Why are there interstate hiways in Hawaii? If you were in a 1952 Ford traveling at the speed of light and you turned on your headlights, what would happen? Why is there no cent symbol on a computer keyboard? If you had 3 M&Ms and ate 2 what would you have left, an M ? Why do we call them elevators or lifts , they descend too ?
jim
USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 22:51:25 (MST)
Billy Blye...or is that billy lies? ....I just checked your "proof" by going to each website you referenced....all neo-con, rabbid, facist sorts. The proof of your "fair and balanced" disinformation is revealed on your own website...you invite comments...but flatly admit you will delete anything you don't agree with!!!!! Go figure? You must of had a real hard time trying to go to school...with all those academic types trying to teach you something you didn't already know!........Damn! All you guys from the 129th need to search the "information" being posted here. (Google does a good job if you are not familiar with search engines.) I found 'Vietnam Veterans Against Kerry' to be equally unfounded in facts...taking information out of context...stretching the truth.. adding in opinion and presenting it as gospel.........In reality, they present GOSSIP......Some on this site have said this is no place for politics. Folks, I've gotta tell ya here and now, it is no time to be sticking our heads in the sand. We, as Vietnam veterans, should be standing up and being counted and heard on the issues of the day. Politicians with selfish interests teamed up with the industrial-military complex to wage war at the expense of an entire generation. The reasons were unclear and shifted. The fighting forces were given no clear objective. There was no plan . There was no exit strategy. The cost in lives and treasure bleed our nation.......These things happened in "OUR" day and it's happening "TODAY".If we stand idlely by and allow this to happen again, then shame on us. If not Vietnam veterans, then who?...if not now, when? Now, having just vented, I feel better. Thanks.
Regards everyone, C.B.
C.B.
USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 22:35:09 (MST)
Yes, Fred S. told me about the eloquence of Tom Shanahan. I enjoyed reading his thoughts on Kerry, SE Asia and everything else he expressed in his posting. I especially liked, "all gave some, some gave all." It made me pause and envision that wall full of names. I have yet to visit it. The only time I was in Washington, D.C., was in 1964. John Kennedy was in his temporary resting place in Arlington, Lyndon Johnson was in the White House. As we drove through the mountains on our way south from Ohio, I listened to the Beatles, The Stones, CKLW out of Detroit...total Motown. My parents complained, but allowed me to listen. There was no thought of a wall then. No NEED for a wall. It was 1964. We were the United States, STOPPING the infiltration of Communism into Southeast Asia. The Soviet Union was supposedly supplying the North Vietnamese, we were aiding the South. Like Bobby Fischer and Boris...who would win? In the end, no one did. As I told Fred Skaggs...I remember watching the CBS Evening News. My father, an ex WWII vet, Navy, would shake his head at the casualty numbers. US casualties, minimal. North Vietnamese...thousands! He would comment, "With numbers like that, why aren't we winning?" I wondered the same thing and still do. I watch the words written on here and feel honored to be in such company. I cannot wait till June when I will be meeting some of you in Indianapolis. All these years later....The Beatles are gone but for two that remain. The Stones are aging, but still rocking. Motown died with Marvin Gaye. My father has been gone ten years now. Walter Cronkite remains a favorite. Wars are still being fought. And a wall in Washington keeps memories alive. "All gave some, Some gave all."
Sue
USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 20:26:48 (MST)
The dark side of the current White House was on full display last week when top officials of the Bush administration took to the airwaves to destroy the credibility of a man who had honorably served presidents Reagan, Clinton and both Bushes.
The character assassination of Richard Clarke, the former White House anti-terrorism chief, was far more worrisome than Nixon's smears of Dean because it concerned not petty crime in pursuit of partisan political ambition but rather the attempt to deceive the nation and the world as to the causes of the 9/11 assault upon our national security Ñ and to justify an unnecessary war in Iraq.
First, Bush's aides suggested that Clarke had invented the meeting in which Clarke said the president pressured him to find a link between the 9/11 attack and Iraq, ignoring Clarke's insistence that intelligence agencies had concluded that no such link existed. But on Sunday, national security advisor Condoleezza Rice was forced to admit that Bush had pressed Clarke on an Iraq connection. This backed up earlier assertions by former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill as to Bush's obsession with Iraq from the very first days of his administration at the expense of focusing on Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.
That the Bush lies didn't work this time may be because just too many veterans of the U.S. intelligence community are finding their voices and are willing to denounce an administration that has seriously undermined the nation's security.
They are speaking out, as 23 former CIA and other defense intelligence agents did in Robert Greenwald's devastating documentary, "Uncovered." They have stepped forward, as did David Kay, Bush's former chief weapons inspector in Iraq.
This is an administration that has been dominated by the neoconservative ideologues who condemned the logical restraint of the first Bush administration on foreign policy as a betrayal of the national interest.
These neocons have made a horrible mess of things, but that gives them no pause. They went to war with a nation that had no weapons of mass destruction and few connections to terrorism Ñ but have coddled Pakistan, which sponsored the Taliban and Al Qaeda and which recently was revealed as the source of nuclear weapons technology for North Korea, Iran and Libya.
The president's team is wrong to believe its outrageous lies can continue to lull a gullible public. Nixon's lies won him a second election, but then he lost the country.
Bush smiles better than Nixon, but when the lies are exposed, the smile turns into a character-revealing smirk. That happened last week when the White House released photos of a skit, performed for the amusement of jaded media heavyweights, in which the president pretended to look under his desk for the missing weapons of mass destruction. This may have amused his cynical audience, but to the general public, the carefully lip-synced policy pronouncements of the man who cried wolf has morphed into a sick joke.
The Blade
USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 20:03:23 (MST)
FORMER GREEN BERET TACKLES KERRY
Thank you, John Kerry, for helping make us
Vietnam veterans war heroes now, but you also were the primary reason that
the American public grabbed sturdy unbending brooms of judgment and swept us
into the closet of silence and shame for so many years. Now, with your
latest unreported insanity, you are getting ready for our society to grab
those same stiff brooms and sweep our brave, noble young men and women
fighting against the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, into
that cold, dark cell of heartbreak and betrayal, like we Vietnam veterans
had to endure in silent dignity. I cannot and will not watch this country go
through that again.
The hardcore America-hating, Israel-hating, jihad-spouting Muslim
clerics in the mideast are very excited and passing around a front page
newspaper story from the very anti-American TEHRAN TIMES in Iran. In the
country that is home of the world's toughest theocratic dictatorship, an
e-mail from Democratic Presidential nominee, you, John Forbes Kerry, sent to
the paper by your campaign committee, although they deny sending it, was
printed word-for-word on the front page of Iran's main newspaper. Your
message states emphatically that, if elected President, you, John Kerry plan
to, within 100 days, not only end the War on Terror, but travel to the
mideast and elsewhere and apologize for our actions and the actions of
President Bush in the War on Terror. It says that you plan to apologize to
friends and foes alike. That is right, folks. John Kerry will say he is
sorry, and in his mind, all those jihad extremists, who have vowed to kill
all Americans wherever we are, will simply forgive us, hold hands with
Kerry, start singing "Kumbaya," and all will be right in the world. This is
insane!
Senior writer Kenneth R. Timmerman in the March 1st edition of
INSIGHT, tells about the massive campaign contributions to the
Kerry-for-President campaign by three Iranian businessmen living in the US,
who are lobbying for the US lifting of sanctions on Iran and accepting the
anti-Christian, anti-Jewish, anti-American Tehran regime and the close ties
of one to the chairman of Mobil Oil.
Pro-democracy dissidents in Iran are shocked and appalled
at your remarks, and have reported that in Iran and other Mideastern
countries, that all the extremists and anti-west mullahs who strongly
supported the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, USS Cole, Marine
Barracks, and anyplace Americans congregate, want you to become our
President, but they are scared to death of George W. Bush. Just think, The
Democratic candidate for President, you, John Forbes Kerry, is endorsed by
the Al Q'Aida, Hezbollah, PLF, and Hamas.
But on February 27, 2004, in a speech at UCLA , you, while trying
to talk tough, despite voting against all major weapons systems for the past
18 years, stated that you will continue the War on Terror, but would use our
police forces, and especially those in foreign countries, and you would also
put our troops back under the powder blue flag of the United Nations. You
recently made comments about Bush making troops fight without Kevlar vests,
but you, Senator Kerry, voted against buying them while you were in the
Senate.
Like the Kama Sutra, Senator, you change positions
constantly. You're not going to end the War on Terror, but instead use
police to handcuff terrorists and read them their rights; then a week later,
you are going to end the War on Terrorism and apologize to everyone we have
offended, such as Iran. What is it going be next week, Kerry? You flip-flop
more than a beached tuna on steroids.
You convinced TV reporters Chris Wallace on Fox and NBC's
Tim Russert that a photograph circulating the web and news showing you a few
rows away from Jane Fonda at a September, 1970 Anti-War Rally at Valley
Forge, was simply a coincidence and that you and Hanoi Jane barely knew each
other. But, in fact, Senator, there were only 8 speakers that day,
including Fonda, Donald Southerland, and Bella Abzug, and Hanoi Jane funded
that rally, and the keynote speaker was you, John Forbes Kerry, executive
committee member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
We must be Americans first, and think about our political
parties after that. Sometimes we lose sight of that. I have six grown
children and two are democrats. I voted for Jimmy Carter. This is not about
politics It is about standing up to the ultimate playground bully, and not
simply cowering and kissing his shoes.
I left it "all on the field" in the jungles back there
when I was med-evaced out of Vietnam in March of 1969 and sent back to
hospitals in "The World." Although You, Mr. Kerry, painted all of us Vietnam
veterans with the yellow brush of My Lai and Tiger Force, most of us,
draftees and lifers alike, actually poured our hearts out in the tropical
rain forests and in the rice paddies, thoroughly gave it our all, and acted
as warriors who had honor. I have a son earning his green beret at Fort
Bragg right now and a daughter-in-law on orders for Iraq. I am not going to
stand by and watch them go through the same treatment we did, because some
of our well-meaning fellow Americans choose to wear blinders and believe
things just because they heard it on the network news or simply not care
enough to get involved.
I am not a "baby-killer, torturer, or murderer," John
Kerry. I am a Vietnam veteran and an American who will not soon forget, or
ever want to see again, any more jets loaded with fuel and screaming,
innocent Americans slamming into our buildings on our very own soil. I have
shed enough tears for ten lifetimes. We all have. I will never again let my
fellow countrymen get away with making American veterans feel like bastard
step-children.
Santayana said, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned
to repeat it."
John Kerry, I now call on my "Band of Brothers," those who have
heard the sound of guns and cries of orphaned children, those who hate war
more than anyone who has not been there, to join me in this difficult battle
ahead. Republicans, democrats, independents, and the apolitical, I call on
the 25,000,000 veterans of this country to help me confront this evil facing
our great nation, not with guns and bombs, but with our voices, our votes,
our computers, and with all our fighting spirit.
My fellow veterans, your families, survivors, and
neighbors: God bless you and God bless America.
You want proof of all I have to say. Here are the references:
http://michnews.com/artman/publish/article_2889.shtml
http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=6246
http://www.iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news.pl?l=en&y=2004&m=03&d=01&a=12
http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040229-105340-2864r.htm
http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0227.html
http://nyyrcblogspot.com/
http://www.daneshjoo.org/article/publish/article_3130.shtml
Want more proof? Read the very exposing February 27, 2004 article,
on page 8, of the NY Sun by Thomas Lipscomb, founder of Time Books and
publisher of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt's best-selling book. "ON WATCH ". Also
read what the man who pinned the Silver Star on John Kerry had to say about
him. The article is entitled "Setting Straight Kerry's War Record "
Don Bendell is a former green beret captain, who served in Vietnam
on an A-Team and in the Top Secret Phoenix program in 1968 and 1969, as well
as in three other Special Forces Groups. He is a best-selling author of 21
books, with over 1,500,000 copies of his books in print worldwide, and a
seventh degree black master in four martial arts, who was inducted into the
International Karate Hall of Fame in 1995 and Martial Arts Museum of America
in 1996.
e-mail: don@donbendell.com
Don or Shirley Bendell
BENDELL ENTERPRISES, INC.
PO Box 276, Canon City, CO 81215-0276
(719) 269-3929
Please visit our website: www.donbendell.com
, or visit
our other website at www.bendellkarate.com
Billy Blye
USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 18:29:01 (MST)
Alvis & Susan, got a big smile on my face today when I opened the mail......as did Debbie when she got home. Thanks from both of us & hope to see ya soon. Two and a wake-up !Clear,
Gale 67-68
Clinton, In US of A - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 17:38:28 (MST)
William Dunlap. Tammy, thank you for joining us and reminding us that we are not the only ones who have vowed to make sure the 129 fallen are remembered. Make yourself at home here, we're all family(politics aside- LOL!) and we welcome you as a friend of one of our fallen, William Dunlap. I'll write more to you back-channel.... I just wanted to help make you feel comfortable here, among this group of strangers who will soon be extended family. Katherine M.,William was with Michael, and Don M., Tammy would be happy to send you Williams' photo(which is on the "Virtualwall" already). Welcome Tammy-you are among friends. Always there for our Veterans-Gently OH! OH! OH! I almost forgot!!!!!!!! Gale and Debbie are getting married Saturday!!!!!!!!!!! congrats you two!
Gently
USA - Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 09:09:33 (MST)
ast week an opinion piece in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz about the killing of Sheik Ahmed Yassin said, "This isn't America; the government did not invent intelligence material nor exaggerate the description of the threat to justify their attack."
So even in Israel, George Bush's America has become a byword for deception and abuse of power. And the administration's reaction to Richard Clarke's "Against All Enemies" provides more evidence of something rotten in the state of our government.
The truth is that among experts, what Mr. Clarke says about Mr. Bush's terrorism policy isn't controversial. The facts that terrorism was placed on the back burner before 9/11 and that Mr. Bush blamed Iraq despite the lack of evidence are confirmed by many sources Ñ including "Bush at War," by Bob Woodward.
And new evidence keeps emerging for Mr. Clarke's main charge, that the Iraq obsession undermined the pursuit of Al Qaeda. From yesterday's USA Today: "In 2002, troops from the Fifth Special Forces Group who specialize in the Middle East were pulled out of the hunt for Osama bin Laden to prepare for their next assignment: Iraq. Their replacements were troops with expertise in Spanish cultures."
That's why the administration responded to Mr. Clarke the way it responds to anyone who reveals inconvenient facts: with a campaign of character assassination.
Some journalists seem, finally, to have caught on. Last week an Associated Press news analysis noted that such personal attacks were "standard operating procedure" for this administration and cited "a behind-the-scenes campaign to discredit Richard Foster," the Medicare actuary who revealed how the administration had deceived Congress about the cost of its prescription drug bill.
But other journalists apparently remain ready to be used. On CNN, Wolf Blitzer told his viewers that unnamed officials were saying that Mr. Clarke "wants to make a few bucks, and that [in] his own personal life, they're also suggesting that there are some weird aspects in his life as well."
This administration's reliance on smear tactics is unprecedented in modern U.S. politics Ñ even compared with Nixon's. Even more disturbing is its readiness to abuse power Ñ to use its control of the government to intimidate potential critics.
To be fair, Senator Bill Frist's suggestion that Mr. Clarke might be charged with perjury may have been his own idea. But his move reminded everyone of the White House's reaction to revelations by the former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill: an immediate investigation into whether he had revealed classified information. The alacrity with which this investigation was opened was, of course, in sharp contrast with the administration's evident lack of interest in finding out who leaked the identity of the C.I.A. operative Valerie Plame to Bob Novak.
And there are many other cases of apparent abuse of power by the administration and its Congressional allies. A few examples: according to The Hill, Republican lawmakers threatened to cut off funds for the General Accounting Office unless it dropped its lawsuit against Dick Cheney. The Washington Post says Representative Michael Oxley told lobbyists that "a Congressional probe might ease if it replaced its Democratic lobbyist with a Republican." Tom DeLay used the Homeland Security Department to track down Democrats trying to prevent redistricting in Texas. And Medicare is spending millions of dollars on misleading ads for the new drug benefit Ñ ads that look like news reports and also serve as commercials for the Bush campaign.
On the terrorism front, here's one story that deserves special mention. One of the few successful post-9/11 terror prosecutions Ñ a case in Detroit Ñ seems to be unraveling. The government withheld information from the defense, and witnesses unfavorable to the prosecution were deported (by accident, the government says). After the former lead prosecutor complained about the Justice Department's handling of the case, he suddenly found himself facing an internal investigation Ñ and someone leaked the fact that he was under investigation to the press.
Where will it end? In his new book, "Worse Than Watergate," John Dean, of Watergate fame, says, "I've been watching all the elements fall into place for two possible political catastrophes, one that will take the air out of the Bush-Cheney balloon and the other, far more disquieting, that will take the air out of democracy."
The Blade
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 19:48:27 (MST)
"Gently" emailed me regarding this site and encouraged me to visit and write.
I was a neighbor of William (Billy) Dunlap when I was a little girl growing up in Tucson. I just recently became aware of "The Virtual Wall" and have submitted some comments and recollections of Billy. I also found an old snapshot of Billy and his wife Ramona - if anyone would like a copy, just email me.
If anyone remembers Billy and has stories to share, please do so. I would love to hear more about him. He and his family were such good friends of ours so many years ago.
My son joined the Army Reserves last year; he is graduating this May and heading for Missouri for his AIT and then may be deployed to Iraq. Scares the hell out of me.
Glad to have found this site - thanks Gently - and will visit daily.
TJ
Tammy Joyce <arriba59@earthlink.net>
Pueblo West, Colorado USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 18:56:59 (MST)
Cherry, where are you? I just wanted to jog your memory about a day of resupplying Koreans in june 1969. You, Mr. Rau, BeBee and Me rolling down the mountain in Bulldog 465 after losing left Pedal. Hope everyone else is ok. Still thinking of your Mom Fred.. Hope she's ok... Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 18:28:56 (MST)
A slow hand salute for John Tardif, RVN69, 101st Airborne. Bone cancer.He was a good friend, twisted more than a few zig zags with him, took a lot of all night rides, when the rest of the world just didn't seem to understand the issues that haunted us. Bronze star recepient, threw it away out of shame, said the real heros are the ones he couldn't save. He went to the wall in 94, invited me along. I'm glad I didn't go. He came back worse than when he went...who are we to judge another's combat experiences?..it's affect on his (or her) outlook of war? Aviation has an aura about it, dash, savior fair, panache......we know it as all encompassing; exciting, boring, terrifying, mundane, sensible, farce........all of us view things differently, we're shaped by our experiences. Our common link is that we've been there, done that...THAT'S what gives us the right to talk about it!...Vietnam Vet...hell, our company clerk can make that claim!!
Our experiences were different from the grunts, riverine, Air Force, Navy..SOG. Our common link is that we were all there, smelled the same smells, saw the same country.....
Kim
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 15:49:19 (MST)
Tom Shanahan...You`re one of MY personal Hero`s....You have the guts to stand-up and be counted. You and I have had many back-channel commo`s and I`ve always admired what you stood for and had to say. I`m not as eloquent and articulate as yourself, but I`ve always admired the way you`ve mastered the written word MY Brother. When I spoke to Sister Sue about the 129th having brothers that could express themselves as far as writting.....You and a couple more 129th brothers I know, came to mind. But your post stirred my soul and I just had to step out and thank you my dear brother. Baron...My Brother....I know your there for me. Thank You Gently for your kind words. And everyone that has expressed their concern. A dear friend from back home told me, that this will be another "lesson in life" that your mother will teach you. Her Grace and love will touch you and make you see how special you can be as person.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 12:49:07 (MST)
I donÕt post often. This is not meant to rabble rouse or make anyone angry and apologies in advance for anyone who thinks this is political. It isnÕt. ItÕs about Nam and vets. I have been reading a lot of condemnation of KerryÕs 1971 testimony. A lot of words being written about some of the words of another Nam vet.
http://www.c-span.org/vote2004/jkerrytestimony.asp
This is a link to the (totally non-partisan) C-Span Web site which contains the complete testimony. While there is much discussion about it, I have doubts that many have read the full text. So there it is at the link. It is long and it starts with:
Legislative Proposals Relating to the War in Southeast Asia Thursday, April 22, 1971 United States Senate, Committee on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C.
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11:05 a.m., in Room 4221, New Senate Office Building, Senator J. W. Fulbright (Chairman) presiding. Present: Senators Fulbright, Symington, Pell, Aiken, Case and Javits
My own thoughts on it-
As to the allegations of war crimes, yes, they happened. Not every unit; not every man. But they happened and it was general knowledge that they happened. On a macro level, the chemical warfare (Agent Orange and other chemicals) dumped on our own troops and on Vietnam has caused untold horror to be visited on that country and upon generations of children born mangled and deformed; upon food crops that are forever genetically altered; upon barren ground; upon chemically tainted fish that whole or deformed pass those chemicals into the population to alter and deform that population. The bombing and the bombs and the land mines continue to explode taking the limbs of the innocent. The millions who died in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos to feed the greed and the egos of those in power who now go on book tours and tearfully say mea culpa. I've got a place in hell for their mea culpas.
On a micro and more personal level, when the miniguns roll towards a small tree line target, anyone with eyes to see knows that the entire hamlet, the whole village is at times soaked with 7.62mm rounds. When flechettes are fired, God Help anyone out in front of those tubes. When the 40mm pumpkin chunker fires, some of those rounds will actually hit the target if the peter pilot is real good with Kentucky windage. Those women and children hiding behind the straw walls of their hootches and huts had no protection. On the night flare missions sometimes the flares set whole villages on fire after they hit the ground. 2.75" white phosphorous "marking" rockets put out white heat and a fireball that set fires and stuck to any flesh in the way. The family water buffalo were sometimes killed from the air on orders of the Koreans to "lay a trap" for the VC who would supposedly come and butcher it for the meat. And some stories say that sometimes we just dropped things or fired as we flew along. They were only gooks, slopes, chinks and so what. The dead ones were always VC.
No one likes to think about what happened in Nam. Easiest thing in the world is to forget or gloss it over or to become outraged that some rich son-of-a-bitch like Kerry would make up stories that call "all" Vietnam veterans baby killers. Well he never did. And he never would. Odd isn't it how no one paid any attention to his testimony for 33 years.
He went and served with honor. He came home and he had the guts to testify before the Congress of the United States which was his duty and his right. We took an oath to Protect and Defend the Constitution of The United States. We did not take an oath to protect and defend Lyndon Johnson or Richard Nixon or George W. Bush or anybody else. He DID report the atrocities. He DID talk about the lies and the nonsense that were that war that continued to take the lives of America's finest young men and women. God Bless him for it.
We were sent into an impossible situation and we did the very best we knew how to do. All gave some. Some gave all. And some of us went a little nuts in the process. And from their graves those who sent us now have us fighting each other, attacking each other, calling each other names, defending this side or that. Well, I wonÕt attack those who went and served. I see them on the street corners shouting to Heaven. I see them in thousand dollar suits leading industry and the nation. I see them in VA hospitals. I see them everywhere. All colors, all stripes, all manner of Brothers and Sisters who served. I might agree or disagree with them but I wonÕt attack them. THEY went when called. YOU went when called. God Bless you all.
Soothsayer 67-68
Tom Shanahan
Phoenix, AZ USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 11:31:11 (MST)
Fred S.-I know where your mind is right now having lost my father last summer, and it will be along time before the skys are clear again. It sounds like your family is solid and you know this family is-so we're here and our prayers go out for all. Gently
Gently
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 11:00:45 (MST)
The Other Side of the Wall
Reflections by Lee Teter
At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that BLACK GRANITE WALL. Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my
Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some that
come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes towards that war that we were involved in have changed. I can only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something and more Walls as this one needn't be built.
Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it.
The tears aren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back.
Don't feel guilty for not being with me, my Brothers. This was my destiny as
it is yours, to be on that side of the Wall.
Touch the Wall,
my Brothers, so that we can share in the memories that we had. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and
remember only the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out there to come and visit me, not to say Good Bye but to
say Hello and be together again, even for a short time and to ease that
pain of loss that we all share.
Today,
an irresistable and loving call comes from the Wall. As I approach I can see an elderly lady and as I get closer I recognize her.
.......It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day, I have also dreaded it because I didn't know what reaction I would
have.
Next to her,
I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it must have been for her to come to this place and my mind floods with the
pleasant memories of 30 years past. There's a young man in a military uniform standing with his arm around her......
My God!......
It's...it has to be my son. Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in
his eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight
and proud in his uniform.
Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to
this side of the Wall and through our touch, I try to convey to her
that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain. I see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch the Wall and she
approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand.
All the emotions,
feelings and memories of three decades past flash between our touch
and I tell her that it's alright. Carry on with your life and don't worry about me......
I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me and a big burden has been lifted from her.
I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky
charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO, a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a
child and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my
wife. One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud
of and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he had probably earned his in the
deserts of Iraq.
I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to take a mental picture of them together, because I don't know when I will see them
again.
I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Momma near the Wall
for one final touch and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow are let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears that had not flowed
for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other side of the Wall.
They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder. My son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud
in front of me and snaps a salute. Something makes him move to the Wall and he puts his hand upon the Wall and touches my tears that had
formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence there and the pride and the LOVE that I have for him. He
falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I try my best
to reassure him that it's alright and the tears do not make him any less
of a man. As he moves back
wiping the tears from his eyes, he silently mouths,
God Bless you, Dad....
God Bless YOU, Son......
We WILL meet
someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way......
There is no hurry.......
There is no hurry at all.
As I see them walk off in the distance,
I yell out to THEM and
EVERYONE there today, as loud as I can,.........
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING
and as others on this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the US Flag that so proudly flys in front of us everyday,
is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today..................................
THANK YOU ALL
FOR
REMEMBERING.........
.
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 10:14:49 (MST)
Billboard: 1950, Leonard Chess releases on his own label, Muddy Watters, "Rolling Stone" Good to see you back , Fred, Trust that I am here to assist in your Mothers Fight. Anything you need? Just say the word ," My Brother".
Baron
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 06:08:20 (MST)
Again, thanks for the out-pouring of prayers and concern................I just read a "upbeat article" in the USA Today newspaper.....This is long but, great article. Maybe the 60`s and 70`s were not so bad.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kids are listening to their parents Their parents' music, that is Young fans open ears, minds and wallets to rock's roots ...........
By Edna Gundersen...........
USA TODAY.............
Jamie Horton, 14, considers himself a fairly savvy music-loving teen. The Los Angeles ninth-grader trawls the Internet for rock discoveries and totes an iPod packed with 3,000 tunes.
His favorite band? Queen. Not late-'90s rock outfit Queens of the Stone Age, not late-'80s metal band Queensryche and certainly not latter-day rap diva Queen Latifah.
Jamie reveres the glam-metal British quartet that flourished in the '70s with mock operatic Bohemian Rhapsody and the anthemic We Will Rock You.
''I don't like new wannabe punk like Good Charlotte,'' he says. ''Led Zeppelin was the first old band I liked. Then Pink Floyd. Now it's The Who and Queen.''
One contemporary band that he does appreciate is U.K. sensation The Darkness. Why? ''They're similar to Queen.''
Jamie is not alone in his obsession with the sounds of the '60s and '70s. Though difficult to quantify, the trend of youngsters craving oldies seems to be gaining momentum. Kids are snatching up Beatles and Led Zeppelin discs, flocking to ZZ Top and Steve Miller concerts, researching the troubled histories of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Sabbath and scouring their parents' record collections for Jimi Hendrix licks and Allman Brothers Band jams.
''I could be some of those people's grandpa,'' singer Gregg Allman, 56, says of his band's current flock. Celebrating its 35th year of touring and recording, the Allmans just wrapped up a nine-night stand at New York's Beacon Theater after releasing new double live album One Way Out. ''We see kids out there, and we still have hippies,'' Allman says. ''I don't see a gap between generations. It's all ages, all types. Kids usually say, 'I found out about you from my dad.' Or they ask for an autograph for their mama. That makes you feel dated, but we welcome them with open arms.''
Wed to a rootsy blues-rock tradition, the Southern group never pandered to a younger demo, and Allman suspects it's that purity that drew teens to the fold.
''To last this long, you have to be the real thing,'' he says. ''I don't have any gimmicks or fancy clothes or firecrackers. That stuff never crossed our minds. Genuine rock 'n' roll -- the right phrasing of a drum beat and a bass guitar -- can move your soul.''
Allman and brother Duane, who died in 1971, found their direction by searching for the roots of music that flowered in the '60s. ''We wanted to see what we missed, so we found Robert Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy,'' he says. ''That's what kids are doing now, seeing where stuff came from.''
'Yeah yeah yeah' to the Beatles
Beatles historian Martin Lewis began spotting a young wave of Fab Four fanaticism as emcee of Beatlefan conventions the past 14 years. Boomers constituted half of the audience in 1990. Now 75% of attendees are under 30, and many barely in their teens.
As marketing consultant for The Beatles Anthology, he met with label execs plotting campaigns targeting fans 45 and up. ''I've got news for you,'' Lewis told them. ''I'm the oldest guy at Beatlefan conventions.''
Sure enough, a marketing survey showed that the under-30 constituency scooped up 40% of the first Anthology run. ''I've interviewed those kids,'' Lewis says. ''I've said, 'Surely you'd rather listen to Justin Timberlake. Why are you here? Were you forced by your parents?' But they chose to be there.''
Teens saying ''yeah yeah yeah'' to The Beatles proves ''we've sold younger kids short,'' says James Austin, vice president of A&R at Rhino/WMG, which specializes in reissues and retrospectives. ''We tend to think they like only what's popular on radio.''
In repackaging early rock, targeting fortysomethings was until recently his key strategy.
''In the past year, I've been asking myself how we can reach these younger fans,'' he says. ''They're a hidden bonus. Kids today are a lot more sophisticated and more open than anyone realizes.''
Catalog sales were up 17% last week over the corresponding week in 2003 and so far this year are 7.6% ahead of last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Classic rock accounts for a sizable chunk of the pop catalog chart, which tracks all albums more than three years old.
Although SoundScan doesn't identify buyers by age, industry observers detect a significant upswing of teen interest in oldies. The experts point to several factors that explain the trend of forward-thinking cyber kids reaching backward for music:
* Shifting attitudes. Self-respecting baby boomers dismissed their parents' Al Jolson, Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra records as corny and dated. Kids now exhibit broader tastes rather than the Mod-or-Rocker mentality that divided British Invasion devotees.
''As long as it's good music, it doesn't bother me that my dad likes it too,'' Jamie says. ''He took me to The Who, and that was easily the best concert I've been to.''
He favors the ''big music'' of seminal rock because ''the guitars wailed and lyrics had more meaning. Queen went overboard on everything. You don't hear singers like Freddie Mercury anymore.'' Mercury died in 1991. Jamie was 2.
In the '60s, coming of age meant reinventing pop culture, rejecting heritage and distrusting anyone older than 30. Not so now.
''There's not so much peer pressure to identify with a particular genre or even generation of music,'' says Jeremy Hammond, head of artist development at Sanctuary Records. ''It's much more about defining one's own unique tastes. Back then, you had to choose a lifestyle associated with a genre. In England, you were in a gang of rockers or skinheads or Mods. Potheads wanted psychedelic music. Those boundaries are gone.''
Classic-rock icons, like classical composers, defy fashion and ''overshadow any perceptions of coolness,'' he says.
* New bands plowing an old field. Hip emerging bands freely emulate and name-check musical ancestors, kindling fan interest.
''So many new bands are flashing back,'' says Sean Ross of Edison Media Research. ''White Stripes, The Darkness and Jet; it's all AC/DC. As music gets retro, kids get curious about the real thing.''
When rising rock stars rave about The Kinks, sport Hendrix T-shirts or cover Bob Dylan songs, young fans investigate those roots, says Craig Kallman, president of Atlantic Records, home of the Led Zeppelin vault and current sensation The Darkness.
''We're seeing a resurgence of bands that have been inspired by the greatest rock bands of all time,'' Kallman says. ''The Darkness embodies the spirit of Queen, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC with fundamentals that made those bands huge: great songs, a fantastic front man, incredible musicianship and a sense of fun. They counter the dark, angry, self-loathing nu-metal that has dominated alternative rock for so long.''
Flamboyant rock stars, blistering guitar solos and hard-rock bombast ''all went by the wayside as rap-metal took shape in the '90,'' Kallman says. When bands like The Darkness and Jet arrived, ''the spontaneity, creativity, freedom and energy, all the elements that made rock such a defining sound, cut through to kids.''
* Easy access. Classic rock is not only ubiquitous -- in TV ads, reissues, reunion tours, soundtracks, copycat bands and recycled hits -- but it's also instantly available. An obscure tune is only a few keystrokes away. ''The Internet has turbo-charged the renewed interest in great bands of the past,'' Kallman says.
Finding rare gems used to mean scouring used record stores, garage sales and classifieds. Paid downloads and illegal file-sharing allow easy sampling and cherry-picking. Among the more popular digital tracks, according to SoundScan: Elvis Presley's A Little Less Conversation, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes and Elton John's Tiny Dancer.
''Kids want to experiment, and technology facilitates that,'' Austin says. ''They don't have to shell out 18 bucks to try something. They can preview a track for 30 seconds, and buy it for 99 cents. I'm a big fan of the record store, but it's going to be a dinosaur.''
Likewise for ''stagnant'' radio's narrow formats that don't cater to youth's eclectic palate, Austin says.
''Young listeners are reaching for something else, and they often find it in the past. Don't be surprised if they start checking out Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney.''
The Internet has turned grass-roots movements into brushfires as info-age addicts steer search engines toward rock's back roads. It's a phenom that recharges the fan bases of such perennials as the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, David Bowie, Steve Miller and Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose best-of album is a fixture on Billboard's catalog chart.
''We started out appealing to the working-class blue-collar audience, and now we see their kids at our shows,'' Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington says, noting that teens in attendance aren't rookies.
''They know the words to every song, old or new, and they know our whole history,'' he says, referring to the deaths of three players in a 1977 plane crash. ''I hear from younger fans who learn about us from the Internet or VH1 or their parents or maybe something Kid Rock said about us.''
* The riches of rock's golden era. Few modern-era albums linger long on the catalog chart, but hits sets and vintage landmarks, especially Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (listed for an unprecedented 1,390 weeks), show exceptional staying power. Perennials include Bob Marley's Legend, AC/DC's Back in Black and Queen's Greatest Hits. The Beatles, Dylan, Rolling Stones and Zeppelin are reliable sellers.
Why are kids taking nostalgia trips to their parents' playgrounds? Zeppelin's bait, says Kallman, is ''mythic lifestyles and iconic personas. The music is grandiose and gentle, shaped by blues and heavy metal and textured by British folk and California psychedelia.''
Plus, ''they turned the amps up and played as loud as they could,'' says Jeffrey Logan, a junior at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, where he founded a Zeppelin fan club called Led Heads.
Members gather to share and analyze classic rock on MP3s, burned CDs and DVDs. Though he admires such modern acts as the White Stripes, Jet, Green Day and Offspring, Jeffrey worships Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Who, The Beatles and similar vets. And he has a whole lotta love for Led Zeppelin.
''Every single song had a unique and flamboyant riff,'' Jeffrey says. ''I love the crazy guitar and Robert Plant's screaming voice. Their music is unpredictable and outrageous. It's a lost genre. We formed this club to spread the word.''
Jeffrey, 17, doesn't mind that his heroes were also his parents' faves and that many of them are dead or eligible for Social Security. ''They're just very cool old people,'' he says, adding wistfully, ''I wish they were still young so I could experience them in their heyday. Music back in the day was about the sound, not about the image like it is now. New bands like Simple Plan and Rooney are kind of repetitive and wimpy. It's all going downhill.''
* The paucity of contemporary rock idols. Oldies fill a void, says Kristin Clarke of Park Ridge, Ill.
''Before I listened to classic rock, there was nothing I really liked,'' says the Lincoln Middle School eighth-grader. ''Every new band has one good song and the rest of the CD is garbage. On old rock albums, every song is great. I'm always hitting the repeat button.''
Kristin, 13, got hooked through her brother's AC/DC and Kiss records, Pink Floyd cliques at school and Chicago's classic rock station, WLUP (The Loop).
''At first it was weird, but I became totally addicted,'' she says. ''Aerosmith's my favorite. I think Steven Tyler is the coolest. Their stuff sounds so good, who cares how old they are? It's just fun.''
Fun is one lure drawing young Americans to rock's golden years.
Today's music 'clouded by cynicism'
''Look at (the late Who drummer) Keith Moon's cheeky impudence,'' says Beatles expert Lewis. ''Eddie Vedder's image suggests he'd cancel a tour if he broke a fingernail, it would be such a trauma. So much of original music today is clouded by cynicism, a blasŽ attitude, irony and flippancy.
''Young people like to feel uplifted, but the culture has a sneer on its face so they turn to music, albeit frozen in time, that has an exuberant optimism. Artists in the '60s and to a degree in the '70s dared to hope, perhaps naively, that things could get better. Teens should be joyous and optimistic. There's plenty of time to be bitter and twisted later.''Please
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 05:11:33 (MST)
Fred, I would also like to pass along best wishes for your Mom. I hope everyone else is doing good.... Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 21:01:22 (MST)
Yaw Gently that was him. I kinda liked him. Frank
Frank Loveday
Bastrop, La USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 20:04:43 (MST)
Best wishes to your mom and your whole family Fred. Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 18:19:16 (MST)
Fred, My best wishes that Ruby keeps an eye on your mom..........Casey
Matt Casey
Hemet, Ca USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 17:50:59 (MST)
Was that little guy with the big ears, Ross Perot?? :>))) Gently
Gently
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 15:05:44 (MST)
Where is Pat Paulson when we need him.
jim
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 14:34:45 (MST)
I kinda wish the little guy with the big ears was running again even if he was on the paranaoidal side. Frank
Frank Loveday
Bastrop, La USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 13:45:51 (MST)
Fred: Your Mother is in our thoughts and prayers!!1 Alex
Alex
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 12:48:27 (MST)
Fred: Sue is correct Jan was the one in the car wreck. Take Care Brothers and Sisters. Alex
Alex
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 12:43:22 (MST)
S%&t, I cant even get my own email address right...fatien1@aol.com
jim
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 10:39:32 (MST)
FRED, the one that was in the car accident was the same one who died.ALVIS send me an email I have a picture Kerry joke for you...fatien@aol.com
jim
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 08:12:59 (MST)
And while we discuss Kerry, our youth are being killed because Suddam had(has) weapons of mass destruction. Remember? They're all lairs. I'm going with the lesser of two evils-Kerry-though he was never my first choice. Gently
Gently
USA - Monday, March 29, 2004 at 07:24:52 (MST)
I believe it was Jan who was in the car accident and was never the same after that. Sad story. Fred S...your mom is still in my thoughts. Take care...
Sue
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 23:43:13 (MST)
Fred Alvis, First thing...sounds like you need a "labor union" in there at Lowes. Then they couldn`t change your "work schedule" without a two week notice. Then you could go fishin when you want to. Kim, sounds like your right, but they usually come in on the web-site, when we are not putting stories on here. When it`s silent in here. Damn, we can`t get a straight flight from Raleigh to Columbus. I either have to change in Pittsburg or Dulles(D.C.). I`m driving next week-end, I can do it in 6 1/2 or 7 hours depending on traffic. Thanks again ladies and gentlemen for all your prayers and concern. Which one of Jan and Dean was in a bad car accident back in the 60`s and almost killed themselves? One of them was.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 21:27:45 (MST)
LOts of us have done lots of things, some we're proud of, others??????? My issue is one of hipocracy, it's ok while it's part of a "youthful indescretion", it's different when we're "responsible adults" bush, 2000. I took a few minutes and read the past postings, and I have no more use for the ghost writer than you have. I think it's some wanderer who just like to drop in, al a mugu, and stir the shit.
Tom, I don't know what kind of company commander you had, my feeling was that Johnny Durdin had no love for us gunnies, and would have shot down any reccomdations we could have made. He was quite upset with us when we hovered around with the searchlights and landing lights on one night, looking for a contact in the wire. Accused us of being 'glory hounds'!!! Hovered is not the right term, slow flight is more accurate!
Kim
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 20:26:40 (MST)
sad note to report. Jan Berry, of jan and Dean,is dead at age 62. Deadmans curve, surf city,little old lady from pas...ect. r.i.p.
alvis vvak
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 18:45:04 (MST)
Reading thru the paper this Sunday morning and I found this written in the Vent section: "My Heroes are the helicopter pilots, crew chiefs and gunners who served in Vietnam under fire on a daily basis. Most just thought they were doing their jobs and never thought to put themselves in for medals. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 28, 2004 in the Metro Section
Tom Pedersen
Lawrenceville, GA USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 18:14:06 (MST)
glad you let me know how you feel about that,as I am also a X coke head,among other things. alvis, member of vietnam veterans against kerry (vvak)
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 16:17:43 (MST)
Kim, never said I liked Bush, but would rather have him than hanio John. Thinking i should refrain from this subject, it upsets lots of folks, including me.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 15:59:18 (MST)
Freddy, prayers said again, hoping for the best for your mom.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 15:56:28 (MST)
Eight years of peace and prosperity......Scandal in the White House......Election is what we need....From coast to coast to Washington.......So America voted on a President....No one kept count....On how the election went.....From Florida to Washington..."God Damn" said one side....And the other said the same.....Both looked pretty guilty.....But no one took the blame.......From coast to coast to Washington.....So a new man in the White House......With a familiar name....Said he had some "fresh idea`s"....But it`s worse now since he came.......From Texas to Washington.....And he wants to fight with many....And he says it`s not for oil......He sent out the Army.....To police the world.....From Bagdad to Washington......What is the thought process.....To take a human life......What would be the reason......To think this is right.......From Heaven to Washington.....From Jesus Christ to Washington.......
John Mellencamp
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 15:19:02 (MST)
Fred S. Good thoughts and well wishes for your mom.....Alvis, I was trying to stay non political on this site, but......anyone who wants to love a draft dodging coke head is welcome to, that's what georgie boy is to me..wealth and privelege got him a safe billet, doing what most of us aviators dream of being able to do, play warld war fighter ace, without getting shot at. I have my doubts about Kerry, but, at least he was there....I can't say what he did or didn't do, I didn't walk in his shoes. I was shaped , along with my views of the 'glory of war', by mine, as you were yours.
Kim
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 11:56:57 (MST)
Just a quick check in. Praying for your mom and family Fred. And as for me I care and it matter to those of the greatest generation that had there boys over there. You just never see any of it in the media...but I don't think ANY of the politicians care about anyone but of course themselfs and special intrests. The "guy" who started this political stuff should be kicked...its not the place for it. Personally I think both choices are rotten. Hope all have a good week.
Melody Pershall
Amarillo, TX USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 10:26:14 (MST)
I was thinking about Fred and his mom yesterday, thinking that no news is good news. Well, today I see that the news is more frightening than we thought. We have to trust the doctors to do the best possible job and take it one day at a time. When my dad was diagnosed with terminal gastric cancer, out of the blue, it devastated me. My family is small. I have only a younger brother. I lived one day at a time and prayed a lot. We "Baby Boomers" are at the stage in life when our parents are getting older and medical problems become a reality. Hang in there, Fred. You and your mother are in my thoughts. I'll give you a call when you get back to NC.
