of the line and checked my back. I had limp they said I would never make it out of Basic Training. They put big a slash across my paper work and FAILED. 30 seconds changed my life, Navy, Army or Marines would not even consider me then. I would probably would not have survived Vietnam.
It was tough 2 years until I finally landed a job with Sandia Laboratory in NM . First thing , I was put in a group designing weapons used in Vietnam.
Always felt guilty for not being able to go, but I truly thank all those that served and especially for those that never came back.
Don't EVER feel guilty for not being able to go to Vietnam.... I have no clue of how many vets have told me "I didn't miss a thing..."
I was routed to Ft Lewis for more medical training, when I was scheduled to be with the last group to be sent there...
Had some big mouth California transplant trying to give me crap one day locally, at one of our local stores....
He jumped on my ass about having a veteran hat on, and then asked if I served in combat and what I did... told him but no I was not sent into a war zone. then he starts giving me crap about NOT being a Veteran then.... before I had a chance to put him in his place there were 9 vets that materialized out of no where....
they went right after the guy, and asked him what branch he served in? didn't serve...
These guys were pissed enough that they were getting ready to rough this clown up.....
one of the Marine Vets, told him " THIS man put on the uniform, he trained to serve... and like every one else that served, they put on the uniform, went where they were sent, did what they were trained to do and told to do... we all couldn't be Rambo... but we EACH served"..... and Schitts like you complain about us, and never put on a uniform.....then the guys apologized to me that people like him, try to give a Vet a bad name....
I got 9 hand shakes from guys who thanked me for my service... especially being Medical Corps...several had been wounded in combat. They knew what I had trained for....
Never feel guilty, for serving your country, on how it was dealt to you...
you tried to put on the uniform... but even tho it was denied, you still served your nation...
Thank you for your service Saddlesore.
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
My ex brother in law's father spent 36 years at Sandia . Did you ever work with a John R Biesterveld ?
Name doesn't sound familiar. When I was there 64-74 there were 3000 people. A lot of it was compartmentalized (Is that a word?), They didn't want you dwelling into what others were doing. A lot of " need to know". I was in a room with 25-30 other people. All had Top Secret clearances. DOE called them Q clearances. No one got in that room unless they were working on that program. When I went to the Nevada Test Site, I worked on a lot of Black programs. Kind of like Super Top Secret. I was just over the hill from Area 51. Saw the Stealth Fighter before anyone knew it existed
Last edited by saddlesore; 08/06/22.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
That will be me someday. This coming March 19th will be 20 years since I deployed to Kuwait and crossed the berm into Iraq. The next few months were nothing more than a blur. Combat actions finally slowed in the summer and it was pretty much the same old patrols with a few casualties mixed in to keep us from getting bored. Truly a million dollar experience I wouldn't pay a nickel to do again. I went back to Iraq in 2009 then to Afghanistan later that year and again to Afg in 2012. Retirement is grand!
I was at the Tulsa show when the 101st Airborne reenact-ors of Vietnam battles showed up. They had four tables, a huge flag hung from the ceiling, etc.
You want to feel really old, have a young kid, actor type, in uniform tell you he is reenacting your battles in the Vietnam war history. Geez. Now I know how the old guys felt in 64-67.....when I was there with them. We are the history.
“To expect defeat is nine-tenths of defeat itself. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is best to plan for all eventualities then believe in success, and only cross the failure bridge if you come to it." Francis Marion - The Swamp Fox
On June 15th, 1973 I raised my right hand and said "yep" and took the bus ride to Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri. It's been 50 years since I was on the Ft. Des Moines property. 50 years and one day later I was back to get my daughter married on what was former Ft. Des Moines property now known as the Blank Park Zoo. Where the heck did 50 years go ??
At one time Ft. Des Moines was home to the 25th Infantry division. It was the home to what was known as the Buffalo Soldiers cavalry. In WWII it was the primary training base for the Army WACS. The buildings are looking bad and it hasn't been used by the military for at least 20 years. So much history just decaying away.
kwg
For liberals and anarchists, power and control is opium, selling envy is the fastest and easiest way to get it. TRR. American conservative. Never trust a white liberal. Malcom X Current NRA member.
I've always thought it was sad that our government just let military installations die.
Personally I don't think the Federal Government should ever give away anything that was a military installation.
It belongs to the people, but developers and politicians always want it to make a quick buck.
When the next real war comes, were are they going to train people they need to fight our enemies?
The money we blow on welfare and welfare fraud, needs to stop and spending it on maintaining a strong military is what needs to be done.
Our entire nation, via the Federal Government does nothing but prostitute this nation further into hell on a daily basis.
In the 80s, I use to visit Ft Des Moines quite often when I was down that way on business...
