Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire A roll of the dice

Wow how did I ever miss this story. Very humbling. My best to all that served.

It is a remarkable narrative with wonderful style and prose. It's one I believe should be added to/appended/finished with the author's second tour, and published.

I bookmarked it, and have read it over maybe a dozen times. It really is a gritty, raw look at a man's experiences and observations during war, and I'm grateful for the privilege of being able to take it in.

I have noticed an endearing loyalty and support for veterans here at the 'Fire and I want to let you all know how deeply I appreciate the sentiment. It was Ronald Reagan who took the first bold step in honoring Vietnam vets from his high office. In a fashion it broke down a wall that had existed between us and the country at large for far too long.

In behalf of the many vets among us in general, and in particular those sentiments which so many of you have have expressed to me, I am humbled.

Thank you all!

Dan

Speaking for myself only: to virtually all of the people of my age that I know and call friend, you guys ARE our heroes, Dan. I mean that.

I'll tell you this, too: had I, or any of the same men I'm talking about above, ever seen any of you returning servicemen getting any shyt from any protester, hippie or random stranger on the street, you wouldn't have had to have lifted a finger or worried about just being left be. They'd have been dealt with with the same amount of respect that they'd demonstrated to the men they were deriding--none. A proper face stomping can make for a drastic attitude adjustment. I know this to be fact.

That's something I never understood, BTW. It was an unpopular, divisive and brutal war, yes, one with 'atrocities' that also happened to be widely broadcast. Yet the fact that so many turned out to attack the soldiers, as if it was strictly up to them to wage war? Does not compute.

Lastly, nah man, thank *you*, and all the former servicemen here who served our nation*. Same goes for our boys today, wherever they be, in harm's way or not.

Look into getting it published, please.

Edit: sentiment is the same for all the men currently serving as well, obviously.

Fantastic Stuff Dan, you really should consider publishing. j

Amazing story, Amazing record of
"behind the scenes Vietnam"
I was 10 yrs old in 72' and remember....
Dad was career navy, and I, USMC.
Thank You for sharing these memories
Powerful words, Powerful images
and yes, when you find the time or need...
Please write of it. Some things need to be recorded
for ALL who follow.
Again, very humbly, Thank You

My first thought was that my father would love this story. But he passed on in 2005. He loved Vietnam stories he did a full tour over there and probably another year of time on TDY. He was air force loaded bombs on planes. It is kinda a weird how something like that marks a person. They would never want to do it again but yet it so much of there life that it almost seems like they miss it. When he did talk about it you could see a fire in his eyes and a little bit of that twenty something young man come back. Any one that served has my respect.

Bump - I've just re-read this fantastic story. If you missed it first time around, don't miss it this time.

Dan and I met , face to face , finally, a coupla' days ago, and was the "Longest Distance Traveled" winner at The Desert Rat's third annual reunion .

We did a little feasting, drinking, shooting, and yarn spinning .

He headed out for his home place today, mid morning.

Having the fellow here was a lot of fun, and a distinct HONOR.

Greg

I hope to be honored in the same way myself. Good to hear you boys got together. Pour a couple of fingers of something for me for yourselves. Cyber round on me.

Good to have this thread bumped too. Epic.

Any time, L.

The weather really played in our favor, this time.

Saying, "A good time was had by all" would be trite.

GTC

Um, I was talking about Dan...



Hey, ya gotta' swing at a meatballs when tossed! But to be serious for a sec, thanks, Oops-san. We'll get a plan going. Glad that you lads are having fun at play at your fort. Lots of pics when you can, please. Some of Gracie too, please.

Thanks DD for writing this. And thanks is as close as I can come, but still fails to express the appreciation for the sacrifices made by you and your compatriots in arms, and all of your families.

And that to Mike for bumping it to the top as I was offline while this was going around earlier.

Once these gigs are rolling, I have a hard time even THINKING of grabbing a camera, and am going to have to work on rectifying that shortfall.

"elkhunterNM's" lady got a GREAT pic of Gracie hamming it up, ....I hope she'll post it.

Give it a day, ....once everybody's home and dry, I'll bet some pics will be posted.

GTC

Right on. Thankee bud.

I hope she DOES, my friend!

Mark

Had the chance to meet Dan a couple years back in my homestate while back visiting family. His stories are fantastic!!

Holly Cow Dan,
Im on chapter 14 after starting at 350 am today. What a read. I will be showing this to my son who is a great reader and a fan of US history.
Thank you From My Whole Family for YOUR SERVICE!

ps.. I read "Chicken Hawk" in high school back in the 80's working at a local grocery nights. I love helicopters. This is better by a long shot.

Interesting. Good writing IMO. I liked the parts about Wolters. I was going to say Dad was stationed at Wolters when he met Mom, but he wasn't, he was at Camp Houwse (sp?), near there. He was at Wolters at some point though. Did you ever stay at the Baker Hotel? Did you ever meet Colonel Herbert during your Southeast Asia adventures?

Excellent read, Dan!