Sue
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 09:59:25 (MST)
Morning Flight, I`m broadcasting from my brother`s house in Mt.Vernon,Ohio, we just came up here to pick-up a few things. Plus he has computer. Well my mother is in more serious condition than she potrayed to us kids. My mom had cancer of the unterus(sp) and cervix in 1962 and they removed evrything then. Throwing her into menopause at the age of 32, but she made it thru life dealing with it. Now they have found what us kids thought was a "pimple" on her leg, that`s what what mom told us kids. Well they found a positive hit in the "private area" and they are sending her to The James Cancer Center at Ohio State University. So it`s more serious than SHE told us. We are kinda freaked out right now. My wife and sister-in-laws are with her in Columbus, and getting ready to go the Cancer Center this Thursday to find out if it`s going to be more surgery and therapy. My Mother-In-Law and my brother and sister-in-law are going with her Thursday, my wife and I have to be back in N.C., so we will fly home tonight. But we will come back next week-end and drive home then. So thank all of you for your prayers, I`m sure she will need them. BTW....POLITICS is the least of my worries right now, but I`ll take a shot when I get in the right frame of mind. Just a hint, if you don`t make a $250,000 a year and don`t have a strong portfolio of investments, it`s economics and outsourcing that should be taken seriously. As far as Nam Vet status....it never meant a thing to the "greatest generation" and don`t mean a thing to the "generation X`ers". In their eyes it was a "unpopular war" and we were and still are losers in their eyes. Shit....I`m more upset NOW than I was before I got on here. Thanks again for your prayers.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 07:58:07 (MST)
good morning all, off to work,my schedual was changed yet again.( so much for fishing today).Freddy, hope this post finds you and your mom in good health. (bless all moms).
alvis, v.v.a.k.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 05:26:27 (MST)
It amazes me how politicians use their experiences to validate themselves and how we as people of the greatest nation in the world will go along with some of those ideas or montras. What makes me feel sick to my stomach is exactly the fact that Kerry, if being considerate to other Viet Nam Veterans merely stated that he served, didn't like it, and moved on with an impressive record would be an honorable thing to do. I feel that he brings dishonor to many Viet Nam Veterans (as well he brings dishonnor to all veterans). Instead of taking some good credit for good things he did, his Spin Doctors are merely trying to drive the opponent into the ground. Again while doing so, he is breaking the hearts of good people who went and did what their country asked (and in some cases told). It is attitudes like this that perpetuates the protests of this current war and villifies today's soldiers who are serving their country. No one cared that our former president took part in burning this country's flag (because after all that is free speech (sarcasm). To me the bottom line is yeah Kerry desrves respect for his actions but he does not have to act like he is the only righteous Viet Nam Vet. If his opponent was not a Vet from the Viet Nam era, His service might not be more than a mention. He could have used his service to our country as a platform to bring Healing to Viet Nam Veterans who have been waiting for a long time for that. Instead he uses it to earn points with all the old time war protesters and generation X'ers who for some reason love to despise our current president.
Tom
Dover, De USA - Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 02:01:15 (MST)
sorry folks, but I am a little pissed by this kerry crap, so let me post the following, i wont do it again....This is written by a vietnam hero who is also a writer. Just some
> > >thoughts to ponder -
> > >
> > >Letter to John Kerry:
> > >
> > >My wife had rotator cuff surgery earlier this year, and the recovery
> > >is terribly painful Then, she developed a staph-epi infection, and
> > >they had to cut the same scar open and operate on her again. Just
> > >thinking about the pain and anxiety of facing that painful surgery a
> > >second time in the same wound, makes me cringe. That experience,
> > >however pales in comparison to what I am going through right now, in
> > >my heart. The old hurts are surfacing and the feelings of betrayal by
>
> > >fellow citizens, and their leader stirring them up, are breaking my
> > >heart again. I am being cut in the same scar.
> > >
> > >How did we who served in Vietnam suddenly become cold-blooded
> > >killers, torturers, and rapists, similar to the Nazi SS or the
> > >Taliban?
> > >
> > >Most of us were American soldiers who grew up idolizing John Wayne,
> > >Roy Rogers, and all the other heroes. That was why I volunteered.
> > >But for Political expediency, you have rewritten history, again.
> > >After spending only four months in the country of Vietnam, you
> > >testified before Congress in 1971 with these exact words about
> > >incidents you supposedly witnessed or heard about from other vets:
> > >"They personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from
>
> > >portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut
> > >off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed
> > >villages, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and
> > >generally ravaged the countryside of South Vietnam."
> > >
> > >I was a green beret officer who volunteered for duty in Vietnam and
> > >Fought in the thick of it in 1968 and 1969 on a Special Forces A-team
>
> > >on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, just for starters. We were the elite. We
> > >saw the most action.
> > >
> > >Everybody in the world knows that. But we did not just kill people,
> > >we built a church, a school, treated illnesses, passed out soap,
> > >food, and clothing, and had fun and loving interaction with the
> > >indigenous people of Vietnam, just like our boys did in Normandy,
> > >Baghdad, Saigon, and everywhere American soldiers ever served. We all
>
> > >gave away our candy bars and rations to kids. Opened our hearts to
> > >oppressed people all over the globe.
> > >
> > >My children and grandchildren could read your words, and think those
> > >horrendous things about me, Mr. Kerry. You are a bold-faced,
> > >unprincipled liar, and a disgrace, and you have dishonored me and all
>
> > >my fellow Vietnam veterans.
> > >
> > >Sure, there were a couple bad-apples, but I saw none, and I saw it
> > >all, and if I did, as an army officer, it was my obligation to stop
> > >it, or at the very least report it. Why is there not a single record
> > >anywhere of you ever reporting any incidents like this or having the
> > >perpetrators arrested? The answer is simple. You are a liar. Your
> > >medals and mine are not a free pass for lifetime, Senator Kerry, to
> > >bypass character, integrity, and morality. I earn my green beret over
>
> > >and over daily in all aspects of my life.
> > >
> > >Eight National Guard green berets, and other National Guard soldiers,
>
> > >have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and you totally dishonored
> > >their widows and families by lumping National Guard service in with
> > >being a draft-dodger, conscientious objector, and deserter, just so
> > >you can try to sabotage the patriotism of our President who proudly
> > >served as an Air National Guard jet pilot.
> > >
> > >I have a son earning his green beret at Fort Bragg right now, and his
>
> > >wife serves honorably in the Air National Guard, just like President
> > >Bush did, and I am as proud of her as I am my son. I volunteered for
> > >Vietnam and have no problem whatsoever with President Bush being our
> > >Commander-In-Chief. In fact, I am proud of him as our leader.
> > >
> > >John Kerry, you personally derailed the Vietnam Human rights Bill,
> > >HR2883, in 2001, after it had passed the House by a 411 to 1 vote,
> > >and thousands of pro-American Montagnard tribespeople in Vietnam died
>
> > >since then who could have been saved, by you. Earlier, as Chair of
> > >the Senate Select Committee on MIA/POW Affairs, you personally
> > >quashed the efforts of any and all veterans to report sightings of
> > >living POW's, when you held those reins in Congress. You have fought
> > >tooth and nail to push for the US to normalize relations with Vietnam
>
> > >for years.
> > >
> > >Why, Mr. Kerry? Simple, your first cousin C. Stewart Forbes, CEO,
> > >of Colliers International, recently signed a contract with Hanoi,
> > >worth BILLIONS of dollars for Collier's International to become the
> > >exclusive real estate representative for the country of Vietnam.
> > >
> > >"Hanoi John," now that it works for you, you beat your chest about
> > >your Vietnam service, but to me, you are a phony, opportunistic,
> > >hypocrite.
> > >
> > >You are one of those politicians that is like a fertilizer machine:
> > >all that comes out of you is horse manure, and you are spreading it
> > >everywhere.
> > >
> > >Medals do not make a man. Morals do.
> > >
> > >Don Bendell Canon City, Colorado
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Don Bendell served as an officer in Four Special Forces Groups, is a
> > >best-selling author with over 1,500,000 Books in print, a 1995
> > >inductee into the International Karate Hall of Fame, and owns karate
> > >schools in southern Colorado.
> > >
> > >In the 60's, Kerry spoke at a anti-vietnam Rally and with great
> > >dramatic flair, he threw away his vietnam metals. It received a lot
> > >of press.
> > >
> > >One problem, Kerry later admitted they weren't his metals - He had
> > >left his at home, but he would have definitely thrown them away if
> > >only he had not forgotten to bring them with him - definitely would
> > >have - if only. One catch - He still has the metals and made the
> > >mistake of sharing that fact recently.
> > >
> > >I guess it's tough to remember those dramatic moments - especially
> > >when you may have had a less than noble agenda.
> > >
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:34:47 (MST)
evening flight, pictures of "the Bridge" are in the gallery listed under "BRIDGE" the crew chief was Les Sprague. Les is the one that kept me sane while I was in the 129th. he transfered to maint. shortly after the crash so he and I were in the same hooch. and the aircraft was 68-15371. it is on page 2 of my website and also listed here on the 129th site at http://www.129th.net/68-15371.html it has the whole story about the crash. have a great weekend ,,,,,, Trike is coming along :-D Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:33:13 (MST)
Fred Scaggs, fingers crossed and prayers said.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:27:48 (MST)
jim crow, you need to get the facts straight. Mark, can you ask the site manager to look up and indentify the dick head that posted all that crap,then bar him ,and best of all, let us know who it is?
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:25:53 (MST)
hanoa john IS NOT a hero, period..# purple hearts without spending one minute in a dispesery,nor one drop of blood.in 3 months? dont make me laugh. he hit his head on a beam or something?IN my opinion, jf kerry is a tratiorous bastard.His testomony in 71 proves he is a bald face liar.Hanoia kerry threw someone elses medals over the fence...he forgot his that day..(yea right),now the hang on the wall of his office.He told congress that we killed pets,dogs,kids, chopped off ears and heads..many more hings, but did he,as an officer ,report it? hmmmm?sorry folks,people thinking kerry is a hreo pisses me off.He served 3 months over there,went home 8 months early, called nam vets children killers, thus helpimg n. vietnam and making things harder on the pow's.hero my ass.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:20:24 (MST)
dont be a dick like who ever posted all that political crap.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:08:03 (MST)
Warning, Do NOT click on murheads (cherry) addy under his post.It leads straight to porno sites.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:06:11 (MST)
Two robins were sitting in a tree.
"I'm really hungry," said the first one. "Let's
fly down and find some lunch."
They flew down to the ground and found a nice
plot of newly plowed ground that was full of worms.
They ate and ate and ate till they could eat no more.
"I'm so full, I don't think I can fly back up into the
tree," said the first one.
"Let's just lay back here and bask in the warm sun,"
said the second.
"O K," said the first.
So they plopped down, basking in the sun. No
sooner than they had fallen asleep, when a big
fat tomcat up and gobbled them up.
As the cat sat washing his face after his meal,
he thought...
(you're gonna like this one)
"I JUST LOVE BASKIN ROBINS."
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 21:00:42 (MST)
Fred S. , sorry to hear of your Mom's condition, hope she is able to recover well & i will say prayers for her.
>>>Jim
jim westwang71-72
sheridan wy, USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 17:23:33 (MST)
Those bridges you're all talking about wouldn't be what I call the Twin Bridges at Bong Son, would they? If so, they're pictured in the Gallery section under my name, first photo. There are two bridges side by side, one (the westerly) appears to be a railroad bridge. Prayers for your mom, Fred S.
Dave Powers
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 17:02:32 (MST)
This is Bulldog Cherry getting back at you all.
I see that you are talking about the Aircraft accident that happened jusm before I got to the 129th. The photos were taking by a Aircraft Commander who did not wish to fly under the Bridge as he told me I was too short. He asked The PIC John Stoner to wait until he got into postion so he could take the photos. Well they did not make it. There was a road bridge and a railroad bridge right next to each other and the road bridge was higher off the water than the railroad one. Stoner realized to late that he would not make it under the railway bridge and tried to pull up thus the accident. It was Helicopter #68-15317 and Stoner and Sp4 Bendor did not survive the crash. The pilot stayed in contact with some of the old bees and I think that he lost his foot after months of trying to save it. I dont remember who the Chief was but I flew with him as he survived with just a minor burn on his arm that he received pulling the pilot out of the wreck. The bridges were east of 26th Regiment Main CP but I dont know what names they went by. Also I was told that one weke before this wreck that a whole flight of Bulldog 2nd Platoon Aircraft flew under the bridges going from the east to the west. This crash took place going from the west to the east. the lowest bridge was to the east. I looked at both those bridges many many times and never had any desire to underfly either one of them. Also I think that I am having a problem with my internet connection. I have not received any mail from any one since 3-15-04. I also have been having some major personal problems so if I dont get back at you right away please understand. Skaggs and Snapper I am still hoping that you might locate some old photos of me. Hang in there all my brothers from the 129th. Regards Bulldog Cherry.
Dick Muirhead
Susanville, Ca USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 12:07:22 (MST)
Top Ten Coservative Idiots Of The Week>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1) George W. Bush.....
If you need any more evidence that the Bush Administration was looking for any excuse to go to war against Iraq, here it is. Appearing on the CBS News program "60 minutes," Richard Clarke, the former top anti-terrorism advisor to George W. Bush, said that on September 11, 2001, "The president dragged me into a room with a couple of other people, shut the door, and said, 'I want you to find whether Iraq did this.'" After Clarke explained that the government had already looked into it and found no conection to Iraq, Dubya responded (as only Dubya could), "Iraq! Saddam! Find out if there's a connection." Clarke got the very clear impression that Bush was trying to intimdiate Clarke into giving the answer which Bush wanted to hear. So, the FBI and the CIA got together and wrote a report which basically stated that Iraq was not involved in the 9/11 attacks. When it was sent to the National Security Advisor, Clarke says that the report "got bounced and sent back saying, 'Wrong answer. ... Do it again.'" Of course, this revelation should come as no surprise to any non-biased observer with an ounce of sense. Anyone can see that Bush would have given his left testicle for an excuse to attack Iraq. 3,000 Americans were killed in cold blood, and this sick bastard uses it as an opportunity to settle a score for his daddy, using totally fabricated evidence. Disgusting.
2) Donald Rumsfeld......
But of course, Bush wasn't the only person responsible for this disaster. The "60 minutes" interview with Richard Clarke showed that Donald Rumsfeld was probably even more jazzed about attacking Iraq than his boss was. According to Clarke, on the day after 9/11 Rumsfeld was arguing that the U.S. needed to attack Iraq. The intelligence community, of course, explained that al Qaeda was in Afghanistan, not Iraq. To which Rumsfeld responded with perhaps the single most idiotic justification ever for attacking another country: He said that there weren't any good targets in Afghanistan, but there are lots of good targets in Iraq. What the hell? So now the United States of America invades other countries because they've got lots of good targets? These people are sick, sick, sick!
3) Donald Rumsfeld (again)........
Fortunately, Don ended up looking quite the ass last week when MoveOn.org released a video of his lying, hypocritical performance on Face The Nation. See, for a while now the Bushies have been trying to push the idea that nobody used the phrase "immediate threat" in reference to Iraq - and they seem to have started believing their own lies. Said Rumsfeld on FTN: "You and a few other critics are the only people I've heard use the phrase 'immediate threat.' I didn't... and it's become kind of folklore that that's what happened." Oh really? Team Bush seems to specialize in folklore and rewriting history - but Thomas Friedman called them on it this time, reading a direct quote from Rumsfeld himself, made on September 18, 2002: "Some have argued that the nuclear threat from Iraq is not imminent, that Saddam is at least five to seven years away from having nuclear weapons. I would not be so sure." Responded Rumsfeld, "Well, I've tried to be precise and I've tried to be accurate..." Yeah, right. Obviously you haven't been trying very hard, Don. But if that quote wasn't quite incriminating enough, Friedman immediately presented Rumsfeld with more of his own words, also from September 18, 2002: "No terror state poses a greater or more immediate threat to the security of our people and the stability of the world than the regime of Saddam Hussein." For a good laugh (followed, unfortunately, by a sinking feeling of utter disgust at the brazen lies of the Bush administration) check out the video. The look on Rumsfeld's face is priceless.
4) Team Bush..........
We all know how much George W. Bush wants to spread democracy around the world. Unless of course it's a "bad democracy" like Haiti, or a "good dictatorship" like Pakistan, or Saudi Arabia. But believe it or not, it seems that Bush also believes in turning a blind eye to democracy if it means he can get a good deal on some cheap sweaters. Back in July of 2003, Bush signed a bill and issued an executive order which would ban the import of products from Myanmar, aka Burma, in order to punish the country's military leadership for cracking down on pro-democracy movements. "By denying these rulers the hard currency they use to fund their repression, we are providing strong incentives for democratic change and human rights in Burma," said Bush. Oh yeah? It was discovered last week that Our Great Leader has been flogging campaign clothing on his website with a rather revealing tag attached - "Made in Myanmar." But as usual, the Responsibility President has placed the blame squarely on someone else, this time the company that shipped the pullovers, Spalding Group of Louisville, Kentucky. I mean, come on. Clearly, it was not the Bush campaign's fault. How were they to know that they were selling illegally imported "Bush-Cheney '04" clothing thus propping up a freedom-hating dictatorship? Well, yes, okay. They could have read the labels.
5) Dennis Hastert and Henry Hyde...........
It looks like Spain has also joined the list of bad democracies following their general election two days after a series of terrorist bombings which killed more than 200 people in Madrid. The Spanish people chose to oust prime minster (and friend of Bush) JosŽ Mar’a Aznar, and that did not sit well with some U.S. lawmakers. "Here's a country who stood against terrorism and had a huge terrorist act within their country, and they chose to change their government and to, in a sense, appease terrorists," said House Speaker Dennis Hastert. "The vote in Spain was a great victory for al-Qaida," said Rep. Henry Hyde. What bullshit. The bombings in Spain were a great victory for al-Qaida, the election that followed was a victory for the Spanish people. Tossing around the suggestion that an entire nation are terrorist appeasers because they exercised their democratic rights is throroughly irresponsible - and Hastert and Hyde appear to have overlooked the staggeringly obvious conclusion that the Spanish electorate chose to get rid of the government which failed to protect them from terrorists. Why on earth would they want to re-elect the government which brought al-Qaida to their doorsteps? JosŽ Mar’a Aznar said that he would protect the Spanish people by dancing to the Bush administration's tune - and he failed spectacularly. Perhaps the new government will do a better job of stopping the killing.
6) Paul Wolfowitz............
But when it comes to Spain, Hastert and Hyde aren't the only conservatives putting their feet in their mouths - Paul Wolfowitz has been toeing the party line with equally disastrous results. Wolfowitz also thinks that the recent election in Spain is a sign that the Spanish people are in league with al-Qaida, but instead of sneering at their democratic process, he decided to try flattery instead: "The Spaniards are courageous people. I mean, we know it from their whole culture of bullfighting," said he during an interview with PBS last week. Way to stereotype an entire nation, Paul. "This is an ignorant comment," remarked Madrid firefighter Juan Carlos Yunquera. "For a top official, it shows he doesn't know what he's talking about." Said bartender Oliver Iglesias, "We are indeed very brave. But no one here likes the war in Iraq. And there's a big difference between killing a bull and killing a person." You know, I'm so glad that Bush has surrounded himself with highly accomplished foreign policy experts like Paul Wolfowitz. Their experience and class just comes shining through.
7) Rhea County, Tennessee, Commissioners.........
Do you ever wonder what happened to that county where they held the Scopes "Monkey Trial" back in 1925 to outlaw teaching evolution in schools? Me neither. But nearly 80 years later they're back in the news, and this time they're trying to outlaw gay people. You heard me right. The county commissioners of Rhea County, Tennessee, voted 8-0 last week in favor of charging gays and lesbians with crimes against nature. They also asked the county attorney to find a way to ban homosexuals from living in their county. According to commissioner J.C. Fugate, "We need to keep them out of here." Somehow, I have a feeling that there won't be many gays moving to Rhea county any time soon, but that's just a hunch. After a "wildfire" reaction against the measure, the county commision overturned their decision two days later. Attorney Gary Fritts explained "There has just been so much misunderstanding about this. It was to stop people from coming here and getting married and living in Rhea County." Actually, I don't think there was any misunderstanding at all.
8) Tracy Ammons and Michele Combs.............
Traditional marriage is under attack! But this time, it's by high-ranking officials in the Christian Coalition. Oh, the irony! Tracy Ammons, the former Senate lobbyist and outreach coordinator of the Christian Coalition of America, and Michele Combs, the organization's vice president for communications, are getting a divorce - and it's a nasty one. Combs has filed hardball civil claims against her husband Ammon unless Ammon will give up custody of their 3 1/2-year-old child. (Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Christian Coalition have something to say about kids needing two parents?) Combs also hired a private investigator to entrap Ammons in an infidelity sting. Meanwhile, Ammons has refused to pay $36,000 in support and legal fees to Combs, and was briefly put in jail. To top it all off, Combs' divorce is being bankrolled by Roberta Combs, the president of the Christian Coalition. And these are the people who are telling the rest of us who we can and cannot marry. I'm guessing that they blame the sucky state of their own marriages on all the loving, committed gay couples out there who want equal rights.
9) Republican Lawmakers...........
Oh the hypocrisy. According to the Los Angeles Times thirteen Republican members of Congress have written to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asking her to recuse herself from any cases involving abortion. Why? Because she is taking part in the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Distinguished Lecture Series, which is co-sponsored by the NOW legal defense fund, which sometimes files legal briefs before the Supreme Court. "As legislators, we believe your actions call into question your ability to rule with impartiality on any case involving abortion," said the letter. So let me get this straight - Ruth Bader Ginsburg should recuse herself from all abortion cases brought before the high court because she's going to give a few speeches which are being co-sponsored by the National Organization of Women, but Antonin "Quack Quack" Scalia can go on a quiet, private hunting trip with Dick Cheney before he hears a case which could directly affect Cheney's political future (see Idiots passim) - and that's perfectly okay? What rubbish.
10) The Bush Administration...............
And finally, here's another one for the "they'll do anything to win the election" file. We noted last week that Bush's top man on Medicare was warned he would be fired if he revealed how much the recently passed White House-backed Medicare bill would really cost - it turned out that the Bush administration knew all along that the bill would cost up to $150 billion more than lawmakers thought it would, but they kept quiet until the bill was passed. Anyway, it was revealed last week that the Bush administration recently produced a series of phony news reports lauding the bill, which were distributed to news stations who broadcast them as if they were real. Yup, the "honesty and integrity" administration used taxpayer money to create these "video news releases" which come complete with shots of Bush getting a standing ovation before signing the Medicare bill, "interviews" with HHS Tommy Thompson (reading off cue cards), a fake pharmacist agreeing with a fake customer that the new law sounds like a "very good idea," and paid actors playing the part of journalists. TV stations in several states then broadcast the segments as part of their regular news programming, their viewers completely unaware that they were watching government-produced propaganda. Mind you, what better way for a phony president to promote a phony bill than with a series of phony news reports? I guess 1984 was a good year for Republicans.
Don`t Be A " Dick" Like Cheney
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 10:39:30 (MST)
President Bush got some laughs at a Washington dinner when he spoofed the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but some family members of dead G.I.s said Thursday there was nothing funny about it.
Don`t Be A "Dick" Like Cheney
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 10:24:36 (MST)
For those blinded by partisan hatred, we need to review this one more time. John Kerry, regardless of his politics, his post-war antics, and his voting record, is a bona-fide national military hero, wounded numerous times in combat, and a recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star, as well as three Purple Hearts and, btw, personally saving another man's life. Period. End of story. While there are any number of Senators and Congressman who I wouldn't spit on if they were on fire, John Kerry is a hero, and there is nothing you can do to change that fact.
Jim Crow
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 10:13:28 (MST)
a time to kill and a time to heal,a time for war and a time for peace.
ecclesiastes3:2,3:8
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 08:36:09 (MST)
the song is nice, but we are the ones attacked.Vietnam veterans aint fonda kerry.War hero my ass.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 08:26:01 (MST)
You have made great planes to span the sky.....Gave sight to a blind man with another man`s eyes....Even made submerines stay submerged for weeks.......But it don`t make sense... You can`t make peace.......You take one man`s heart and make another man live....Even go to the moon and come back thrilled.....You can crush any country in a matter of weeks....But it don`t make sense.... You can`t make peace.....You can make a transfusion that can save a life.....Even change the darkness into broad daylight.....You can make a deaf man hear and a dumb man speak....But it don`t make sense that you can`t make peace.....
Robben Ford
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 07:38:19 (MST)
Reap what you sew, got to pay those dues, only our love will save us from the world war blues......Turn your TV on, check the six o`clock news, people dying got the world war blues, ain`t nobody winning, everyones gonna lose, only our love can save us from the world war blues......Somebody makin money, you can bet on that, come judgement day, they got to pay it all back, this world is burning on a bitter fuse, only our love can save us from the world war blues....
John Mayall
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 07:28:26 (MST)
helicopter folks are the mounted soliders of our day
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 05:43:17 (MST)
Its also a good helicopter poem,a cav guy sent it to me..alvis..they can sue me..
Fiddler's Green
Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen. Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
--------------------------------
The origin and author of Fiddlers' Green is unknown. It was believed to have
originated in the 1800's and was composed as a song sung by the soldiers of
the 6th and 7th Cavalry. Its first known appearance in published form was
in a 1923 Cavalry Journal.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 05:39:18 (MST)
Well come on all you big strong men Uncle Sam needs your help again, got himself in a terrible jam way down yonder in Vietnam,So put down your books and pick up a gun were gonna have a whole lotta fun.......
Country Joe and the Fish
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 21:15:11 (MST)
Sorry Alvis but "Fiddlers Green" is reserved, writted by & for Cav type troopers.
Frank
Frank Loveday
Bastrop, La. USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 20:33:34 (MST)
"Fiddlers Green" can be found on the Heli-vets page under Memorials........Hi all.Lilly, our 4 month old grand daughter had her surgery. All is well. She is home already. Freddie, Good news about your mother........be back later....always a brother, Mark
Mark
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 19:27:02 (MST)
Freddie, Praying for your Mom!
Jeff
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 18:09:09 (MST)
gently, I am going to try to find that poem about fiddlers green.It belongs in here and should be posted on certian dates. now let me think.....
alvis
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 17:11:11 (MST)
Thanks, Baron. No one said it would be easy. I guess some days are just a little harder to get through than others. I guess I wish the world were perfect and try too hard to make it so...but it just doesn't seem to make a difference. Fred...sounds like the situation with your mother may not be as bad as first thought. One day at a time, my friend. Know you are in my thoughts. Sometimes just feeling the support of friends makes a huge impact on how one views life. I hope I can meet you all this summer.
Sue
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 16:30:23 (MST)
Jerry Falwell was seated next to Former President Clinton on a recent flight. After the plane was airborne, the flight attendant came around for drink orders. The President asked for a whisky & soda, which was brought and placed before him. The attendant then asked the minister if he would also like a drink. The minister replied in disgust, "Ma'am, I'd rather be savagely raped by a brazen hobag than let liquor touch these lips!"
The President then handed his drink back to the attendant and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know there was a choice......"
I just had to get things back to a little more upbeat!!!!! My mother will be OK I think...my brothers both are there and they seem to think things will be fine
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 15:43:20 (MST)
Hang in there Sue, Things are not always as they appear at the onset. I remember a bad day of mine back in late (71). I had no mission that day and was lying back in my lower bunk,headphones on , listening to to the Moody Blues, ( Knights in White Satin). I was thinking back to my childhood and summers at the lake when I heard a loud voice, ( Baron), over the music. I pulled the headphones off and threw open the curtain to find one of our new pilots doing the ,( Curley Shuffle),. His eyes were huge, at least 2.75 inches. He spoke quickly,( Regent went down in the pass,), " Regent went down in the An Khe Pass. They are getting an aircraft ready and they want you to go",. I ran down to opperations while Pilot cranked the ship. I'm thinking to myself, ( What is Regent doing out alone),. Lt. at opperations says , (Yes, there is an aircraft down in the pass, go take a look). I run to the waiting ship, strap in and am immediatly cleared by Lane Tower for A. S. A. P. departure from Wiskey One. On the climb out I'm getting some strange feedback from the cyclic. We get well into the Northwest pass and and the feedback becomes overpowering , throbbing, pushing back , the aircraft climbing now and I push with both hands and it finally breaks through , now the aircraft is in extreme nose low attitude. I said, "Boys, This is not cool ", .I Gently turned that rig around and back to Lane with a Big Red X. Went back to Opperations and L. T. tells me that they had just gotten word from Regent that there was in fact an A. R. V. N. helicopter on the rocks in the An Khe pass. Not much recognizable except for a small section of tail boom. It has taken me three weeks to do it but I have finally gotten myself all the way back to the first rule of the army. And no one said it would be easy, like Jeff said, " It's a big Elephant, You have to face it like a man",.. Oh yea, Maintanance told mne later that day they could find nothing wrong whith that aircraft.
Cobra Baron
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 11:52:32 (MST)
FRED, et al: Yes, all of us in this group are now approaching the age where, if we are fortunate enough to still have our partent, we are going to have to face them having medical problems and such. I've spent most of the past two weeks either at the hospital, where my dad has been touch-and-go after a serious operation, or over at the folks' house, taking care of it and my mom. One of the reasons I'm taking early retirement is so I can take care of them and their home, which they'd like to live in as long as possible. Still, as one guy once said to me, "As long as you're looking at grass from the green side, you're going to have problems. But it beats the alternative."
Max W.
Oregon USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 10:51:58 (MST)
Lt.Shaw was the maintenance officer for 2nd flt, he was one of those officers that the enlisted men really liked, a couple of times he would wipe down my swash plate while carrying on an easy going friendly conversation, always seemed to have a smile. He was one of those people that brings to mind the saying "only the good die young". I could not have known him for more that a month as I had only arrived in country on 13 March,yet I remember him well. Rest in Peace....
jim
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 08:23:00 (MST)
Fred...I hope things work out ok for your family. Need to keep the faith...
As for Clarke...I don't know what's been going on in the news. I seldom watch it...too many bad things and I have enough BS in my life right now. I WILL say one thing...the company I work for is owned by the Carlyle Group. Carlyle Group is run by ex-Pres. Bush. Oddly enough, my tiny printing company is overshadowed by all the other investments the group has made in firms dealing with, guess what?? Terrorism. The group has come from a few million in worth to BILLIONS...all since 9/11. Check it out online. Lots of info...Group formerly had the Bin Ladens in it. On Sept. 11, the Group put the Bin Laden family that was here on a plane and it flew them to Europe for their safety. Same difference...When the Oklahoma City Bombings occurred...The Then President should have gathered up Timothy McVeigh's family...and gave them a haven of safety. Shady dealings here...
sue
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 07:16:48 (MST)
Tom Shaw's birthday is Sunday , March 28th. We salute you soldier. Always there-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 06:33:17 (MST)
Yea..yesterday was one of those days you would like to forget. My mother called yesterday and in a routine check up the doctors noticed something. A few weeks ago she had a biopsy. It came back postive for cancer, so everyone in my family is in a little up roar. She survived cancer back in 1962, so I`m hoping this is something that can be taken care of. She`s a rock and a tuff ole gal so she very positive about things. Wow I`ve been watching this Richard Clarke testify at the 9/11 commission. Man he seems to be really serious about his views. My gut feelings is he`s telling the truth.....I reminds me of the "Watergate" hearings in the 70`s. Ray...My Man....measure twice or three times and cut once...old carpenters saying.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 26, 2004 at 05:51:25 (MST)
Did you ever have one of those days when things seemed overwhelming and you questioned your reason for moving forward? Today was one of those days for me. My trust in a friend was badly shaken. I looked for answers as to why bad things happen to good people, but I could find no explanation. Mark, I went to the cemetary tonight. It was raining, but I didn't care. I see you gave Larry some new flags. I spent some time with him. It's my place where I go to think. I came away with no more insight into why the world is like it is, but at least was calmed by the silence. I look at the postings of the brave men on here and am honored to be in their company. I touched the raised letters of "Jackson" on the monument and feel grateful to have met Larry's brother, Mark, and Dee. I think of them as gifts. And a sign that there are good things yet to come.
sue
USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 22:21:55 (MST)
Evening flight, I'm gonna have to quit missing days of not reading the posts, it takes too long to get caught up. glad to see all the new people in here, WELCOME HOME !!! MARK our family is growing all the time, thank you bro ! ! ! well things around here are getting better, Donna is doing better but still has a long way to go. AND I finally got me a TRIKE I put the first primer coat on it today so it is coming along, I will post some pic's of it in a couple days if anyone wants to see it. YES Max that is the bird that went under the bridge. I don't know why I couldn't find the info about it on the 129th site. but thank you for giving me the web page. Brooke .......... what can I say about your Uncle ? I still miss him. we weren't "drinking buddies" or anything like that but I started out with the 129th in the T.I. section so I went on quite a few test flights with Stephen. I always had a lot of respect for a pilot that would take a bird up after a bunch of crazy mech types got done with it. it took a lot of " intestinal fortitude " to be the first one to fly a bird right out of maint. and no I didn't have the I.F. I was just crazy and loved to fly. FRED S. I would love to have a copy of your C.D. I can play it while watching my tape LOL. well enough for tonight. Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 22:02:26 (MST)
what a day, jeeze.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 21:08:05 (MST)
Ray,you cant just stick an a/c thru the drywall and wall.once you cut the hole,you have to frame it to support the weight of the a/c.Plus, you have to have trim out side the wall nd some sort of trim inside as well.You also must check to see if an electrical outlet is close enough to plug into.You must also check to see if there is wiring or pipes inside the wall where you plan to put the a/c.Its not difficult, just a little time consuming. Go slow ,check everything two or three times and all should go well.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 20:53:31 (MST)
Ray, you should be able to take the A/C in or out of the drywall. Get it repaired & put it back in or put back a new one. Course if you put back a larger unit, you will have to get the hole enlarged. Take care. Clear..
Frank
Frank Loveday
Basrtop, La. USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 19:28:27 (MST)
I can remeber Stephen Desantis,Mark Jackson, Steven Hardgrave. I rember aDesantis as the test pilot for the mechanics in the hanger. Steven Hargave arrived at 129th when I did. I sure miss all the people that were at the 129th. It is hard on all at came in whole or all most.
John Grace <itzamee@comcast.net>
Manahawkin, NJ USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 18:09:51 (MST)
Dave, I remember that day when that guy tried to get the parachute out of the flare. Don't I remember too that guys were trying to put out the flare with a fire extinguisure?
Stacy McLain gunner <smclain4@hotmail.com>
Flagpole, az USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 12:24:12 (MST)
hello all just one ??? if i put in drywall what would happen if the a/c broke down would i have to remove all the dry wall to put a new one in. as you see i know nothing about home improvement please keep sending idears need all i can get a brother always ray thanks for all who sent so far,i appriciate it really thanks
RAY <stilwating@aol.com>
md USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 11:29:18 (MST)
RAY: Sounds good to me; I'm going to do something similar in the next month or so with my air conditioner, in the living room (it's now in the bedroom). ANOTHER SINGALONG, which was popular with us during my time in country: (to the tune of "The Green Berets") *** Put tennis shoes, upon his feet / His friends will call, him 'sneaky pete' / But let me fly, and get flight pay / 'cause you can't spend, a green beret... ***
Max W.
USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 11:14:59 (MST)
hello flight need a bit of advice from some one who knows home inprovement, we are replacing our windows most need need frames we going with palla windows but one window has a air condition in the window frame all rotten the contror ( builder ) sudsusted to deleat window cause we cant use any way. and it just looks at trees close to house, he said to put a/c in dry wall upa bit higher mounted in the dry wall an no window and save the momey, be cause we dont usethe window any way my ??? is will that look dum if you want e mail me at stilwating@aol.com thanks oh be sure to put in sub fron the 129TH ok
we have np clue what to do, he said he's trying to save us money for the frame needs to be done if we dont just seeking advice thanks thank my brothers a brother always Ray
RAY <stilwating@aol.com>
md USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 08:01:39 (MST)
I'm singing...:>))))Gently
Gently
USA - Thursday, March 25, 2004 at 06:31:59 (MST)
Ok, EVEREYONE SING ALONG, An Son oh An Son a hell of a place, the orginizations a f$#%&#g disgrace, with captains and majors and lite colonels too, there heads up their asses with nothing to do. While out on the flight line they bitch and they shout about all the things they know nothing about, with all of their knowledge they might as well be a shovelin s%$t in the South China Sea.
And even in combat you're still gettin screwed, you can't shoot the bastards till they shoot at you, you call up for clearance they say wait let me see, you must have a haircut for killing VC.
jim
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 19:19:01 (MST)
WARNING TO NEW PEOPLE... please be careful about putting your e-mail addy in here.Spammers come in to collect addys. Its better to put your e -mail addy IN your posting,rather than at the end of it.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 14:33:47 (MST)
Brooke,welcome to the 129th camp.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 14:30:57 (MST)
anyone remember the arvns that came into pol and started refueling their bird with jp-4? no big deal,but it was a gas powered unit. One of those old helicopters.we had an arguement whether to tell them or not.I was fueling up our bird when the pilot contacted the tower and told them what was happening.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 14:25:29 (MST)
Thanks to those who have responded so far. Steve was my uncle, my mother's brother, she was seventeen when he died. As I am sure all of you who have lost a loved one expect, losing Steve was a huge devestation to my mom's family. For many years she has had a hard time thinking about that day and she has been reluctant to find out more about Steve's time in Vietnam. However, she is now beginning to feel ready to learn more. Although I never knew my uncle I have always been interested in him since I was little, my mom sees some of him in me. I was the one who got her talking about him again. This past Christmas my mom got the tapes Steve made in Vietnam put onto cds and we got to hear his voice and did get a better understanding oh his life there. Steve was just married before he went to Vietnam and was only a few weeks away from coming home when that fateful night occured. Steve was and is very loved and any information or stories you can give us will help us continue to peserve his memory.
Thanks so much!
Brooke
Brooke O'Donnell <bsodon06@holycross.edu>
Worcester, Ma USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 14:22:12 (MST)
Brooke, welcome to the home of Stephen DeSantis and his brothers. We know that Stephen perished in Sept. of 1969, and we have memorialized him at several sites, but trust that he and our other fallen brothers and friends are always remembered. They paid the ulitimate price, but they live in our memories. Please visit www.virtualwall.org and click on the Letter "D." It will open up all of the memorials posted to our fallen whose last name begins with "D." Then look for Stephens' name and "click" on it. Also, Don Miller, our friend and brother who posts here, has created a web site for all the 129ers KIA-MIA-or POW from the Vietnam War. That address is www.donald_6.tripod.com/129thmiakia1.htm. Some of the men here, these wonderful soldiers who are presently sharing their memories of war, will certainly remember Stephen. Mark Jackson, who started this safe place for the 129ers, lost his brother Larry in the same crash that claimed the lives of Stephen, Richard Sawran, and Stephen Hargrave. You will be contacted...trust me. Meanwhile, if you have a story of Stephen and/or would like to explain your relationship, we would love to hear it. We are family here...and iof we can be here for you, just ask. Welcome..and be at Peace-Gently
Gently
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 09:34:24 (MST)
Lots of crazy stuff... Flares: I recall the incident when a maintenance guy decided he needed a flare parachute for the ceiling in his hootch. He proceeded to open a flare inside the 129th hangar, set it off and severely burned himself, and took a couple of choppers out. POL... it was always tricky when hot fueling, particularly when you didn't how much pressure was in the bladders! I saw a gunner accidently "spray down" his tailboom with JP-4. Nice ball of fire, and what was once OD green was then sooty black!
Dave Powers
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 07:15:16 (MST)
hi animal
we landed in a rock lz on day and they put a box on board said it was intel
for their s2, end up being a trap, gas us at 1500 feet.
donnie r. purvis <donnie.purvis@us.army.mil>
lexington, nc USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 05:45:04 (MST)
It's a little foggy, but when I was in country, I don't remember any one color of smoke meaning anything specific. If someone on the ground was popping a smoke, the important thing was for them not to broadcast the color(lest every VC in the AO would be popping the same) It would be up to us to confirm "We have red(green,whatever) smoke" Once on a night mission, Marvin the Arvin popped a willy-pete for us on short final instead of a smoke. Let me tell you that was rude! He probably owns a liquer store in Orange County now. Another stupid ARVN trick I witnessed was at the POL in Pleiku. We set down and started refueling hot right behind an ARVN doing the same. When they finished the Arvn started hosing down the inside of his aircraft with JP4 while they were still hot!! Our AC yelled for the crewchief to abort and we got the hell away from them. They never told us NOT to do that in flight school, but they didn't tell us NOT to stare at the sun either. Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 01:34:02 (MST)
One day we were flying ash and trash down south, Onion Head was breaking in a new Peter Pilot,we're comming in in on short final and the ROKs pop "white" smoke, Onion say "NEVER LAND TO WHITE SMOKE" but because this is a battalion base camp it'll be ok, then we all remembered the wisdom of "NEVER LAND TO WHITE SMOKE" they didnt get any resupply that day.
jim
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 01:14:41 (MST)
RACIAL: Not one sniff of it in the 129th while I was there. One of my buds was a black guy named Thomas, and he and Mike Walker and I palled around in the villes together quite a bit, for awhile. I'm originally from Georgia, and Mike had lived in a rural area of northern Florida all his life, but color meant nothing, at that time. One of our most respected pilots was a black WO who had already done part of a tour with the 1st Cav. We were all 'Army green' Ñ some guys were just a darker shade of green, was the way most of us saw it then. Considering my racial upbringing, I think I went through a radical change of attitude about race during my time with the 129th. PATCHES: We didn't have them then, but my cousin worked for a rental car company, and sent me a box of metal 'We Try Harder' buttons, which the gunners and crewchiefs in my flight started wearing; we got a new CO, who was a hardnose pr*ck for awhile, and he made us get rid of them. SMOKE GRENADES: Funny thing about that, during '65 - '67, red smoke meant only one thing: 'ENEMY!' All the other colors stood for various things, but red meant attack. Now red is used for everything, it seems, and it really startles me to see red being popped in films of later times in RVN, and in current use Ñ especially for medivacs! We would have been pretty close to lighting up our own guys, had they popped red near themselves! PS: Note my new email address; MARK, would you please change my old one to this in the Roster? (Others think I'm using the first part because I think I'm so *slick*, but I don't think I have to explain the real meaning here....)
Max W. <Slick868@(remove this)easystreet.com>
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 00:14:24 (MST)
For C.B. I can e-mail you a photo of the Nose Art you want just shoot me an e-mail with your address on it so that I can send it to you as soon as I get my new computer up and running. If you want an actual picture let me know and give me a few days to get one developed from the original. My dad told me you were interested in that.
Tom Ragonese <ragonese@delaware.net>
USA - Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 00:08:15 (MST)
Yeah Dave, O ring...Bagocina(sp) He was in the guns for a while, I think he's in a picture I have, somewhere. I was in 4/64 Armor in Germany, 74-75. Like everyone else, lots of racial tension. I was in Aschaffenburg, and it seems there was a rape every weekend in the park downtown, almost always identified as a black man. Got a little tedious, just having CID come through our barracks, every week. Mandrax was the drug of choice, after hash. I went local, got off post every chance I got, learned German (somewhat) and enjoyed the culture!
Smoke grenades..smile....yeah Dave....I remember. I also remember getting pissed about something at the em club, and getting my chunker, and going up by the pool, and pumping four rounds of cs just upwind of it!!!! wish I could remember why......course, it drifted through the 61st hootches too!!
Kim
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 22:20:26 (MST)
Anyone know anything about Stephen DeSantis?
