My dad was in the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lighting) during Vietnam. He was in country 3/67 to 3/68.
They got the nick name "Tropic Lighting" from the Marines in the Pacific during WWII because they took Islands back at a tremendous pace. After 44 years my dad still wears the "lighting Bolt" patch today with honor!
Please thanks your niece's boyfriend thank you for his service to this great country.
NYH1!
Take nothing I say personal, remember....it's just the interweb!
I was 25th Infantry in the mid eighties, stationed at Schofield Barracks. Hawaii is expensive but there is much to do there that won't bankrupt a young soldier. Most of the bases have rental cars at reduced rates (or at least they used to) and there is no shortage of spectacular scenery. A few of the must sees are the Arizona Memorial, the Polynesian Cultural Center and Diamondhead. The night clubs of Honolulu are a money trap. I watched a lot of soldiers waste small fortunes there. I spent enough money there but wised up pretty quickly and stuck to the barracks or other parts of the island that didn't leave me hung over and broke. I'm sure the post has changed considerably in 25 years, but there were many activities available on post for a single soldier. I would like to echo NYH1 in thanking your nieces boyfriend for his service. Tell him to enjoy Hawaii and take lots of pictures.
Mart
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
I'm pretty sure they were on Guadalcanal too. I once knew a guy who was with the 25th in early WW2. He was in Hawaii at time of Pearl Harbor. Later on Guadalcanal. Hope my recollection is accurate. Proud history.
I'm in the 25th now, currently deployed in Afghanistan. I'm in the 4th Airborne brigade out of Fort Richardson, Alaska. I'm proud of the unit and it's storied history.
I believe all but the 4th BDE is in Hawaii.
"Noone has a more intimate understanding of, or deeper appreciation for freedom than a soldier who has fought for it in a country where it does not exist."
Most of the good beaches in Hawaii belong to the armed forces. There's plenty of rec areas on the other islands, for the uniformed guys and guests. Suggest she view the movie "Tora Tora" then she can vist all the places she sees in the movie. You can see the bullet pock marks on the hangers at Hicham. He/she will have a years worth of visiting at no cost other then transportation.
Jim
"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson
My dad was in the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lighting) during Vietnam. He was in country 3/67 to 3/68.
They got the nick name "Tropic Lighting" from the Marines in the Pacific during WWII because they took Islands back at a tremendous pace. After 44 years my dad still wears the "lighting Bolt" patch today with honor!
Please thanks your niece's boyfriend thank you for his service to this great country.
NYH1!
My cousin was with them about the same time. Got wounded in 1968. He was with the wolfhounds.
My idea of being organic is taking a dump in the woods.
I'm in the 25th now, currently deployed in Afghanistan. I'm in the 4th Airborne brigade out of Fort Richardson, Alaska. I'm proud of the unit and it's storied history.
I believe all but the 4th BDE is in Hawaii.
My niece's BF is wanting go Airborne.
Stay safe and Thank You for your service.
Member: Clan of the Turdlike People.
Courage is Fear that has said its Prayers
�If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.� Ronald Reagan.
Haha! That was our cadence while we were marching to the graduation ceremony at airborne school. That was six years and a lot of jumps ago. I still love putting my feet and knees in the breeze though....
"Noone has a more intimate understanding of, or deeper appreciation for freedom than a soldier who has fought for it in a country where it does not exist."
I'm in the 25th now, currently deployed in Afghanistan. I'm in the 4th Airborne brigade out of Fort Richardson, Alaska. I'm proud of the unit and it's storied history.
I believe all but the 4th BDE is in Hawaii.
Matt Doesn't the Stryker BCT at Fairbanks wear a Tropic Lightning patch?
Expat
"There are no dangerous weapons. There are only dangerous men." - Robert Heinlein