Growing up as a military brat, I look at these installation, as old neighborhoods, where I use to live.
The military is our defense against those who would destroy us...
sadly DC Politicians, are the biggest enemy of our nation.... because its all about them, not our nation.
The buildings on the old section of Ft. Sam Houston and Ft. Des Moines look to be built from the same plans at about the same time. (early 1900's) That tells me that Ft. Des Moines was at one point just as important of an Army post as Ft. Sam Houston. It's too bad Ft. Des Moines was allowed to fall into complete disrepair while Ft. Sam has gained prominence. Did politics play a part ??
kwg
Last edited by kwg020; 07/09/23.
For liberals and anarchists, power and control is opium, selling envy is the fastest and easiest way to get it. TRR. American conservative. Never trust a white liberal. Malcom X Current NRA member.
Being medical corps in the Army, I've spent some time on Ft Sam several periods of time....
and have stayed in those old early 1900s built barracks. Those were solid old buildings.
Politics always plays a part in those type of decisions...
The Pentagon and Congress really don't give a damn about some of the old vintage bases.
Growing up as a dependent, when we lived in England, from 63 to 66, the Pentagon closed 10 Air Bases, in 63 and 64, that they had just reequipped in 62. The Limeys were buying one and 2 year old station wagons and Ford Pickups, for $100 on base deposal. As a 12 year old, I bought an entire set of Encyclopedia Britannica for a dollar off one of the Base libraries that closed down... the set was a year old.. I was a proud 11 year old...
These closures have always bothered me... they just throw things away. At 11 y/o, I thought that was throwing tax payer money in the garbage.
Look at the Hueys they just flew out to ships with evacuees and then just shoved the chopper overboard. I flew on a Huey crew ( Med Evac ) for 2 years... that drove me nuts also.
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
Being medical corps in the Army, I've spent some time on Ft Sam several periods of time....
and have stayed in those old early 1900s built barracks. Those were solid old buildings.
Politics always plays a part in those type of decisions...
The Pentagon and Congress really don't give a damn about some of the old vintage bases.
Growing up as a dependent, when we lived in England, from 63 to 66, the Pentagon closed 10 Air Bases, in 63 and 64, that they had just reequipped in 62. The Limeys were buying one and 2 year old station wagons and Ford Pickups, for $100 on base deposal. As a 12 year old, I bought an entire set of Encyclopedia Britannica for a dollar off one of the Base libraries that closed down... the set was a year old.. I was a proud 11 year old...
These closures have always bothered me... they just throw things away. At 11 y/o, I thought that was throwing tax payer money in the garbage.
Look at the Hueys they just flew out to ships with evacuees and then just shoved the chopper overboard. I flew on a Huey crew ( Med Evac ) for 2 years... that drove me nuts also.
Out of Kelly Heliport, Ft. Sam ??
kwg
For liberals and anarchists, power and control is opium, selling envy is the fastest and easiest way to get it. TRR. American conservative. Never trust a white liberal. Malcom X Current NRA member.
Being medical corps in the Army, I've spent some time on Ft Sam several periods of time....
and have stayed in those old early 1900s built barracks. Those were solid old buildings.
Politics always plays a part in those type of decisions...
The Pentagon and Congress really don't give a damn about some of the old vintage bases.
Growing up as a dependent, when we lived in England, from 63 to 66, the Pentagon closed 10 Air Bases, in 63 and 64, that they had just reequipped in 62. The Limeys were buying one and 2 year old station wagons and Ford Pickups, for $100 on base deposal. As a 12 year old, I bought an entire set of Encyclopedia Britannica for a dollar off one of the Base libraries that closed down... the set was a year old.. I was a proud 11 year old...
These closures have always bothered me... they just throw things away. At 11 y/o, I thought that was throwing tax payer money in the garbage.
Look at the Hueys they just flew out to ships with evacuees and then just shoved the chopper overboard. I flew on a Huey crew ( Med Evac ) for 2 years... that drove me nuts also.
That discarding of history always bothered me, too.
And one thing I have repeatedly found is that most of the younger folks today have no idea at all about real history. But what can you expect when , as recently reported, 50% of the millenials believe that 'misgendering' someone should be a crime.
I'm late to the party but from Dan's OP date I had finished my Vietnam deployment '69 -'70 as well as the balance of my enlistment here at Offutt AFB and been back in civilian attire for 12 months..
What a ride !
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Yep, what a ride. 50 years ago I was stationed at McCoy AFB, Orlando (KC-135’s) packing up the base ref base closing and handing it to Orlando Airport. Orders to Plattsburgh AFB, NY (FB-111’s and 135’s). The memories of that time are like a fart in the wind.
But you made it home. 
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