Brooke O'Donnell <bsodon06@holycross.edu>
West Hartford, Ct USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 19:56:58 (MST)
yes, we had some tough racial sruff at the time i was there, to deny that would be to deny truth. I had a black gunner, skinny young guy by the name of willy. He lived in the same hut as me across the hall but as fred A said he was "talked" into quitting flying. A shame to as he was good. Those were the times--- good or bad---- just was>>> respects...smitty
Jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 19:20:16 (MST)
Fred S., Ever hear of the Schweinfurt riots ca 71-72. I was there in 3/7 cav. It was, as you said REAL bad. Staff duty officers carried a side arm for THEIR protection. Had one, a 1LT, stuffed in a single door wall locker and thrown from the 4th floor of those old WWII style german barracks. He lived long enough to identify them. I think they are still at Levenworth. Heavy duty drugs, and I don't mean pot and hash, were also pretty bad. Cav was "lucky" because we spent 250-275 days a year on the border keeping the Commie hoardes at bay so we didn't have that big a problem. Worse that happened to us was one young PFC fire bombed our hanger. Saved all the aircraft but lost all the maintenance records. That was fun putting all that info back together. He may still be in Levenworth too! God, wasn't life fun back then? No wonder what little hair I have is grey!
jeff
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 17:42:50 (MST)
Racial stuff was just starting as I was leaving. Went to the EM club to get a pizza with Pete Rhome, while standing there a fight broke out between two drunks. One white and one black, and somehow I got hit from behind and knocked out cold. Next thing I knew was Pete had me drapped across his shoulder on one side and carrying the pizza. He carried me to the "flight surgeon`s" office. And I had to get 14 stiches in the back of my head. Pete said some guy nailed me from behind. Pete sucker punched that guy and pull me away from the crowd. Pete was a tuff Cleveland city boy, so he could box a little bit. But some black guy from the 61st try to start some stuff over at "Dust-Off and they just ignored him. And I would see him around over at the 129th, and they run him off. But you could see it was coming......Germany was REAL bad for racial stuff. But I had a real close friend named Tom King from Cincinnati...Tommy was to busy trying to be Jimi Hendrix, to get caught up in that stuff. Real weird the racial stuff was like heroin...it just appeared one day and raised it`s ugly head.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 16:23:33 (MST)
We used to do the mini mortar thing with M60 tracers... pretty cool. Usually it was from a guard tower. Its civilian counterpart was throwing .22 shells into the campfire. What a combination: 18-19 year olds with all the ordnance you could play with.
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 14:40:05 (MST)
anyone ever do the 50 cal trick, besides me? take a 50 cal tracer round, pull out the bullet,empty out some podwer,pierce the bottom of the tracer,put the bullet back in the shell,pour the remaining powder back over the round as it sits in a morter like position,light the short trail of powder you had so carefully made,then run like hell for about 20 yards.We called them mini morters. things would shot up in the air about 30 feet,spinning like crazy,glowing as only tracers do. shrug, sometimes we got bored.Started a grass fire once,doing that, things calmed down for awhile after that.While I was at the 129th, only once was there racial trouble in the flight hootches. Most of that crap stayed with the ground huggers.Smitty, you remember that black gunner we had for a while? good guy, but he let the other black guys talk him into stop flying. Was a shame that happened, he really liked it.Sometimes he used to talk to me about the pressures he was under. tough spot to be in.He was the only black crewmember I ever flew with,or saw.I think black pilots heard some of that same crap about uncle chucks war,perhaps they were able to avoid alot of the social pressures excerted on the crewmembers.I know I liked flying with shadow and another guy, big fella,looked like he could have played pro football. Now what the heck was his name.....
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 14:23:51 (MST)
Max Yes!! remember having some of the 7.62 cans with all tracers in the belts. But, most of them were every 5th round on the stansard 7.62 cans of ammo. But on night fire missions it was a steady stream of tracers. We would soak the barrels in jp-4 and cover them with oil and ready to go once again. I think Roger Steele came up with the jp-4 to clean the barrels of the m60's. Hated to hear that he was killed at Fort carson in 66 in the Chopter crash. Hope you can make Indy!! would be nice seeing you again. Jim H. and his wife Sue are going to make it this year. Would like to welcome Home all our new 129th Family!! Alex 129th 65-68.
Alex
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 12:55:24 (MST)
Kim, we had some racial stuff, started when a brother decided he could wear a fish net shirt, cut off jungles and flip flops to the EM club the asst. manager, white guy, told him he had to leave and put on proper clothing he came back with a 45,the mananger, a black NCO pulled out a revolver told the guy to leave, he didnt,manager pointed the gun at the ceiling,pulled the trigger, didnt go off,pointed it at the floor,pulled the trigger, it went off and hit the bro in the foot or leg,the following week someone threw a CS grenade in the club through the front door, while at the back door were a group of brothers, well armed. But not much happened after that. I started carrying a pen flair gun after that, I figured at close range it would do some damage and give me time to Di Di. Which reminds me of the time,cant remember his name, this guy had the flu or malaria, anyway he felt like shit had a high fever, this other guy kept messing with him, he finally got pissed went down to the flt. line got his M60 and started shooting over the hootches. I think he was shooting from near the orderly room.He got an art15 out of it because of his condition at the time. And then there was the fragging of the XO.
jim
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 11:59:57 (MST)
Kim, do you remember "O-Ring"?
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 11:20:19 (MST)
Mike Miles, 'BLAST FROM THE PAST," I was just telling C. B., Fred Skaags, and Kim that I was going to back away from the site for a few days and catch up with some personal commo., with the fine people who helped me over my initial hump into the ," Cyber 129th," I'd typed a long story this morning to share with C. B. but lost it in a fraction of a second. Thinking that I could try again later and I had better get to work,I checked the flight log one more time and found your welcome post. You can probably see the smile on my face. My head is filled with far too many words for my clumsy fingers to type . I will contact you directly but please come back here and join in the fun. Seems my most solid form ,"positive form" of communication is right here. Since Kim, Fred Scaags, and C. B. spoke with me a year ago by phone I have had this sort of half full, half empty , feeling in me. Since I have come to this site a couple of weeks ago I have found that perhaps that can be changed. Thanks to all the hard work, and thoughtfulness that these fine people have put into this great," Home of the 129TH." Thanks to all ! Fred Scaags, Kim ,C. B., Jeff, Dave Powers , Little John, Shadow, Animal, Don, Smitty, Alvis, Cupps, Sue, Gentely, Mark and ALL.
Gary Carlson
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 11:19:13 (MST)
If anyone has a problem with me posting updates about "itosb", please tell me and I will stop. I post this as a "fyi",dont want to piss anyone off.In the middle of all that mess, you will see that they are showing "itsotb" at the indy reunion.(in the shadow of the blade).
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 11:05:54 (MST)
Kim, I also remember the patch removal thing. It was sad... Like you, I appreciated the integration we enjoyed at Lane. I still would love to see Lovedog and Chico check in here.
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 11:02:16 (MST)
fyi.........Hello friends,
Lots of good stuff going on In The Shadow of The Blade...
Four Central Texas screenings this April:
Saturday, April 10 6:30 p.m. In Support of The Moving Wall. Sponsored by the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Johnson City, Texas. Part of a week-long "Welcome Home Tribute Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans." www.nps.gov/lyjo/VietnamWall.htm. Event is free and open to the public. (This will be a wonderful opportunity to visit The Moving Wall in a spectacular natural environment.)
Saturday, April 17 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 25 5:00 p.m. Worldfest International Film Festival in Houston. They've added a second screening due to "extremely high interest." Visit worldfest.org for information about special hotel room rates, tickets, and the competition. ITSOTB is one of 11 documentaries out of hundreds of entries chosen to screen in this major festival...that's a win right there.
Saturday, April 24 11:00 a.m. Private screening for the 25th Aviation Battalion at their Killeen reunion. (Let us know if you'd like a screening for your reunion. We'll be showing at VCHMA in Indianapolis and VHPA in Florida and we have some others organizing right now...)
Our DC Independent Film Festival screening went well and we made some important contacts but we didn't win: "not experimental enough" and up against a doc on Afghanistan. Yep, politics are part of the indy film business too....But it doesn't really matter; making the finals was the win and it was great to screen and see some old--and make some new--friends in the Beltway, including David Moore and the good people at the Library of Congress Veterans Forum.
ITSOTB's "star," 091 has been accepted as a donation to the Smithsonian Museum of American History and they've contracted with us to include some ITSOTB clips in the exhibit opening Veterans Day this year. You can see our final tribute to the helicopter that made such a difference for so many at www.intheshadowoftheblade.com/what's new.
In that same space soon we'll be starting a new "Rotorwash" section (thanks Karen Lee Hill) as a place to tell more of the untold stories. Look for photos, video, poetry, and stories there rotating regularly. And we've begun adding out-takes in the "editing room" link...some are funny, some are touching and some are just cool stuff that we love.
ITSOTB, Inc., our non-profit arm, is organizing its board and delighted and honored to announce that Colonel Ernie Sylvester (ret) has volunteered to serve. Ernie is the current DUSTOFF Association president and a veteran of the 57th Med Det, "The Original DUSTOFF." He's also a long-time and good friend of the Blade who has served as a subject matter expert and wonderful teacher to this writer. ITSOTB, Inc.'s current focus is developing a research-based secondary educational curriculum connecting high-school students with Vietnam veterans to learn their stories. Thanks to all of you have participated in the ongoing initial pilot. I'm hearing great things back from both sides. Visit the ITSOTB, Inc. button to learn more about the non-profit.
Hope to see you all soon somewhere as we take the show on the road. As always, thank you for your help, your support, your stories, and, most of all, your friendship.
Have a great day!
Cheryl
Cheryl Fries
Creative Director
In the Shadow of the Blade ª
www.intheshadowoftheblade.com
Arrowhead Film & Video
512-328-0099
512-657-7880
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 11:01:27 (MST)
Fred S... There were times in Nam when I thought there were two of everybody (ha). Fred A... yep, I'll send it to you from my home computer. Send me an e-mail so I can be sure I have your eddress. Smitty, that was me who sent the photo to you. Smoke grenades: what fun they were, eh Kim? Animal, I remember the ROK's loading/unloading those black plastic jerry water cans onto our ship. They'd get a "bucket brigade" thing going to do the job. Some confused guy got the group started unloading the empties up at the firebase, so on one side of the aircraft they were loading the empties, and on the other side they were unloading them. Along came one of their officers who took a large screwdriver, whacked the guy on the head and straightened out whole the mess. The kimchee breathe was a powerful weapon in its own right! Remember the RTO "Jon", Animal?
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 10:57:13 (MST)
I remember going on the flair missions. Might have been with smitty."crs" I do remember one in about 5 or more went off,the rest where duds.Smile,so what else is a guy to do? aim them my friends,aim them.I was sent to a shrink cause I threatend to kill one of the pilots.shrug,must have been a poor week.
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 10:56:11 (MST)
Jeff, we were ordered to remove any patches that didn't pertain to a company. NO platoon patches!! This was in response to a lot of blacks who started wearing a red black green patch..black power? Liberia? At any rate, there was a small revolt when it happened. One of the best protests I can recall was Mr. Lovejoy, who tore his cobra patch down the center, and left the outer half on his shirt! Spring/summer of 71, there was a lot of black/white issues at Lane. MOstly in the 61st and Cav. It spilled over to us, in a small fashion, but, thanks to guys like Stanley Roberts, Mr. Page, Chico Smith, and a lot of others who's names I can't remember (getting CRS disease!)most of us stayed together as a unit. Lupo, Arroyo, Vega, Vargas, Martinez,Miyamura, it's great to think back to the integration of the 129th, and how most of us got along, especially when compared to what some of the other units went through. Whites outnumbered all others when it came to the pilots, but the enlisted side was pretty well mixed,ethnically.
we white fought amoungst ourselves more than anything else, I can't recall any racial garbage that went beyond a few words, usually patched up within minutes of it happening. Keep in mind, this is just one white boy's opinion.
Kim
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 10:41:55 (MST)
Rick? Gail? Tom? Don? Where are you guys? Gail Beard gets married April 3rd!! A week from Saturday!! Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 10:26:54 (MST)
Mike Miles.......good to see your post. Hope all is well with you and glad that you did check in today to find Gary's name. You going to INDY?????????......mark
Mark
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 08:39:04 (MST)
Hey Gently......Did Jim at the VA get the card and photos that I sent him?............Mark
Mark
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 08:37:26 (MST)
The pilot I've asked you to send cards to at the VA here in Milwaukee now has an email address thanks to some Vietnam Veterans who stopped in to visit him: jimsarchet@yahoo.com. Please drop him a note, a joke, or a funny card. He has to type with his left hand, one finger actually, so be patient in recieving a reply. Thanks to all-Gently
Gently
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 08:32:29 (MST)
Did I read in here somewhere that you were no longer allowed to wear plt patches at Lane? If that is so I am damn glad I was gone by then. The only chickens--t thing I remember was getting stopped by MPs once in Qui N. for having on a white T-shirt under my nomex. Seems the Support Command general put out an OD t-shirt only edict. Hell my OD ones had long since been beaten to death by the hooch maid. Had to watch out wearing those white ones in the the city-I imagine they had a real sniper problem. Probably trying to fight their way into the USO for a strawberry sundae or else a trip to the steam bath(I am using the politically correct name). I think the MPs gave me a DR that I was susposed to give to the CO. If I ever run into him I'll certainly do that. Skaags, What is it with this cold weather? I am two weeks past short pants only date. Ya'll, as they say, take care.
jeff
lake norman, USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 07:49:38 (MST)
I don't know why I went on the web site this morn. Glad I did. I see Gary Carlson has popped up on the radar screen. Gary and I were best buds in flight school and went to RVN together. I have always wondered how he was doing. Glad to hear he is OK. Fred gave me Gary's phone number a few months ago and I just could not find the words to call and say 'hi'. Gary, welcome home my friend. We need to catch up on the past 35 (has it been that long??!!) years.
Mike Miles <michael.miles@gsa.gov>
Easton, MD USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 06:04:41 (MST)
Sometime durring the Easter offensive we were in the area up by the pass, the RTO tells us there is A ROC genereral on OP 1 and needs a ride, the first thought was, what the hell is he doing there?, the NVA had blown the shit out of it (later we took alot of KIAs out of there) so the Peter Pilot tells him to have the GEN. waiting on the pad so he can jump on as soon as we land. We land and this ROK capt. comes over and says "you wait 5 minutes please".He no sooner says that and a mortar round goes off about 100ft to our 4 o'clock. Scared the shit out of me so I yell into the mike lets get the hell out of here.Big AL (Maj. Jones) picks it up and calmly says "you didnt have to say that". No damage to the slick and no idea how that Korea Gen. got up there or how he got out.
jim
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 02:43:06 (MST)
I remember cans with all tracer, alway wondered what they were for, a friend of mine who was an air force armorer told me when they set up a fireing range they need to know if the angle of the slope is correct so they use the tracers to see what ricochet they get.
jim
USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 02:26:33 (MST)
Remember the golf course at the ROK HQ? all the talk of dropping stuff out of the aircraft reminded me of a CA that used the golf course as a staging area. After lifting off and heading along the highway towards the pass something caused me to look back (maybe it was too quiet) and the crew was dropping golf balls on the highway trying to hit vehicles. I don't know if they hit anything, but those things bounce a ton. Fred S., I remember the pig in the sky mission. It was everyone's least favorite. Luckily, it didn't come around much. I think I only had to do it once. The MP's got airsick pretty easily though, and if you flew bad enough, they'd release the ship early. My favorite missions by far were the single ship sling loads, resupplying the ROK firebases.I got a lot of those with Festus and Smitty. No-body to give you any shit, do a little hunting, the only downside was the ROK RTO's kempshi breath after lunch. Another mission I hated to get was flareship. All alone in the dark at 2000 ft, I just knew one of those flares was going to go off in the aircraft. More scary then a CA................Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 00:11:17 (MST)
ALSO: Only shrink I ever saw in RVN was when I extended my tour by six months, and I think he was just a regualar doc with some mandatory shrink training. I guess not too many did that. Would have stayed another six, but my family was going nuts by then.
Max W.
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 22:49:04 (MST)
Does anyone else remember getting any cans of 7.62 where the rounds were all tracers? I'm sure Alex must, as he was there when I was. Really neat to fire, but made cleaning barrels a biatch....
Max W.
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 22:46:57 (MST)
my God how many of us got sent to a shrink anyway!!!! They thought i was going a little slug-nutty because i had a lot of guns & wanted to shoot everything, imagine such a thing right in the middle of a war! I told them to piss off, as far as i got was qui nhon & that guy just told me to lighten up & sent me back, was having nightmares at the time as well (sure most were). At any rate, when i got back to the states & some real shrinks got hold of me--- i was discharged... One of you guys sent me a pic of the gun plt em's ( about 8 guys) might have been Kim, anyway Jay Hillon is in the middle of the pic. I wish I had a pic of griff (2nd Shaky) but not to be. If anyone remembers sending that to me, it should be posted on the gallery, if anyone wants it, i have it>>>respects>>>smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 22:29:07 (MST)
Mark...Groups of Men...Section 1....Picture 2.....Guy on the far right, leaning against the gun. That`s the Manny I came to An Son with. I didn`t know Manny Rivera...I think they are both hispanic brothers. Two Shakey Pete`s and now two Manny`s....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 21:32:03 (MST)
Fred Skaggs.....the Manny Rivera that I know in the GALLERY is in the "MEN IN GROUP" section. Picture 2 and 4..........in picture 2, Larry Ruff is in it also. The guy you can bearly see is James Pecknold.....Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 18:57:47 (MST)
flashback city tonight!! your fault Alvis....LOL!! Night firing was a trip!!! First time the mini on my side went hot, I was BLINDED!!!!! Just watching that ball of fire roll back over the gun pylon, the ball of red heading downrange...just blew me away!!!! Got ASAPed to Phu Cat one night, they were getting probed on their west perimeter. Rockets blazing away, pieces of the caps flying around the interior of the ship, mini guns rocking and rolling, going blind from the flashes..feeling the 60 bucking away. raison de tra!!! A guy in one of our ships, Lupo, I think, got wounded by shrapnel when a rocket motor blew out as it was leaving the tube that night.....another time, we got to do a recon by fire on the northwest side of Lane, I guess most of the company sat on top of the hill watching it. Somebody taped the show, someone else took a movie of it. It'd sure be nice to see it....I got a chance to listen to it after. I had a .30m-2 carbine, and popped off a clip on one pass, it came out on the tape, in the midst of rockets blasting, mini's screaming, comes this little pop pop pop pop pop!!!!!! I never got sent to a shrink. I came back from tdy, and saw those AH1's in the revetment where the mike's should have been, and went crazy! Went to the officers hootches and nearly got shot, then went to the orderly room and went off on the first sargeant! next day, I had orders to go back south!!!!bye bye Lane!!!!
Kim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 18:43:59 (MST)
Fred S............Manny's e-mail addy is in the CONTACTS section...........Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 18:43:15 (MST)
One day flying along the coast from Qui Nhon to Miami Beach my gunner Rick Hollis taps me on the shoulder and points down, I look down,just water, then there's an explosion, it was in the water and far enough away so the pilots didnt hear, but that was the day I started throwing stuff out, some months later there was an ambush in the pass on that long straight road west of the pass going to AN KHE 33to34 vehicles wiped out,so we have to go up there and pickup an ARVN general so he can look at the site. On the way up, nothin better to do, I throw out a WP(I know it was stupid to carry those things)so I reach around to motion to Hollis and he's already looking so then I look and there are 2 big white clouds, we looked at each other and busted up, so now we are over the ambush site, the sun is to our rear and we throw out a couple more. When we land at AN KHE they came running up to us saying "you were getting shot at we saw the flak", with the sun at our backs I'm sure thats what it looked like. We had a hard time keeping a staight face.
jim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 18:30:53 (MST)
I never fed mine to much...I used the c-ration can approach. I got a picture of my 60 with the c-ration can on the side. Now someone from the Cobras taught me how to "beef-up" my 60 buy using two buffer springs. Twisting them together...now it would fire like twice as fast. But you had to keep a couple of extra gun barrels, because it would warp them. They would get hot....like almost red hot.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 17:53:20 (MST)
Fred Alvis.....Well you got the trip to the shrink in Saigon..Damn you were lucky!!! I only got to go to Cam Rahn Bay...6thCC Hospital. After my "shooting at the sanpan" inccident, they had to see if I was a "Natural Born Killer". Man...knockin it around with that Psychologist was a trip. He came to the conclusion I had "severe anxieties". So he gave me a perscription for Valium....the blue ones. Shit...I had better reefer in my pocket than that valium. So I took a 3 month supply back with me to An Son...passed them out to every body. Everyone went to bed early for week!!!!!....Smoke garnades....man I use to throw them things out every where I could. Take the tape off the bottom and tape the handles and drop them from 5000 ft and watch them float to ground. One time going in to QH to refuel I dropped three. And on the way out they were still smoking. Pilot looked back at me and said," You need to stop that shit Fred".....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 17:41:26 (MST)
Hey Dave, will you send me a pic of griff? I am sure I know him, but need a pic to make sure if its the same guy.Kim, it was a great feeling to feel the rounds run over the back of your hand feeding into the 60.feeling the pulse as it barked,watching rounds curve into the target,a feeling of satisfaction when rounds tore into said target.People thinks its easy to hit something while going 110 mph.I used to like watching that curving tracer line.hardest target i kept "on" was during a ca,we had dropped off the troops (rocs). while picking up speed and lifting,we flew towards a house.The door and one front window face our path of flight.Peter P says,"Alvis,cover the house!You could see my tracers bouncing off the wall and as we flew past it,you could see my tracers filling the window ,going threw the door. Peter P laughed and said "very good shooting".we flew past it with fire being directed at the opening at all times.That was the same ca where i switched barrels to the one I had cut off the flash suppressor.C and C bird called out.." what the hell is that?"Pilot just laughed,keyed in his mic and said" its just Alvi and his 60". I believe the peter P switched with me that day so he could shoot it.Looked impressive as hell but when you fired it,you couldnt see anything cause of the huge ball of fire at the end of the barrel.
alvis <ghoastrider1@hotmail.com>
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 17:29:30 (MST)
CB - I don't have a photo of "Captain America" but do have a shot of Shakey Pete Hillon and Griff... also have a shot of the Zig Zag Man/God is my Co Pilot painted on the bulkhead of a gunship (212 Kim?). If you like I'll send it to you, just give me an eddress (mine's on the Contacts page). You guys have been busy over the weekend! I'll have to sit down and catch up!
Dave Powers
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 16:53:53 (MST)
C.B. in the gallery section, there's a picture of the frog, on 640. It's in my photo's.
When I was statoined in Long Binh, we had to be careful about leaving post, because of dress code. We were forced to stop wearing our platoon patches at Lane, but most of us kept them on our nomex shirts. When we were away from home, we'd break them out. I always wore the cobra patch down there, nearly got on trouble a couple times, but managed to get around them by claiming I was visiting from up north!!!
Kim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 15:42:29 (MST)
Alvis, we fired up anything and everything when we had permission. I tried to get our pilots to unload a few flachettes on a flock of ducks one time, just to see how many we could kill in one pass. It's part of what we did, no regrets. Like you, I used to get all torqued up on takeoff, first one of the day, especially early in the morning. The sounds, smell of jp4, ship waggling as it went through transitional lift, skids lifting clear, anticipating any and every thing that could go wrong, climb out at about 60 knots, getting into clear air, AFVN coming in clearer, relaxing as we got to charge weapons, it was a good feeling when the 60 chattered. I used to hang mine from a bungee strap when possible, felt good to feel it kicking against my trigger hand. I'm a lefty, and it took a bit of practice to get comfortable firing right handed, and feeding with my left!
Kim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 15:35:07 (MST)
shit freddy, when I was sent to siagon to see a shrink, the MPs thru me in jail for not wearing class "A"s.Didnt really throw me in jail, just "detained"me in the "squad" room.Hell,I thought our flight uniforms were good enough,and I was damn sure proud to wear mine down there among the remf"S.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 14:50:31 (MST)
that is a funny train story. would loved to have been on board for that one.QUESTION, how much ammo was "wasted" by throwing it down at cars,houses.water buffalo,papa sans herding water buffalo,motorcyles, lambrettas,hootches,boats,gooks swimming,gooks pooping byside the road/sea,bicycles,mopeds,trains, buses,fisherman,rice planters,arvns,arvns,arvns,and ducks? just 5 or 6 rounds at a time,reclipped to form a nice round package.One of my first "ca's", I watched gunships put rockets in the middle of flocks of either ducks,or chickens.I was still an fng,so they had me in the c and c bird.Thats the one where after the rockets started going off,someone came running out of a hootch,for hell or high water.the crew chief shot them after my gun had jammed.( fng remember).rocs went over for a look see and it turned out to be some old grandmother type. wrong place,wrong time,wrong side. twas in a free fire zone during a ca in bad guys country.felt bad at first,but got over it.That,more than anything else,opened my eyes and gave me a clue what was coming.That and the loss of a few friends,plus a few incoming tracers.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 14:42:10 (MST)
I tell you a insane mission that we use to do......Pig In The Sky mission....We would take out MP`s and clock military vehicles on highway 1 between Binh Dinh and Phu Cat. Then fly and land in front of them on the road. Then give them a ticket!!! The reaction of some of those GI`s was wild sometimes. I swear I thought we were gonna get shot sometimes. A lot of Air Force guys got nailed. Never understood that...giving a guy a ticket in a war zone. That was chicken shit.....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 14:27:16 (MST)
I remember seeing a few trains motavatin down the tracks. They were overflowing with people and small animals of every description. When I was a newbie peter pilot, we landed on top of one while it was chugging along. That was the only approach I ever made to a moving target. It must have scared the hell out of the passengers, and in my old age, I believe it was as insane as flying under a bridge, but at the time it was funny as hell. Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 13:17:21 (MST)
Mark...Bill Hewit`s pictures....5th group 2nd picture...that`s the Manny I came into the 129th with from Phu Hiep. He was from New York City. Larry Ruff....that`s my Uncle Tim last name that owns the plumbing business in Sanford, Florida...Ruff Plumbing....man...and I couldn`t remember his name. Jesus...I`m getting old.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 12:46:12 (MST)
WoW...Thanks Mark.....Manny and I came to the 129th on the same 134th slick the same day. Manny had been in the field with the 18th Combat Engineers.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 12:27:12 (MST)
Fred Skaggs.....The guy with the sunglasses in the photos is Larry Ruff. He attended the reunion last year in Atlanta. Real nice guy. Kinda quite. I am pretty sure that he lives somewhere near atlanta. I will try and find out more about him. He walked into the 129th room last year and I introduced myself and a light bulb lit up in my head, yeah I know that dont happen often;-), but I said. Hold on Larry, I have a photo of you in my scrapbook. Sure enough it was him. He paled around with Manny Rivera over there....Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 11:57:40 (MST)
FLIGHT....I was digging around looking for a picture of Shakey Pete and CB over at Dust-Off...And I ran across a CD that Ron Ingamunson recorded for me from a cassette. It`s a conversation between Lane Tower and Bulldog 473 as they are leaving in the morning. Mr.Jobe(Hobie) is the AC and the crew is Ron and Steve Lee. It`s 34 minutes of taped "air conversation" and AFVN on the radio. Bulldog 265 can heard in the background talking to Lane Tower. It`s from December of 1970. My wife is gonna show me how to down load the cd and pass it on to you guys. Man you can hear the "whop, whop" of the rotor blades. And you can hear a pilot talking with the vibrations of the helicopter.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 11:22:36 (MST)
ALVIS: I flew all over 2nd Corp area, and never saw one train during my time ('65-'67). DON: info on 371 is at: http://www.129th.net/68-15371.html Is that what you were looking for?
Max W.
Oregon USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 11:08:06 (MST)
Mark, I will resend the pictures if you did not get all of them. It may take a few days because my main computer with all the J-pegs is out being updated but I will send them to you again as soon as I can. Originally I sent you three separate e-mails with photos in each as to not bog down your opening them. (My wife told me to do it that way She is the computer geek in the family and I always listen to her in those matters). I will have them to you soon. There were 9 total. Tanks Tom
Tom Ragonese <ragonese@delaware.net>
dover, de USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 10:35:11 (MST)
Flight and Friends(or shall I say "Bridge Dare Devils"..you guys!!!)....good news to share, but first, "Welcome Home" Rags! Hope to meet you at the re-union-its well worthwhile attending. Watching you guys meet year after year, or meet after 30yrs moves my soul(as Bob Seiger would sing)! And now for the good news--the Christmas Fund is able to help a 129er and his wife get to the re-union again this year!! So, a very big thank you to those who contributed, especially those of you who are in financial straights yourselves(and I know who you are)-every $10 helped. Now, as procedure goes, I cannot give the name of this brother of yours, he may he may not, but it is not necessary of him to do such. We will still have money left over, and though the "Committee"is keeping one person in mind, we are open to more suggestions. Additionally, Rick England and J.W. Wilson both have rooms to share, so contact them if you're interested in saving alittle money.
I have just learned that you(we) have a 129er in Kuwait right now:
Enrique Gonzales(enrique.gonzalezjr@us.army.mil). He's a member of VHCMA and 58 years old. In Nam he also served with the 394th. An email might be nice:>)) Additionally, Tom Gladden, a VHCMA Life member has been deployed to Afghanistan to maintain the Black Hawk and Apache helicopters. Cards and letters to him can be sent to: Tom Gladden, Co D 140th Avn, APO AE 09354. Enough from me-but always there-Gently
Gently <jsinger@uwm.edu>
Milwaukee, WI USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 09:48:23 (MST)
Matt...How about Fairport Convention and Juicy Lucy....great bands. Mark do you have a way of finding out that guys name. He was pretty heavy guy as far as smarts. Just be interested in finding out who he was and what he`s doing now.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 09:33:16 (MST)
Something went wrong (again)this should be An SON http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam/maps/nd49-09/nd49_09d.html
jim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 08:32:02 (MST)
Mark, yes; the guy with the glasses. Fred, what a shame we didn't connect at that time, also realy like the fiddel playing by an English group called Curved Air........Clear Left.......Casey
Matt Casey
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 08:23:27 (MST)
Here is the next map up, the An Son AO... http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam/maps/nd49-09/nd49_09h.html
jim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 08:22:34 (MST)
I don't know how to do HTML but if you copy and paste this i'm pretty sure this is the AO , DONG XUAN sounds familiar http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam/maps/nd49-09/nd49_09h.html
jim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 08:18:53 (MST)
Alvis, I saw trains when I was down south. Little narrow guage affairs, steam engines, a flat car in front, mine protection, I assume, hundreds of little people hanging off them, just like the jitney busses. I still smile at the thought of a bus pulling to the sied of the road, and everyone just walking out and pissing! Question: how many sacks of rice will fit on a bicycle?
Kim
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 07:54:01 (MST)
Matt Casey...Osibisa..that`s amazing. Myself and a guy named Wally sit behind the stage smoking "choking red", during that performance. Yes it`s the same concert, Fleetwood Mac(before Buckingham and Nicks), Ron Stewart and the Faces, Deep Purple performed a new song called "Smoke On The Water". That was in September, Labor Day weekend of 1971. The weather was nice that week-end. By the way...I got 3 cd`s by Osibisa.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 05:17:32 (MST)
I think jim is right on the money with his directions.Anyone know the tail number of the ship I was on that gabby lost? It was being slung back to lane, one strap broke, was dumped into the south china sea from way high. should have been in jan of 72 or very late dec 71,after xmas.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 03:40:13 (MST)
never once did I see a train running in vietnam.Lots of tracks,no trains.anyone else?
alvis
USA - Monday, March 22, 2004 at 03:35:21 (MST)
Hey Matt.....IN Bill Hewit's pic's, you talking about the guy with the son glasses on?......mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 21:27:21 (MST)
.....Hey guys, I got a map of that AO.......will bring it to the gig in INDY......Jim...I will look for that name..su ee cows......Don M....if that info on 371 is absent from this page, would you send it to me and I will get it up. All the info I got was from the VHPA from the Gold Book........Mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 21:20:19 (MST)
Fred.... Check our Bill Hewit gallery end of page 4 and in to 5 could that be the same mystry guest........I never had a good memory for names but faces I could remember..Tails Clear Left.......Casey
Matt Casey
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 21:16:48 (MST)
Mark, if its the bridge I'm thinking of it is west of Miami Beach in an area that was called the (SP.PHONECTICALY) "su ee cows", unk. VN spelling, somewhere around there is a place called Happy Valley , Miami Beach is right on the coast between Quin Nhon and Tuy Hua
jim
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 20:59:02 (MST)
Fred, Funny you should have been there, (I had to confirm with a friend (to this day) that I served with in Germany), we have concluded that if that concert was in Spayer (not sure of the spelling ) we were there too. Although I just rember bits and pieces. The concert was over a three day weekend, the bands that played Saturday then flew to I think Sweeden and played the next day there and vice versa, we could haver passed each other and never known it as we were totaled most of the time. Remember a Black group that really blew us away. They were caled Osibisa or some thing like that, see their were people selling more than Choking red, and I was a sampling in those days, shit wasn't sampling was totaly into the fun........With a big Ruby smile........Casey
Matt Casey
Hemet, CA USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 20:54:13 (MST)
Alvis, Les Sprague is alive and well in California. ( at least last time I talked to him ) it has been a while as he is a little slow at returning e-mails LOL. I don't know why but ship 68-15371 is NOT listed in the list of our birds. all the information I find lists 371 as the correct number and Les also told me it was 371. so unfortunately our ship list is not complete. and the ship in the picture at the bridge crash is 371. I used to have a pic of the ship just as it flaired to abort the attempt but in my many moves in the last 34 years some how it and the report I had was lost. Later, Don.
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 20:46:16 (MST)
On the map I have there is a railroad that starts or ends in Qui Nhon and heads west about 6 miles towards LANE. About 3 miles east of LANE it runs into a railroad that heads south and north. To the north it winds around the tarrain with Highway 1 and to the south it travels along Highway 68. To the north the railroad has lots of bridges on the Song La River but that is up by Phu Cat..........you are talking in the other diredtion, correct?....mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 20:03:15 (MST)
Alvis.....Missed ya today man. To bad ya had to work. Spent about an hour and a half at Heidelberg Bakery and stuff on Pendleton Pike with Ron Paye, Rainer and His wif dee and my wife Dee.........Had some Cheese Cake and coffee.........was a good visit......HEY!!!!!!...can somebody tell me if there is a web sight that you can view any place in the world from a satellite as a blown up picture like the one the asternouts do? I seemed to recall somebody telling that there is................Mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 19:38:30 (MST)
Mark, my friend, it was south west of lane. miles away but not as far south as tuy hoa.Dont know where the railraod started ,nor where it went,but thats the way to trace it, the railroad.I have a pic of the village just before you get to it,but thats no help on a grid map. I just looked at the pic,the road that runs trhu the palce is dirt.Cant tell you how far inland it is,nor the name of the river,nor where it comes out to the ocean.Perhaps it was down near where we got shrimp from in that coastal village .Hmm, maybe I have a mission to try to find in on some on line maps..anyone want to help?
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 19:30:42 (MST)
Alvis and Smitty.........how far soth west was that bridge? I have maps of some of that AO.
Mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 19:18:15 (MST)
that sure as hell looks like the bridge,in the crashes section.The railroad was one of those narrow gauge tracks type.One of my mosy beutiful memories of nam was just up stream from there. The mountians closed in on the river valley,lush,overgrown,thick with life.heading up river,on the crew chiefs side of the aircraft,a mountian stream played down and hop scotched its way down. now the river itself was one of those lazy affairs,in no hurry to go anywhere,nor making up its mind whether to run fast or pool. sandy beaches bordered it for much of its lenght. No human habitation,nor signs of it in sight.anyway, as this stream played itself down the steep slopes of that mountian,it pooled itself.again and again,maybe 5 times or more at the base of that many waterfalls.The pools looked cool,peaceful and inviting.pure,clean,cool,suductive ,peaceful.One could believe that adam and eve had perhaps started life in a place much like that.But what really sticks in my mind is an orchid.A bright red,here I am,look at me,orchid.There must have been a huge patch of them.In one spot,among all that lush green,a shining oasis of lovely red flowers,a beacon of beauty,serinity.A long line of white,misty,falls,silver pools, spectactular blue skies without one sign of destruction from human hands not the war.it was simply beauty in the most tropical kinda way.Flying back down the river,reality soon came back,that bridge, which I thought looked old fashioned and french built.Never went back up into that "ao".Was very lonely up there,bet the bad guys were watching.And yes, there was some arguement on board between gabby,the "pp" and the chief that was getting short.Smile,we said the heck with it,did it anyway.bet there was a pucker spot on each of our seats.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 19:14:10 (MST)
I have a vintage 1969 topograghic map of the LANE AO that is very detailed. To large to scan and post. Will bring it to INDY. If that bridge is located southwest of Lane I may have a map with it on it. I will check. Wasnt that bridge named Toa something. Pete Rhome recalls that crash and he was there late 69/70...........always a brother, Mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 18:31:20 (MST)
...I am pretty sure that the one picture, The last one on page 2 of the gallery in the "CRASH" section is of the bridge that you have been talking about. As a matter of fact you can still see the tail boom in that photo. Hey Lou!!!!!!!!...WELCOME HOME and back to the 129th. How many photos did you e-9mail me. I only got 3. If it was more then that. Resend please. Also Lou, a "SNOWSNAKE patch is on the front page of the 129th Home Page about in the middle. I don't recall who sent it in to be post though.........Good to see all the commo. I think that there may be more photos of that bridge in one of the other sections of the GALLERY that someone sent in..................Mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 18:25:41 (MST)
Baron, i have looked in maps of vietnam & cannot find one with that much detail. Fred A. & the rest, there were 2 shaky pete's. One Jay Hillon from the gun PLT whom i heard later was killed in a car wreck. The other that we played cards with Fred, I cannot bring back his name but Festus has a perfect picture of him in his albums in Las vegas, unfortunately, he doesn't have a computer & isn't tied to this site.
smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan,wy, USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 16:20:47 (MST)
Matt Casey...In you pictures that you have posted in the gallery, the second group of pictures, third picture down. The kid with glasses, him and I ran into each other at a Rock Fest in Heidelbrerg, Germany. We sit on the bank of the Rhine River and burnt some hash and drank apple juice. We sit there for maybe the entire performance of Black Sabbath and talked about what we planned to do after the army. Damn I can`t remember his name....he was in the 1st platoon. Jim....I couldn`t tell you where that bridge was at from Lane. Baron...I can`t remember whole flights going under that bridge.....may have been before the accident happen. Now Mr.Wightman(Roman) would "low level" down that river bed and right before the bridge pull straight up into a "hammer head" stall and like fall off to the right or left......neat feeling. But he`d never go under the bridge.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 15:22:34 (MST)
Smitty, Southwest of Lane, down past Tiger Strip , way down that valley somewhere. I need a good map. G.C.
Baron
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 12:40:51 (MST)
Are you guys talking about the bridge near Happy Vally, in the Sui Cows (sp?) or is it the bridge shown in the pic gallery. Or maybe they are the same my memory is fading but I do remember people talking about the crash.
jim
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 11:46:33 (MST)
In flight school at Ft. Rucker they showed us three photographs of the bridge. The first two were taken from the Aircraft directly behind the wrecked plane . First photo showed them heading down to go under the bridge, Second photo showed them pulling up to abort. Final picture showed wrecked aircraft in the river. One of the old A. C.'s told me that whole flights from the 129th would fly under that bridge every time they came home from a mission down in that area. Single file of course.
Baron
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 11:22:03 (MST)
uh huh..no way I'd fly under that bridge!!!! NOt in an overweight gunship!! NOOOO SIRRREEEEEE!!!heeeeeeee!
Wes Griffith was a spec5, around 5'10", dark complection, brown hair. Left in fall,71. Good friend, great crewchief! Lives in Oregon. C.B. I think I have a piture of th nose of the frog. I'll check when I get back home, and send it if I do...WE got asap'ed one day, to cover an extraction on the coast, up north of Lane. As we got above Quin Non, we cleared and tested our weapons. Peter P armed the frog, and fired about ten rounds out of it. Unfortunately for some villagers, it was pinting nearly straight down, and at least five rounds hit in their village. Me on hom de dah! Sin Loi! I can still feel that low pulse thud as the rounds went downrange, we could just barely track them as they went out in front of the ship! Rate of fire was 240rpm???
Kim
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 10:55:24 (MST)
To CB I sent a bunch of pictures to Mark to post on the site, there were several of the SnowSnake ,
lou Rags
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 10:36:22 (MST)
Fred A., There seems to be two Shakey Pete`s....The one Kim L. and Baron, CB, and I are refering to was a Cobra crewchief. He was there from March or February of 1970 thru 18 months of duty. Man that bridge that Gabby flew under with you...was always showed to the new PP as what NOT to do. He`s lucky no one caught wind of that stunt. Matter of fact he was real lucky...that was a real big thing in my time. Mr. Whightman was our most adventurious pilot and even he wouldn`t try something like. Me personally I would have ask to "put me on the ground", if a pilot would wanted to do that stunt at that bridge.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 09:52:59 (MST)
slow hand salute rendered to stoner and sprague..slaute. Rest well in fiddlers green, the resting place of warriors.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 09:22:04 (MST)
if its the same bridge we flew under,that was fun.I have a picture of the village ( straw huts mostly) near that place.I believe the vilage got its income from making charcoal.I remember being told that flying under the bridge was prohibited,because some time earlier,someone had indeed, hit it.Gabby was the ac, if I remember correctly.Is Griff (was) a near 6,0" fellow,slim,with achne scars?Always smiling and in good humor?If I remember correctly, he told me he was from somewhere in indiana.sp 4 i think.He was there in aug of 71 or sept? Smitty,who was the shaky that used to play cards with us?He was a fng to us.Nice quiet kid,wit ha ready smile. His hands always shook like a dog trying to shit a peach seed.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 09:05:55 (MST)
the ship went down 11 Mar 69. we lost Larry Lee Stoner and John Lee Bendor that day. Les Sprague was CE and he pulled the AC and a Korean passenger out but was unable to get to Larry or John because the bird was fully ingulfed by fire by that time. I have been unable to find out if the AC lived or not as he was very badly injured and may have died in the hospital. the bird was UH-1H 68-15371. there is info about it on my site. click on my name below and it will take you to page 1. 371 is on page 2. Later, Don
Don Miller
AZ USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 23:26:13 (MST)
Shakey Pete...What a original character....I can still see him lumbering up the hill from the flight line with that quirky expression on his face. Put in some good nights partying with Shakey. The lord broke the mold when he made Jay. Just thinking...does anybody recall being taken by the railroad bridge where a 129th helicopter hit it while trying to go under it. I think they were making a "short timers" pass, and tried to pull out of at the last minute and hit the bridge. What year was that...it was before 1970. There was just the "head" and parts scattered everywhere and still laying there in the river bed.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 22:25:51 (MST)
As I said earlier, history is in the eye of the beholder! WW2 has it's share of historians, the Japanese refuse to print any stories of their atrocities, We Americans refuse to give any other country credit for winning anything, especially in the Pacific! The Soviets lost over 20 million dead, captured more land (theirs)killed more Germans, destroyed more enemy equipment, than any other Allied force. The French? hell, they lost in a couple months, fought against the allied african coast landings, railed at the British for sinking their battleships after the German's had captured them..etc ad naseum. The so called "GREATEST GENERATION" the ww2 vets are the ones who were in charge when we got into Vietnam, sold us on the domino theory, which legitimized our presence there, and spent a bunch of years letting us hang on while they looked for a way to get out of there, but still save face! I believe we were a hot part of the cold war, and our sacrifices helped shape the national debate on our role in the world. Remember that the phrase 'soft on communism ' was as much a career ender as 'child molester' is today!
Our waterloo in Vietnam, along with the russian waterloo in Afganistan, is what brought an end to the cold war. I also believe that for us, as it is with any small unit in combat, the goal is to kill the other guy, not for strategic rationale, but, for our brothers beside us! For us, our brothers were more often than not Korean! That's one of the reasons why we fought in relative obscurity. I always had the feeling that if we got in trouble, the ROK's would have gone all out for us..... Shakey Pete is no longer with us, still, I have a story about him, one I think you'll remember, Baron. I was hanging out at the line shack one day, and the call came in for a light team inbound for ammo. Shakey landed and tended to a hangfire on the left side. The rocket was stuck solid, and Pete got frustrated when he couldn't get it out. He reached into his ship, grabbed an op rod, and started beating the warhead!!! AS the trendy saying goes...PRICELESS!!!!! I don't think any of us knew whether to run up and stop him, or run over to the 61st to get away from the impending explosion!!! I think griff finaly grabbed the rod out of his hand...I'm chuckling even now, just thinking about it...Pete, I miss you!!
Kim
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 21:22:58 (MST)
CB...I got a picture of my helmet that you painted for me.....that was what kinda put our friendship into motion. I think I gave you a "deck of jays"....hell we smoked them together...didn`t really cost me anything. Jim...I use to talk to my friend Hans father...I think he`s still alive, he was 75 years old then. But he was 15 years old when the Germans occupied Rotterdam...and he escaped into France...only to have some French people turn him in to the Germans. His stories would keep me on the edge of my chair, he escaped second time and spent the war working for the Dutch resistance. Amazing "old man", but he hated the French with a passion. Him and I would have the best of times...He would tell me French jokes....which I had already hear about Polish folks. And I would tell him George Bush jokes...he really got a kick out of that. I would tell him I didn`t know any Clinton jokes. He would always laugh and say," Clinton likes young women...that is good". Pretty amazing ole fellow.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 20:15:58 (MST)
RAGS: Snowsnake...nose art...Do you have any pictures? Sometime during the summer of 1970 I did a lot of art work on ships, helmets, and regular re-lettering (tail numbers, etc.) Although I was in the Cobra platoon, I painted for anyone. I recall a Captain from maintenance trading me a bottle of whiskey in exchange for nose art on a slick....could it have been the Snowsnake?
Oddly enough I have no photos of any of the ships I painted...the one I most regret not having was Shakey Pete's (Jay Hillin/ Cobra crewcheif) Captain America gunship...Red and white stripes and blue field with stars painted on the chunker turret on the nose, the tall chunker ammo box in the rear, between the gunners, and the AC's helmet. The ZigZag man adorned the circular plyon covers where the the miniguns would fit on in another gunship configuration. I've written here about this ship before...I'm hoping someone out there might have a photo to share. Another painting was a life size image of the then-current playmate of the month inside the Cobra line shack. I still have her. When I prepared to deros, I found a sabre saw and cut her out of the wall and shipped her home...Used her as my portfolio to be accepted as an Art major in college. Regards, C.B.
C.B.
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 17:14:48 (MST)
Kim,
Quick note here, I feel your pain. As for Grandstanding , back then I conscidered it a big part of our job at hand. You surely recall that a light fire team consisted of eight men and two powerful, well armed aircraft. It was not happenstance, our " fasionably late" appearance on the morning of a C. A. . The low level pass, the climb and ever traditional Immelmann ,to flash the four foot " KILL" sign painted on the bottom of the trail ship. The low hover of a heavy Gunship up next to the lines of waiting slick crews. Seems like even then we made preperations for this day to come, The photo Opps., the little box. As for live rounds sticking in the chamber , this is the toughest one for me! I guess I was fortunate to be seated far enough forward in the aircraft for it not to have affected my ice green eyes as much as some terribly unfortunate others. As for Junne 26, 1971 , Three versions of that day are already between the pages of this book and I have another. I flew with Slick many times and knew that brave pilot who took that ship to the river bed well . As for frozen packages slipped into my take home cooler, I will NOT drop them off here but carry them with me forever. as for the National archive , I suppose they might want to nail a lid on this crate. As for Cobra Baron, Well I'll just say that unlike some of the Barons who have gone befor me," THEY HAVE NOT YET SHOT ME DOWN"
Baron
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 16:36:27 (MST)
Wink, good to see a post from you. I never had anyone call me any names or give me a hard time about being there or anything. I definately agree with the last sentence of your post. If i were asked to do it over again, I probably would. I went to a Job Fair near me for a company that makes batteries, and since the war started up they have been going great guns, so i'm hoping I might get hired. They said i would probably hear from them in a week. Alex, it was nice talking to you the other day, and i hope your foot gets better. Tell Liz i said hi. Ray, how are you doing Brother? Hope everyone else is doing well...Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 16:12:17 (MST)
I was with the 129th from Jan 70 -Dec 70, I was assigned to the maint plt. Around april we got 740, which was all beat up. We stripped it down to the cabin area and rebuilt it. The team was Tony Blueswiecz, Tom Newell, Bill Campbell, Leroy Johnson, and myself. When it was finished, we named it SnowSnake 1. It became our recovery ship , and we were all pround of it. We had some great times on the SnowSnake, We never let anyone down when a call came in for help, we were there ASAP. We had great pilots, Lt Weeks, WO Hill, Lt Paige, and Lt Feilds. We made a great team. Its been a long time since VN, but I'll never forget the SnowSnake and the team.
Lou {Rags} Ragonese <MaRags1@Aol.com>
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 16:10:22 (MST)
Dave, the pilot usually called the tower after we had done all preflight checks and came up to power.the pilot then ask for taxi clearance.The tower reponed with the approite instructions. The aircraft would "taxi" to the correct runway. the pilot would ask the tower for take off instructions,the tower would then give premission to take off in a given direction,with instructions where and if there were fast moves out there,air traffic in the area and arty below a certian altitude.The birds flew at about ( cruise) 110 mph or so.time from first power up to crusing speed and altitude ,maybe 5 minutes or less.Forgive me ,its been 30 plus years and I wasnt a pilot,just a gunner.Pilots in here can tell you more exact times and figures.However, know this, it took less time for all this to happen than it did to get comfy with the flight and conditions.When one first started the days mission,one started it with all ears and eyes,listening for a strange noise,looking for any hint of trouble with the aircraft.Many ,many times,there was no warning of trouble,it just appeared and one delth with it as one best could.Sometimes,one was lucky,sometimes not.We had very skilled pilots,the best in the world,but luck always was a welcome visitor.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 14:47:44 (MST)
In 1985 I was speaking with a French woman who was here illegally, the first thing out of her mouth was how stupid American are,(something about the Frech and bathing) then she told me the French underground won the second world war in Europe, no mention of the British,Canadians,Dutch,Poles and many others, hell the Russians lost 8 million,I would not want to minimize the contribution or sacrifice of the French resistance but I think they had a little help.Then she tells me that French communism wouldn't be anything like Soviet styled communism (this is 85 before the wall came down).I reapeated this to a friend originaly from Argentina and she says the Americans were Johnny come latelies and the French underground won the war.Needless to say I was over torqueing,when the subject of Viet Nam came up she said they (VC) had a right to kill Americans because we were in their country,I told her I guess I had a right to kill her she is in mine.Anyway you know what they say about opinions.I have come to look at Viet Nam as one of the hot battles of the cold war and for those in the world who dont get the big picture xin loi. When I dont get pissed at them,I get a kick out of the PEACE FREAKS that dont understand you cant have calm without storm,day without night,birth without death.AS I write this a cute little 2yrs old is dying (some where in the world) and Osama Bin Ladin is still alive, Hitler lived to his late 50s or early 60s,Stalin late 50s etc.,So it has occured to me that there is no justice as we normally think of it,there are laws that run this universe, whatever they may be and there will always be people who want to control and manipulate others, when that happens on a personal level or a global level sometimes force is the appropiate responce not good not bad just whats needed. I laugh when I hear someone say violence never solved anything, the sun is a mass of viloence, the pounding of a nail is violence, etc.So for those who disliked or hated us for what they THINK we did or think it was a wasted effort I think they just have a hard time seeing the world through their colons. Look at Viet Nam today, the communist won, with the help of the ARVN, and they are comming to understand that capitalism works of course they only had to look at Japan, Korea and Germany to see what their futur would be.So in closing I just want to say there are a lot of people who just dont get "IT", we know what we did and in the end that is all that matters. As Dennis Miller says, of course thats just my opinion I could be wrong.
jim
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 13:55:32 (MST)
Tom Ragonese - I read with interest your posting of how the war in Vietnam effected your
experience growing up with a father who was a Vietnam Vet. I think this is interesting because the war effected not only us but a lot of other people as well, especially out immediate families. I don't remember your father being in the 129th but I was in another platoon, some of the guys on here should remember him. Tell him to post on here & add his two-cents worth to the rest of us. Thanks for your input. Frank
Frank Loveday
Bastrop, LA USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 11:47:06 (MST)
Well spoken Barry, I'm proud to haved served in your company. That's Bad, " Bad ass Barry"
Baron
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 11:03:27 (MST)
MORNING FLIGHT, AS IN THE PAST I DON'T POST MUCH, BUT I ALWAYS COME TO THE SIGHT TO READ THE POSTINGS.I'VE WANTED TO POST MY FEELINGS ABOUT WHATS BEING WRITTEN BUT BECAUSE I CAN'T GETM MY THOUGHTS TOGETHER I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE, AN MY MIND GOSE BLANKE. SO I COME TO OUR SITE JUST TO READ.EVER SINCE SUE WAS INTRO TO THE SITE AN TOLD US WHAT SHE HAD IN MIND THINGS HAVE BECOME A LITTLE DICY.I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A GOOD OR BAD THING OR BAD, BUT IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS THE SITE HAS STURED UP A LOT OF FEELINGWS THAT ARE HARD TO DEAL WITH. LIKE HOW WE WERE TREADED BY OUR OWN GENERATION, THE KIDS WE GROW UP WITH& HOW WE CLASSIFITE AS THE LOWEST OF LOW.I KNOW THAT THIS SITE IS OUR HAVEN AGIANIST THE REST OF THE WORLD BUT THE STORY MUST BE TOLD. NOT THE EXPLOSTES IN NAM BUT THE WAR WE FOUGHT HERE AT HOME.I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ON HOW THE SITE IS VIEWED BUT I THINK THAT IF WE ARE TO BE UNDERSTOOD THE GENERATIONS THAT FOLLOWED HAVE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE ONLY BEEN ANSWERED BY THE OUR GENERATION AN ONE SIDED AT BEST. WE BILD WALLS UP AROUN US SO NOBODY CAN HURTS US &AN THINK OF TIMES WRER GOOD. I KNOW FOR ME IT WAS VEITNAM AN THE 129TH.WE WERE THEIR FOR A SHORT TIME AS TIME GOES BUT IT WAS A LIFE TIMME FOR SOME OF US AN A WAY IT STILL IS. WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM NAM WE CAME BACK ALONE WITH NO SOPPORT. WE WRER LOOKED UPON AS BABY KILLERS DRUNKS DRUGIESAN ALL OUT KILLERS. NOBODY WANTED TO UNDERSTAND US OR CARE BECAUSE IT WAS OUR FAULT WAS VIETNAM HAPPEN.I WAS TOLD BY TO FRIENDS, AFTER THEY FOUND OUT THAT I WAS IN NAM THATI SHOULD OF LAID DOWN ARMS AN LET THE VC KILL ME BECAUSE IT WAS WRONG FOR WHAT I WAS DOUING OVER VIETNAM.NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY NO LONGER FRIENDS.THIS COUNTRY MADE US WHAT WE AREI THINK I'VE SAID ENOUGH BEFORE I GET TO DEEP INTO THIS, BUT IN ENDING I WILL SAY THAT WHEN SOMEONE LOGS ONTO OUR SITE THEY MAY UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE THE WAY WE ARE AN WHAT OUR COUNTRY DID TO US WHEN WE ALL CAME BACK FROM THE NAM. WE FOUGHT TWO BATTLES BACK IN THE NAM AN HERE AT HOME. IF I HAD IT TOO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN I PROMBELY WOULD DO THE SAME.
BARRY WINKLER
LAKE WALES, FL USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 09:07:54 (MST)
POLITICS!!!! Kim did you say politics......I have NO problem talking politics. But that`s taboo here. Sue...I personally don`t care if you come into this web-set....You said you were a writer and was going to write a book...First thing alot of us thought about was "making it real". If it would have been baseball....I`d been talking about baseball. You need to stay around...now that we know what you intentions are....give us little previews of the book. Mugu, Mr.X, General Westmoreland, we`ve had them all in here. At least you are real...and there`s nothing phoney about you ....it appears!!!! Now we are some crazy people....and you got to deal with that. I think after everything calms down here, we`ll still tell our stories and laugh about them and cry about them. Like Kim LaVoie said," Some people I don`t mind to talk about Nam with....and some people just flat out piss me off". Sometimes I like to take my Nam conversations to a higher level...not only the combat aspect. But the social changes, the idealism, lessons learned and how they all play into todays problems. The music we listen too, the cars that we wanted so bad. Now as far as my wife being insensitive to my Nam exploits. If we are talking about being trumatized...my wife`s best girlfriend was murdered, while they were college. And Annette was murdered in a fashion, that`s right out out of a horror movie. Matter of fact, they caught the guy thru "America Most Wanted" TV program. He had murdered several other women. Every time we are home in Ohio, my wife returns to Annette`s grave site. They had known each other since they were 4 years old. No I don`t tell her about how badly I was trumatized. I guess that`s why she`s more comfortable watching "Sex In The City", than watching a Nam flick with me. Of course that does have it`s benefits....LOL. So stick around Sue and enjoy the "fireworks"....maybe you`ll base a crazy character on one of these personalities you see in here. As always I probably have offended someone in here...but I can`t keep on taking myself to serious....I`m just another piece of the puzzle.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 08:06:23 (MST)
Forgot to add- Fred S and I must still be studs to keep those to "younger women" happy!
Jeff
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 05:28:29 (MST)
Baron, Has Jane seen "We were Soldiers Once" and/or "band of Brothers" ? If not sit her down and watch them with her. Mt wife was 8 years old when I was in Nam and to her it was just a vague recolection of the evening news. Like Fred S and Kim were have been together awhile. Yesterday was 15 and hoping for many more. Anyway she never really cared about Nam stuff but always wondered why this site is important to me. After watching those two films she understood the bonds that men have been in combat share. Give it a try. My thoughts on this being a public site. Who cares? I just hope all "outsiders" who come in and read understand they are reading thoughts of a bunch of guys who were mostly kids back then who managed to "face the elephant" and do it like a man!
Jeff
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 05:26:52 (MST)
Sue, we may be a brotherhood, a group of guys who have a common bond. Don't ever let that lead you to believe that we always get along, always agree!!! I could start a major war today, just by mentionling politics!!!! WE're from all over the country, have values which reflect our regionalization, our lifes experiences, which are a compiliation of ourselves, vietnam included. The war was a short period of time in our lives, intense maybe, but, relatively short.
Kim
USA - Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 04:35:54 (MST)
Good evening all...Mark, thank you for the maps! I have been tied up the past three weeks with kid stuff (never ends) and had a chance to go over things tonight finally. Looks like the XS grid shows NE of Saigon in the river area. I can't pinpoint it but I can find the vicinity but am having trouble reading the thing in terms of exact coordinates. I figure 20 minutes out of TSN from when the "incident" occurred. My question is for anybody out there, what typically would happen between once you recieved clearance to leave from the tower, getting to hover, and then how quickly choppers flew in temrs of m.p.h after dusting? off.
Bless you all? Cheers! Wells
Dave Wells <dswells62@bellsouth.net>
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 22:17:21 (MST)
Mark...God love ya...have a great time in Indy. I have to say, the day I looked at the Pop-A-Top menu at my workplace, changed my life in more than one way. I met you, Dee...and hopefully more good people that I will be a better person for knowing. It wasn't my intention to intrude here. I guess I became so immersed in what I watched in the tapes Mark let me borrow...(helicopter footage), the audios that he copied for me, the articles I read and the emotions it all brought on...well, I suppose it overwhelmed me to the point that I became overly involved. In doing so, I caused some bad vibes in here that didn't exist prior to my posting. I sincerely apologize for that. Time for me to back off for awhile...carry on as you were.
Sue
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 22:02:11 (MST)
When I was little I new my dad served in Viet Nam. Until I was much older I did not realize what that meant. I think around 1986 or so there was a big parade in New York City (where we are from) for all the Viet Nam Vets. My dad went but he did not take me, He only said that he thought I did't belong there (as I recall thats what he said I don't know if thats what he meant). I remember when he came home that day it looked as if he had been sad all day. He never expressed how he felt or what happened to him over in Viet Nam, I only got dribs and drabs of stories that were as clear as mud. My dad was never one to get mushy with me (not that he acted so tuff or anything) he just wasnt about breaking down and sharing. During the 80's I busted into some of his stuff and found some of his old pictures from Viet Nam and there was one with his Helocopter's nose art on it. I had the picture blown up and made into an iron on patch for a white t-shirt for him to wear. The only thing that ever seemed to make him happy was talking about that helocopter. He never talked about the missions or what he did. To me he was a God and all I wanted to do was work on helocopters (he saw to it that I didn't at least for the ARMY). All these years had gone by and I learned that there was something going on iside of him, but he had never let it out. Three days before my 30th birthday (I am a Police Officer) I was in a close quarter gun battle witha man who tried to kill me. The department had me speak to all these people who had never encountered what I had been through so as I saw it the only one for me was my dad. He understood everything I was feeling and told me some of how he felt (but he still held onto alot that day). One thing though my brief moment was nothing like his year in Viet Nam and I told him that and I told him as I often did a a kid that I was proud of him and I thanked him for always being there for me. He always seemed so strong and to this day he still holds alot back. Several months ago he tried filing a claim with the V.A. and they told him that a review of his records revealed insufficient proof that he was in Viet Nam. We put our heads together and thought of ways to find other proof. After several months of searching I found this web site. I called my dad at home at 3 am and told him about it. that night he sat on the computer (and he is no computer wiz) and looked at every picture posted and every contact name. He printed the history of 1970 thatis posted on this site and took it to the VA rep and showed her Because he was there from Jan 70 until Dec 70. It was like complete vindication he was able to find the aircraft serial number which he was desparately trying to remember. It was like a complete vindication for him. I was never so excited for him because it was as if the hope of contacting his old crew mates and posting some pictures just made him feel good. I had not seen him like that for a long time. I know that he is wanting to get more involved but he often does not have time tto get on the web and surf. However, I have been doing it and everytime I read the postings I feel as if my heart melts. I am considered a gulf war vet and now I am an activated reservist for this campaign and I know that his contribution to me and my family and this country far outweighs anything I have done for it. It is because of the experiences in life we both have had that we shared this recently. I wish he had more friends like some of the guys I read about in this flight log. Another result from this whole experience is that he has talked about things that I never thought I would have ever heard come from his mouth. I was in awe but I was glad that he finally let some of it out. He hopes to be in Indy and I hope he makes it. I told him that Mark called me upon receiving my e-mail about the pictures and he was happy to hear that. He asks me constantly if the pictures have been posted and he is looking for more that he has. I am happy that we found this sight and I hope it brings healing to him. I want to thank all of you for your service to this country. As I am typing this I am choked up because it is like a well of feelings that even I have not been able to express to him until recently like I am to all of you now. I apologize for rambling on but I just want you all to know that the love I feel for my dad is the same I feel for you after reading over all of this stuff. Thanks for reading this. Good night. By the way you can e-mail my dad at MaRags1@aol.com he would love to hear from anyone. He worked on Snow Snake 1 which was the recovery bird (as he tells it).
Tom Ragonese <ragonese@delaware.net>
dover, de USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 21:57:46 (MST)
One thing I do kmow...I could walk past most everyone on this site, and no one would know me! It's a curiosity to me, that it's all a matter of timing, even the medals we received are cheapened, because of where and when we fought. people who did nothing but die in a burning building are hero's, and the folks who fight at our president's whim are just doing their duty! If they get killed, well..that's what they joined to do!
I don't know the rationale behind my deciding if and when I talk about rvn, or who prompts me to speak, with what prodding. Some folks just seem to display a genuine interest, while others just piss me off!!! Things I do know...mini guns don't go rat a tat tat, bullets don't bounce off plexiglas or aluminium....guns do run out of amunition, or even worse, they jam with a live round in the chamber! Time is truly relative, it can slow down or speed up depending on the situation....memory is selective, I wonder what the history books are going to say about the early 21st century!
Kim
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 20:59:42 (MST)
Baron....shoot man, as far as that goes, my wife, Dee, doesnt come on here either. I tell her all that stuff that goes on. Dee is very supportive of this page and does attend the reunions with me, but as far as knowing all my feelings about what this page does for/to me, I keep lots of it to myself..........just as AA has Alon-non, it could be suggested that our others seek to find out more about where and what draws us together here. I'm telling you all, other then my Maker, my wife, kids and grandkids, "YOU ALL" are next in line as my brothers and sisters that I want to spend time with. Compulsive?....maybe?....interested to find out more of larry's life after he left home is how I think it is. This place is the one and only place that can do that. I have obtained all the GOV. papers I can on the matter, the rest comes from you....as I have said many times in here. Keep talking. Talking about everything to me. Your familys, kids, work, pains, all of it. You are the voice of Larry........and I will always want to hear from you as he would be talking to me if here were here....Yeah see what I just wrote?...as if here were here. He is here!!!!!!..........................always a brother, Mark
Mark
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 20:42:26 (MST)
Evenin' all.........C B, Freddie boy, Baron, all well said, with a heavy heart I dont pretend to know know what Fred A. or any of you, as far as that goes, is speaking about There is no way I could, because I wasnt there. But I do have a passion to understand it. Sue, you write like I would like to write. It has not been by chance that we have met, it is fate. I am so excited to embark on the final mission of the "257". It will be finished when we bring back a piece of her next year. I know, dont ask me how, but I just know that there is something that Larry left behind for me on that mountain top. Whether it be physical or spiritual, it is up there. Hope all is well with all. I talked to Fred A. today and things are cool with him. He'll still be here, just a little cautious to what he says in here, and that cool with me. I want to always, always respect all of your wishes.....head for INDY tomorrow to be with the grandsons and the rest of the family from this way is all going also. My whole clan will be there.........that will be a great.....Mark
Mark
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 20:30:11 (MST)
Fred,Sue, Yes what both of you say makes sense. I'ts my gig and I've got to do it right and keep her content as well. It sure makes it easier when there is someone who under stands. Thanks for the insight. G.
baron
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 20:24:22 (MST)
Baron, Fred, You know, I could never understand why a woman wouldn't WANT to be involved with her husband's past...particularly one as shattering as being in SE Asia. I suppose I think differently than most. There's a side to me that is too sensitive to the past, history, and people's feelings. I don't know. I've been told it's a shortcoming on my part. And maybe it is. Those emotions and thoughts have disrupted my life and driven me to want to be numb. I guess it's called, "taking things to heart." Most women my age are planning what cruises to go on, what day of the week to tan on...and I'm sitting here, reading posts from men I've never met, but feel I know. And trying to figure out...what the hell is wrong with me!
Sue
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 20:03:47 (MST)
Baron, My Brother, my wife wants nothing to do with any of my Nam stuff, so I can understand your point of view. To my wife it`s just history. Come to think of it....none of my female friends ever wanted to hear about Nam. Now my father-in-law...that sits me apart from anyone my wife ever knew. He`s so proud to introduce me to his friends....."This is my son-in-law Fred, he was in Viet-Nam"....." He was on a helicopter crew...just like you see in the movies". I suppose that`s a "good thing" that my father-in-law respects me so much for that!!!! When I use to get drunk and raise hell with somebody. Jim would stick up for me and say, " The man was in Nam and fought a war...leave him alone". But Kim and I have made it thru 20 years of marriage without Nam being a part of it....so who`s to say. And if Jane don`t want to be part of the "Ladies Platoon" don`t force her.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 19:41:22 (MST)
Sue, Thanks Sue ,I am certainly caught up by Marks immense passion for this cause.It just seems to hit home for me because of my closeness with my own brothers and sister and whole intire family. Jane doesn't seem to understand my egerness for involvment. Perhaps if a few people were to send , "Sweet Jane" a little welcome note here she would understand a little better. Who knows, we might be able to start a girls platoon. Thanks again , Baron
Baron,
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 18:56:05 (MST)
Baron...I read your post. Sounds like you have the same problem I do...only mine is my kids. "What are you doing on there all the time?"..they ask. Pouring over memories from brave soldiers, I should tell them. I don't know the answers. I only know that I feel drawn to this place. I feel connected to those who come here. I should feel like an outsider, but I don't. I guess I'm the sister that everyone left behind. I'm the one who aches inside just reading some of the stories on here. I'm the one who got caught up in the war, the flying, the crew chiefs, the doorgunners, the pilots...all that encompass what this unit is about. I can't seem to shake myself loose of the feelings that have come over me. You're not alone, Baron.
Sue
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 17:54:51 (MST)
HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU WHEN YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING?
http://www.sydes.net/jokes/flash/beer.swf
jim
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 13:16:08 (MST)
Oh, Oh...trouble in River City. Stay together you guys....stay together..you're brothers. This is a safe place, Fred. Using "Alvis" or "Fred" only allows those of us close to you to put a face to the name. For the "public" who may enter here, hopefully, it's a history lesson. Sue has decided to focus her book on Mark and Larry therefore many of you will no longer have to struggle with "telling" or "not telling" due to the heartache such may have caused. For those who do want to tell their stories, go to the Library of Congress History Project-they want your stories, photos, etc. to keep and archive, and to be available for those doing research, or just interested. If it's that important to you, it can still be told. We all respect each other on this site...and we're here for each other and each others pain...and happiness. Please nip this in the bud. Damn! Always concerned-Gently
Gently <jsinger@uwm.edu>
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 10:34:31 (MST)
Flight I'll add my two cents for what its worth. This sight have given me opertunities to reach out and touch thoughs that touched me years ago. For that I can never express my deap graditude. Thank you Sister Sue for putting Marks efforts out so others who might not of known about this place may come and find some peace. At the reunion in 2001, with the help of Cup's I presented a plaque to Mark as a token of the apreation I felt we all have for his creation of this sight. It remains a stepping stone on our path to healing. This is what I put on that plaque and it is just as relevent today asd it was in 2001: WE THE MEN, WOMAN, AND FAMILIES OF THE 129TH AHC.....
WISH TO EXPRESS OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE TO MARK JACKSON.......
FOR THE CREATION OF A SIGHT THAT DAILY HELPS US......
REACH OUT......
REMEMBER.......
AND SHARE.......
THANK YOU.......
YOU'VE WON OUR HEARTS......
DITTO'S DEE......Yes this place is public, and thank God we have it. Its made me laugh out loud, often brought a tear or two, and just plane made me fell better than I had in years............TAAILS CLEAR LEFT........CASEY
Matt Casey
Hemet, CA USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 09:54:08 (MST)
Flight: Well this is an public site for all to read. I just finished reading Sister Sue's post. She did a great job on Mark's Vision started this 129th web site. There is other 129th sites. But, this site is the most visited. If it wasn't for Mark and this web site. I wouldn't have organized the 129th mini-reunions with the VHCMA. But, Mark gave me 100% backing by posting reunion information and reunion pictures for all to see. He has accepted and placed our vietnam pictures and stories on this web site. Yes!!! through this site alot of Brother have come full circle. I am here because my Bothers can relate to my experiences in Nam. I held back alot, for so many years. I have those dark moments that I want to just be alone. But, over the years and listening to you my Brothers. Has helped me. Charlotte reunion was the most emotional. Aolt of feelings ran free along with the tears. But, what is the purpose of this web site. To bring all the 129th Family home. Stop and think without this site. Would you have found that lost Brother that you served with. And thanks to Mark we have each other!!! And remember anybody can pull up this site. Fred A. I understand your feelings. These are personal feeling we share on the site. But, anybody can read these logs. In closing it's an honor to be part of a great family such as the 129th bothers and Sister whom visit this site. Well Come to All!!!!!! We did what we had to do for our Country!! We didn't get the recognition. But, your all the greatest Soldiers I know. Alex 129th 65-68
Alex <afernwal@midsouth.rr.com>
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 08:53:03 (MST)
HELLO FLIGHT I DONT THINK I HAVE STORIES OF NAM THAT I CAN TALK A ABOUT BUT I DO RECAL
THE FRIST TIME I CANE TO THIS SIGHT, ALL THE HELP I GOT FROM ALL OF YOU. FOR THOSE WHO KNEW ME THEN AMD EVEN AT THE REUNION IN ATLANTA KNOW HOW FAR I CAME. SUE I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT THIS IS THE FRIST LETTER I SENT TO THE SIGHT WHEN A FRIND SENT IT TO ME FOR GIVE THE SPELLING AS MOST KNOW I NEVER WON A SPELLING B IF YOU WANT IT, I WENT BACK AND COPPYED..............
.........HEY ALL.........SOME WORDS FROM ONE OF OUR BROTHERS THAT WAS LOST, BUT NOW HAS BEEN FOUND Hello I am Ray Gagner I was with the 129th AHC from April of 1969 to April of 1970 For years I felt I hide in Darknenss for what happen in Viet Nam But A few weeks ago I met a man named Vince who has given me a mach to light a candel so I could see He to was in Viet Nam and he is know as,,, Aco27thCombatEng and with that candle he has shown me the way to find my friends I was in Vietnam with and as I callsome one by one the light seemed to have gotten brighted with eack one who called me back for itgave me hope Then I spoke to the Brother of a friend named mark Jackson the Brother of a friend who I was to fly with but I was writing a note to my girl friend so a friend named Steve Heargrave said he would take my place And they never came back for the ship crashed and all were killed How bad I felt when they told me I since talked to Charles.rainey@fuse.net know better as (BUD) and as we spoke I felt so bad for he had to go to the mountain and put there bodies in bags and when we talked a tear came to my eye for it should have been me but He told me The The lord must have other plans for me but just to talk to him made the candele brighter so with that he have me Marks pkone number and I callled an spoke to his daughter and told her whoI was andI made her a promise that I would go toDC and take a pic of her uncles name and this I will do She said her Dad would call and lord and behold he did I had to hold back tears for I have opened a wound and my heart went out to him And once again the candel burned brighter fot then I called one named Smiley but I must have copyed his E mail wrongbut I did talk to him and the cande; burned brighter And now today I got A Email from Pete Rhome (pbulldog216@mSN.com) And tonight I heard from MY crew chife I was his gunner he calles and now the candle burend so bright it seemed to light up the sky for he talked about the good times we had how I tryed to out Drink Larry Jackson but didnt ;-) Robbie and I were good friends he is know as (hobbes@kotak.com)As you can see I can't sleep to night for some reason un know to me the Darkness stars to take over me for I feel our Govement didnt care whn w came home for un like the Gulf War and Desert Storm ans one going on now They all came back as heros And Well we were cast aside when we returned home some were spit upon and called baby killes Yes I seem to be mixed but the only ones who realy cares for us all is all of us our slefs our brothers for we have each other and we shall help each other forever Well my brothera I hope I didnt not bore you nor I hope I didnt make a fool of me but I just could not sleep so I got up and wrote this for give me if I said something wrong and hurt any one you all take care my brothers your brother Ray Yes Iam have a hard time dealing with this sorry ok all who know me know I never stay up so lateI hope u all get to read for all of you made the candel brightfor it my darkness that srounds it and I must seek help as of july 3 Iam going to VA maybe night mears will stop God Bless you all Ray Gagner 12:31AM june 30th 2002
BUT THEN 35 YEARS LATER BUD TOLD ME THE TRUTH THAT STEVE WASJUST MESSING WITH ME THAT HE WAS TO FLY BUT I HELD IT IN FOR 35 YREAS
I STILL GO TO CONSELING HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THAT BUT WITH THE HELP FROM THIS PLACE IAM DOING OK
I DO GET MIXED UPALOT MAY BE LETTING OUT TO MUCH BUT I GUESS AND THINK THATS WHAT THIS ROOM IS ABOUT IT WAS BACK THEN, NOW AT TIMES IT SEEMES TI HAVE TURNED TO POLITICS THAT DON'T BOTHER ME FOR WE SPEAK OUR MIND WELL MAYBE I SAID TO MUCH SORRY IF I DID JUST SAYING WHAT I CALL A STORY MAY NOT BE. BUT ALL I KNOW IF NOT FOR ALL OF YOU IN HERE TALKING ME ME IN ATLANTA TO GO TO VET CENTER I MAY NE NUTS. AND TO THE ONES I TALK TO BY PHONE MANY TIMES AND E MAIL THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH HOPE I GOT NO ONE MAD A BROTHER ALWAYS RAY BE SAFE AND THANKS SUE NOT SURE IF THATS WHAT YOU WANT IF NOT THATS OK
JUST CANT SHARE THINGS SORRY BUT I BE IN INDT FOR SURE AGAIN TAKE CARE SORRY ITS LONG AND LOTS OF MISED SPELT THING AS I WROTE IT MADE SINCES HOPE IT STILL DOSE
LIKE I SAID IF IT WERE NOT FOR ALL IN HERE I NEVER BE WHERE IAM NOW. I STILL HAVE PROPMLEMS BUT NOW LEARING TO DAEAL WITH THEM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A STORY BUT ALL I CAN TALK ABOUT, STILL TRYING TO DEAL WITH VET CENTER MAN BUT DOING GOOD
I LIKE COMMING HERE EVEN IF I JUST READ ROB MY BROTHER YOU TAKE CARE AND THE REAST OF YOU CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU IN INDY
RAY <stilwating@aol.com>
MD USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 08:29:32 (MST)
Behavior, Low level stoop at prey, Hovering, American Kestrel, Rough legged Hawk,(Occasionally Red tailed Hawk) Low level rapid pursuit of prey. She's out the door. Last night she came home after a work retirement party and said I need to use the computer, one of my co-workers went down at the party of an anurism and I need to contact my boss who is on vacation. Wow ,can she type! She is stressed. I'm trying to sneak back into the control room and she starts in. your like a man posessed ,. You look sick, your skinny,your losing weight.Look at yourself! I calmly said, I'll go weigh myself. I yelled Down " one sixty" from the upstairs . As I slowly walk back down stairs she continues,I'm worried about you , do your brothers know about this. When I got to Viet-Nam I weighed 195 , when I came home I weighed 145 . What does your Mom think? I keep her posted . I'm not telling you not to use the computer, just don't spend so much time at that site. well you don't understand, that's why I have been encouraging you to read it. What do you expect to get from all this? Well Jane, I expect to get some healing , some good friends, and a heart.
Baron
MichiganB USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 07:28:11 (MST)
a grey dot among 100 grey dots remains somewhat camoflodged. Paint that dot red, it stands out.Yes, this place is plubic,by all means ,its plubic.So is my underware hanging on the back lawn.I still dont want people going to inspect it.Yes,I suppose ,over the years I have grown complacent about the "public access".I asure you,it wont happen again.I personally now feel that I shant say more on here than I much would passing someone on the sidewalk.These are my feeling,deal with them or not,I dont give a rats ass.Yes,its good advice to return to back channeling.I guess what I am trying to say is that in here,most of the walls have came down,I am relaxed,with friends,everyone knows what we each have been thru,all the trash that was heaped upon our shoulders,as nam vets,doesnt exist here. I have just beem reminded not to let my guard down and to keep the walls up.This was more to me than just a "group chat room".It isnt any longer.
alvis
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 07:11:34 (MST)
its been a very long time, hope everyone is doing well, take care and
god bless.
donnie r. purvis
crew chief
bulldog 682
Jul 71-Jul 72
donnie r. purvis <donnie.purvis@us.army.mil>
lexington, nc USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 05:40:50 (MST)
Fred Alvis......CB is right...everything we say on here is public. Fred Alvis, my friend, you and I have come "full circle" from a year ago at this time. And you know if you have "issues" you can contact anyone of us on the "back channels" and it will be private. Animal has a strong point......some of our statements can be found on Google...my statements were found by my worst possible critic....my mother-in-law!!!!! She didn`t know that part of me. Baron(Gary), you are right....we do have "our camp" now...and I`m at peace with that. A few misfits that "stood out" and "stood alone" when our beliefs were in question and unpopular. That certainly didn`t kill us......it made us stronger. The Baron`s reference to "our camp" is not a clique....just a group of us that had beliefs in common and stood for our beliefs. And thanks to Mark Jackson`s passion we are slowly coming back together. Kim LaVoie...yes I have some outrage also.....I got so sick of hearing about the "young hero`s" of the Iraq war.....What the hell were we when fighting in Viet-Nam.....we faced the same thing, with far less support from the public. But have NEVER been refered to as "young hero`s". I wanted OUR props....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 05:21:57 (MST)
I know how Alvis feels about his thoughts here being accessed by the general public. A while ago I put my name in the google search engine and my private comments to you folks were there for anyone to see. You'll notice I now only sign my call sign and first name. If anyone here needs more information, I'm on the contact page. Sue, you probably write because you can! You're fortunate to be close to Mark and get a good handle on his feelings concerning Larry. As far as telling anyone else's story, It's important that you work with them closely also. I've seen many a good writer misrepresent someone else's reality for many a reason.(not enough information,....Too much information...misunderstanding...)Don't be discouraged if it takes awhile to earn our trust, and I would hope that what is discussed on this site stays here. Aloha, Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Friday, March 19, 2004 at 02:08:56 (MST)
Alvis..I didn't mean to offend you by mentioning the website in an article. I simply felt Mark deserved recognition for something incredible he did and that was reuniting you men through this site. Were it not for his effort, none of us would be in here today. I felt his hard work deserved a mention. I never thought it would cause hard feelings. I'm sorry...
Sue
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 22:25:27 (MST)
Alvis: You might want to re-think your outrage about Sue including this site in a newspaper article. It's a website???? there's NOTHING private about websites. It comes up everytime someone uses a search engine looking for anything to do with Vietnam, Helicopters, Veterans or any number of other catagories....they can all lead to the 129th website. It being published in one newspaper pales in comparison as far a outside people reading "private" entries. We are all pretty much anonnymus in here anyway, as far as anyone outside of the 129th goes. If you feel that strongly about it, perhaps you should email your private thoughts to those you know and trust with them....Just my reaction to your reaction. C.B.
C.B.
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 22:17:08 (MST)
Baron...I write what I feel. Problem is...I feel too strongly and sometimes that shows through. I was told in the past by a couple of publishers that becoming involved with a subject overrides the objectivity. I disagree. I think it enables a person's heart to get involved and from there comes the soul of the story...and the soul of the writer.
The two MUST be one to go forward. And my soul is already intertwined with everyone here.
Sue
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 22:12:17 (MST)
KIM: I also wonder about the '9/11 victims fund,' though I'm not quite as outraged as you about it. The thing that strikes me the most is that the majority of the families were covered with quite nice insurance packages, much more coverage than the average worker. However, I do still buy and use nothing but the more expensive 'American Heroes' stamps at the post office, even though the families of the policemen and firefighters also had decent insurance, and it's to them that the extra dime per stamp goes. Dunno, just seems like a good thing to do, so maybe those who contributed to the other fund feel the same.
Max W.
Oregon USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 22:01:36 (MST)
Sister Sue ,I've Found somthing here tonight that I havent seen in 33 year,My Heart, and it goes out to you.
Gary Carlson
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 21:55:12 (MST)
Fred...Thanks to your kind words and those of a couple of your colleagues, I feel honored to be in your ranks. And calling me Sister Sue..well, it's a title I hope I can live up to. I really DO belong in this family, by choice and by fate.
Last summer, when I met Mark, I asked where Larry was buried. He told me in a little cemetary on Wabash Road. Wabash Road is only 3 roads west of my home. I never suspected there was more than one country cemetary on that road!! I now know there are THREE!! I spent a hot August day, going up and down the rows of tombstones, searching for Larry. Back and forth through the two cemetaries, not knowing there was another, the one I was seeking...about 5 miles to the south!! I came home dejected. I HAD to find that grave.
I called Mark the next day and learned I was looking in the wrong place. So, that evening after work, I located Larry. It's a tiny place, many of the stones in the back are old and toppled. But Larry's marker is decorated with flowers, cigar butts, flags. Mark tends it well. It was just Me, Larry and the wind.
I asked Mark if I could accompany him on his trip to celebrate Larry's birthday. He said, sure! I got there first. Mark and Dee arrived on Mark's Harley, the motor cutting through the silence. He brought the cold bottle of beer, moisture still on the sides of it. He lit a cigar, gave Dee and I each a little flag to insert into the ground. We visited, Mark did some caretaking and we wished Larry a Happy Birthday.
I knew then with all certainty that there was no damn way I could NOT write about this.
I DO need the support of the 129th. I can't do it without you guys.
"Sister" Sue
Sue <lsah1852@hotmail.com>
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 21:15:45 (MST)
opps, messed up, the reunion isnt during the weekend of the 20th. doesnt matter now anyway
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 21:09:49 (MST)
flight, Mr Ron Payne stopped by to see me today,at work.His computer is down at the moment.He will be back on line shortly.He and I,Hopefully Raineer, will start meeting one sunday a month for breakfest,lunch,whatever .He is looking forward to the reunion.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 21:05:29 (MST)
Baron, no big deal......I was amazed at what I'd repressed, still am at times. For some silly reason, I have a recurring dream where I get to stand as a line of NVA walk past. They all say ok g.i....I usually wake up feeling rested. It wasn't always that way. I know I had nightmares for a long time, unless I'd drunk enough to pass out, and not dream. They stopped after I quit drinking, and I just put it behind me....Sue, I get upset at the insanity of our government....I don't know why the victim's fund enrages me, but, it does! The idea that the widows, widowers, children of the victims of 9/11 are any more deprived than the widows, widowers, and children of any American who dies in an untimely fashon, whether it's from hostile action or a car wreck, just blows me away!! The soldiers that got killed in our wars are just as dead as the people who died in the skyscrapers,pentagon, and aircraft. What's their compensation???
Kim
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 21:01:12 (MST)
anything I say I did,my memories,my hurts,my wounds,my joys,are not for sale for any book,newspaper nor periodical,PERIOD.This site was posted in the newspaper? Thank you for that info.i came here the last few years and posted things i havent talked about with anyone..wives,lovers,friends ect.Now you say ,shit,never mind.I will keep that thought in the forefront of my mind when ever I post from now on.Somethig has been taken away from me,its called privacy.I feel that I no longer can "talk to my brothers about things deep within me.Thank you for telling me this place was posted in the paper.Alvis, out
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 20:58:38 (MST)
Sister Sue....That`s very beautifully written and you share the same passion in which my friend Mark Jackson has championed for all of us to come together on this web-site. We would not be together here if not for Mark Jackson`s dream and undying passion and love for his brother Larry. All of our hearts go out to Mark, just some of us feel that goes without saying our feelings for Mark. I think Mark understands that. Sister Sue..I think everyone of us that read you last post here took a "moment of silence" to reflect on just what this means to Mark and the 129th family. And just like any other family, each member of that family has a distinct personally that contributes to what makes a family so special. Welcome to the family Sister Sue.....as in any family...the fur will fly sometimes.....it will get heated......we cry...and we will laugh...but when the "chips are down"..... we can count on each other.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 18:57:14 (MST)
I got a surprise visit from Mark J. last week. Got to check out his new "look." Lookin' good, Mr. Jackson!
I've been giving a lot of thought to the book I had mentioned on here recently. I guess I have to go with my "gut" feeling on this and hope it doesn't let me down. I met Mark last summer. I was drawn to his story...Larry's story...and that continues to be the case.
This is a story of a small town in rural America...of two brothers...and that's where I need it to begin. It will end on a mountaintop in Vietnam, with an epilogue that describes that moment.
I told Mark I think an appropriate title will be "Always A Brother." He agrees. That will be my story. A sequel might involved the input of those from the 129th wishing to contribute. But I need to take on this story first.
By the way...this article appeared in the Greenville Daily Advocate on Veteran's Day last November. I wrote it and it's one of the things I've done that I'm most proud of. Hope you all enjoy it.
****************************
A Brother of a Brother
September 11 holds a different meaning for Mark Jackson than that of most Americans. Each year on that day he takes the time to commemorate his older brother's birthday. He visits the small country cemetery not far from his hometown of Coldwater, OH, accompanied by his wife, a cold bottle of beer and some flowers or flags.
His brother, Larry, was born Sept. 11 and perished in a helicopter crash in Vietnam on his birthday in 1969. Mark still has the last letter Larry sent home, written only hours before his death.
Larry Jackson was 21.
"I don't remember much about his funeral," says Mark, "except it was a cold day. I was only 18. I eventually enlisted in the Marines with the sole purpose of going over there and avenging Larry's death."
Mark was the top Marine in his platoon. He expected and hoped to be shipped to Vietnam, but it didn't work out as he planned.
"There were several of us standing in line receiving our orders," he remembers. "One after the other were assigned to go to Vietnam. The commander came to me and said, 'Jackson...Okinawa.' I was furious. I grabbed him by the collar, and you NEVER do that to an officer, and I said, 'What do you mean I'm going to Okinawa?'"
The orders remained. The decision probably saved his life.
"I was so upset about losing my brother, I probably would have gone off and gotten myself killed," he admits.
Mark did his tour of duty, came home, married and raised a family.
He put his brother out of his mind until...
"One night about six years ago, I was on the computer. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I figured it was one of the kids, but when I turned around, no one was there. A little while later it happened again. For some reason, I typed in ‘Viet Vet.’"
That was the beginning of healing for Mark Jackson. As time passed, he managed to contact many of those Larry had served with. He learned of Larry's final year and of his death. It was a tragic end to a
too-short life.
"Larry was Crew Chief of the 257 Assault Helicopter,” explains Mark. “The night of his birthday, it was raining. Troops had a Viet Cong prisoner that needed picked up. Larry and his crew had to go. This was about 11:30 at night. At 2 AM, the chopper still hadn't returned. There was a mountain only about a mile and a half from the base. Apparently they lost their way in the rain and didn't clear the top. They crashed into the side of it."
The helicopter caught fire. Everyone on board was killed. Two of the men were scheduled to return home in just weeks.
Mark learned the details from Larry's friends. One sent tapes home to his family instead of letters. During one taping, he went into detail about how his friend, Jackson, "a quiet kid from Ohio" was killed.
"We nicknamed him 'Pop-A-Top,' says a youthful Billy Perri, on the tape. "I guess that’s the way things go over here. All these guys losing their lives and for no reason."
Perri, from Utah, is just one of the many men Mark Jackson now calls a close friend. Through a website Mark created, www.129th.net, more and more men have managed to creep into his life.
A few years ago, Mark opened a restaurant in Coldwater to honor all veterans. It's called “Pop-A-Top” in honor of Larry. Military memorabilia line the walls. Larry's picture is behind the bar. He’s smiling, surrounded by buddies in a brief respite from war.
Mark Jackson plans to visit Vietnam in 2005. He wants to make the trek up the mountain to visit the spot where Larry’s life ended.
“I believe there has got to be parts of the wreckage still there,” he says. “I went to bring a piece back home with me.”
He is hopeful that such a mission will bring him peace and closure.
In the meantime he makes his pilgrimages to the cemetery. He places a lighted cigar in the metal flag holder. He pulls grass away from the headstone and replaces tiny faded flags with new ones. He opens the bottle of beer and pours it on the grave.
“Happy Birthday, Big Brother,” he smiles. The only response is silence.
Sue
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 16:41:16 (MST)
june 20th,there will be V.P.fuels bracket racing going on at IRP ( indianapolis raceway park).Cost will be about 15 bucks to get in.(sunday) anyone interested going?I live between the airport and the drag strip. The strip is about 7 miles ,or so, from the airport. Ok, to clear something up...(gently).. I have been treated for actinive karatosis (pre skin cancer) since the mid 80s.Its not dangerous if treated in a timly fashion.The thing on my arm changed colors because ( i hadnt noticed at the time) I had slamed my forearm into something or another and bruised the area. They treated the site with liquid nitro ( usual treatment).All is well.For those fair skined dare devils out there that dont tan,just sunburn ( as I), please have yourself checked.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 10:31:44 (MST)
Kim, Fred Skaags, Mark, C.B. , Alvis all .Like Alvis, I too Red-Xed the aircraft ,(Broken skin on tail rotor blades), after all last weeks commo. Did manage to get some specimens in jar though. Been sending out a lot of info. and don't know how much is getting through. Mark, Did you recieve the photos? Lost in Space..
Gary Carlson
Jenison, USA - Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 06:40:30 (MST)
If you would like to see what happened to some of the weapons we left behind these photos were taken in VN in the 80s just befor they cleaned up this arms dump, http://www.project-x.org.uk/armsdump.html
jim
USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 22:56:04 (MST)
hello all rob i think stomach is ok not sure about blood sugar it was 185
as i wrote you day was not good broke a water pipe while trying to replace a filter got it fixed went back to make sure no leaks fell og chair hurt my hand and wrist went to dr said i got a small facture. made a promise to my self i go no highe than my shose will take me i got a splint on now what a day. i hope you all had a better one dont know how you all handle all that snow. i get upset at 4 inches. we you take care my brothers and sisters. oh talked to bud rainey he said debbie is doing better and thanks all for the cards be safe a brother always ray,, oh my wife won threw her store something about to drive a nastar car at the winton track 7 laps but not going to said not getting in a car with no doors and have to do over 90 on strght away and over 40 on turns so she is giving it to her old boss i cant blame her 90 is fast well my brothes take care rayoh she won it cause her store did well she is a manager of a a oil store take care see u in indy
RAY <stilwating@aol.com>
MD USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 17:06:53 (MST)
The value of an Officer VS a NCO
A 2LT was walking home from work one day, when he noticed a little boy sitting on the sidewalk.
The little boy was playing with a pile of shit. Curious, the 2LT walked over to the little boy and asked him "Why are you playing with a pile of shit?" The little boy replied "I'm building an NCO". The 2LT, amused by this, ran back to the company to get his captain. Upon returning to the little boy, who was still playing with the pile of shit, the Captain asked "Son, what are you doing?" The little boy looked up at him and said " I'm building an NCO". The captain being equally amused insisted that they return and get the 1SG. When the three returned the little boy, still playing with his pile of shit, was asked by the 1SG "Son, what are you doing?" The little boy again replied "I'm building and NCO". "Why are you building an NCO?" asked the 1SG. The little boy paused and responded "Because I don't have enough shit to build an officer"
bob
USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 11:34:04 (MST)
Animal---I'm still laughing. Fred A-I'll be back channeling with you right away! I'm kinda mad at you, and I bet Gale is too!! Everyone remember that Gale and Debbie are getting married April 3rd!!!! :>(( :>))) Don, It's great the Donna's home. I went to your web page again today to visit our fallen friends and brothers....I can't thank you enough for the labor of love. If you are new on the 129th site, please click on Don Millers name after his post, and visit the memorial he created. And if you have pohotros of any of our dear fallen, he would like to post them on the memorial. And now on to Fred A....
Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently
USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 09:21:27 (MST)
Alex, Missed your call yesterday. I'd call you back but don't have your current number. I'm home most nights after 6pm. Mark I send you my email address. Got a bunch of snow yesterday and last night. I had about 8 inches in the driveway. Folks south of us got around 12 inches. Fred A, I'm glad that what you thought might be skin cancer was nothing to worry about. Ray, Hope everything turns out ok with your stomach problem...Hello to all, Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 07:18:39 (MST)
.Mornin' Flight....Don M. Glad that Donna is home now. Sent some photos to entertain you guys.....Got a cakk from Arthur Boehning ( 129th 0 from Bakersfield CA. last night. Say he and his wife will be in INDY this year. Never met him yet. Anybody recall him?.... Hey Snapper?....if you can get that Rotor Blade to me before the reunion this year, I will take it to INDY and get all there to sign it before I hang it in the Pop-A-Top. To bad you still dont have that Pilot's seat. That surely would be a piece for commo up there.........your 129th page has recieved yet another AWARD on the Awards page. The Partiot award. Check the AWARDS SECTION out. We have been well reconized by many. You can be proud of that........have been thinking about the stuff you guys have been writing about, and the nightmares that you are haveing. I never wanted the page to do that to you, but I guess that is the sharp edge of the double edge sword that we speak of.....I will pray that you can be comforted after the dreams.......Have a new FNG to get post soon, Lou Ragonese ( Jam 70/ Dec 70..........Little John good to here that you may make the reunion. Still now work other then subing for the HD kids on occasions at scholl and next week have to drive a WWII vet to his appointment at Ft. Wyane VA for the county VA office. That could turn into a full time job later. Robbie...Any work for you yet?...plus Robbie, I need you currnt e-mail address. Lost it!!!!......Ray, you hang tuff brother.....always thinking of you and Gail....gotta go for now..........always a brother.......Mark
Mark
USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 05:41:47 (MST)
Greg, TOO FUNNY!
Jeff
USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 04:24:48 (MST)
The helicopter pilot was pretty drunk, but decided to play a short set on the guitar anyway. His first song was upbeat and soon everyone in the club was stomping their feet and clapping along. When the applause died down the pilot said "thanks folks, that was a little number I wrote called 'She had a rack, so I nailed her on the pool table'. Well, the audience was taken aback a little by the title, but the guy could definatly play. He then went right into a slow,melodic song and soon everyone's eyes welled up with tears at how beautifully this pilot played guitar. There was complete silence when he stopped playing, then wild applause as the crowd caught it's breath. "Thank you, Thank you,he said, that was one of my original tunes called 'On the weekends we do it doggy style', and I'll be right back after a Quick break". Well,the croud ordered drinks and such, and the helicopter pilot went into the rest room. As he came out a few minutes later, a guy by the door said," excuse me sir, but do you know your zipper's down and your dick's hanging out? " Know it" he said,"hell, I wrote it"...........................forgive me, Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at 01:50:36 (MST)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new soldier was on sentry duty at the main gate. His orders were
clear; no car was to enter unless it had a special sticker on the
windshield. A big Army car came up with a general seated in the back.
The sentry said, "Halt, who goes there?"
The chauffeur, a corporal, says, "General Wheeler."
"I'm sorry, I can't let you through. You've got to have a sticker
on the windshield."
The general said, "Drive on!"
The sentry said, "Hold it! You really can't come through. I have
orders to shoot if you try driving in without a sticker."
The general repeated, "I'm telling you, son, drive on."
The sentry walked up to the rear window and said, "General, I'm new
at this. Do I shoot you or the driver?"
bob
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 22:53:08 (MST)
Well WE MADE IT HOME. Donna has to have IV antibiotics (now I'm a nurse ) every day but at least she is home so she can boss me around again :-D The ammo dump going up in 1970 must have been after March I don't remember it going up while I was there. ( I just had my anniversary date 13 Mar ) man that was a long time ago. am I getting that old ? DON'T ANSWER THAT ! ! ! LOL. well take care all, Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 21:51:44 (MST)
Flight, for you guys interested in the music of the sixties & seventies you might try this site: http://www.allbutforgottenoldies.net/. Interesting.
Frank Loveday
Basrtop, La. USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 19:17:44 (MST)
gary, thats the way i recieved it from you, i sent you another e-mail, did you get it?
jim westwang 71-72
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 18:13:13 (MST)
Smitty, What ever you sent said (virus ck. bypassed ) in my inbox. What ?
Gary Carlson
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 17:36:07 (MST)
This is no shit/once upon atime, speaking of the ammo dump one day we heard one of the guys working there lost it and started shoot one of VNs working there, it was supposed to be the village chiefs son, shot 6 or 7 time with a .45 and lived.
jim
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 16:55:42 (MST)
Dave P. That ammo dump must have been blown up every year...it happen when I was there in 70. It went off for a week it seem like. I remember we had to fly like northeast then come in from the sea to get to QH.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 16:26:46 (MST)
Fred Skaags, I need to hear your sweet southern drawl . Send me your phone # . My dime. Spring is not far off, Nesting pair of hawks in the yard. See them feeding and picking up sticks at first light. Cabin fever you know. G.
Gary Carlson
Mich USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 16:16:11 (MST)
Speaking of Fourth of July, does anybody remember watching the An Son ammo dump getting blown up? I remember it happening twice in 1971, and watching from lawn chairs on the bunkers in front of the hootches.
Dave
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 15:10:51 (MST)
Yes, Yes , Fred Da Name Ruby Begona does strike a note, yep I loved that holster but after a while I couldn't ware it in the company or they would have taken it. Laying waste to the hill side next to us ( unloaded two clips of all tracers from my 16 )was almost as fun as the Forth of July, everyone who had some type of star cluster or flair lanched them at the same time, quite a sight, except when we noticed that some were making it down to the flifgt line.....LOL.......Clear Left.......Casey
Matt Casey
Hemet, CA USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 14:24:28 (MST)
Did you hear about Loreana Bobbit,she was in an auto accident, some prick cut her off.
jim
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 12:37:05 (MST)
Mark, sorry I missed your call last night. After 9-9:30PM(CST) is always the best time to call-before that I belong to other people. The pilot at the VA is Army, and thanks for thinking of him. The cards he getting amaze him. After being alone for so long he's finding friends and brothers from all over who care. That's what helping him heal....not the doctors. GB my friend. Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently <jsinger@uwm.edu>
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 07:59:48 (MST)
Did we win the "Battle of An Son"? I never did hear of course I was deaf for awhile after the gun shot in the line shack. I remember another time I was duty officer and there was this moped going back and forth from the ville to a grove of trees outside the wire. I think it was out from the tower down near the gate. Anyway the guards called and I went down there and after watching this guy for a while called the TOC and they said to fire one of those hand held flares. I hit it on the tower frame and it didn't go up but went straight out and hit the damn moped. Couldn't have done that on purpose if I was still there trying today. It did make the guy put the moped in the garage and not come out again that nite. Funny how all this new commo brings back things that were completely forgotten. Just sitting here trying to talk myself into getting out and starting my yard work. 65 bags of mulch, 30 bales of pine needles, 150 lbs of grass seed and a bunch of other stuff- I love vacations!
Snapper
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 06:52:40 (MST)
Animal(Greg)....Yea I can relate to the rage problem....would have shot a few management labor negotiators if I would have had access to weapon. Ironically I was listening to some Guess Who last night...song called "Guns,Guns,Guns" was on the CD. The Battle of An Son was in September of 1970.....it was still good weather. Monsoons hit in October.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 05:30:28 (MST)
We have a lot of "It's a Beautiful Day" fans here. I'm one too, in fact I had their logo on the back of my flight helmet. Fred, I must have missed the battle of Lane you described earlier. That would have made an impression on me. Expending ordinance was definately a blast, but I stopped having weapons around when I got back to the world and it's a good thing. I have problems controling rage from time to time and I'm pretty sure I'd be dead or imprisoned by now if I had easy access to guns. The closest I've come to shooting lately is my son's paintball gun. It's automatic and has a terrific rate of fire. I asked him if I could shoot a couple of paintballs, and ended up going through several hundred in a few seconds. He won't let me shoot it anymore unless I buy my own ammo,and that,my friends,will neva happen. Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 00:44:22 (MST)
My baby, she run away with the garbage man You know my sweet little baby , she run away with the garbage man Wont you please come home to me honey, soz you can empty my garbage can
Muddy Waters
USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 20:29:10 (MST)
I just wasn`t that infatuated with weapons in Nam......I was more infatuated with "mary jane"......Cambodian Red Bud.....WHOA.....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 19:57:16 (MST)
Matt, didn`t you have a holster for tha M-79? Yea..you walked around looking like Steve McQueen in "Wanted: Dead or Alive". You should have named that M-79.....Ruby Bagonia....Does that strike a familiar note?......LOL
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 19:49:53 (MST)
I think I had that M79 or one like it,fired it a couple of times with HE but we were up so high I doubt they went off, I got an aircraft 50cal from a guy name PRICE,it didnt work until one day we were up at LZ CRYSTAL and I swapped the buffer for one in a watch tower,worked just fine after that and MAJ.(BIG AL)JONES was pretty cool about that kinda thing.
jim
USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 17:36:07 (MST)
Afternoon Flight, ment to add this to my last post but the dam CRS got to me again, as far as personal wepons go. I too had a grease gun for a while but got rid of it when my gunner for that time wanted to have it set next to him that day, he didn't close the little door over the ejection shoot, so as we were flying the gun bumped into the post and went off. He asked me to come up privet, then tells me that he thinks he;s shot his foot. I asked if there was blood and thank heaven there was none. and nothing vital on the ship was hit. Just a lot of explaning. My very favorite was my M-79 side arm. Had the stock cut off next to the pistol grip and with the sights removed it fit into a holster made from an arrow quiver, CUP's liked it so much he even wrote about it. Took some of the buck shot rounds for it and exchanged the buck for fachetts that I got from bad rockets, Had a vest with all the different loads next to ne in case we everf went down, just cant be to safe can we...........TAIL CLEAR LEFT ..........Casey
Matt Casey
Hemet, CA USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 16:00:12 (MST)
Hello Flight. Ray, I hope all goes well for you at the doctors. Don Miller, I'm glad that Donna is coming home, and will keep a good thought that she doesn't have to go back for anything. I had to bring more wood into the back room as the snow is gonna be flying again here. Can't wait for Spring. It can't be far off now can it? I never had any fancy/exotic weapons to carry with me. Just my 60 and my M-14. I did carry extra ammo for the 60 though. Hope everyone else is doing well.... Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 12:32:47 (MST)
Gently, Alas, I will not make this years reunion. It is my last year of work, retire 11-31, and I am using my vacations judiciusly. Must save a bit for just before I hang it up and also some for Aug when 1st grandchild is due. Plan on the one next year as I will have more time on my hands. Will probably take that long to short thru all the slides and get them in some kind of order. Most are loose but at least I wrote in margins what they are from. Take care. Cherry, did you get my e-mail?
Jeff
USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 12:23:08 (MST)
Morning Flight, Looking back through some of the posts and what should I find but a post from Cherry, it seems as I was that crew chief that talked with him in Santa Cruz. He came over to the table I was at when he noticed that a couple of us had hats that said we were Nam Vets, he then goes on to tell where he served. As luck would have it I had a 129th t-shirt on under the jacket (which I lifted up, his eyes nealy poped out), Had him go out to the my motorcycle to see the bumper sticker I have on it, then wrote the wed sight on a napkin. Glad to see he finnaly made it. I to remember the red that lasted for weeks after going to Cambodia, also the sad day we lost one to the swiming pool. Just moved so it looks mighty slim on making the reunion. The little money we have is going towards making the house a home. Keep up the posts as its great to here how all are doing......TAILS CLEAR LEFT..........CASEY
Matthew Casey <mcasey1947@msn.com>
Hemet, CA USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 11:38:52 (MST)
Welcome home to all of you new guys! It's pretty exciting around here these days and we're very happy that the "family" keeps growing. Hopefully your posts will bring back some of your brothers who don't post any more for reasons they won't/can't discuss on the site. Please bring your photos to the re-union, everyone does, and Jeff, you might want to have a slide show in our hospitality room:>)). I look forward to meeting all of you at the re-union and hopefully getting a dance, after Mr. Westwang, of course. He's first. Additionally, if you need financial help getting to the re-union or covering room costs let me know, I make the counterfeit money. Anton, thanks for posting and giving us your new email. Fred A.----thanks for remembering:>). I've written Tom Shaw's wife....hopefully she'll stop in and post. Sue H-you should explain to these gentlemen who you are-they may not connect the name-and I look forward to meeting you and Jim in June. Later everyone- Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently <jsinger@uwm.edu>
USA - Monday, March 15, 2004 at 08:43:14 (MST)
Evening Flight, been a while since I even looked in (kinda busy). man have I missed a lot of commo. took a while to catch up. first, Donna will be home from the hospital tomorrow (we hope) but that is how it looks tonight. I would like to thank everyone for the cards she really rejoyed them. we still have a long way to go but at least she will be home. second, not as good news as the last but at least it makes me happy ..... next saturday I GET MY TRIKE. it still needs an engine but VW engines are easy to get. I had to chuckle about the guns everyone is talking about owning while over there, I had a .45 Colt. not on the books, a Thompson (with butstock LOL) a Madsen 9mm. an M1 carbine I took to the machine shop and converted to M2 and polished the barrel. and a crossbow. the only thing the Army knew I had was my M-14 till half way thru my tour and they took that and gave me an M-16. wish I could have figured out how to get the others home. but then I guess I would have just gotten in trouble with them so maybe it is a good thing I couldn't. ............ well back to the hospital 1 more time. OH one more thing ... WELCOME HOME new guys. glad to have you back in the unit. Don 3-69 to 3-70
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 18:46:38 (MST)
I had a sawed 0ff M2 carbine and m79. B51{ green beret arvn traing camp} was at Dong-Ba-Thin and we could get about anything you wanted there.
J.W. Wilson
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 18:34:06 (MST)
HELLO ALVIS. I SURE CAN RELAT TO THE NIGHT MEARS. I STILL GET THEM MOSTLY AFTER I GO TO THE VET CENTER, AND LOHE MOS WHEN I SEE THE TV, I TRY TO ADVOID THE NEWS. BUT HARD TI DO
ALVIS, THEY GAVE ME SOMETHING CALLED 'PRAZOSIN ITS 5 MG ITS SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU FOR THEM. AT TIMES IT WORKS. BUT I STILL HAVE THEM . GAIL HAS TO WAKE ME UP. NOT SURE IF I DONE RIGHT, BUT FRIDAYNIGHT WENT TO A PLACE THAT SOLD FRYS
IT WAS OWEND BY A VIETNAMESE. I COULD NOT HELP MY SELF BUT I LOST ALL CONTROL AND WENT OFF ON HIM, I GUESS FOR NO REASON. GAIL GOT ME OUT OF THERE I WAS STILL SHAKING. I COULD NOT SLEEP THAT NIGHT. NOT SURE IF I WAS RIGHT. NUT THE NIGHT MEARS STILL COME. MORE SO WHEN HE DOSE SOME HING OF HYPNOSIS HE SAYS I CRY AS I SPEAK, AFTER GE SAYS WE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO. JUST TELLING YOU MY PART, ITS HARD TO DEAL WITH AND OFTEN I WONDER WHAT TRIGES THEM. OH WELL
ALVIS I WISH YOU THE BEST AND ALL WHO HAVE BAD DREAMS FOR THEY SEEM SO REAL. END OF THAT
TOMORROW I GO HAVE CAMERA DOWN IN STOMACH I GET BAD PAIN, GOT MED BUT IT HELPS SOME I HOPE THE NIGHT MEARS WILL END, FOR ALL OF US
WELL MY BROTHERS I BEST GET REST LONG DAY O IF PIC STOMACH COME OUT I SEND JUST KIDDING WELL THATS ALL I CAN SAY. YOU ALL TAKE CARE. ROB HOW YOU DOING AND TO ALL THE REAST OF YOU
TAKE CARE ALVIS GOOD LUCK WITH THE DREAMS BE SAFE A BROTHERS RAY BE SAFE IF I CAN HELP I BE HERE TAKE CARE BROTHER I HOPE MY WORDS CAME OUT RIGHT
RAY <STILWATING@AOL.COM>
MD USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 17:34:34 (MST)
ALVIS: Good luck with your nightmares. Been having them on a regular basis for a number of years, and they often center around Vietnam stuff. Happens the most to me when I write about it, see something on t.v., or get into a talk with some other vet. VA has given me several types of pills over the years for them, but nothing seems to work. Just stuff coming out sideways, I guess. GREASE GUN, ETC.: Back in my time ('66-'67) we pretty much could carry whatever we wanted for sidearms. Some pilots traded cases of frozen steaks for 9mm automatic pistols with the Special Forces guys, who could get almost anything in firearms (1 case of steak for one 9mm). We were issued M-14s, and that was what I carried most of the time. I scrounged an M-16 for a little while, but didn't like it nearly as much as my M-14 (which I later shot on the pistol and rifle team at Ft. Polk). I also had a grease gun for awhile; someone sawed the bell-shaped flash supressor off, and it made one hell of a racket for suppressive fire, which was the main idea. What I really wanted was a Thompson, but I was told that a crewmember on Westmoreland's private chopper had an accident with one and someone got killed, so Westmoreland had them all rounded up and dropped in the South China Sea Ñ don't know for sure if that's true, but I heard the story a number of places, and don't recall ever even seeing a Thompson while I was there.
Max W.
Oregon USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 15:31:23 (MST)
Little John....No she`s a Ohio "Farm girl", but is very outspoken!!!!Her and her sister worked like men on their father`s farm. They both can run just about any farm equipment. We lived in Amsterdam and Rotterdam for 4 1/2 years and we choose to live in the Dutch villages, instead of the American Compounds. We both just fell in love with the people and the culture. Most of my wife`s close friends are Dutch, so she was influenced by them. We have had several couples over to visit here in N.C. Down here they always ask if they are Germans, which is the biggest insult to a Dutch person there is. Our dream is to retire in Holland and live out our old days in peace. I think the club you are talking about is "Shankland" up on 5th and Cleveland Ave. "Club Jamaica" was in a neighborhood about like where "Cobo Arena" is at in Detroit.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 14:24:08 (MST)
Fred Skaags- Any chance your married to a Dutch lady? Just following the conversation.If You are, I know what you mean. I've been married to one for twenty nine years. They seem to be a little bit more foreward in thinking and not afraid to get in your face. I've learned that you better listen. I get to Columbus alot. Seems like years ago I used to go
to a reggae club there, might have been the same one. Sorry about the donut dolly,guess
I shouldn't say anything about the nurses then.
Little John
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 12:40:36 (MST)
Might ah been my grease gun you saw. Bought it in the village. I left in December of '71...
Stacy McLain gunner <smclain4@hotmail.com>
Flagpole, AZ USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 08:36:52 (MST)
Kim LaVoie... My wife gives me choices of what to do for vacation, I`m retired and it`s "her money" that pays for that stuff. I deferred my retirement money until I`m 55, you get a few more bucks. And I have a deferred compensation account that Uncle Sam hits me at a 28% tax rate when I draw some out. So much can happen in our lives between now and June. We got to spend time at home in Columbus in the summer for a couple of weeks, that`s a must. And Kim(my wife) wants to go back to visit Holland because one of her girlfriends is pregnant and she`s got to see that baby. Plus her girlfriends husband was my bartender in Holland, him and I are close friends. That`s a 10 or 12 hour flight and I can`t fly coach on that long of a trip. We go business class or first class, because I get bad craps and end up spending the entire vacation getting over the trip. I can`t say about a reunion trip, a lot of variables have to happen. It would be hard to convince my wife that "clothes shopping" would be better in Indy than in Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Hey my wife calls the shots.....she waited years to be able to do that. With my "union business" I was always away from home. She worked her schedule to accomadate Me. So thats the way things are, right now.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 08:00:37 (MST)
Little John, My first concert, December 7, 1966, 16th brithday present from my girlfriend was The original Temptations(with David Ruffin and Eddie Kentricks) and a "little blind boy" named Stevie Wonder opened up the concert. Stevie Wonder did a 7 minute version of "Finger Tips" to close his part of the show. Temptations almost didn`t recover from that "opening act". But it was great!!!. In Columbus,Ohio we use to slip into a place called "Club Jamaica" and watch groups like The O`Jays and Isley Brothers. Isleys were from Cincinatti and the O`Jays were from Canton, Ohio.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 07:03:58 (MST)
Alvis...same here, for some reason though, I wake up with a little remorse, along with a feeling of peace, what happened seems like a long time ago, in another life......I think I commented that that place was not the defining thing in my life, not when compared to raising kids, holding minor public offices. I still get a sense of rage when I witness an injustice, which is as good a reason as any to be a union president. ....I remember the monkey, and heard about it when we got back from some mission. I know that a few of hte gunnies wanted to go and shoot the dog, for what good that would have done.......M2 grease gun, blow back weapon, about three moving parts, manufacturing cost, about 12 bucks! A hell of a lot cheaper than a thompson! 45 caliber, accurate to about 50 feet!
Kim
USA - Sunday, March 14, 2004 at 05:36:33 (MST)
Sue, thanks for the info i wonderd why i saw that "nospam" in email addresses b4, there is also free antivirus at grissoft.com, Some of you have been talking about a grease gun, there was one floating around when i got there in March '72 and a Thompson without a butt stock, the grease gun has a 350 to 450rpm rate of fire, you can literally fire any semi-auto faster than that.
jim
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 20:51:29 (MST)
had a nightmare last night,,, you guys know what I am talking about. been a long time since I had one.Dont know whats up,but I sure dont care for that "dream".Thought I was passed it.Been thinking all this como is triggering something.Thinking of pulling pitch for a few days,stay off the net.will see if that is it. sleep tight.clear right.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 20:07:24 (MST)
dave,Kim,you guys remember I had a pet monkey. I happen to have a pic of it in my arms.I was standing in front of the hooch. Some assholes sicked their dogs on it for sport,thy killed it.should have whipped their asses.all but one of the group was pretty embaressed about it, realizing they had done something sick.the one that did not feel anything,but laughter, used to give me hell as a fng.Sure would like to meet the bastard today.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 19:55:05 (MST)
Cup's
Cup's
I think you were thinking of my bed .But it wasn't hanging on chains. It was a two story
water bed. The water bed was six by nine in a nine by twelve room. There was a trap door above the middle of the bed that you could climb up to the smoking platform. I'm familiar
with"Spanky" I'm an old Michigan boy out of East Lansing. We used to have street dances
in Frandor Shopping Center . MoTown used to send up all their acts for training. They used
to sing on a flat bed trailer. You could see Marvin Gay ,The Temptations, and the Supremes
for like $3.50. I didn't know then that I had it that good. Its A Beautiful Day can still be had on CD. If anybody wants a copy I can burn one for ya. C.B. No Email Give me a call
547-6263 or547-2482.
Little John
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 18:52:57 (MST)
Another bit of internet advice. Spyware is as big a problem as viruses. There's a freeware program called spybot that will erase them, and I advise all to download it. Just keyword spybot, search and destroy, click on it and follow the directions. You might notice that your computer runs slower over time, most likely it's because of all the leeches in the programs, that are lurking, waiting for you to to go to a website. The program will direct all sorts of related spam to find it's way on to your screen. It's a shame that we have to spend a lot of time waiting for all the security programs to boot up before we can use our computers, but.....that's the internet! I'd like to make the reunion, but, it's too soon to tell if it's possible. It's a twenty hour drive from home, and I"d like to use our free tickets for another trip to Key West this summer. What other hotels are available within a reasonable distance?.....I have to hand it to Mr. Greenjeans. At least he cared enough to come and visit! The Bob Hope show was great! Vida Blue, Brucene Smith (miss world USA), Jim Nabors...I remember being uncomfortable at first, there were so many soldiers in one place, it just seemed like we were a big target!!!
Kim
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 18:32:49 (MST)
Smitty, I remember that greasegun, and shot it too. When it was fired you could almost see the round leave the muzzle, and it seemed like there was about a two second delay between shots... pretty funny, must have only had three moving parts, including the trigger. I'm not sure, but I thought my old CE Darrell Ramos had it for a while. Other "illegal" weapons: I had two AK's and a 12 gauge, until they made us turn them all in. They were fun to shoot too. C4... are you daft, man? I'll bet the "higher-ups" were more than a little surprised when they laid out our cache in front of them in a pile! Fred A... that USO show was over in the big hangar on the 61st side of the hill, alright. Kim and I were reminiscing about it... Bless old Lumpy's heart, but it just wasn't the same as a Hope show! Others may remember Vietnamese entertainers singing "Proud Mary"... doesn't get any better than that! Deteriorata... I still have that National Lampoon LP. It's called "Radio Dinner" and had a lot of other weird stuff on it too. At Ft. Carson I liked Firesign Theatre, too. Animal, I too remember all the "PC" stuff we had to put up with. We even had to get rid of our dogs and monkeys... "rabies hazard" they said.
Dave
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 18:11:55 (MST)
Jim & I receive an e-newsletter from TRAC (Telecommunications Research & Action Center). They are a watchdog group for telephone, wireless, internet etc. Here is what they recently suggested to cut down on spam.
"Useful Tips For Reducing Spam - With spam continuing to be a major
annoyance for most consumers, it is important for e-mail users to continue
to use some simple techniques to cut down on spam. First, consumers should
be sure to use a unique e-mail address. Spammer "dictionary" attacks send
e-mails to millions of e-mail addresses using name combinations. Consumers
should consider using e-mail address with a combination of letters
(capitalized and lower-case) and numbers instead of common words. Second,
when registering on a website or online forum, users should consider
"masking" their e-mail addresses with characters that are obviously not
part of their actual e-mail address. For example, a user with the e-mail
address of "johndoe@yahoo.com" would register with the e-mail address
"johndoe@banspam.yahoo.com." This helps fight against e-mail "harvesting,"
where spammers use programs to pick out thousands of e-mail address from
popular chat rooms, bulletin boards, and other Internet meeting places.
Finally, users may want to consider a "junk" e-mail account. This would be
an account used when registering for various web services that require an
e-mail address to be entered before content can be accessed (often, so that
that address can later be used for spamming). While none of these tactics
is guaranteed to eliminate spam completely, they may keep consumers' e-mail
addresses out of the hands of spammers and reduce spam in the long run."
Hope this helps those of you who are having problems.
Sue Hydinger
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 16:58:27 (MST)
White Bird.....I got a live version of it on the soundtrack of "Last Days Of The Fillmore"
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 14:40:46 (MST)
If you remember the poster and song DESIDERATA you'll get a kick out of this http://www.nationallampoon.com/flashbacks/deteriorata/default2.asp
jim
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 10:10:30 (MST)
I am passing this on,if anyone is intrested,let me know and I will put you in contact........ flight,
I have "volunteered" to co-ordinate the poetry reading for the reunion. We will have it at 2000hrs on Thursday Jun 24 at the Adams Mark where the reunion will be held. Please contact me if you would like to read some of your poetry. This won't be restricted to poetry alone. If you have written songs of our war and would like to perform them contact me.
I think I will also stick my neck out and say that any "artistic medium" will be welcomed. If you have artwork, you may show it. Let's keep it
restricted to VN inspired works. Any questions or comments please contact me. Monday I will be giving my presentation at the High School. Today I did a sound and computer check, and I think this will be a good one. I have integrated music (both pro & anti-war) into the presentation as well as some of my poetry.
Tally Ho!,
Popeye
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 09:39:44 (MST)
used to love to fly into tuy hoa. just off the flight line,was some sort of building where the air force wrote off wepons and such,then dumped them into the china sea.Me being me,and the scrounger that i am,got to talking to the sarge that was duing the paper work.Smile,walked away with a grunt 60 reciever and butt plate.We had extra barrels,so "walla", I had an "off the inventory" weapon.Thats the 60 I used whn Gabby and I and crew had "captured"a rat in the heli. reventments.wired it to a smoke,tossed it out at altitude,then tried to shoot the smoke on its trip down to earth while gabby did high 360's.Damn push pull arty spotter saw us,got curious,flew right toward my line of tracers.I can still hear them screaming,,cease fire ,cease fire.Chuckle,lucky I ran out of bullets just then. Damn that was fun, grrrr,a few days later,some officers knocked on my door and confiscated the damn thing.I always carried it when we went up,a back up 60 was sure as hell alot better than the 16 proped up in the corner next to my seat.Great fun to reach over and steal grenades off the backs of ROCS too. Hey smitty,I do believ I shot that grease gun of yours once.Was up towards an kea pass or towards happy vally. We were shooting,just to be shooting.At times it seemed we were free as birds,enjoying the the foolishness of youth,just glad to celebrate being alive.during the times when we were freed (for the moment) of duty,danger and responsabilities. Hey KIM, I had the white bird album also.Its very rare.Seems just after it came out,everyone started to sue everyone so,it really didnt come out to mass market but for a very short time.As I understand it,it was available in europe for somewhat of a longer period of time.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 09:02:52 (MST)
Little John. Which of the three of you had the bed hung by chains in Daytona? The group was "It's a Beautiful Day", first cut was "White Bird". I think that was the only album they put out and doubt anyone else remembers them. Wore my copy out years ago. When you were in Miami I must have turned you on to another rare group that came out of UofM in the '60s "Spankey and Our Gang". They cut two albums. Gentley. Did not see your original post but sent a card now. Hope it gets there. Cups
Jim Masencup
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 07:53:08 (MST)
Animal(Greg), CB and I were talking last night about the time the "drunk ARVN" pump the M-79 round into Lane....Most of the flight platoons were a reactionary force....we protected the perimenter. In case of a "ground attack"....maintenance, clerks, cooks, were our "back-up" force. But that night, the brave 2nd plt. leader shot the lock off the weapons cabinet in the line shack, we all grabbed our weapons and headed for the perimenter....to stop a ground attack!!!!! Now being that 95% of us had been "partying" before this all happened, we were in great shape to fight. While sitting in the bunkers, people begain to "see things moving"....at that moment one shot was fired and the entire group surrounding the flight line opened up to the southeast. There were people behind us on the flight line that started firing their weapons. But CB was on the hill watching all this and thinking," My God...we are going to kill ourselves". and it was just that crazy. Bullitts were flying just over our heads and any person that had a weapon was firing. CB said it looked like the entire post was on fire. But we laughed last night about, "What were the Koreans thinking...what was running thru their minds about this"!!! Those poor villagers, what were they thinking. After "the show" was over, it was back to the line shack and check your weapons in. That was so crazy......After Nam I would be sent to Germany, and there I would actually have more access to my weapon than in Nam. You know.....gotta keep those Russians at bay!!!!!!!
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 07:17:15 (MST)
Morning all. Just catching up with everything. Like Wink, I've been reflecting on the direction this is all going. There are some things etched (burned?) in memory, things that will never be forgotten, others??? I read stuff that brings things back, then I wonder if I'm recalling reality, or, wishful thinking......we checked our 16's at the company area, our 60's stayed in our line shack, unless we were on standby. The other stuff, the stuff we didn't really have, was stashed in our ships. I had a 45, a chunker, an M2 carbine, a bunch of frags. WE used to trade stuff with the gun trucks on a regular basis....funny, I used to get all tense when we first took off, first time on any given day. I still do, even in the cessna. I guess I figure if it's going to fall out of the sky, that's when it's going to happen!! After the first take off, it got pretty ho hum. The morning liftoffs were always nice, air was relatively cool and stable, the views were fantastic.
Kim
Livermore, Me USA - Saturday, March 13, 2004 at 05:54:33 (MST)
evening flight, very busy on the site.a lot of reading to catch up on.an welcome to our new brothers an sister.nice to see some cobra crew on site. i flew with kenton jones as his gunneron 010.baron an little john i think i know you two an possible flew with you two.hope to be going to reunion an if so looking forward to meeting you guys agian.my call sign was wink .......mark when you up date the contact list don't forget mine. new addy- 4100 aberdeen lane, lake wales, fl. 33859 phone # 863-326-1437. also put my poem in, ok.give dee my best & tell your folks i said to say hi.>>>>> ray how's it going. sounds like what i've been reading your doing ok.>>>>>>> rick, went up too leesburg a few weeks ago to see the ironbutterfly at tropical. spoke to one of the owners an he told the the chopper was was no longer thier. he told me that the guy who onwes it moved it to his home in sumter county & now works for a place in lakeland regional airport. have'nt triedto contact him yet at his new job but will soon.i have his new employers # if you want it....gently was right about the talk of all the war stories, brings back more than a few menoriesgot on site last friday an could'nt get back on till tonight. did to mush thinking,ok nowhope to be at reunion to see all,
wink from 010 with love
barry winkler
lake wales, ft USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 23:26:31 (MST)
Yes, I had a grease gun that i bought for $40 from a guy that was leaving & used to let the pilots shoot it out the window on CA. I also had a free grunt 60 that none knew about & a chunker. Kept them fairly well hid but kept myself fairly well armed. Also every once in awhile i would lift a LB of c4 off an ROK's back as he left the ship & so had some of that as well.>>> smitty
jim westwang 71-72
Sheridan, wy USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 23:16:19 (MST)
Fred, The guys that served earlier than us probably wouldn't believe some of the crap that we had to put up with in '71. They confiscated any personal weapons we may have had.I had a sawed off shotgun that fit nicely next to my seat. I think it was Smitty that had a .45 cal grease gun. all gone. They also made us check in our pistols and 16's when we left the flight line. I used to imagine everyone waiting in line at the weapons shack if the base was attacked. What was the worst however were the changes in the rules of engagement. You pretty much had to get permission from Richard Nixon to shoot at anyone. Even if they were shooting at you! I think it was an early stage of "political correctness". Thank God the ROK's were nearby. Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 22:39:55 (MST)
..
BARON
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 22:13:37 (MST)
Gary.....You know how to spell "Skagg", but don`t know how to spell SKAGGS.......LOL....GOOD NIGHT
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 22:09:11 (MST)
Fred Scaags, Jane finally found time to let the smoke out of my box .Trust you recieved some photos,if not I'll try again tomorrow. It's been a hectic , but fun week. Thanks to you and Kim for leading me in and tell mom I sent a card to (JAMES SARCHET). G.
Baron
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 21:22:54 (MST)
Gently......Should have some cards heading James's way.
Melody Pershall
Amarillo, TX USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 20:01:26 (MST)
Gently. gentle one,i passed on your message,thank you.I will give you an update on any replies I see.They are a grouchy lot,in there,but some have hearts of gold.
alvis
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 17:23:38 (MST)
HI MY NAME IS JOHN GRACE I WAS WITH THE 129 FROM 4/69 TO 5/70. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND ANY BODY THAT IS A MEMBER OF THE VEITMAN VETERANS OF AMERICA. IF YOU ARE PLEASE CONTACT ME. MY PHONE MUNBER AND E MAIL ARE LISTED IN THE CONTACTS LIST.THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
JOHN GRACE <ITZAMEE@COMCAST .NET>
MANAHAWKIN , NJ USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 16:16:47 (MST)
HELLO MR MURIHEAD I TRYED THE NAME IN BLUE AND DIDN'T GET YOU BY NO MEANS. DO YOU REMBER ME RAY GAGNER FOR I SURE REMEMBER YOU IF NOT THAT'S OK TAKE CARE BROTHER GOOD TO SEE YOU ANY WAY A BROTHER ALWAYS, DO YOU PLAN TO MAKE IT TO INDY. AS I SAID I FLEW WITH ROB KNEW PETE ROME. BUD RAINER BUT THATS OK NOW I CAN'T REMEMBER 3 DAYS AGO CAM YOU E MAIL YOUR REAL E MAIL ADDRESS AT STILWATING@AOL.COM CAN SEND A PIC. BUT ONE NEXT TO YOUR NAME TODAY ITS NOT BULLDOG CHERRY THATS FOR SURE LOL RAY THANKS BUT ITS FUNNY
RAY <stilwating#aol.com>
md USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 14:38:33 (MST)
sorry mark, aint going to be able to make the dinner.Stopped in at a hock shop on the way back home,looked at the weapons.They had 2 sks's one chinese 180 bucks,no banyette,other was east european,with scope,no bayette $280.Tod them I was looking for a "303" with a "308" chamber.A few years ago,I did run into a gun shop in up state ny that had 303's chambered for 410 shot gun rounds.Seems they used them of guard duty around flight lines, ammo dumps and pol points.They were only 80 bucks each,kicking myself in the butt for not getting one.
alvis
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 13:10:29 (MST)
thing on my arm wasnt a bad guy. They removed it anyway,with liquid nito...Yes freddy,all those round eyes gals got tiresome,wish I could have met a slant eyed one.In late 71, there was a uso show at lane,over by 61st country,across the hill.I got smoke up , went to see the show,hooped and hollered along with everyone else.The show made me miss the world.Yes fred, there was nothing like laying around in the sun all day,drinking drinks with the umbrella's in them, the most dangerous thing we did was unzip to download those previously drank drinks.Thank you for the update gently,glad he is doing better.
alvis
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 12:58:19 (MST)
Gently, Glad that it got there ok. Also very happy it brought him a smile! I could spread the word to a few guys on another site and see if they would send a card if you'd want me to. I'll wait and make sure its ok I do so.
Melody Pershall
Amarillo, TX USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 11:29:07 (MST)
I can not believe all the folks out there who are on this site who remember me. If you want to get at me I will do my best to reply. I have already E-mailed Skaggs and Cups. Jeff Saurers I remember you well. Pete Rhome I remember all the Crew Members you are talking about. I have no idea where Myers is but his call sign was J.B. and Cobra King Ray Evans had run into him in his world travels. I am learning thanks to the heads up right after I posted info on the site that should not have. Until I get posted on links my address can be found if you scroll back in the log or in th VHPA Directory 2002 and newer. Dick Muirhead Bulldog Cherry. It sure is great to back Brothers.
Bulldog Cherry
Susanville, Calif USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 11:21:54 (MST)
Flight, last week I asked if you would send get well cards to a Nam Cobra pilot who is in the VA here in Milwaukee, having suffered a stroke. As I mentioned then, he has no family and laid in bed for two days before anyone found him. I visited him Wednesday evening. He got one card from you guys----and it was from Melody. Thank you Melody, and the note that you included brought a big smile to his face. He's been contacted by a number of pilots and several have called him. He's doing much better though his left arm and leg are certainly damaged. I hope that since I was there on Wed he has gotten cards from some more of you. Now, go on with your stories from the past-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 10:24:02 (MST)
Excuse my bad spelling-have not been to bed in 24 hours-plus a bad typist!
Jeff
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 08:45:48 (MST)
Do you 70-71 2nd plt guys remember when the plt leader Fred S. is talking about shot the lock off the m60 room in the line shack. Was a susposed "ground attack" in which we never saw any bad guyus but had a mad minute anyway. I know when he shot the lock he scared the crap out of everyone in the building and also made us all deaf for about a month. Plus what we needed was a 38 round bouncing ariund inside a building. Cups mentioned Pinapple-Was he not the one who was hit in the earcup of his helmet which in turn spun the helmet around and he was yelling on the radio he was blind when in reality he was looking at his nape strap?
Jeff
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 08:44:26 (MST)
Freddie-I lost your phone number. How about an e-mail.
jeff
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 08:36:48 (MST)
Dave,corection: L.Z.CRYSTAL , sorry SUE. g.
Baron
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 07:44:57 (MST)
Kim, I think the "round eye" you were talking about in Mr. Green Jeans' troupe was actually his niece. The closest thing to a Bob Hope USO show I ever got was a friend from Phu Bai took a snapshot of him and sent it to me. Speaking of Griff and Shorty... where are you guys?
Dave
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 07:39:38 (MST)
HELLO MR. MURIHEAD. LIKE ROBIE I REMEMBER YOU. I FLEW WITH YOU. AND A HE WAS A LT.MYERS BACK THEN. THEN MADE CAPTIN. I WAS RAY GAGNER. LIKE ROB SAID WAS IS GUNER MOST OF THE TIME BUT FLEW WITH LARRY SOME AND OTHERS THAT I FOR GET. I LIKE TO FINF CAPTIN MYERS. I KNOW HIS LAST DUTY STATION WAS FT RUCKER AL IN 1970. IF ANY ONE KNOWS WHERE HE CAN BE FOUNDI LIKE TO TALK TO HIM. IAM SURE HE REMEMBER ME FOR WHEN HE MAE CAPTIN, ON THE FLIGHT LINE WE HAD A PARTY, AND I POURED A BEER ON HIS HEAD, HE WAS STUNED AT FRIS THEN LAUGH IT WAS A GOOD TIME I NEVER FORGET. ROB GLAD I SEEN THAT I REMEMEBER HIM.
IF YOU READ THIS MR MURIHEAD
AND REMEMBER WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. THANKS, TO THE REST OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS TAKE CARE BE SAFE SEE YOU IN INDY A BROTHER ALWAYS RAY OH RANIER CANT WAT TO GO TO ET MUSIUM THANKS AGAIN HOPE I SPELT YOUR NAME RIGHT. AS YOU ALL KNOW I NEVER WON A SPELLING " B " OH WELL TAKE Care I THINK IAM DOING GOOD HAVING A BIT OG TROUBLE WITH THE HIPNOSIES PART GOING BACK IN TIME BUT LEARING TO DEAL WITH IT. HARD TOTALK ABOUT I GURSS
INDY NOT FAR AWAY SEE YOU ALL THERE
RAY <stilwating@aol.com>
md USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 07:05:09 (MST)
Dave Powers,Tanks for the call us for death and destruction night or day calling card. (YOU CALL) (WE KILL) COBRAS , FOR THE BEST CALL: ANSON 152. I have one here from COBRA KNIGHT .Billy and I shared a hooch while he got short.He was onboard aircraft (732) when it crashed up near L.Z. English. Great flying squirrle flick.Make me laugh. Talk about FNG nurds, I typed this paragraph 3 times last night and lost it while trying to communicate with
sue, C.B. and F. S. Does anyone know where ,WAYNE KOELHER is .2nd platoon A.C. He pointed the site of (257) crash while we were on local resupply one day and it got real quiet in the aircraft every time we flew by. As if we made a sound that mountain would reach out and grab us as well. He would have insight for Sue since his timeframe is right. Who was the guy who brought the young sweet ladies around at night.$5-$20 all night. $20 must have bought a lot of skagg in 1970 . Kim, how do you like Daves squirrel tecknique? work. G.C.
;
Baron
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 06:51:21 (MST)
Animal(Greg)...Man that sounds like some "bullshit" stuff, ranking officer in charge of mission. Half the 2nd platoon might not be here today if that was the case when we were there. We had an "idiot" for a platoon leader, thank god he never made AC in Nam. Marky Mark...I was thinking last night...."that hurts".....But didn`t Larry have a daughter and a wife? There was a movie called "In Country" where the daughter and a uncle( Bruce Willis)a Nam Vet, trace her father`s history in Nam and ultimately ends up at "The Wall" in D.C. That movie had a hell impact on me. Maybe you could contact your niece, and see if she would be interested in going to Viet-Nam. I was just wondering.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 05:02:10 (MST)
Alvis...you must remember all those lazy afternoons, laying around on those exotic islands off the coast, snuggling up to all those donut dollies that used to fall all over themselves trying to get close to us??? HA! The only round eyes I saw over there were at Lumpy Barnum's uso show, and the Bob Hope show at Long Binh! Anyone ever seen Barba from second flight? I have a hard time remembering the guys I hung with when off duty...Griff, Tuna, Stretch, Shorty Boling, Dan Samsel....Fred and Mike, Tom Roy from O country.
Kim
Livermore, Me USA - Friday, March 12, 2004 at 04:27:45 (MST)
might as well get this out in the open I'm an FNG when it comes to computers xin loi
jim
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 22:45:36 (MST)
I posted last night and today got three Nigerian scams, the format looks like those fields are required, how do I remove my info?
jim
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 22:32:47 (MST)
well folks,cross your fingers for me. I have to run to the docs tommorow.I have been treated for pre-skin cancer for about 20 years now.10 or 15 years ago,I had a little thing on my forearm,kinda like a pimple. It had a 5 inch tumor on it,doc just cut it out as i watched.Well, I have had another one for a year or so I been keeping an eye on.Looked today and the damn thing has turned black with redness all around it.Back in 85 or so,I went thru an exam ,what the V.A. called "an agent orange " exam.Thats when I found out I had a pre-cancerous skin cancer condition. Doc says " you are the youngest person I have ever seen with this,I am amazed".Most likely you got this because the U.V. rays in vietnam are something like 70% stronger. of course,you will never be able to prove this is service connected".chuckling to myself,fucking v.a.I have always believed in the phrase,"sprayed and betrayed".will post results of another trip to v.a. here in indy.Oh, welcome to the site ,new folks,and welcome home.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 21:36:45 (MST)
new guys,please be careful about posting your addys in here. We have spammers that come in here looking for just that.alvis,129th 71/72.... freddy,your bc brought a smile. take care.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 21:19:45 (MST)
Jeff S., Your mention of John Paul Vann reminded me of something that happened late in my tour(Fall 71). Mr. Vann was notorious amoung aircrew for taking them places they didn't really want to go. The regs at the time had the aircraft commander in charge of the mission and aircraft. A friend of mine from the 61st (Mr J Jordan) was flying JP around one day and was told to land and shut down in some village in backwater Binh Dinh.
( "I'll be back in a few minutes" Mr Vann said.) My friend who was getting pretty short and had already been shot once in the shoulder said:"Sorry, Mr.Vann, but I'll let you off and circle around up here until I see you pop a smoke. Then I'll come get you". Well Mr Vann was pretty pissed,but Jim stuck to his guns and dropped him off. A couple of days after Jim told me this story a new directive comes down putting the senior officer in the aircraft in charge of the mission,not the AC. The flight crew now had to resort to trickery to keep control of a mission.(" Gee sir, my give a shit circut breaker is pulled")or ("There's smoke coming out of my A.S.H. reciever, we better go let you out at Lane") Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 21:14:30 (MST)
L.J.: Did you get my email? My understanding of how cyberspace works is on par with my understanding of what made a helicoper fly....you will ubderstand this even if the others don't! Regards, C.B.
C.B.
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 20:11:26 (MST)
C.B. They wouldn't of dared. Any of you guys ever get out to the leporsarium on the beach?
Had some good times with a donut dolly out there. Remember no nose that used to be behind the fence at the PX? Cardinal and I were trying to sneak into town the day the kid got electocuted at the pool. We were on the aircraft that got called back to pick him up. CO
was not to happy. The first time that they tried to open the pool, they filled it the day before.( This was in the dry season) Next day that pool was full of every snake, frog, toad,
and thirsty insect within two miles. I think it was at the service for the guy that was electrocuted that Jester was popping all of the beer cans. Later.
Little John 70-71
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 19:49:02 (MST)
Max W.....That was some good history on the 129th. Quite a diffrent story than us "youngbloods" went thru. We only lived like during the Cambodia campaign of April of 1970. Man...It seemed like it took months to get that "red dirt and dust" of Duc Co and Plei Djereng washed off.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 18:25:46 (MST)
MAX W., thanks for the early background of the 129th....it was very different from what "Lane" residents experienced. Your outline reinforces my earlier post regarding a "common memory" being shared by individuals within a particular time frame. SNAPPER,yes, Little John is one in the same, blonde, 70-71 Cobra pilot, you remember.LITTLE JOHN, the hooch searches you refer to are rememered well. Speaking of timeframes, after we left it seems there was a major crack down on smokers at least. Who'd of ever thought a pilot or anyone would have been whisked away for for tokin'???Regards, C.B.
C.B.
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 17:51:26 (MST)
Cherry, I know I have pictures of you some where in my slides. I flew with 2nd plt for six months then went to service plt. My callsign was Snapper. Have heard from Hobie several times. He was wearing my gas mask the day he had the CS canister go off in aircraft. Never did get it back. I just found my slides a few days ago. They were MIA in at my parents for all these years. Have to dig thru them. OK Cups, Thanks for info. Don't remember the rubber boob but for some reason it doesn't surprise me. This is getting to be fun on here. Gotta go back to bed- Have one more night of 12-8 Charge nurse to do! First time I've worked that schedule(2400-0800) in a long time and I am to damn old to be doing it. Ten day vacation starts tomorrow. (I think I just sent this twice)_
Jeff Sauers
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 16:47:12 (MST)
Cherry, I know I have pictures of you some where in my slides. I flew with 2nd plt for six months then went to service plt. My callsign was Snapper. Have heard from Hobie several times. He was wearing my gas mask the day he had the CS canister go off in aircraft. Never did get it back. I just found my slides a few days ago. They were MIA in at my parents for all these years. Have to dig thru them. OK Cups, Thanks for info. Don't remember the rubber boob but for some reason it doesn't surprise me. This is getting to be fun on here. Gotta go back to bed- Have one more night of 12-8 Charge nurse to do! First time I've worked that schedule(2400-0800) in a long time and
Jeff Sauers
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 16:45:43 (MST)
Mr. Muirhead, I remember you from 69-70. I Used to gun for Larry Jackson when i was first in country, and ended up crewing Bulldog 265 "The Judge" after Larry moved on to 257. I might have a picture of you but i'm not positive. Have you looked at the gallery, and can you point out a picture of yourself in one of them? Let me know if you can and who's pictures it is in and i'll check mine. I know i remember flying with you. I was also in 465 when it crashed resupplying in June I think it was. Mr Rau was the AC, and i can't remember the pp's name. BeBee was the crewchief, and i was the gunner. We rolled down the mountain, and i got out after about 3 rolls. The PP lost his leg from the calf down. Anyway, before i get rambling too much, see if you can find a picture of yourself in the gallery and let me know who's pics they are. I'm glad you found this site and hope you find a lot of people you knew. I have emails for Ray Smiley, Bud Rainey, (Bud doesn't check the flight log) Ray Gagner Who was my gunner. Pete Rhome. Robbie
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 15:45:42 (MST)
Mr. Cups, Let me apologize for my ignorance and lack of memory.I've been flaping my lips instead of doing my homework. I read some of your stories last nite and cleared up some things for me. Fred Skaags sent me the photo of you,Dirty, and Flame . THE (CUPS) I said I have a photo of is not you. My in country check ride was with the I.P. from the flying circus. name ? By the time I made A. C. you had already left the 129th. Although wecertainly saw one another around Lane I don't believe I Had the pleasure of flying with you. I flew 6mos. with 2nd platoon then went to Cobra plt. are daily flight records avilable ? Thanks for your time and I love your stories. Respectfully G.C.
Baron
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 13:46:25 (MST)
Mark, Myself and Dee would love to meet, just need time and location
Rainer Bauer <bauerrv@aol.com>
Indy, USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 13:13:31 (MST)
Jeff. Duckbutters name, Harrison Knapp. He extended with McElliot about the time we got there. I got his hooch when he left, across from Brennen within crawling distance from the OC front door. My door had the boob that squeeked for a doorknob. Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 12:09:20 (MST)
CUPS,......I`m Shakin The Tree Boss....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 12:07:10 (MST)
I have just now gotten into the computer age. I found this web site by accidentially running into a crew chief from the 129th while visiting my inlaws in Santa Cruz, Calif. I have spoken with Mark on the phone several times to let him know that I knew his brother and all the crew on the 257. I have been actively seeking those that I had the honor to serve with in the 129th from April of 1969 til November 1970. I have located Jim Jobe Bulldog "Hobe" and who lived next door to me at Lane in the loners hotch for the last part of my tour. I have also located Ray E. Evans Bulldog "Deadeye" and "Cobra KIng. Ray myself and G. Wayne Stuart were really close in Nam. I have not located and spoken with Wayne yet but if any one on this site could help out get back at me. I was know as Bulldog 23 when I arrived at Lane after becoming an Aircraft Commander my call sign was "Cherry". I lived in Connecticut but moved to California shortly after leaving the service. I came out to Calif with Jim Harper of New Mexico and came to visit Joel Mc Eligott Bulldog "Linus". I have lost touch with Joel. Last I heard he was living in the Clear Lake area of Calif. If anyone out there has any photos of me in Nam or knows how to reach anyone who was in the 129th from April 1969 - November 1970 Please get back at me at this E-mail address. dickandbarb75@earthlink.net I have been trying to get my name posted on Links but with no success yet. Cups the crew chief I meet in Santa Cruz knew you very well I can not picture you but I am sure if I saw a photo or meet you that we knew each other. I have seen the banter on the Flight Log and I remember The Swimming Pool incident and other things that are mentioned there. I am having a hard time with the Log as I dont know whos who and whats what as yet. Any help in that direction would be appreciated also. I am going to sign off for now. Bulldog Cherry. P. S. I saw on the Log that someone does have photos of Cherry please get back at me as I gave my slides (mistake) to Linus and I never got them back.
Dick Muirhead <dickandbarb75@earthlink.net>
Susanville, Calif. USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 12:04:17 (MST)
Carl, Thanks I'll give it a look. Cups I have pics of most of the guys that were they with us. I know I have some of Cherry and and a bunch of the others. Have one of you. North and I taken when we were still at Phu Heip waiting a ride to Lane. What is Duckbutter's real name. Funny you can remember call signs and faces but not real names. Also I will have some copies of the wet willie etc made and mail them. They are slides and a bitch to scan. Freddie if the e-mail of them was any good let me know or you can forward to Cups and the rest of the world! Maybe Cups will pay us for the negatives!
Jeff
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 08:48:49 (MST)
Mark, when and where? will see if I can do.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 08:09:31 (MST)
Carl,I been to that site,I AGREE, ITS A DARN GOOD ONE.When I was stationed with 60thc,the ghostriders,one of those tow missle carring ships came thru our AO and set down for lunch.I remember asking about the strange guns they had onboard.Jeff,during tet of 72, i had been transfred ,but kept in touch with the i29th thru the grapevine ( was just north of nha trang, south of tuy hoa).Guess the An Khe pass turned into a shooting gallery.Gooks on one side,rocks on the other,the 129th between the two trying to resupply.Someone in here went down then. Gently lost her friend then also,trying to resupply the upper most firebase in that dreaded pass.The site Carl was talking about says Bien Dien provence was almost cut in 1/2. I do know that during the tet of 72 the gooks took more land than in 68 and lasted longer,with more nva troops commited.As they had pulled out " all american ground troops"at that time,it isnt as well known.Not to much happened down our way.The gooks tried to shoot us down when we were on final to the futherest western firebase,on the road between nha trang and pleku.they tried to lob mortor rounds into our rotor blades i guess.Saw a few impacts directly below us,told the pilot,and he did one of those high overhead,corkscrewing down manuvers.The one where up get out of the sky "right now".roks started to lob mortors out and it stopped,acted like it was an everyday thing.smile. We lost a ship (60th) during tet in the pass between tuy hoa and nha trang,gunfire was reported but never proven,so was pilot error they say,all died.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 08:01:30 (MST)
Mark,the 20th of this month,I work from 6 till 3 and sue works from 1 till 9:30.I cam make it I believe.Hey , Tanya Harding is boxing here this friday night,going to see if my buddy still has free tickets. Saw her porno, let out by her x hubby. It was crappy.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 07:32:25 (MST)
Little John..give me a yell. Love to hear from you. If you have Mikes # also ask him to drop in. What is left of the coffie can? Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 06:52:25 (MST)
JUST SAYING HELLO TO ALL DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY, KRISS IS DOING MUCH BETTER, ROB AND RICK AND ALEX NICE TALKING TO YOU, MARK AND ROB GOOD LUCK ON JOB HUNTING, GENTLY GOOD LUCK ON THAT CHILLY CONTEST MAKE IT HOT ;=) AND HI TO EVERYONE ELES,I MISSED
OH STILL LOOKING FOR A MOTORCYCLE RIDE LIKE I SAID THE FASTES I WENT WAS ON A MOPEP WAS 35 AND THAT WAS FAST FOR SOMETHING ON TWO WHELES AND NO SIDES
WELL SEE YOU ALL IN INDY. GOT TO GET READY TO GO TO VA DRS GOT TWO APPT BE SAFE . SPRING 12 DAYS AWAY,,, A BROTHER ALWAYS RAY
RAY <STILWATING@AOL.COM>
MD USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 06:47:15 (MST)
Cherry my friend. Where is Duckbutter? Last I saw him was in Miami '72. Where is McElliot? Last I saw him was in Santa Cruz, Oct. '77. Okay, let's see how many more we can find. Pineapple (1st Lt Polster) was from Hawaii. Shake the trees. Let's see who falls out. Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 06:41:33 (MST)
Jim Baggs.......Not all e-mail addresses are current. Mostly my fault because I was lolly gagging around for a year getting sobor and did not keep up on it. I am back in action now and as of last night I sent all the updated addresses that I have to the web master to make the changes. Still all are not current also because of ones not sending me thier changes or have dropped out of the loop. Thanks for sending the photos. I will get them on the net also.........Good to hear from you...........Fred S.............I talked to Richard Muirhead ( Cherry ) last night on the phone and also about a month ago. He was one of the guys that had to go to Qui Nhon graves registration to indentify the bodys of the "257"......Great guy, as all of you are......Sue...I will talk to you today.........Gotta go job hunting.........later....always a brother.....Mark
Mark
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 06:18:54 (MST)
Jeff S.
You may wish to check out Lt.Col. Jack Heslin's(ret.) web page, www.the battleofkontum.com for info on the Easter Offensive. He has a lot of information about the various phases of the battle. Very informative web site.
Carl Brader
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 06:09:51 (MST)
Flight, I just got a e-mail this morning from Richard Muirhead(Cherry), 2nd Plt.Bulldog. Let me get back to him and more will come. This is just blowing me away. Baron(Gary) we will have to talk some more on the back channels.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 05:13:55 (MST)
Animal, Did we win? My tee-shirt says "VietNam-Laos-Cambodia War Games Participant-Second Place" But we all know that was a political thing. I am reading a book by Dale Andrade called "Easter Offensive-America's Last Battle In Viet Nam". I was long gone by then but according to the book the only american involved in Binh Dinh provience was John Paul Vann. As I know that is not true can any of you that were there fill in the 129th's role. Since it was 22 Marvin the ARVN getting their butts kicked I am sure we had to be doing something but not even mentioned. I do know Vann managed to go IFR and crash near the end of the action. By the way Animal, I have seen the snow on the Big Island when I was stationed with the 68th Med Det (MAST) on Oahu. Pretty cool but I agree the beach was nicer. Tough flying up there at 13000 plus feet. We had UH-1N hueys but even so had some power problems with heavy load. On my 4th 2400-0800 at hospital in a row. One more to go then 10 days vacation to work on my honey do list.
jeff s
USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 01:14:03 (MST)
Smitty, The LT that got busted was the same guy that was in the tower with us (Schrieber)on guard duty. He was also the Peter Pilot with me on that infamous CA west of tuy Hoa where Dave and Rebel got shot up so bad. His room was right accross the hootch from mine and Cpt. Howe's room. I remember very well when the CID came on their raid and no-one ever saw Schrieber again.After he left that Vietnamese kid Tony(Kit Carson Scout?)moved in. The CO at the time(Durban) even accused me of smoking pot, cause he smelled incense coming out of our room. That was ridiculous cause I didn't smoke in our room, I went to the water tower with the 7/17th CAV guys and did the Bong Song Bombers. I also knew some guys in the 61stAHC that had a secret smoking room above their hootch. That was funny because the aroma drifted all around the company area,but no-one knew where it was coming from. I remember how a lot of folks were divided into "juicers" or "heads"and didn't mingle much. I was an equal oppertunity substance abuser and had no problem getting stoned, then thrown out of the club. I've got to say that I never flew under the influence, but my down time was MINE. I'm completely straight and sober now because of my kids, and thats fun too. I don't exactly remember how I got the "Animal" call sign, but I suspect my behavior had something to do with it. By the way, did we win? YUk Yuk. Animal
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 00:48:51 (MST)
CB, ET AL: Just a little bit of update on 129th history. Prior to moving to Lane in '67, the 129th was based for about two years at Dong ba Thin, on the mainland side of Cam Rahn Bay, along with our sister companies (the 48th and 173rd). During that time ('65 - '67) the only major division in Viet Nam that had its own choppers was the 1st Cav. The 129th spent most of the time in the field in such areas as Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Phan Thiet, etc. We supported whichever division was on missions at the time, such as the 101st, 82nd, 25th, and 4th, as well as Special Forces out of Cung Son, and even the CIA out of Nha Trang. We also flew occasional dust-off missions into the 1st Corp area, to pull out jar-heads, whose own choppers couldn't compete with Hueys for some of those. We made 13 complete company moves during my time with the unit. We also always had a few birds assigned TDY (?) to other units, such as the ROK Tiger Division out of Phan Rang, and various RVN units (including the 'Red-Caps'), so the company was rarely all together in one spot at the same time. My first assignment, in early '66, was in support of the ROK Tigers; we only had two ships there, and it was six weeks before we were transfered back to DBT and I met anyone else in the unit. Of course, by mid-'67, most of the American units were getting their own choppers, so apparently the 129th was transfered to Lane for a more steady assignment. Alex is the only regular poster here who was in the unit the same time I was, in '66, though I know a few others do check in at times to read the commo.
Max W.
Oregon USA - Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 00:39:34 (MST)
are any of the email addresses still good, I keep gettin em back undeliverable, but then im on aol
jim baggs <fatien1@aol.com>
lake havasu city , az USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 23:25:06 (MST)
It's only been a couple of days since I've been here, but MAN!...what a surprise! All these guys suddenly dropping in out of the wild blue yonder! I'm wondering...karma, kismet or something more? Powerful stuff going on here. POWERFUL stuff. Mark, if you check in...I need to talk to you, my friend.
Sue
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 23:12:40 (MST)
Littlejohn, Are you the Littlejohn with blonde hair circa 70-71? That is the one I remember.
jeff
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 23:06:16 (MST)
hey Fred A. Dee and I will be in INDY the 20th of this month. Called Ron Paye and am askin' you and your lovly wife if ya wanna do lunch?........Ron said if he is not doing some things he may have to.....Let me know//////Mark
Mark
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 21:28:08 (MST)
if I remember correctly,the pilot got busted after we went on a C.A.,just west of lane.The R.O.K.s had pot stuck in their helmets acting like camoflodge.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 21:10:39 (MST)
They guy that dropped acid and tried to fly home was an EM. His last name was Blaze. He did it within a few months after I derossed, May 25, 1971. Shakey Pete / Jay Hillen, a Cobra crewchief, wrote me about it after I returned home. There is a bazzar irony of the accidental deaths at Lane. The first, I beleive was the shooting in the small arms room. Then George Haines walked into the tail rotor. Because morale had taken a dip, the company CO Major Franz (sp.?) hosted a company party with steaks and beer at the nearly completed swimming pool. That's when the guy (don't know his name) slipped into the generator pit and was electrocuted in front of everyone. The part they hadn't finished was the cover for the pit. So much for morale!....Little John, the "goat-ass" hunt, as we named it, ultimatley turned out to be much more strange than we ever imagined. 10 or 15 years ago, Cardinal told me of some credentialed zoologist that identified a new spicies (name starts with "I", but can't remember) in Vietnam. Sure enough, I've read about this discovery several times since and have seen photos. Yes, we killed a then-yet unidentified creature that day. Just wish the moccasin thing would have worked out. But you're right, the spin-off from that adventure would fill up this space...especially if we told where the eye, tounge and skinned skull ended up. LJ, Gary, Fred S., I'll email you. Maybe we should arrange a sidebar sometime soon... Regards Everyone
C.B
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 20:26:14 (MST)
Yes Animal, i remember very well & that of course was my fault & my idea, sorry but was just trying to share the cheer. I think it was new years of 71-72, one of the only surviving pics of my face is the one posted in the solo section of the gallery with the vn girl at the club. I believe it was taken that very same night prior to that happening.Someone (Baron) just mentioned a crew chief that was on top of the ship while it was flying & i remember you saying i did that. Boy I sure did a lot of crazy shit. using alcohol for fuel will do that-- pot too. Does anyone remember the name of "Star". he was a 1lt in the 2nd flt i believe & got busted for pot & of course that is a severe no-no for an officer & gentleman by an act. Was the last we saw of him. respects & welcome to the folks just finding the site. Respects>>> smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 19:06:51 (MST)
Yes Fred S. Is very great to see all of you guys a yackin' in here. Hi Little John. Got your e-mail. It as been a long time since we talked. Good to see you in here. Little John has been to the Pop-A-Top. His "BLOOD CHIT" is framed on the wall there..... BARON....It would be my honor to hang that helmet in the Pop-A-Top. Policy is, anything that anybody brings in will always belong to them and returned upon thier request. But we are honored to put all on display. The more 129th stuff there, the better.......CUPS!!!!!!!...so good to here from you....was worried a spell about ya.....tried to make a call to you down there and the man said " there is trouble in this country and info opperators are not at thier phones.........Good to see ya.....Lets see...Cups , Little John , Fred S, Fred A....have all been to the Pop-A-Top....Baron....would love to have you see the place.............this is all good!....always a brother, Mark
Mark
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 18:08:07 (MST)
Little John, What a pleasent suprise to have you check in . This is truly a joy for me to hear from an old ,(SNAKE) I found an old helmet in my mom's basement today. Old style,but has some unique ,(70's) artwork on it that I painted while boarding in the Far East Filmore. Perhaps they could hang it on the wall at the Pop a Top. I plan to go to the Indy. reunion in June and check the bar, (POP A TOP) on the way. Keep in touch.G.C.
Baron
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 17:49:40 (MST)
Fred, Yes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea have snow right now above 10,000 ft. A beautiful sight to see. I've only been to the summit of Mauna Kea (13,700 ft)once in the summer, and it was too cold for my thinned blood. Instead, I try to head the other way; to the ocean with a water temp near eighty. We've also got some geothermally heated ponds nearby that are like a huge hot tub. There are some benifits to living on an active volcano. The downside is my house may be covered with lava sometime within the next 700 years. I can live with those odds, although I have friends that have been displaced by Lava. When put into context with the floods,hurricanes,blizzards and man made disasters on the mainland, I'll take Kilauea volcano anyday. Smitty, Remember the night the officers had to pull guard duty? It was a holiday and Major Jones wanted to give the enlisted men the night off. He pulled "Officer of the Guard" himself. After checking out the proper weapons I was in a tower with Lt. Schrieber, and he recited Tolkien's Hobbit and Ring's trilogy to me in what seemed it's entirety. Who shows up to the rescue but you and your gunner with a six pack. Well, we're having a good ol time with the occaisional glance over the wire when who pops his head up through the trap door but Major Jones. He scolded us a little, and told us if he was a VC he would have killed us all. Then I bent over to do something and the beer I had stuck in my pocket spilled out all over the place. I think he learned not to send a WO to do a man's job. He never said another word about the incident and I'm glad he wasn't a VC or even a ROK. Later, Greg
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 16:47:26 (MST)
This is really great.....I love it...
Fred Skaggs
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 16:20:37 (MST)
Time to check in. Greetings to all. Frequent reader, lazy writer.
Baron (Gary)Glad to see your still suckin and pumpin. Have not seen you in years. Last time
when you came out to see CB and me in Pa. CB give me a call. Cups... You visited me and
Mike Tindal(Cardinal), and Weird Billy(Knight) in Daytona. We went to your place in Miami
once. Remeber listening to Beautiful Day for the first time. Hippy,Cardinal,Mike is Senior
Pilot for Lucadia Corp. They just bought two of the latest G5s. Mike was the first non
Gulfstream factory Pilot to be certified in it. Of course we will not talk about the one of a kind antelope story. no place in the book for that. For all you Cobra Crew, Do you remember the hootch searches that the CO made us do. I'll Never Forget LT Pinnaple finding
about five Hookers living in the ceiling of your hootch.
Little John 70- 71
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 16:08:51 (MST)
Baron. April '70-April"71. Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 13:53:19 (MST)
Dopey??????? Can`t remember him....Is the Miles, Mike Miles? He gets on every now and then. He`s a retired Washington D.C. policeman. Gary Feldts...I tried to find him but he`s some sort of "deep cover" policeman in LA.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 12:18:32 (MST)
C. B. Welcome home my good friend. Now were talking with the man who made the miniguns ,(TALK). Jeff S. Frogs last name is Miles. F.S. Bob Carter was the one who waved through the windshield. Dopey got grounded for Preiest fly-by. Cups, No,That was most likely Pete Nolan, Baron who preceded me. I dont think you and I overlaped much. What were your dates please? G.C.
Baron
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 12:10:31 (MST)
Animal(Greg)....CNN said it was snowing in the mountains of Hawaii!!!!
Fred Skaggs
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 11:56:15 (MST)
Fred A... I'd like to see them, but not sure if I already have...
Dave
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 11:14:48 (MST)
Cups- I confess. I have the picture of Dirty George and you. Also have a really "cute" one of you sleeping. Will e-mail them out to you soon. Glad you are all right. By the way it was your right ear! Musta been the H-34. I ran into Dirty when he was at rucker for I think the senior course in mid 70s. He was still crazy and I beleive stationed in Hawaii.
Snapper
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:51:16 (MST)
Jim, Mike is helping you push someone into the icy water,beer tub,in the line shack pic i sent you. He is standing next to you.Want me to send it to you?Dave ,I have a couple of pics from the 129th,have you seen them?
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:50:52 (MST)
The Mike I am talking about derossed in 71,late 71.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:45:21 (MST)
please do dave.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:43:59 (MST)
Okay. Who has the photo of "Dirty George" giving me a Wet Willie. I'd like to see that one. If it's the left ear then that explains why I can't hear out of that one. He was nasty. And I thought it was the hours in the H-34 that did it. Mat, good to see ya back. Gently, what can I say. Flame, what's up. Baron, were you one of the three Cobras who went to Daytona for fixed wing training? If so you will remember the weekend I parked my VW camper in your front yard. Where is Hippie? He stayed with my parents on his way to the keys for a dive trip ('72?). I was down here. Ya'll take care. Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince , Haiti - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:33:13 (MST)
Fred A. that wasn't Mike Hermanek was it? If so, he got to Lane in February '71 with me, Jim Young, Ron Cox, Doug Watts, and a few others. I've got a photo of him I can send you if like, though it's on my home computer.
Dave Powers
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:26:23 (MST)
The "Acid Pilot" was an avionics guy and Dudley the Dog was his PP. The story as I remember it was that he dropped acid, cranked up the helicopter, radioed Lane Tower and said he was outbound to Honolulu. I heard he was medivaced to Japan. I remember the wind being pretty stiff that night with lots of rain.
Dave Powers
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:20:55 (MST)
anyone remember Mike (italian name),long black "flier" mustache.was my crew chief when I first arrived at lane. He was from hicksville,long island,ny.He big brothered me untill I learned the ropes.I liked flying so much,I went on a test flight with the maintanceance officer.When I got back,Mike gave me an ass chewing I still remember.something like..you stupid s.o.b.,like it aint dangerous enough without you flying in a just fixed helicopter test ride.Aint you got any sense,shits bad enough out there with you pushing your luck on some test flight... chuckle. never did fly again on test flights.I am thankful. The things he taught me bout combat flying and combat helicopters.gunnery,ect,most likely saved my life,the crews i flew with,and the others I "big brothered".
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 07:13:06 (MST)
Jim,the incident of the guy trying to fly back to the states and crashing? If its the one I am thinking about,the guy wasnt even a regular crew member, had dropped some acid. wanted to go home. Happened in late 71,after augest,before xmas,I think.Dont remember no stinking phan rang ride,so perhaps it happened before my arrival.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 05:29:46 (MST)
Hear....Hear...CB........ Jeff S. of course I remember the drunk ARVN and his M-79. A drunk Spud didn`t want to leave the barbacued pork chops on the grill to go to the bunker. Do you remember Joey Priebe buzzing Lane Tower on a "short timer`s" pass, he got grounded for that little stunt. But it was funny and Joey didn`t care. I talk to Joey about a year ago, he suffers from MS and walks with cane. He had been a professional ballroom dancer. Sad story
Fred Skaggs
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 05:15:47 (MST)
If anyone wants to read about the ship that crashed in front of 1st plt shack go to helicopters and click on 70-15753. I was just surfing ac and found it. Also found aircraft 10097 which was in 129th in late 60s. If you scroll down you will see it in Germany with 3/7 Cav 3 ID and in 9/72 it stopped flying for several months. Reason was I was at a 10 or so foot hover and the 90 degree GB and T/R blades departed for other locations. Almost got the spin stopped but not quite. Broke off right skid and tailboom except for one bolt. Seems direct support maintenance "forgot" cotter pin on t/r chain sprocket. I do have a piece of the chain tho. Maybe they should have made the cover over the sprocket out of plexiglass. D troop did get a brand new H model to replace it.
Jeff S.
USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 03:06:27 (MST)
What was Frogs last name? I do think I can now put a face to both Gary and Frog but not his real name. CRS maybe or just too many years. Back at work again taking care of the WWII types. They are really getting old. Sort of sad after thinking about what they went thru. Fred S. I remember the electric swimming and the gunfight at the arms room. Also the Sgt Meeks incident and fragging. Does anyone remember the time the drunk ARVN was lobbing M-79s onto us. If I recall Hobie, Spud , Vreeman, me and a few others were holding the two Viet dishwashers from the NCO club hostage in the one 2nd plt bunker. The moral is one dressed in black pjs should not be around when someone is trying to kill someone especially when their identity is unknown. I also recall the ROKs went out and got the drunk guy. Glad I wasn't him!
Jeff S.
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 23:55:41 (MST)
Gary Carlson, very good to see you have made it to the cyber-129th. Sent you an email yesterday. Will write you more directly.
Just a note on the book writing. The 129th AHC was in Vietnam 8 or 9 years I beleive. In that time literally thousands of G.I.s served at Lane. The full Company was about 200 at any one time. Any one solider really only got to know a fraction of the whole company.
Each of us arrived and departed on our own schedule, or at best with just a few others at the same time. Our jobs usually kept us with the same folks during the work day. Our choice of leisure activity did the same during off time. Each of us had 100's of experiences. Each of us have 100's of stories.....Because of the wide diversity of times, jobs, and leisure there is no single "129th story" per sa. There is a common thread that stitches together thoses that served a similar span of time working and playing together. They share a common memory and chronology of the people and events that shaped their particular "time there" (The recent postings of Kim LaVoie, Fred Scaggs, Gary Carlson, Jeff Saures, et al, demonstrate this)......For Sue, perhaps that is where your story lies. Larry Jackson's accidental demise along with his crew pinpoints a timeframe. The people serving then, in whatever capacity, hold the "common memory" and could layout the chronology to aid you in your effort with Mark. Good luck in your endeavor.
Regards, C.B. 1970-1971
C.B.
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 23:05:56 (MST)
Mark, How do I get in touch with Billy Perri? I've been listening to his tape over and over. I think I need to talk to him.
Sue
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 21:53:12 (MST)
Gary, Ron has a airplane and 129 is his tail numbers. Do you remember Steve Lee and Bob Carter? They were with the 173rd Airborne before coming over to the 129th as doorgunners.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 21:15:57 (MST)
Dave Powers , I cant get it together, wont have my assistant till Thurs. P.m. but thanks for that great shot Hot rod 635 what a sweet machine. VCeater . G. Shadow ,thanks for coming by owe you 1 2 .G. FRED that is too cool , Ron was another one of our great,"CREW CHIEFS" G.
Baron
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 20:39:24 (MST)
Jim W. that all took place in between September 1970 and January 1971.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 20:04:08 (MST)
Animal remembers one incident where i went to a hover on top of the ship. I don't remember the electric swimming or the arms room incident but do the fraggin of the sgt., I was there summer 71-72 so i remember regent, alemaster, baron & some of the others from guns but flew a lot with shadow,frog,bill shilleto,animal,gabby, festus. I remember the guy trying to fly the ship back to the states & crashing right in front of 1st plt line shack, also the trip to Phan Rang. Can anyone put dates with these?? I drank a lot & my memory is foggy, but when i 1st got there CPT Johnny D Durden was CO. Lots of stuff went on. Star got busted for pot & cause he was an RLO we never saw him again. I'll keep tryin.>>>
Smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 18:50:44 (MST)
You did have that look about you . When mike and I got to lane we couldnt get a check ride right away because the check pilot was on r&r. Sgt. meeks set it up so we could fly door gunner for a couple of weeks till he got back . Meeks said that he had to check us out on the M60 first,said he had a couple of cans of ammo that was a little corroded that he didnt want to send up on a ship. So we get in the old truck and drive over to the range and he makes both of us shoot 1500 rounds in to the dirt. tftftftftfttftftttfttttttttttttttttttftftftfttffttffttftffttfftftfttftfft.you know how it gos. well I got to fly gunner. My first flight; AC North Witcher , ?? Ithink Col. Book was on . We fly into the On Key pass and its raining so hard we had to hover up the road like truck. well we get to the top of the pass they decide to head back. Good to be back. Baron
Baron
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 18:40:58 (MST)
Fraggin the Hooches, Electric swimming party`s were someone got electrocuted, accidental shooting death in the arms room...not the 129th. Sgt.Meeks takin the baseball bat from his assaultee`s and whumpin their ass. He was a tuff ole guy from Alabama, Korean War Vet. One of Meeks assaultee`s got all messed up and talked about doing the fraggin.That was before he tangled with Sgt.Meeks. I saw him on the flight line the next day and told him I would blow his head off if he came near our hooch ever. He was all messed up on smack. Thank God he took me serious and thought I was just stupid enough to do something like that. But he was pretty dumb to talk about fraggin the hooches, with guys he almost killed. Albert(Sancho)Sanchez and I heard the "pop" of the frag and recognize what it was and pulled Sancho`s mattress on top of us. It blew about quarter of the roof off the hooch. Charlie Solomon was up in front of the hooch and came running back to us. Charlie was on his third tour of Nam, two was as a Marine. But he pulled the mattress off us and said," That`s not incoming, that`s a frag'!!!!!!. No shit Charlie!!!! I guess it had happen when he was with the Marines. One of the guys worked in operations and one was a gunner with the 2nd platoon. But they didn`t go to jail until the Sgt.Meeks incident. Honestly it was funny because Meeks beat their butts and then tide their hands behind their backs. Then he marched them down the hill with the baseball bat to the orderly room. Those boys were all bloodied and Sgt.Meeks had a few scratches. God that was a crazy time.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 17:52:38 (MST)
Baron, nope... didn't get it. Try again! Kim and Baron, happy hunting! I bagged a skunk in the driveway with my .22 once... big mistake! Up at the cabin I've bagged several of those pesky packrats. One climbed down into the cookstove once, so we carried the stove outside, lit a big fire and smoked his butt. It's an ongoing war with the packrats, though they've been laying low the last couple of years. Somebody bagged a mule deer doe in my backyard once... with a '72 Ford pickup. I don't believe I was the crew chief you're talking about. I did occasionally "ride the skids", though.
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 17:12:16 (MST)
Jeff, Nov. 70-71, Came in with ,"Frog" ,took us a week to hitch hike to Quinhon ,lots of rain. Assigned to batalion H. Q. to be radio operators . We went to check in 2 days in a row but no one home. Met a sargent from the 129th at the airport and he told us about company. Frags in the hooches, Electric swiming party,so phoned Maj. Winters and told him we wanted a job.He sent a helicopter and next thing we were at Lane. :Frog" Saved my ass . Dave, Did you get my reply? Who was that fun loving Crew Cheif who would climb out on top while flying and wave at us through the windshield? Kim, KIA my yard in last mo. 3 red squirrls ,1 racoon , 1 mouse
Baron
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 16:37:24 (MST)
Dave Powers, funny thing...I have an Enfield, Mark 4, 303...I'l have to try it!!!
Kim
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 14:04:50 (MST)
Just wanted to welcome our new Brothers to the family. Welcome Home Baron. Working night shiftfor a few weeks. Can't get my days and nights ajusted. Max good to see you post. Always A brother Alex
Alex
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 12:09:08 (MST)
MARK: Thanks mucho for the corrections on the story 'The Death of 868.' SPEAKING OF JOHN WAYNE: did anyone miss the slight inaccuracy at the end of the movie 'The Green Berets'? John Wayne and the kid stand on the beach as the sun slowly sets into the South China Sea, which, in reality, happens to be to the *east*! Bite and Strike.....
Max W.
Oregon USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 11:38:35 (MST)
Hi Mark, Sorry I missed your call the other day, but needed to take the family on some much needed vacation. Like Gently I too keep looking to see if the contact list has got my new address and or e-mail (also I keep looking for Lenny Addams AKA Fire). So if any one needs to contact me my address is: Matthew Casey 1150 N. Kirby St. #157 Hemet CA 92545 Phone Number is 909-652-5885 and finaly the e-mail is mcasey1947@msn.com well thats it for me, hope you find the job you need. TAILS CLEAR LEFT...... CASEY
Matt Casey <mcasey1947@msn.com>
Hemet, CA USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 10:24:50 (MST)
John Wayne's movie "True Grit" (also with Glen Campbell) was filmed out here. Those guys were "regulars" around town during the filming... some of my high school peers actually grew beards and were hired as "extras" in the film. Gary, I "coveted" the job of crewing 635. I was pretty happy to rid myself of 214! Mike Brown crewed 635, then went home leaving me the job! Hi Mark! Recently I watched a DVD entitled "A Concert for George", a musical celebration of George Harrison's music at Albert Hall... lots of talent: Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, and the Monty Python troupe (including Tom Hanks). Anoushka Shankar is amazing with her sitar music. Kim, my brother used to shoot deer from his bathroom window in Oregon...kept his .303 British next to the toilet. Practice makes perfect!
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 09:12:05 (MST)
Mark, my home phone is 414-476-0558. Joe gave me the message that you called last night(the number you have is his home phone and I can't be reached there any more, he does give me any messages though). I hope you got the number you were looking for-if not, let me know. I better check the address page, this rootless women re-locates alot, perhaps too much. Welcome home to the new guys(Does this make them FNG's?)! You've found a wonderful place to be yourself....now we have to get you to the re-union in June. Let me know of you need financial help....I'm the embezzler of the group:>)) Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently <jsinger@uwm.edu>
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 08:49:45 (MST)
Baron (Gary Carlson) it nice to hear from you. I remember flying with before you went to the gun platoon. I do not post a lot on the website but I read it as often as I can. It is good hear what people you knew a long time ago are doing and remembering the good and bad of Viet Nam. I am going to Indy for the VHCMA reuion and see Smitty, Alvis, Gale, JW, Kal, Alex and lots of others I met in Atlanta. This is my current e-mail address. Take care SHADOW
Alton Page <Apage6130@aol.com>
Columbia, USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 08:39:59 (MST)
Fred S. Glad you got the pics. I know I have some of the "young" Freddie. Will keep going thru them. Also found one of me sometime during Cambodia-you know one of those 12-13 hour days in the seat. Look kind of weary. I also see we can expect another wintery mix tomorrow. What the hell is going on? I got sunburned Sat and Sun and now have to get out the warm clothes again. Gary C. , you know many of us "southerners" like Skaggs and myself are original yankees. I thougt we were here as part of the army of occupation. Just kidding all my southern buds. Also GC when did you get in country? I just can't place you but probably know you. I came in and left same day as Cups and North. Well back to work. Take care all!
Jeff
USA - Tuesday, March 09, 2004 at 00:02:39 (MST)
Fred Scaags, yes I got the photos, Great shot of Kim and yourself. You both look alike and you look just like me. Baby boy, Is that your son? We will work on the E-mail thing . Good nite G.
Gary Carlson
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 22:11:24 (MST)
Gary,
I just got off the phone with CB, he`s sure glad your around. Yea..you need some practice sending pictures, get Jane or one the kids to help you. It didn`t make it thru!!!! You should have got some pictures I sent you. The one with Cups and Dirty George was sent to me from Jeff S....... After The Gold Rush...great album. Kim LaVoie, get that shotgun out, and let it rip. Animal...Jesse Colin Young...I just bought a old Youngbloods cd few weeks back.....it`s great and live.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 21:07:41 (MST)
Baron...thanks for your kind words.....anything that you want to put on the web site you can send to me and I will forward it to the webmaster for insertion. Photos should come to me as a JPEG and stories just in text. My e-mail is fourfour@bright.net...or just click on the mark129th.net on the front page and it will get to me. If you want to send me a little BIO of yourself and want it included in the CONYACTS section , do so....Name, tour, Phnoe numbers, and e-mail if you want them to be displayed...take care brother.....always a brother, Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 20:55:41 (MST)
Mark, pleased to meet you, You have my deepest regrets on the loss of your brother Larry, He belonged to an elite groop of men ,the men who who make avaition happen.I have three brothers of my own and the loss of any one of them would be impossible for me. I enjoy your web site here immensly and am drawn in to the point of intoxification. I am here to help if I can. It will take me some time to get up to speed but Im working on it. I have some photos I,d like to get put up on site. This is a big bundle for me to get my arms around so I need to slow down a bit and get it right. Thak you and thanks to all
Baron
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 20:29:57 (MST)
Dave Powers,You hit it on the head with "Hot Rod 635" I would love to have a photo of that beautiful ship .Alvis, Legends is pretty far north for our southern gentleman friend. Gabby??? me too. Animal, After the gold rush played often when I was in 2nd platoon. fred skaags, Did you get my E -mail. Having some dificulty . Jane got home from vacation in Florida yesterday all tan and healthy looking. I hauled her bags in the house and she said , let me show you my new bathing suit I bought. 20% off, I paid $200 for it. Pretty neat frilly thing . I said, What are you trying to tell me, you dont want me wearing it when your not home.G.C.
Baron
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 19:40:18 (MST)
Kim....Hi.......Funny you mention Glenn Campbell's Galveston. That song plays in the background of a vintage 1969 audio tape I have that Billy Perri, ( one of Larry's friends at Lane ) was taping to his parents about the crash of the "257"...just as Billy says, " don't seem right for 7 guys to die for one damb gook". At that time someone has a radio on in the hootch and Glenn sings, " I am so afraid of dyin'".........Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 19:37:45 (MST)
Hi all..Alvis, I always was amazed at the selective denial I encountered when in the south. Does ANYBODY down there remember who won?heh heh!!
Squire...I'd almost forgotten him, Alemaster, Regent,Soothsayer,Knave,InnKeeper. Good Pilots, for the most part. Good friends all! They used to invite us em types up to "O" country, I loved to see the Cobra flag flying over the highest point of Lane field! Freddie, that damned squirrel had about 6 lives! Next time he came back, I managed to pop him. There was a good reason why I carried a 60, I'm a horrible pistol shooter! How many of you guys remember the 'WONDERFUL' aerial gunnery instruction we had at Eustis? It's a wonder we could hit the broad side of a rice paddy. thank you U.S. Army!! As I recall, I went around the James River, firing about three shots at at time, before the piece of junk jammed, we'd land, and a specialist would jump out and clear it, and off we'd go again, just to repeat the process. At least I got to fly!!! :>)) I finished second in my class, and was slated to attend 'shake and bake', but someone decided I was too young (17), so I got orders to nam instead!! Go figure....got sent back home, and went to Fort Stewart until I turned 18......Neil Young...Mr Soul, Unknown Legend, Old Man....too many to pick a favorite from. I liked him with CSN...Listened to a country station yesterday, and heard Glen Campbell's Galveston, never realized it was a soldier's song...strange...
Kim
Livermore, Me USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 19:26:37 (MST)
.....where did everybody go????????......I showered today;-)))))
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 18:51:36 (MST)
......Baron.....Sorry for not introducing myself before. Have been reading your post....WELCOME HOME and back to the 129th....Thanks for serving. I am Mark Jackson, Borther of Larry Jackson ( Pop-A-Top ) Crew Chief of the downed "257" 9/11/69. AC was De Santis, PP was Sawran, DG was Hargrave............Looks like you have reunited with lots of comrades here....thats great and the whole purpose of this site......:-)!!!!!!!!!!!...always a brother.....mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:55:08 (MST)
MAX W......your photo and storie of the "Death of the 868" in up in the Stories section of the Home Page now......Thanks for sending it......mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:49:51 (MST)
Hey Baron,you have any idea where Gabby,the pilot is? Thats if you knew him.I liked that son of a gun,would love to run into him.All I know is he was from alexander Va.Ran into the peter p. that was flying with him,and the crew cheif,at the washington dc reunion,welcome home vets gig,a few years ago,when the dedicated the wall.Damn,I even got to march in a parade down penn,ave.That and a dollar will buy me a cup of coffee,
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:49:04 (MST)
hot tuna, now there is a name from the past.I bet you do get some great bands there.Freddy,I liked "southern man" the song,didnt care for the message.Like alot of folks that have never spent alot of time down south,emersed in the culture,they dont have a clue.I agree neil is as big a icon as dylan,good conparision,I hadnt thought of it,but its very true.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:44:49 (MST)
Animal...yeah Poppa John Creech.....now that guy could make a fiddle sing.......also like Gate Mouth Brown.........Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:43:10 (MST)
.Evenin' Flight......Hey Fred A.---------- Dee and I are going to be in INDY the 20th of this month. B/day party for our daughter and grand son. I just got off the phone with Ron Paye , to see if he would be available for lunch on that day. The 20th is a Saturday. Are you and Susie open for that also?.....maybe we can get Rainer Bauer and his wife also and Gale and Debbie too............speaking of music, watched E.C., McCartney, Harrisons's Son Rongo, and others performing George's toons. Very touching...............Them guys were/are great.........I miss the Beatles..............Mark
Mark
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:39:28 (MST)
I didn't really appreciate Neil young until I got older. His falseto voice was irritating to me for some reason. Now that I'm more mature(?), I've become quite a fan. He's been so prolific over the years that I rank him with Bob Dylan as a singer/songwriter. He has a home here on the Big Island, as does Jesse Colin Young, though I've never run into either one of them at the supermarket. We get a surprisingly good assortment of groups performing here at the local Brew/Pub. This week it's Hot Tuna Accustic with Jack Casady formerly of the airplane. I saw them years ago with Pappa John Creech somewhere in Texas. There have been some great Blues acts in the past,(they must like the winters here). Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, and a lot of " Texas Guitar Slingers".Later, Greg
Animal
HI USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:33:16 (MST)
actually,there is a darn good club here,of some renown,cslled the slippery noddle. They get some of the biggest names in there,so I am told, havent made it down there yet,but I will.Lotta jazz clubs here,but i aint into it.Sunny and terry had an album out,just by that name. first heard it at ft, carson,went and bought it...chuckle,some of the songs were" white boy lost in the blues",your a chocolate cookie and you bring out the buggie in me" and my favorite," In America". lots of good harp,lots of good picking.Darn blind man could sure play.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:30:13 (MST)
Fred A......Did like the song written by Neil Young called "Southern Man" I`m just asking after you made that "southern post"....that song is a little hard on the south. Yea Fred...the blues.....Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Junior Wells, Pinetop Perkins, Sonny Terry, Lucky Peterson, Otis Rush, Sugar Blue.....Yes sir Fred...I`m into the Blues. You ought to take a "road trip" up to Chicago and go to Kingston Mines or Buddy Guy`s Legends, if you like the blues. I went to Chicago for my brithday in 1994...damn that`s been ten years ago, but I went to Kingston Mines to see Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. It was a great time. I was sitting there with my cousins and looked in the corner, and there was Buddy Miles. He just got out of jail for a drug conviction. He was Jimi Hendrix`s drummer in Band of Gypsys. He had messed up all that money he made. I went back to ask him for his autograph, and he said it would cost me a drink. Of course I bought him two or three drinks just so I could talk to him. That was a great brithday. Yea Fred I love the blues and Neil Young. My favorite Neil Young song is "Tell Me Why". You know ole Buddy Miles did a remake of "Down By The River" on his "Them Changes" album.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 17:11:18 (MST)
Howdy, Baron and Animal... Fred A. you must be "Colorado Dreamin'" Me too, buddy. We're beginning to see springtime in the Rockies... 65 here today! Baron, you mentioned 635... I loved that bird! I wonder whatever happened to her. I was transferred as her crew chief from 214. As I recall, 214 always had some crazy hydraulic leak happening... fluid always covering the tail boom. The reservoirs on the rotor head were nearly always contaminated, and I was always adding fluid to it... flew it "Red-X'd" frequently, as we couldn't get the parts we needed. 635 always had that "high school kid's hotrod" look and feel to her, complete with the multi-tone OD paint. The only thing missing was the STP and Red Hot Woody decals! A while back here at the web site Kim, Animal and I were reminiscing about the hot LZ west of Tuy Hoa where 635 got shot up so bad... a 'Hook had to sling us home from the PZ. Were you in on that one? Got a new tail boom out of the deal.
Dave Powers
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 16:18:26 (MST)
Jim W.,I back channeled ya,no response.Addy still good? Hot mail screws up sometimes,might be bad on this end.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 15:39:22 (MST)
sitting here listening to Neil Young on the radio. his music always mellows me out. What a great artist.I always flash back to just after i got back.Brought a akia reel to reel back with me.Over at my good friends house,lots of long hairs around,a few women,all with gituars, weed being passed around,real mellow group.they were all trying to play "down by the river" with me taping it. Twas a pure flower child type thing that night.Really got into old Neil when I was stationed at ft. carson after nam. Fred,you might knoiw these folks also... got into delta blues also..sonny brownie and willie magee.If you want to see a very good movie with great music fred,watch cross roads. Its got that kid in it from karata kid.... put on the wax, take off the wax.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 15:36:23 (MST)
Gale, thanks for the date info. Can't wait to see you guys at both! Lots of war stories going around. For those of you who are having a difficult time with them, please call someone here to talk to: phone numbers are on the "Contact" page. Don't leave the site! I repeat do not leave the site! It sounds like the stories are keeping people up at night, so I'm sure a call to talk would be welcomed. For many the sharing is very healing, if it isn't working that way for you, please just skip the stories, but don't leave the 129th brotherhood. Always there for our Veterans-Gently
.
Gently
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 15:11:29 (MST)
mark, I bet that trail is still there.If its not used by humans,I bet its a game trail now. I ave seen some game trails,out in colorado,as wide as sidewalks. good luck buddy.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 14:28:36 (MST)
Hey Mark,any chance of getting the history channel or war stories with oliver north involved? perhaps they would throw in some funds or pull a string or two.If not, document it and perhaps later you can recoup bucks from them.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 14:21:25 (MST)
"SHADOW" Alton Page'I,ve always had fond memories of our flights together. I want you to know that the kind words you spoke about me on my last flight to
Quinhon have been the only thing that brought me through many truly dark moments in my life. TRuly Bulldog "21"
Baron
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 11:44:51 (MST)
Animal, Sure I remember.. Glad to hear from you. Dirty George had his tongue in my ear as well. Good joke ,tried it a couple times myself,has potential for backfire though.Tried to E mail Shadow last nite Sure would like to hear from him and everyone else. Cobra squire, Where are you ? Back tonite, work. G.C.
Baron
USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 07:08:00 (MST)
Sitting here at work at 0330( reg nite nurse was in an accident so we daytime types get to cover). All my charges are asleep which isn't bad considering it is a full moon. Did have 4 rooms where drains backed up but engineering fixed that. Saturday I finally found the shoebox with all of my slides and 8 mm movies. First slide I picked up was of Cups fast asleep. SOOOOO Cute! Next was a picture of Cups being kissed on the ear by Dirty George DeSaris. Kind of wierd. Have only looked at a few but will keep at it. Must have several hundred slides. Fred S. Don't worry about the golf. I have hardly played since we moved to lake. Being on water is more fun and if you get over it does not take any kind of super athelete to be pulled around in a tube behind the boat. For all wanting to climb mountains in RVN I looked at a couple of slides of the mountains around Lane and I don't think I (also over 50) would want to try it. Good southern humor a few posts back from Alvis. Like they say a Yankee is someone from the north who comes to visit - but a damn Yankee is one who comes, takes the jobs, marries the women and refuses to go home. Also, can you get sweet tea any where north of North Carolina? Well enough, gotta go make sure they are all still breathing!
Jeff
AT WORK, USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 01:42:06 (MST)
Aloha Jim, Thats very interesting, but remember: if Doctors are outlawed,only outlaws will have Doctors! Nice sunset shot Melody! And finally, welcome Cobra Baron! I don't know if you remember me, but you were in a photo that Dave Powers sent me awhile back. It jarred some memories loose that had been hidding in my addled brain. I was in the 1st flt. platoon, but enjoyed the hospitallity of the Gun Platoon often. Do you remember Gary Jones (W.O.)? We were in flt school together and I've wondered what happened to him.
I send my best regards to everyone else on the page. The Commo's been great and I'd love to make a reunion one of these days. The distance makes it difficult, but not impossible.
Maybe there could be a Hawaiian reunion one day. I know ya'll would love it. They even have Harleys over here (I've seen them in the back of pick-ups) yuk yuk. Best wishes, Greg
Animal
HI USA - Monday, March 08, 2004 at 00:20:19 (MST)
Just saying a quick hello to everyone. Thought I'd post my uncles info again. I wihs I had more to offer here. His name was Olen Wayne Garrett. I found his name on the 68 roster. Its on the 3rd page and the 3rd from bottom(I really don't know much about what it means.) I'm not really sure what else to do about it. If there is a way could I send someone a photo to take to ya'lls reunion? I'd like to go but will more than likely be living with my grandparents...not sure. My grandpa starts his alzheimers meds tomorrow and he is getting to be a handful. He remembers the old stuff really well and he has asked me to record his life story on tape. Need to start that soon. He was in WWII, a sgt in the 757th Tank battalion. Good man but arnrey! Last thing(since i know I am blabbin) this is a picture I took tonight, I just thought it was so pretty and peaceful so I thought i'd share. I guess the link is my name.
Melody
Amarillo, TX USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 22:37:38 (MST)
> Subject: Doctors vs. Guns
>
>
> THINK ABOUT THIS:
>
> PHYSICIANS:
>
> a. The number of physicians in the United States is 700,000
>
> b. Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year is 120,000.
>
> c. Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171. (US Dept. of Health &
> Human Services)
>
> GUNS:
>
> a. The number of gun owners in the US is 80,000,000 (yes, eighty million!).
>
> b. The number of accidental gun deaths per year (all age groups) is 1,500.
>
> c. The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.0000188.
>
> Statistically, doctors are about 9,000 times more dangerous than gun
> owners.
>
> FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS A DOCTOR.
>
> Alert your friends to this threat. We must ban doctors before this gets out of hand.
>
> As a public health measure I have withheld the statistics on lawyers for fear that the shock could cause people to seek medical attention.
jim westwang 71-72
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 22:19:26 (MST)
roflol.....thanks Fred......it is always good to end the day with a good laugh!
Sue Hydinger <oldstuff@pointonline.net>
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 21:26:34 (MST)
Three men were hiking thru the forest, when they unexpectedly came upon a large, raging, violent river. Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed to God,
"God, please give me the strength to cross the river." POOF! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours after almost drowning a couple of times. Seeing what happened to the first man, the second man prayed,
"God, please give me the strength and the tools to cross the river." POOF! God gave the second man a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing a couple of times. Seeing what happened to man number one and two, the third man prayed "God please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross this river." POOF! He was turned into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked up stream a couple hundred yards and walked across the bridge.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 20:45:58 (MST)
5 years ago I was working with a Viet vet Tour Company that held tours for units or individuals that wanted to go there. I sent them maps, grids , photos of the mountain from far and on top of it, andthey at that time also told me that it might be the olny way to reach the top would be by a chopper. At that time the choppers where very exspencive even if you could get one. ..........I have a topographical of the AO ( vintage 1969, of all things ) that show the steepness and the torrain of the hill. Elevation is 542 meters. Located 2 1/4 miles south west of Lane. The mountain on the east side has what the map calls Brushwood for vegetation and the west side is Dense forest or Jungle. Thats sounds interesting!....That will be 35 years ago if and when I get there. I know it will be different now.......The west side of the mountain in a quick incline at 100 meters up every 500 ft or less. The east side is a slow gradual climb. This map actually shows a foot path/trail that leads from Lame and winds around the torrain and ends about 900 meets away from where the "257" hit...........gotta go to moms and shut the water off. She has a leak..be back later.....Always a brother...mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 18:23:13 (MST)
.......Evenin everybody.........sounds like all is well in here tonight....just got back from Hamilton Ohio where Bud and Debbie live. Took off about 12:30 and got to spend about and hour and a half with Bud and Debbie in here room at the hospital. Debbie is in real good spirits and slowly on the mend. Long as the flap of skin from the bottom of her foot takes hold well, and it is, it's just where the first time they took her stictes out the cut opened a little bit and thats where the problem is now. They said that they have a real great Doc. that comes in all the time and cleans the dead tissue off and is always there for them. Bud sure looks good. A co/worker of Debbie aqnd her husband ( Who was a fellow Jar Head like me ) came to visit and Bud and Debbies daughter and son-in-law and grand daughter where there also. So she had a room full and said that she was very glad to have all the visiters. Dee and I were the last to leave and we prayed with them for good health. We had a great visit and Dee and I had a good trip...........hope all is well with all.........Good to see all in here tonight............always a brother..Mark
Mark
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 17:56:37 (MST)
might want to see if you can get hold of Joe Johnson, he has made the trip & made a post about it. Fred A. please get ahold of me.>>> Jim
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 17:28:03 (MST)
thanks buddy.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 15:07:53 (MST)
Alvis my friend, Indy is June 24th-27th and Kokomo is Sept 17th,18th & 19th. Gale
Gale
Clinton, IN USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 15:02:10 (MST)
well sue, the first thing your going to find out is how "hot" and how humid it will be. You get off the aircraft and it hits you like a blast furnance.Next thing is that there will be no roads,nor trails.Next thing is,it aint one mountian or hill,its a series of them,all covered in jungle and its undergrowth,with creepy crawly things that bite,flying things that bite,tigers,snakes,monkeys and perhaps ,unexploded ordenance.If you guys can rent a helicopter,please,by all means ,do so.In my mind..and I have been there ( the area)...its perhaps the only way to reach the crash site safely in a modest amount of time.If you go by foot,it might take days,with supplies having to be carried on your back.It is not the smokey mountians.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 14:54:34 (MST)
I think Mark did some research on Lane regarding how feasible it would be for such an undertaking in going there. I think he said the side of the mountain where Larry crashed would not be restricted. Lots of checking would have to take place to make certain...and climbing a mountain at 50? I'm 52 and climb my share every day. Life is made of mountains to be climbed. If I ignore them because of my age, I might as well hang it up right now.
sue
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 12:47:14 (MST)
Fred Alvis....Your right...that terrain was rugged for those young grunts and to try that at over 50 might be a bit much....in summer heat. And restrictions could put damper on that trip...that`s still a commie government. They might want to contact Joe Johnson, and find out the 411. I`m not telling you all not to go....just check things out first. Fred A. does Isaac count as a southern "bible belt" name. That`s my middle name.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 12:17:49 (MST)
mark and Sue,you need to remember something that was posted here long ago.Lane is now a closed,to outsiders, army base.Armed guards, gates,wire, and all that.Also,the terrain west and southwest of lane,is extremly rugged.Not to dampen any enthuseim,just to give you a heads up.I am sure with the proper strings pulled,this shouldnt prove to be a big problem.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 10:22:16 (MST)
hey gently,have you heard from Ron payne lately?Oh,having possion of a wet brain,can you once again post the dates for the indy reunion ,as well as the kokomo reunion? I must turn in leave request papers soon and damn if I remember (again) when they are.june and sept, all all I know.Thanks
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 10:13:09 (MST)
Fred Skaags, Good day old friend . Up till 4:00 this A.M. Mydaughter called this morning 11:00 am said gee dad what are you doing up all nite. Told her it was like I went back to Viet Nam . But Fred it was great for me ,thanks to your phone call last year.You got me back into it. good to hear from everyone. Good to have the sting of battle back in my life. As you can see I spoke With Sue ,and it occured to me that she has potential here for a unique project..Itwill be interesting to see wich avenue it will take..WE all have the same story. we all have 365 individual stories. weall have at least 365x 33 = 12045 stories... G. C.
Baron
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 10:13:03 (MST)
I saw this,stole it,passing it on....Avoid a Good Southern Ass Whuppin... Issued by the Southern Tourism Bureau
to ALL visiting Northerners, Northeasterners, Northwesterners, Westerners
and Southwestern Urbanites
1) Don't order filet mignon or pasta primavera at Waffle House. It's just a
diner. They serve breakfast 24 hours a day. Let them cook something they
know. If you confuse them, they'll kick your ass.
2) Don't laugh at our Southern names (Merleen, Luther, Tammy Lynn, Inez,
Billy Joe, Sissy, Clovis, etc.) or we will just HAVE to kick your ass.
3) Don't order a bottle of pop or a can of soda down here. Down here it's
called Coke. Nobody gives a flying rat's ass whether it's Pepsi, RC, Dr.
Pepper, 7-Up or whatever... it's still a Coke. Accept it. Doing otherwise
can lead to an ass kicking.
4) We know our heritage. Most of us are more literate than you (e.g. Welty,
Williams, Faulkner). We are also better educated and generally a lot nicer.
Don't refer to us as a bunch of hillbillies or we'll kick your ass.
5) We have plenty of business sense (e. g., Fred Smith of Fed Ex, Sam
Walton, Turner Broadcasting, MCI WorldCom, MTV, Netscape). Naturally, we do,
sometimes, have small lapses in judgment (e. g. John Edwards, Al Gore, Bill
Clinton, David Duke). We don't care if you think we are dumb. We are not
dumb enough to let someone move to our state in order to run for the Senate.
If someone tried to do that, we would kick his/her ass.
6) Don't laugh at our Civil War monuments. If Lee had listened to Longstreet
and flanked Meade at Gettysburg instead of sending Pickett up the middle,
you'd be paying taxes to Richmond instead of Washington. If you visit Stone
Mountain and complain about the carving, we'll kick your ass.
7) We are fully aware of how high the humidity is, so shut the hell up. Just
spend your money and get the hell out of here, or we'll kick your ass.
8) Don't order wheat toast at Cracker Barrel. Everyone will instantly know
that you're a Yankee. Eat your biscuits like God intended with gravy. And
don't put sugar on your grits, or we'll kick your ass.
9) Don't fake a Southern accent. This will incite a riot, and you will get
your ass kicked.
10) Don't talk about how much better things are at home because we know
better. Many of us have visited Northern hellholes like Detroit, Chicago,
and
DC, and we have the scars to prove it. If you don't like it here, Delta is
ready when you are. Move your ass on home before it gets kicked.
11) Yes, we know how to speak proper English. We talk this way because we
don't want to sound like you. We don't care if you don't understand what we
are saying. All other Southerners understand what we are saying, and that's
all that matters. Now, go away and leave us alone, or we'll kick your ass.
12) Don't complain that the South is dirty and polluted. None of OUR lakes
or rivers have caught fire recently. If you whine about OUR scenic beauty,
we'll kick your ass all the way back to Boston Harbor.
13) Don't ridicule our Southern manners. We say sir and ma'am. We hold doors
open for others. We offer our seats to old folks because such things are
expected of civilized people. Behave yourselves around our sweet little
gray-haired grandmothers or they'll kick some manners into your ass just
like they did ours.
14) So you think we're quaint, or losers, because most of us live in the
countryside? That's because we have enough sense to not live in filthy,
smelly, crime infested cesspools like New York, Baltimore or Boston. Make
fun of our fresh air, and we'll kick your ass.
15) Last, but not least, DO NOT DARE to come down here and tell us how to
cook barbecue. This will get your ass shot (right after it is kicked).
You're lucky we let you come down here at all. Criticize our barbecue, and
you will go home in a pine box... minus your ass.
THANK YOU
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 10:04:12 (MST)
Max,many nam vets experienced disturbing dreams and spikes in their ptsd when we went into the big "I" again this time.Its normal,so I am told.what ever normal is. Baron,I live in indy now,but am from the deep south.I live fairly close to IRP,the drag strip.
alvis
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 09:42:27 (MST)
Cobra Baron!!!!! Well you still "cool Gary Carlson" my friend to me. All that military stuff wasn`t my bag. Personal preference that`s all. But I am personally in a "comfort zone" now that you`re here on the site. I wish I could have more people I`m familiar with on web-site. I`ll call Bill Pecknold today and see if I can talk him into it. And I`ll try to catch up with Charlie Brown.....he gets up in the mountains chasing bald eagles and I don`t hear from him for a month at a time. He has his own way dealing with things. And I respect that. Jeff S. is always been there for me, I just don`t play golf. And meeting Kim LaVoie was a godsend....of course yesterday while talking to Kim, I heard a BOOM BOOM....What the hell are you doing Kim? OH....I`m shooting my pistol at critters in the trees out the back door of my house. Somethings never change with "ole warriors".....LOL...Yea I`d love to see that picture that you were talking about, I might be able to tell who the other guys are.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 07:57:51 (MST)
Thanks for your thoughts, Baron. And thanks also for your orders to blow the cobwebs out of the tubes. Had I not been born a woman, I think I would have been right in the thick of things, particularly the flying. That is a lifelong dream of mine, to fly. My dad tried to join the Air Force in WWII, but had a spot on his lung that they rejected. He went instead to the Navy. Wasn't the same. When he died of gastric cancer ten years ago, he told me his only regret in life was that he never learned to fly. My love of aviation comes from him. I looked into taking lessons a year or two ago...too damn expensive for a single mom. So, it'll come, just not sure when.
So, you're from Indy? I'm about 2 hours east of there. In June, I plan on being there with Mark and his reunion. There's also the possibility of a trip to Vietnam next year. Not exactly Cancun, but Mr. Jackson has hopes of visiting the crash site of his brother.
I don't know...maybe I'm all wrong. But I feel so strongly about this venture. Karma? or maybe something more?
Sue
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 00:38:11 (MST)
alvis Thanks for the welcome.I was born in Indianapolis ,1951 as I recall.Yea I,m ready, June is a Great time of year for a road trip in these parts. please more Id ? baron
Baron
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 00:25:25 (MST)
Hello Sue, I,ve always admired people who can write.I,ve always wanted to writew myself and told myself that I should write. A year and a half ago I met a woman from the Detroit area on aproject i was working on and we started talking . She was a former police officer so we exchanged a few stories. She did some writing and she asked me if I ever thought about it. Well anyway she had a computer and looked up the 129th site and showed me all the information that was available. Lurches poem right there in front of the whole world. cool Yes I think you should write all you can. You picked the most interesting and exciting subject that I can possibly think of. You also picked one that will be an extreemly tough mission to fly. Good luck . I,ll look foreward to meeting and Mark as well. I think we should bore sight this thing and blow the cobwebs out of the tubes. Clear back right . Cobra Baron
Baron
USA - Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 00:10:12 (MST)
Flight. I haven't been posting lately, though I check in every few days to see what/who's new. Glad to see some new blood in here, and welcome to you. Commo has been a bit heavy, lately, and maybe that's a good thing. It's so easy to sweep things under the carpet, but they have a nasty way of coming out sideways, when you least expect it. I'd write more often, but this board is open to the public and (1), there's things I would only share with others who had "been there," and (2), some of the things that haunt me that I might like to write about might be seen by family members of the people involved, and I wouldn't want to give them any bad images to carry around. For me this group has one thing in common with RVN service, itself: both are two-edged swords, as someone wrote earlier. One one hand, I am so proud of some of the things I did in 'Nam; but, on the other hand, I experienced things and saw things that a 19-20 year old shouldn't have. I guess all combat vets can say the same. I'm one of those who is plagued with almost nightly nightmares, which are not always about Vietnam, but usually carry the same themes, although maybe in civilian settings. I can cold bloodedly watch body parts flying in Iraq/Turkey/Israel/etc. on the news and not feel a thing....until I go to sleep. The most disturbing thing about the whole effect the war had on me was a particular false memory, which still shakes me. I was shot down in Jan. '67, and was trapped under the chopper (868) for awhile, all the time smelling smoke and listening the engine continue to run at full speed; I just knew I was about to experience what we all feared the worst: burning to death in the chopper. A couple of months later, I had to go in and pull out the body of a crewmember who died just that way, and he fell apart in my arms as I tried to put him in the body bag (I've always thought he had been shot up badly by his friends, when they saw was happening, as many of us promised each other to do for each other, rather than let a guy burn to death). Then I DEROSed a couple of months after that, and two months later learned that my best buddy, the only guy I really intended to visit and spend time with in the states, Mike Walker, had crashed and burned to death. I somehow put all of it out of my mind for a number of years, but when the '91 Iraq war started, it started coming back, really strong. And the crazy thing is that I remembered, without a doubt, that it had been Mike that I had been putting in that body bag. It wasn't until last year, when I started reseaching the my history and the unit history for the VA that I found out it couldn't have been Mike, though I *still* remember it that way (Mike crashed after I had DEROSed, and died of his burns in the states, several weeks later). And it wasn't until last year that I discovered that one of my favorite pilots and people, pilot Ed Wells, had also died in the crash that killed Mike. All of the above things have melded together in my mind, and everytime I see on the news that another chopper has gone down in Iraq, I go to sleep knowing I'll soon be reliving part of it, just like it was really happening again. And then I hear the politicians saying the same world-opinion-appeasing bullshit that *we* heard, and I almost go ballistic. And possibly the weirdest thing of all is that I'd go back in a heartbeat „ go figure....
Max W.
Oregon USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 22:51:13 (MST)
Fox News Channel will air a 1 hour show Sunday night March 7th at 8 PM
>EST --
>5 PM PST about the battle for Fire Support Base Ripcord the 101st Airborne
>Division took part in the spring and summer of 1970. It will air on the
>weekly show "War Stories with Oliver North". Catch it if you can.
>Just thought I'd give a heads up if you are interested
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 21:56:17 (MST)
Welcome home and welcome to the site Baron.reunion,Indianaplis,june.
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 21:54:24 (MST)
I hope you don't mind if I call you Baron, like everyone else is. Fred Skaggs mentioned you to me when we talked on the phone. How ironic that you are now posting.
A brief Introduction...I'm a writer, nothing of major proportions. I did a biography on Red Sox baseball player, Tony Conigliaro, a few years back. Since then I've been writing freelance and am now a correspondent for a newspaper here in Ohio. I love writing, but only on subjects that capture my interest. I met Mark Jackson last summer and he and I have been tossing around ideas for a book, if you will, about his brother, Larry, who died in a crash only a mile or two from Lane on Sept. 11, 1969. Mark was 18 at the time, enlisted in the Marines and wanted to go to Vietnam to avenge Larry's death. Instead, he had orders to go to Okinawa. That probably saved his life. He put Larry out of his mind until a few years ago, when something strange made him decide to look up Larry's buddies, bring the traveling Vietnam Wall to his hometown, and start a restaurant to honor all Vets. I thought that alone was pretty powerful and asked if we could collaborate on a "story." He agreed and we're still kicking around exactly what we wish to do. With all that said, I hope you don't consider me an "outsider." I hear your stories, I heard the one about George walking into the tail rotors, I know memories are painful, but they are just as hard for me to hear them. But I feel it's something I have to do.
Sue
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 21:13:23 (MST)
Hi Jeff ,thank you for the welcome back note. it sure must be tough to wipe off the tools and go back to work after a tragic death such as you went through . damn,Thank you.
Baron
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 20:38:08 (MST)
Freddie, Yeah! Also I saw where North was going to be flying an Aerospitale. I flew one once and if I recall since the French built it the damn rotor system turned the wrong way. Kind of wierd- Left hand up-right foot in etc. I think it was a Gassile(sp?) Looked like an OH-13 on steroids with an exposed turbine.
Jeff
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:55:45 (MST)
Jeff S. George had just come back from R+R in Hawaii seeing his wife, I was on the flight line that day with Curt Frank getting Bulldog 664 ready for PE. Those type of things are really haunting because I knew him well.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:49:09 (MST)
Jeff S. I swear I thought the same thing saw Weaver pitch, amazing how much he looked like Spud.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:42:04 (MST)
Fred S. We only have 2 opinions ,we should have 4 or 5 and an offical report . This is fun. g
Baron
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:38:07 (MST)
Welcome Home Gary C. Speaking of Bob "Spud" Weaver does anyone know where he is? We went to basic and flight school together and were good friends. Also did anyone watching the world series see the pitcher Jeff Weaver? He is the exact image of Bob at about that age. I wonder! Reading all this recent stuff brings back lots of memories. The one memory that has followed me all these years had nothing to do with with combat- it is of watching George Hain walk into the tail rotor of 740-screaming at the top of my lungs but of course he could't here us. You know I was in maintenancve platoon by then and since we were around the CO asked Joe Larson and I to clean up the mess. Picking up pieces of skull and grey matter with a channel lock pliers is one thing I have never gotten out of my mind-that and watching the fire truck hose the blood off the ramp. All the years flying medevac after Nam and seeing many more horrid things have never replaced that day in my minds eye. Thanks to Fred S. I have a picture of George before he died because try as I may I could only picture him after the T/R strike. The picture really helped with remembering him as he should be remembered. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Take care all. A brother- Snapper.
Jeff Sauers
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:32:46 (MST)
Thanks Kim. Now my tongue is all tied up. Like those little fires we made from C ration cans ,They started easily but were also easy to put out. talk of Cups .Ihave a photo of him taken while flying ,Quin Yon in background. mickey mouse helmet ,lot of notes on the windshield. A great profesional avaiator and teacher. Baron
Baron
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:24:35 (MST)
Gary...I got to thinking...there was a time that North told Col. Book no on that drawing fire thing.....But we might have had that VNAF Peter Pilot we left in the LZ, because of incoming. There was to many mortar rounds flying that day and North told Book "No". And leaving the VNAF pilot in a hot lz...it was funny after all was said and done. He survived and wasn`t hurt. That could have happen over at that "tri borders" area.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:08:58 (MST)
Dave Powers , thanks for the welcome . Good to hear that your still with the crew . 635 was sure a fine aircraft,always smooth and reliable. thanks to you and our fine maint. staff.I couldnt picture you at first but you finally came up on my hard drive. good to hear from you again. Keep smiling. Baron
Gary Carlson <accurateg@sbcglobal.net>
Jenison, Mi. USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 19:01:09 (MST)
Baron, just a word of warning. You may notice that most of us don't post our email addys. It keeps us from having to deal with the scammers and spammers. Sue's project is to try and write some of our stories. I haven't really made my mind up on what I can or want to say, nothing personal Sue. Having said that, I'll also submit that there is a lot more good going on here than bad, and even though I can get a little disgusted at times, it's never so bad that I'll quit posting, or reading. Cups....nice to know you're still hanging on!!
Kim
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 18:45:12 (MST)
Fred Skaggs sorry
G.C.
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 17:15:34 (MST)
My sincere apologies to Sue for being such a clumsy fng but now that my foot is in the door would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to me. If I may adress the flight I would like to say that I have a great wash day photo at lane and a shot of a huey with Bob Weaver , mike miller, Mac , fred scaggs and two others I cant identify.
Gary Carlson <accurateg@sbcglobal.net>
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 17:13:17 (MST)
Baron, I was glad to hear that you'd posted on the site! Welcome home...
Dave Powers
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 16:18:46 (MST)
Well, Gary Carlson has created quite a stir in this flight log. Amazing timing. Just when you think the past is in the past, fate has a way of putting it out there in our faces. Mr. Carlson, I need to talk to you!! Sounds like I could use your input into the project Mark and I are working on. By the way, Mark, my friend...where the heck are you lately?
Sue
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 16:12:29 (MST)
F. S.Trying to make a livin and doin the best I can. I,ve got a small box of photos and letters that have survived the years . I,d like to share them with everyone, so when Jane gets home tomorrow she can help me get them loaded up. I thought I,d just get to be able to die before would have to learn to use a computer but they seem to be quite friendly now .
Gary Carlson <accurateg@sbcglobal.net>
Jenison, Mi. USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 13:29:55 (MST)
Well now that we`re talking,Welcome Home Brother Gary Carlson lets "rock and roll"!!!! Flight..Gary Carlson could more than relate the difference between a slick crew and a gunship crew....he flew both. Jesus, when Gary first got to Nam, he had some new music. Me , having a "kick-ass" stereo, Gary wanted to play his new music for me. Mr.Carlson as he was known back then to me, had a new group called "The Allman Brothers" and we listen to that tape more than once that night. That was the first thing I noticed different about Gary, he didn`t play that "I`m a Officer, you`re a EM, stuff. Gary was as plain as a "old shoe" and easy to talk to. Hell Gary was just a year younger than myself, but alot smarter than me. Also I remember another WO1 with Red hair and a red mustach, he came in about the same time as Gary. Same type of "new breed" of officer. Come to think of it, North Witcher was a different type guy, he would give the gunner`s "stick time" on the ship. Only the CC got that kinda of time, but North believed a gunner was a important part of the crew. You guys were first and foremost great people and good human beings. I would have followed North Witcher and Gary Carlson into the gates of hell, but of course North have to stop and say a prayer first. And that wasn`t a bad thing!!! North could say a prayer with a sense of humor and bring a smile to your face, while you were scared to death. He was and still is deeply religous man. I never had the pleasure and honor of flying in a gunship with Gary, but Kim LaVoie could tell the the flight what a warrior he was.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 13:03:57 (MST)
Fred Skaags, I'ts emotional for me as well to finally make contact, but I,ve got half aroll of toilet paper so lets rock and roll . Great to have a reply so quickly. I plan to lay back in the hooch today and get some R&r. Yes, would love to hear from C.B as well.G.C.
Gary carlson <accurateg@sbcglobal.net>
Jenison, Mi. USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 12:03:59 (MST)
Sorry, I just checked back in, and saw that some of what I'd posted was not included! One of the things I'd written was that I'd been in contact with Gary Carlson this past week. I knew him as Cobra Baron. Flew some of my first missions with him Qiute and experience!!! I'd tried calling him a year ago, and right out of the blue, he called me the other night!!!
One of the other things I'd writen this morning was that Mark should talk with the crews of the slicks, as our war was a bit different than theirs. I spent a lot of time last night reflecting (flashing back?)kinda put Linda, my girlfriend, on the back burner, emotionally. I've got to make it up to her today, if possible. My current resolve is to not let this thing get to me again. It was so long ago, and memory has a way of being selective. To me, it's kinda like facing the school bully, don't really want to, but, life's a lot better afterwards! In so many ways, my life is complete, kids, grandkids...the only unknown is to die, and that's not so fearful anymore, so, what's a few memories? They're a part of what makes me, me. clear left...
Kim
Livermore, Me USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 12:02:48 (MST)
Gary Carlson...You have brought me to tears just seeing your name come up.....You are the "Viking Warrior" it is in your blood. Yes sir we had some great adventures, North was something special also......what a crew we made up. Flight I am truly touched by Brother Carlson post.....finally. Charlie Brown will just freak out over this. I`m not trying to slight anyone on this web-site.....But Gary Carlson is a legend to me.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 10:50:36 (MST)
Good morning Flight. Just checking the postings. Hello Bernie, Judith & Diane. Hey Bill Shilleto Where the the HELL ARE YOU????? Hey Fred A, I dont know what all the circumstances were that made that dude pull a knife.But, I betcha he'll never do it again. E'nuff Said. DAWG 426 out.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 10:35:52 (MST)
Kim I liked what you said about the hueys going be, I live close to a NG unit that still has some Hueys and everytime one goes by I get taken back. I can't put it I words very well but I think if I was dead and heard a Huey go by I would react Rainer
Rainer Bauer
Indy, USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 10:12:59 (MST)
I found joy here when I found some old friends. Death? I have faced death several time now,its no longer scary.I dont want to die,but I shall not go wimpering into that long night, I shall not surrender peacefuly.I agree, the worst part of flying was going back to take out the dead.Jesus,that was erie for me,I hated it.We only carried wounded once and I had a great feeling about that,trying to save lives for once.Worse time was when we inserted whitehorse div. rocs ( when i was with 60th ahc) into some scroungy ass boonies ao.They where shot to shit all night,mortered all night long.They next morning ,we had to go in and pick up the bodies,wrapped in poncho liners.Damn cabin floor was covered with dead stiffs.For the life of me,I can remember the shock of taking on that cargo,the subduded , quiet takeoff and ride ,but damned if I can remember landing and off loading.Funny how things little like that escape you.No one on board wanted to look at our cargo,everyone looking at something out side the ship,no talk,silence like a blanket.It lay heavy upon us,crushing our normaly high sprits.Never had I expereinced anything like it,then on since.It was suffocating.Me ,being me,grabed the bar next to my gunners seat,flying thousands of feet high,swung out the side of the ship into the cargo area.Hooked my mic back up.Knelt down beside the wrapped dead,unseen faces.I keyed the mic,said, "hey,this ones leg is missing", hey,thus one has a watch,anyone want it or can I have it?".The crew chief,looked around his post,both pilots turned and looked at me with shocked faces.Then they started to laugh,all of us.That broke the spell that had taken over the ship,deaths spell.That happened after a few minutes of flight,was the first words spoken since we had landed and someone had said,"Fuck,look what they want us to load."They knew I wasnt serious about robbing anyone,but god, we needed some sort of relief.After,things were still quiet and subduded,but the normal chatter that accompies any flight crew , resumed.If the war, and my time spent here ,was laid out in a graph,there would be many "spikes",pointing out impacts on my emotions.Somwherer along the way,we lost or childhoods,we lost our innocence.Somewhere along the way,like others have said,I lost my ability to be close to others,for I knew the pain of sudden loss and the only defense was seperation,walls,around us.We/I , made my own prison,it still continues to this day.I still feel loss and hurt by the death of those around me,those close to me,but I no longer feel betrayal.Shit, that doesnt even make sense to me,but it kinda does.I know that I have NEVER been as close to human beings,as I was there.Since the warthe only real close friends I have had are nam vets.Its funny,since the war, I have lived in probabaly 20 states and 2 countries,been thru drug and alcohol treatment centers,anger management center once,Been in jail, god knows how many times,faced 20 years in prison once,(wyoming),rushed a guy holding a pistol to my best friend stomach,beat the hell out of him,guy pulled a knife on me then,I took it away and cut his throat 3 times ,trying to get him to surrender( the cuts were only minor),and still the walls remain.No one got thru.Ptsd? who knows,the va says it isnt service connected.The dreams,sudden anger,depression,looking inward,the walls,all nothing to do with the service.Sorry, getting carried away here,drifting in my thoughts. Saying a prayer for our ladies out there under doctors care,they are strong,loving ladies,the deserve the best. Our "6's" are the best thing that has ever happened to us. clear right. alvis
alvis
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 10:09:34 (MST)
Hello flight,GC here trying to figure out mynew puter. I'm such a dinasaur its awonder I ever got off the ground.Having fun reading all this cool stuff about the 129th.One of Fred Skaags coments about flight to Dak Sei Ang shook my memory loose a bit.I saw it like this.We took off in chicken wagon headed for Dak Sei Ang With North witcher A. c.,G.C. pilot, fred Skaags, ???, Colonel Book, and VIP ???, fresh shirt on hanger.It was a dark gray day ,low celing.The few people at this location wore very serious looks on their faces.Helmets,flak jackets,unshaven faces.Fresh holes in runway marked the unusable air strip.I remember a heavily built sand bag bunker with some radio gear and a slit in the side that looked out over the beat up air strip. we shut down and milled around the bunker while colonel Book took care of business. the huge explosion that tore up the runway was loud.Heads ducked down,my feet sunk in the dirt as the shock wave compresed my chest,head ,ears, nuts.Then silence.Feeling vulnerable and far away from safety colonel Books suggestion for us crank up and go fly over the area to see if we could "DRAW FIRE", in order to pinpoint the source ,sounded like a good idea to me. At least in the aircraft we could move fast and present a moving target.Witcher said "lets go".We headed out to the west over the green tree covered landscape for what seemed like a downhill rocket ride that kept getting faster and faster.Witcher had the pitch in his armpit and I swear we were doing 120 knots + all the time getting closer to the trees. looking over to my left I remember north with his chicken plate, nice leather pistol holster dark redish brown chest hair sprouting from his collar flying that machine. I mean 110% flat out flying! Back and forth ,round and round we couldnt draw fire for shit. Another failed mission. we finaly popped up and went back and picked up Book.On the way back home to Lane we flew at 2000 ft. over a huge area of land that looked to me like the result of a high impact looging operation.Cone shaped holes in the earth 50 meters wide with tall trees in concentric patterns perfectly laid around the outside edge of dirt holes like toothpicks. Someone said that they found NVA chained to trees down there.
Gary Carlson Nov. 70-71 <accurateg@sbcglobal.net>
Jenison , Mi. USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 09:56:58 (MST)
I don't provoke the feelings Fred. It is hard to forget when you return there each night.
Terry
Ma USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 09:31:40 (MST)
Oh Kim, my brother....ain`t nothing like a "hot LZ" sitting there at 3 foot hover, and it seem like these GI`s were taking their time getting off the ship. You were trying to be cool, but yet freaking out inside yourself. The Koreans, what warrior`s they were, as stupid as they would act, you know they would be there for you. I use to get so freaked out because they would start firing their weapons on board, when you opened up fire. Then came "the game", seeing who could throw the ARVN soldier off the ship at the highest point and the farthest point. Those dudes didn`t want to get off the ship at all, I don`t blame them. I`ve been cautioned by pilots many times for throwing a ARVN soldier off the ship too soon. They would say,"Skaggs...you`re gonna break one of their legs or something and we`ll have to go back and get the SOB!!!!! Stop it!!!!.....Yes sir.....and under my breath I would say" F--k them, I want to go home alive"!!!!!!. Sweat...god I use to sweat a ton during a insertion, I could look at my nomex gloves and watch the sweat come thru. My helmet would be soaking wet inside.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 08:33:02 (MST)
s, everything was in motion, we didn't have to sit still and wait while troops got on or off, no cover, just waiting, looking. It had to be worse for the pilots, no gun in their hand for moral support! For me, (us?) it was mostly targets, a smoke grenade, willy pete rocket, some guidepost to aim at. If it was little people in the open, they were still just small shapes, moving around. We never had to view, up close and personal, the results of our handy work! Yes, I have seen them, and it makes me sick to watch tv movies as a result. ....I figured quite a long time ago that I'd healed myself. NO one wanted to hear it, and I didn't want to articulate it! end of problem....I spent a lot of years being one of those wierd types..one who'd stand outside for ever and wait to spot a huey going by, smelling gunpowder, flashing back, being very quiet for a long time after it passed.....I spent time last night wodering about the Korean's, none of them are on our little wall in DC. I recall the crematorium across from us. How it would fire up after a CA. It seems that we had a joke about how they cooked them to save space on their transports, like, why expend all that fuel in taking a body home, when it can be fried and put into a tablespoon!
Kim
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 07:45:37 (MST)
Terry, My Brother, You touched on exactly how I have felt about Nam, but I did only try to talk about the "good things" if that`s what you call them. Nothing was good about Nam. I have had bad memories about Nam, since I found this web-site. I would hide those memories by talking about only the "good things" or detouring to a political arguement to avoid those painful times. I`ve been fortunate economically and been able to make all the right moves.....but this sucess never blocked the memories of Nam. I remember loading body bags into my helicopter and the smell of death of those bodies. As we would bring those bodies back to the staging area, I would talk them. I would tell them that "You mothers and families are not gonna like this". The dreams and hopes of you all have been dashed. There is no tommorow for you all. Was I at borderline insane? More than likely....I never would get close to people also...in fear that I one day would load them into a body bag. I choose my friends very carefully in Nam. There was a point in my life in which, I wouldn`t have anything to do with a person if they were not a Nam vet....and that didn`t work for me. I had have feedback from the "outside world". And to my dismay it wasn`t always positive. I would try to relate to given situations, by thinking of how I would handle them by using my "rule of thumb" of Nam lessons in life. People would only look at me and say, "you`re not in Nam anymore". Now I`m in the autumn of my life and I still find myself on that borderline of insanity saying to myself, it will be over soon. I feel if something health wise was to side track my life.....I don`t want to to fight it, I just want to let it go.....let the fight end. It`s a crazy thought but death doesn`t scare me as it once did. It drives my loved ones and family and friends crazy when I talk like that. I just feel I`ve lived good full life, as I would call it full. I`ve been able to put up a great facade about Nam most of my life, but everything about Nam is still a vivid as it was yesterday. Brother Terry you sure prevoked some true feelings of mine about Nam.....
Fred Skaggs
USA - Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 07:27:03 (MST)
Hello Flight. sorry I haven't been in here for a while but I get home so late most nights I just want to crash. the address is: P.O.Box 141 Valley Farms, AZ. 85291-0141 I know Donna would like a card. UPDATE: more tests, ........... it looks like this is all from a surgery that she had about 4 years ago that was "the worst job I have ever seen" ( quote is from her present DR.) she may have to have the whole thing done over, we will find out Sunday. this is NOT going to be a fun month. Debbie .... I have been amiss .... I pray the surgeries on your foot are over with and everything works right. well as you can see it's another late night. Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 23:55:35 (MST)
Terry, i am sorry you hurt so bad, i have those (daymares) too. When i 1st talked with my psychiatrist at the VA about this site in 1997, he said that it would be a source of both good & bad, a very double-edged sword & it has been exactly that. I think you are quite correct, no Joy--- but some healing & some hurting. Question is>> am i willing to risk the one for the other today including in the mix that it isn't all about me, that there are a lot of others in it Too. GOD & PEACE go with you in all the steps of your journey. Respects>>smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 23:08:08 (MST)
Gale,the wind blew so hard here today,it streached the telephone lines.I tried to call next door and it was long distance.X, why dont you can it? you disrespect this place nad the people in it.This is my last post to x,he is a turd that just needs to be ignored.
alvis
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 21:54:21 (MST)
I am not certain that websites such as this or reuniting with old platoon members is a source of healing, but I know it's not joy. For thirty five years we combat veterans have closeted our awards and memories because we came back from an unpopular war to an even more hostile nation. In the past two years for me and working with reuniting my old platoon, what started out as a labor of love for me and what I felt would be a healing process, has turned into day dreams that have not haunted me since I came back from the Nam in 69. I am not afraid of the night because I gave up dreaming in 1970 and thus do not have nightmares. My bad times are when my thoughts are idle, especially when driving alone listening to late 60's and early 70's music. Some would say to turn off the radio, but I can't. And yet it makes my mind travel back to the first human life I took and getting sick over the exit wound of an 7.62mm tracer round that entered through the back of the head and came out through the throat and chest, or laying on the floor with my legs nearly burned off to be with my door gunner on his last night in country while he died crying. Some people talk about the "good things" that happened in Vietnam and that's what they remember or talk about. I don't remember "good things" and was afraid of making close friends for fear that friendship could end at any minute.I know Mark that you want to find out about all the things that your brother did and saw during his tour, but sometimes those "things" are very difficult to remember, let alone talk about. You have a jacket hanging in your bar that I had touched many times 35 years ago. I thought about coming out to see it, and I may work up the courage to do that, but I have an idea that might also not be the best thing for me. I am thinking that maybe all of this belongs back in that "closet" for another thirty five years. Just like that 88 year old WWII vet that still had the memories clear in his mind that Sue wrote about, I'm sure that when these next 35 years pass and I am 89, my memories will also still be vivid. You do a good thing Mark keeping Larry's memory alive. Just remember that not all of us can tell you all that you want to hear.
Terry
MA USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 20:51:22 (MST)
Hi flight. Just got off of the phone with Bud Rainey. He said he wouldn't know how to find the flight log to let everyone know, so he asked me to give an update. He said Debbie's foot was seeping on Monday and showing signs of infection. Her surgeon said that he wanted her put in the hospital today and he checked it and cleaned it up, and says it looks good, but is keeping her there until Monday. If there are no complications, then she would go back to Schroeder Manor. Bud said that the surgeon keeps cutting the dead skin etc away from her foot and is trying to get it to the point of healing where he can get a skin graph from somewhere else and put it there and it should aid in the healing of her foot. The surgeon still says there is no guarantee of this step working. I told Bud that we all hope that this is all that needs to be done. He said Debbie got lots of cards from people he knows, and some that he doesn't know, and He and Debbie are very grateful to everyone. I told him we would all hold a good thought for Debbie. Hope everyone else is doing well......Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 18:54:29 (MST)
Gail....I wonder where that judge was during Viet-Nam????????
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 14:16:57 (MST)
Is that a mirror talking Gale? Me:>)
Gently
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 12:00:58 (MST)
Alvis, is it windy over your way? Man,I haven't seen this much wind since last year at Kokomo after Gently had a few "of my" brewskies.;o] OK, here's the deal........I am a quiet person and was very shy growing up. Vietnam changed me a lot. I went to Nam when I was 25 and married.....was called the "old man" a few times. I didn't see a "lot" of action. I crewed slicks til I earned my wings and then went to maintenance for the rest of my tour, but, I flew on beau coup test flights during that time.I admired the guys that were crewing the gunships, but I figured that's what the "young" fellows are for. I got shot at, of course, as everyone else did. I can remember a couple times vividly and they stay comfortably tucked away in a small corner of my mind............along with the guilt of coming home when others didn't. I have my "alone" time when I have a few brewskies, get them memories out, wash them off with a few tears and replace them safely................they are mine and no one elses. A couple days ago I ran into a Nam vet that I know. He just got out of prison for selling drugs. He told me that during his trial, his Dad advised the court that his son was a Vietnam Vet. The Judge replied: "I didn't care about Vietnam then and I don't care about it now". I think that about sums it up for the majority of the country including the politicians and the V.A. I am truly grateful for the "angels" that have attached themselves to our 129th family and supports us all so unselfishly, including our wives and girlfriends. Clear right, Gale
Gale
Clinton, In US of A - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 10:27:24 (MST)
Fred A. and Kim, you guys are truly our kindred spirits... much of what is said here strikes a resonant chord with us all! When I came home, in a crazy sort of way I experienced "weapon withdrawal"... Fred A. I think you know what I mean! When that was such a large part of your life for a year, it becomes part of you. Back at Ft. Carson I jumped at the chance to run some AIT guys through M79 training! The best part was hearing the weapons officer say, "We don't want any leftover rounds back." We stayed out on the range (after the trainees left) until it was all expended! Someone once said that flying is hours of extreme boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror! I think most of us can relate to that. It was an adrenaline rush when those moments would strike, and it was often hard coming down from it. Kim, I'd love to find Chico and Lovedog... great guys! The "hunting trips"...Fred A., I remember "smoking" a peacock with a tracer round once... it was funny when it happened, but it (like aerial deer hunting, of which I personally bagged two) would be considered as an irresponsible act by adults! Of course, we weren't adults then. Fred S.- my theory that the reason Robert Plant doesn't scream anymore is because all the screaming he'd done in his life was hard on his vocal cords! If you've listened to the "No Quarter" album you et a sense of it. Also, "amen" to your statement to the trashtalkers. We can do without that stuff. Sorry for the long post!
Dave Powers
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 09:36:25 (MST)
I can understand the feelings and emotions being tossed around. Remember a majority of us were there. I spent two tours with the 129th 65-68. Seen and done alot for a guy 19 years old in 1965. I was crewchief, drove the pol truck on the flight line, guard duty and even got lucky on special occaisons burnt shit and once the shit house . We had Brothers from all races,religions. But, we all Brothers. I didn't see the racial or drugs some take about. I am not ashamed to say I was afraid. I have come to realize that Vietnam has affected us all whom served and just as well as the Faimly and Friends of our KIA'S. I came home from my last tour in 68. There was still the hatred of the Vietnam Soldier. But, my kick in the face. Was a guy I grew up with. Alan Canfora! Yes the guy whom every year talks of experience at Kent State riots. And it affected his life. I had alot of friends from my home town of Barberton, Ohio gave it all. But, all Alan could do was to protest. But, I finally realized that as an american he has that right. I guess what I am trying to say is that we all our Brothers and Sisters. It doen't make a damn if we were white or black. We were all Americans serving our country. And, in reference to the mine field to the village at lane. The was a twenty yard path in front of the first tower leading to the village. In closing my Brother and sisters. This is a sight for healing, to Welcome our Brothers Home!! to support our Brothers and they families in their time on need. I respect everyones views. But, lets put alot of this energy into finding our Brothers of the 129th. Alex 65-68
Alex
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 09:07:06 (MST)
No need to apologise for the remarks gentlemen,the thoughts were in our heads anyway. GWB(Great white bore)-be very careful where you tread here, we're very tight and very protective of one another-we could find you. And Anton?! Where are you?! You haven't posted in months, and your emails bounce back. Anyone know anything about this? Cups notified me via email-so I'd try that, PopII. Sure is great having you back:>)). Love to all-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 08:15:18 (MST)
Flight, I tend to go with what Gail Beard said, it`s someone that`s surfing into the web-site. We have open borders,so they can. People are interested in these Nam web-sites, because there is a war going on. And if we acknowledge them, it just adds "fuel to the fire". Don`t bring yourselves down to this idiots level, stay out of the gutter. It`s kinda of inmature stuff they are posting. It`s extreme right one time and extreme left another.......so....It Don`t Mean Nothing......You can almost bet you`ll never get a "one on one" meeting with any these kids or young idiots.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Friday, March 05, 2004 at 05:41:35 (MST)
sorry Jim,but this time,I am first in line.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 22:42:26 (MST)
I hope i havent offended anyone except for who that was aimed at.If i have,I appolgise. Mark,where but a better place than here,to remember? We went thru it together. We know the places,we share a common bond unique to us,the 129th.Double edged swoard? yes,perhaps so.Would I raTHER release in here or ? who else understands,who else knows?Who else comprehends? We all feel ,know a common bond.Should we keep it inside us?This site is great. we laugh together at stupid things,talk of things,everyday things,but its warm and pleasing. As one outsider said,we talk of cars and meds,all kinds of stuff.Sounds like a family to me.Damn Kim,you turn a good pen,a good phrase.God, I loved shooting those guns.The army gave me all the ammo i wanted and machine guns to shoot.Lots of pilots let us shoot in ,out of the way valleys,or out to sea.They enjoyed it also,but they were keeping our eyes sharp,honed to hit a target.I loved watching the tracers bend in that graceful arch, slamming into my target.I do regret blowing peacocks out of trees.I remember one C.A. where i was firing up treeline as we came in on final.As I fired up the tree line,going from left to right,a deer jumped out and started runing acroos one of those abanded rice pattys.The Koreans started pointing to it and saying shoot it.The peter pilot started saying " shoot the deer Alvis, shoot the deer."You must remember the times,we were crazy,carefree,for tommorow we may die.Anyway,I remember watching my tracers leave the tree line in that graceful arc,and start heading for that deer. I remember the tracers,and the bullits, kicking up dust trails under the belly of that deer,and over the back of it. It wa one of those times Kim talked about,a second turns into slow motion. That deer didnt fall,he kept running untill we flew to low and lost target site.I sure hope I missed that sob,he was a fine warrior... shit like that, is remembered.The screaming of the wind,shouts over the radio,passengers pointing,the smell of cordite,the powerfull pulse of the 60s,brass flying,rounds running over the back of my left hand into the gun,600 rounds per minute.Its hard to explain to people,a young person,getting to shoot and fly all he wanted.Its hard to explaine that most shooting was done for fun,no human targets, no incoming.just fucking up the entire countryside.waying waste to a beautiful country.When I do talk to outsiders about vietnam,I talk of the good times and the laughs,the brotherhood,crazy young people.I stay away from the darkside.People say,my so and so, doesnt talk about the war.I respond with.I am talking about the country,the good times.I cannot talk about the darkside with them.They have no comprehension and I,for one,aint sharing for personel reasons.In here, i can,for you know.If a tear runs down my cheek,you understand.If my eyes turn inward,and I get quiet,you understand,all of it.Mark,this page is a place of healing,and joy.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 22:24:14 (MST)
i agree Fred & Mr GWB if you would care to make it personal i am willing but i think you are a gutless wonder & would pee your pants if i got ahold of you !!! apologies to the ladies & respects>> smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 22:13:56 (MST)
gwb, I resent the fuck out of you making remarks of color in here. i flew with one hell of a pilot that comes in here,usually just reads and not post.He was/is one of the most professonial,skilled,daring pilots i flew with.PERIOD!All man and one of the FEW officers that really cared about the welfare of his crew.This MAN put up with all that crap that was floating around about " uncle chucks war" from more than a few black soliders.This man held his head high,with supreme dignity,and did the job he loved,the job he was asked to do,fly the friendly skies of vietnam. Jim Westwang and I , put our lives in this mans hands,without a second thought. We followed him,and listened to him,he was/is a leader.I will stand proudly next to this man,as I know Jim will.This MANS name is alton Page,aka shadow.You take your color remarks and shove them up your ass.IT has NO place here.He is my brother!
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 21:15:40 (MST)
Hang in there, Mark. I would GLADLY trade you places any day. I'm sick of my job, sick of the place, and wishing to God I could walk in and say, "I quit." But I have three kids to provide for and need the paycheck awhile longer. Still can't wait to see your new look...has your friend from Minster seen it yet? You know...the one who prays to saints to find things?
sue
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 20:53:02 (MST)
....Freddie boy............I love you man.......and thanks..........Hi Sue.....good to see you........ain't got no job yet Sue. Your place down there lookin' for anybody?........I don't know. Maybe I am nuts. And I don't mean to hurt you guys by making you think about it all to much...........................................I don't know?.......going to bed. Thanks for being here soldiers.....................always a brother........Mark
Mark
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 20:49:47 (MST)
Kim..................Please......by all means, dont be sorry........I want to hear it all. I want to know the dark side of the war that took Larry away from me.. Not because I'm a glutten for punishment, but because thats what Larry saw also. I want to know what Larry saw....Good times and bad. In his last letter home that he wrote 9/11/69, his 21st birthday, He writes ...................."I'm going to quit flying mom. To much for me now. I have seen far beyond of what ever you will see"....................I want to know what he saw...................Some think that I want to learn to much, and that it's not good for me. I had a VA shrink tell me that. But let me just mention where my drive and devotion comes from. Larry is 2 years, 8 monyhs older then me. We grew up together, played together, worked together, fought together, drank together and I drove him to the airport the day he left for Vietnam. Of course we were drinking on the way there. When we got to the Gate, I went to the restroom. When I walked out of the restroom ( and I'll never forget this ) I could see through the window ( just like I am seeing it this moment ) Larry was already walking across the tarmac to board his plane. I never got to shake his hand goodbye. To this day, I don't shake hands. I embrace people. With out realizing it untl 7 years ago, I have chanced that elusive handshake since that day. I don't come any closer then holding the lighter that he used in Vietnam. His widow gave it to me 5 years ago. The next way I get close is to listen to, and be with, you guys of the 129th............hence my exit of......always a brother, ( to Larry and you )........with Love, Truth, and Spirit............Mark ( Pop-A-TopII )
Mark
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 20:39:58 (MST)
Hello, Kim....I had a nice chat with Fred Skaggs a couple of nights ago. He told me some things (good!!) about you and I must tell you...the way you ended one of your posts was the most poignant things I have ever read regarding the experience of war..."I'll forever be amazed at the amount of lead we could expend, to no benefit, and yet, an almost casual touch of the trigger created a body count." Powerful, powerful statement.
I think each war has memories that are difficult and Vietnam was no different. I interviewed a man, 88 years old, who was a prisoner of war from the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. He was captured by the Nazis on Christmas Day when his platoon surrendered their position knowing they were sorely outnumbered. He remained a POW until Easter Sunday, 1945, when the shots they heard in the distance turned out to be the Allies. He told me about the troops giving the starving men their C-Rations and his voice broke. Over fifty years later and the memory is still strong.
Sue
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 20:34:36 (MST)
gwb...I wish I could put those initials in smaller print!!! Stanley (lovedog) Roberts, and Chico Smith flew with us, mostly as trail ship in the guns....I didn't know that their color had any bearing on their worth as people!!! Then again, if they were real hero's, they would have stayed in the 60's texas guard, where they could REALLY defend their (your) lily white country!!!! Mark, sorry I mentioned the darker side of war....some of the older vets, ww2 and Korea, in my VFW post are coming to grips with their actions, too. As avaitors, we were looking at shapes on the ground, treelines, muzzle flashes, real and imagined. We dealt with all sorts of surreal situations..taking fire in no fire zones, argueing about whether or not we were getting shot at, getting instructed to shoot up patches of ground for unknown reasons. Then we got to cover the CA's, and medevacs..real intense times!!!!!
Kim
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 19:40:15 (MST)
GWB.......don't think your much better than mr.x This isn't a place for politics in my mind....Hope all are doing well..lots of nasty weather around today so all stay safe.
Melody
Amarillo, TX USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 18:43:33 (MST)
Mark, you and I have not always agreed on a lot of things, but what you said about "your fear". I have to agree 100%. And it`s not all about me. Everyone lives on that double edged sword here. My biggest beef with Nam has always been, Being made to feel stupid because I went and serve my country. I`m being very honest. With ALL politics aside, sometimes that all comes back...it was all subtle stuff back in the day.. I think I handle my demons pretty well.....Sometimes I feel insulted by some of the people in this administration. I feel like they are the very types that made me feel that way....Stupid. They act like I wasn`t smart enough to avoid Viet-Nam. That`s a big reason why I just couldn`t let Nam be my defining moment in life. My own wife of 20 years is "just now" in the last year or so, starting to realize what Nam did to me and how it affected me. Nobody ever spit on me or did nasty things to me....it was more of mind games. But I agree with you Mark on the fact, it`s a nasty double-edge sword.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 18:31:05 (MST)
Hey folks... I forgot to post last night about one our brothers in Kuwait.. In the new VHCMA newsletter on page 5 there is a short note from Enrique Gonzalez Jr. who is stationed in Kuwait. It states he was with the 129th but not when. I don't recall the name but I don't recall a lot anymore... I emailed him and told him about this page and asked him to have look.. I hope he does. If anyone want to mail him his address is enrique.gonzalezjr@us.army.mil ..Thats it for now.. Take care....Kal..>>>
Kal Bergstrom <n8auu(a)email.com>
Saint Joseph, MI USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 18:21:25 (MST)
I'm sure most liberals consider Bill ("De Fust Black Preziden") Clinton a hero.
GWB
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 17:46:51 (MST)
..Yeah is good to hear that Cups is all right. Thats kinda a oxymoron for any of you guys ;-). ........Gently, how can we get a hold of Cups? Does his phone number work? ................Got some deep incoming stuff here with the few post about thier/your time spent across the big pond. I have compassion for you all........... When I had a dream to start this site, I didn't sit and plan it out and follow a schedule that it would be what in has become today. It just happened. My biggest fear is what Kim mentioned about the downside of the 129th Homepage. Please remember that it is for healing and I am sorry for the hurt it may bring to some. I know it is a double edge sword that we walk. I say we because, even though I never went to Vietnam, the info that you guys have provided and all the stuff I have learned about Larry from eye witnesses, photos, crash reports, and his friends over there, I stumble and cut myself on the sharp egde of the sword also. But that is the mission I embarked on. As you guys have said to me before, "I'll take the call". Thanks for the words that you have written though, about your time there. Again, I do worry about the issue of this site bringing up a can of worms that you don't want to open. I'm sorry for that, but thanks for being out there and being the voice of my brother that I will never hear again until we meet again at the Big Lane Army Airfield in the sky!..........Prayers...always a brother...................Mark
Mark
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 17:24:32 (MST)
And here I thought the only thing Freddie ever did in the mine field was shoot the post commander's dog. Glad to hear Cups is safe!!!!
jeff
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 16:28:16 (MST)
A TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT WAS CALLED UP TO VIETNAM SHORTLY BEFORE GWB SIGNED UP. So, to say that joining the Guard was a sure fire way of avoiding service is simply not true.
As for" Bush is not a hero", you are again, sadly, wrong. Our President is indeed a hero. Accept it. Deal with it. Get over it. Embrace it.
GWB
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 16:02:12 (MST)
"Youthful Indescretions"...Hmmmm..."Boy San, can you get number 1 con sia"?....... " Are you crazy!!I`m not crawling thru a "mine field" to get to the ville again"!!.....Yes Sir, I crawled thru the mine field, to get to the village".........Yes Sir, It`s the first time"......
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 14:43:18 (MST)
Dave Powers...I watched Robert Plant the other night on Austin City Limits. With his new band, very toned down stuff. He`s not the screamer he once was. But was real good.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 14:25:51 (MST)
I spent a few minutes trying to remember anything I had to say, in 71, that was profound... I can't get past "wires, pull up pull up!!" "we're getting covered with hydraulic fluid back here!!" "plane 10 oclock level, break right!!" "dinks in the open, 9 0clock low, going hot!"...of course, that was a time when other American's were indulging in their "youthful Indescretions"...thirty three years ago. I guess that the more I see of contemporary history, and the way things are interpreted, the more I question what's been written about the past!....I'm a yellow dog Democrat, and plan to stay that way. The only good comments I will attribute to a republican, is Eisenhauer's warning about the military industrial complex! I guess I have to compliment Bush the elder, he outlined the goal in Kuwait, and let the generals achieve it. I think, in retrospect, he was a bit of a statesman in that he saw a need to pay for what he spent....there isn't much difference between parties, one that speaks of being opposed to big government can't help but want to pass laws to make us moral, the other wants to pass laws to give away what the rest of us earn! Most organizations have one primary goal, to provide a paycheck to the people in charge! Any good beyond that is purely incidental! et tu, brutus?...Sue, as you can see, we're all over the place, politically, there's nothing wrong with that. For the most part, we have a little respect for opposing wiews. Like Alvis, I don't know just how far back I want to go, most of what I felt, and did, I repressed a long time ago. One of the downsides to this site is having things come back, usually at the wrong times! Not everything we did was glorious or gallant. We were kids, with awesome power at our fingertips....and sometimes, things got a little confusing. I'll forever be amazed at the amount of lead we could expend, to no benefit, and yet, an almost casual touch of the trigger created a bodycount. gotta go
Kim
Me USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 14:02:01 (MST)
For info on the candidates go to www.VVA.Org. That's "Vietnam Veterans of America" and I would like to think they're on our side. Again, Gently
Gently
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 11:21:58 (MST)
Well, we've finally heard from Cups!!!! He is well, has toilet paper and beer and claims that's all he needs:>)))) Good old Cups! He's also glad that Aristide is gone, said he was a "bad man." No television since the "bad man" left, so if you want to give him an update on the news, go ahead. He's heard enough about the same-sex marriage stuff, so you can forget sharing anything on that. We can all breath alittle better now, knowing that he's OK. Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 11:19:41 (MST)
Alvis, Very well said!
Jeff
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 11:17:44 (MST)
Sue,I posted that to show that, for us, Vietnam never leaves us for long. Mostly it stays in the background,hovering,in the shadows. Then at time,it jumps out of the dark and says BOO.WE left that place,but it didnt leave us.Not all wounds bleed.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 09:49:48 (MST)
Personally,I too have read much about Kerry.Enough to say that I joined Vietnam Vets against kerry.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 09:45:30 (MST)
as some of may know,I have been snooping around,trying to find other ghostriders I flew with,espically ones connected with the kia of my 2 roomies. As many of you know,I have found one ( David Stovers) of their moms and have talked with her by mail.This morning,I recieved an E-mail from one of my inquiries. First let me state that these things comming out of the blue are shocks,foreboading, and happy.Here is that e -mail.
Fred,,,,,, I was the crew chief on the helicopter that landed at 1st
Battallion(ROK) on top of the mountain when Mr. Herman and Mr. Wiggins went
down, I and my Gunner, his name was Roark, we humped to the site with a Capt
Knight, who was the Safety Officer, and we retrived their bodies along with
I think it was 3 Roks, that were leaving country, It was probably the
hardest thing I have ever done, Mr. Wiggins and I had come back in country
together,,,,,I will never get over that day as long as I live. Stover and
Becker were 2 Damn good soldiers and good friends. We retrived their bodies
and stayed with them and flew them to NHA TRANG. nobody said a word on the
trip. it was the quitest ride I ever took ,,,,,,, (SP5) Jim Williams my
birds tail ## was 334
I dont think he would mind me sharing this. Reunions are not always without pain of fallen brothers.
alvis
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 09:39:58 (MST)
Mr. X... As Robert Plant sang, "Nobody's Fault but Mine...".
Dave Powers
USA - Thursday, March 04, 2004 at 07:14:05 (MST)
I haven't posted in some time however I thought I would pass along something for those interested. There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about John Kerry and his testimony to the Senate Committe on Foriegn Relations in 1972. I like to see (read) about the candidates backgrounds before making decisions on who to vote for so I found some info at a web site. Some people like Kerry, some like Bush, some like third party candidates. I'm not endorsing anyone here, I'll keep my opinion on this issue to myself, just thought I would post this info for those interested.
www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1972vvaw.html.
Take care all, carl Brader '71
Carl Brader
USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 21:23:35 (MST)
I got a e-mail from North Witcher, he got a new job flying a Aerospatiale A-Star. I`m happy for him...He always was a inspiration for me...kept my butt alive with his skills and smarts. North is closing in on 56 or 57 years old and still flying......My Man North...he is truely blessed.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 20:22:57 (MST)
Hello to all my 129th brothers and sisters!!
I was off the net for a few days and things really went wild. It took a couple days to catch up. Good to see all the como.
First off.. I must must say to Bud and Don that I hope Debbie and Donna get better soon.I also hope that your daughter is doing better Ray. I have been lucky in the sense that I haven't had a crisis like that to go thru in my life and hope that yours goes well..My prayers are with you...
Gale, good to see you and Debbie have finally set the date. I was hoping to have been there, as in "at the reunion" but am glad that it about to happen. I think you have found a "keeper"!!..
Welcome aboard Sue!!.. There is a lot to "learn" here and I am sure you are learning that already. It is funny, having supressed the Vietnam experiences" so long, I find that most of my recalls are just little slices of the big picture that wouldn't make a lot of sense to most people unless they were there. Some things are still pretty real in my head but don't get expressed too well.. I am sure you will glean a lot by sitting in with us at the reunion when we open up and let it out...I sure am looking foreward to meeting you and everyone else in June!!..
Now, I have been told on good athority, that those that come to sites like ours and "mine" our email addresses, that if you replace the "@" sign with a "(a)" that it is not picked up in the scan as an address. I know that when I used my regular address the my junk mail went wild and since have stopped. I wish I would have done it this way from the start as I get my share of JUNK...
Cups... If you read this, I hope you are doing well.. Let us know something...
Hey, things are looking up up here in the white north.. After having an all white winter it has warmed up a bit and most of the white is gone. I am hoping to get the bike out before much longer... Smitty, I am hoping to be able to ride down with you in June.. Will be getting a note off to you soon..
Take care all and I hope to be seeing you in Indy.. Think spring...
C U L8r.... Kal...>>>
Kal Bergstrom <n8auu(a)email.com>
Saint Joseph, MI USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 19:12:59 (MST)
....Gently.....here is the address for Pyle darnell@beaufortco.com.....PopII
Fro Boy
USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 18:03:58 (MST)
.......Gently.........I have a e-mail address for Darnell and that is all I have on him. The ( beaufort ) may stand for Beaufort, North Carolina, or South Carolina. North is near Cherry Point Marine Air Station where I was in 70 and the other is close to Parris Island, South Carolina where I went to boot camp.......................Hey Mr. XXXXXXXXXXXX do you really think by now that anybody actually stops at your post and reads it. If you got all the answers ( and I didn't read your last post because I learned a long time ago that you think that you do) Go blow where somebody cares. The only friend a man behind a mask has, is himself. Go play with your friend. I pray for you........................PopII
Fro Boy
USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 17:41:35 (MST)
Don, where can we send cards for our Ms. Donna? Does anyone remember Freddy Darnell Pyle? I need info on him. Always there for our Veterans-Gently
Gently
USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 08:59:24 (MST)
hmmm,outlaws just might be the ticket.sounded like their music. Thanks much guys,will check that one out.As many of you may or may not know,I was also in 60th ahc.They had a good web site,on apperenices.Its been inactive for quite some time. I took the names and addys off the site and tried to contact them. Some responsed.One told of a web site called buddies,or yahoo buddies,where there is another ghostrider unit site.Anyone ever hear of such? DaMN MY FAT FINGERS,I deleated the response letter before I couldwrite it down.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 05:48:45 (MST)
Yeah, Mark, I was out to Larry's the other night. One of those times in life when punches are coming without warning. No one to listen and I found myself there. Somehow things fall back into perspective when I visit.
sue
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 23:29:57 (MST)
Thanks for all the kind words Y'all. well more tests today but no news yet so we are just kinda hanging in there. I gotta get some sleep ........ trying to work and then spend half the night at the hospital is getting to me. that's not a complaint just a statement. take care, Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 22:09:09 (MST)
Well 98 million could go pretty far in paying teachers salaries....Math and Science should be at a premium. Our country way behind as far as Math and Science. Education is the key to quality of life. A person should never stop learning and growing, it should be a constant process. When I went to school, it was get that High School diploma. Now if you don`t get a college degree....you`re SOL.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 21:57:06 (MST)
Flight: Welcome Sue!! It looks like you will fit in with this group. It gets interesting at times. Don hope Donna is doing better. Donna and Debbie are in our thoughts and prayers. Wish them both a speedy recovery. As being president of the VHCMA. I have had the honor to communicate with some of the wives of our ill and deceased Vietnam Brothers. These women worked 24/7 taking care of the men. Some fought a hard battle but, it was time for them to take that last flight. But, I have the highest respect for a Vietnam Vets Wife. They are a special breed of women. And that why I encourage everyone to send a card to Donna and Debbie. To let them know the 129th Family are thinking of them. And to any of our Brothers that we hear that are ill. A little thoughtfullness and caring will help the spirit of our ill family. Well take Care my Brothers and Sisters. See you all in June. Alex 129th 65-68
Alex
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 19:49:37 (MST)
Hey Everybody.......just checkin' in ta say hey.........quite Tuesday night. Wow, 98 Mil would do lots of good somewhere. Hard to beleive that a person could get paid that much money. Nothing against the guy, but I do any job I do as good as he does his, the best I can, and I don't get 98 mil. Ahhh......money ain't everything. My Pop has tons of it, but is a very unhappy man and has lost out on a lot in life working to get it. I guess my riches are not of this world. Other then family and friends........Hey Sue? Ya been out to Larry's yet?..................click,click..Mark
Mark
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 18:25:57 (MST)
It`s called "Riders In The Sky" not Ghostriders
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 18:00:51 (MST)
I had forgot about the Outlaws.....Green Grass and High Tides...what a great album.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 17:58:40 (MST)
$98 million...imagine how many homes that would buy for people in the hills of KY...or blankets for those on the streets of Chicago alone...or food for families who have parents out of work...or how many transplants, operations, could be done on those whose insurance has run out...
I guess I still feel like money is the root of all evil and those who have more than enough will never outnumber those who have soo little.
Thanks for the welcome Jim. Everyone is making me feel right at home.
I don't know Donna, but it sounds as if she needs a hug as does her concerned husband. My best wishes go out to them.
sue
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 17:27:48 (MST)
re:Payton Manning...if you charge it..someone will pay!!!! I guess ticket prices are going up for someone....Freddie..what about the Outlaws??? Best version since Johnny Cash.
I don't care for georgie boy, but....I can't read that much, much less type it!!! Quite a story on the evening news....the mastermind behind the bombings in Iraq today was on the screen for elimination by the pentagon two years ago, and the white house didn't act??? Some things I'll never understand!!! Just like our war....politicians should outline the goal, and let the military accomplish the mission! Alvis..old Maliseet story?
Kim
Livermore, Me USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 17:17:18 (MST)
Amen, Fred and Jim...
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 16:55:27 (MST)
Just came over the local news. Payton Manningmof the Colts, just signed acontract to become the highest paid player in the NFL.He gets 98 million for the next 7 years.Something like a 34 million signing bonus. Has this country gone nuts? Is there a bountiful supply of stupidity in this country? discussed alvis
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 16:31:03 (MST)
TWO WOLVES
An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life.
He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me... it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves."
"One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."
They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee replied simply, "The one you feed."
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 14:46:12 (MST)
Hope this post finds Donna better. not sure yet,but thanks freddy. Its a rock version of it,has some pretty god guitar riffs in it.Gentle one,twas my pleasure and duty,anytime.Dont know why "x" does that.Just seems to me that the federal goverenment has no biz saying who can marry and who cant.Seems a state issue to me.Damn feds have to put power as it is...gonna stop and get down off my soapbox.I remember leap day in nam..1972. I bitched all day cause it ment I had to spend an extra day in nam.Cant remember thankgiving day,nor easter,nor xmas days,but do remember that day.The only other calender day i remember is turning 21 over there.Spent my birthday in a guard tower..those bunker types up on telephone poles with a ladder .Dint drink anything but do believe I may have had a smoke or two.Maybe not tho, I was new in country and still new enough to be scared shitless about those abolutly black nights.Wasnt any need to check on me by the officer of the guard,no way was i going to sleep.
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 14:32:45 (MST)
sounds like diarrhea to me, Dave, I have been gone a few days & see that I have taken a verbal beating From Animal & Fred Alvis. You are right Greg, I don't have the legs for it but I am a little bit more trustworthy than Fred lets on. Welcome to the site Sue. Mr X---- Mugu--- go away>> respects>> smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 14:22:15 (MST)
Dave...did you mean verbal anal hemorrhage? I was just wondered?????
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 14:10:46 (MST)
It looks like Mr. X had a verbal hemorrhage...
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 13:11:48 (MST)
Great...I see mr.x is back.
Melody
Amarillo, TX USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 11:50:29 (MST)
Just got this email from the "Virtualwall." Thought I would share it. The email is hotmimi3@msn.com, if anyone would like to email her about Billy. I know you will Katherine:>) I will email Melissa and tell her about the 129th web site. :>)
"I was doing some research on William C. Dunlap, or Billy, as my family knew him. I came across this wonderful site, and was amazed at the beautiful sentiments expressed. I never knew Billy, as I was just a baby when he died. My family knew his family however, and my sister wanted to marry him, even though he was already married, and she was only 9.
I remember when I heard the on the news that 20 bodies had been returned to the U.S from Vietnam. I called my mom immediately and we prayed that one of those bodies was Billy's remains. What a relief to finally have him home.
I attended a memorial service for him in Tucson, and watched as my mother returned the bracelet she had worn for so many years. I did not know until recently however, that she kept one of those bracelets.
My son will be traveling to D.C. in a few short weeks with his Middle School class. He plans on visiting the wall, and making a rubbing of Billy's name. He is only 11, but has heard the story of Billy his whole life. My mom gave us the bracelet she had kept all these years, and it has become one of my son's most sacred possessions. I find it amazing that this man has affected so many people in the course of his life, and his death. He is truly an American Hero, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. God bless him.
Melissa Fortney Cordova
Patagonia, Arizona"
Always there-Gently
Gently
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 07:17:51 (MST)
Mr. Alvis, my very dear friend....thank you for passing the info on our pilot to the heli-vets. A brother of yours (all of you) who was alone is no longer alone. I'm so blessed to be part of the 129th. Always there-Gently
Gently
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 06:46:50 (MST)
Fred A.,.....Do you mean the "cowboy song"? This is what I could find for it;.......Ghostriders In The Sky by Bonanza: Ponderosa Party Time! (1998),
Ghostriders In The Sky by Dick Dale,
Unknown Territory (1994),
Ghostriders In The Sky by Frankie Laine,
On The Trail Again,
Ghostriders In The Sky by Johnny Western,
Heroes & Cowboys (1996),......................Fred A. go to (www.cduniverse.com) and you can get a sampling of each song and determine which one it is. Dick Dale is surfer music, he was doing guitar surfer music before the Ventures
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 05:46:10 (MST)
Ghostrider by Carleone, Young Bleed
My Balls And My Word... (1998),
Ghostrider by DKay.com
Deeper Into The Heart Of Dysfunction (2003),
Ghostrider by Gories
I Know You Fine But How You Doin'
Ghostrider by Simple Minds
Real Life (1991),...............There`s four of them Fred A., you`ll have to pick which one.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 05:05:41 (MST)
Freddy S.,do you know who does the new Ghostrider in the sky song? its not really new,but is to me.They did it well.
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 03:28:07 (MST)
QWishing you Don,and Donna,the best and you both are in my prayers.I know "going hot" on the doc will make you feek better,won't do Donna any good tho.She needs you there,not in jail.Perhaps it time to get a lawyer.Again,you both are in my prayers. Gently,those post are quoats from H.V.Thanks for caring. alvis,pulling pitch to go to work.
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 03:26:00 (MST)
his extension is 48332..... had a few responses in heli vets Gently.Think 2 guys called him ( at least)
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 03:10:37 (MST)
in response to "pss this along".....This guy turned out to be from one of my old units the 7/1 Air Cav. He was
there from Nov 70 to Sep 72.
alvis
USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 03:03:03 (MST)
Don, You and Donna are in our thoughts and prayers just as Debbie is. Hang in there! You know this whole great big family is pulling for you guys! Fred S. I prefer to call my "hair style" the Bruce Willis look. After I left 129th I went to Medevac for most of the next 18 years or so. Anyway I always wanted a Demi Moore type as my medic but ended up when I was flying MAST with the 68th Med in Hawaii with one named "Father John" Looked more like Friar Tuck than Demi. Oh well! Skaggs if you move to Toronto will you adopt me about 2-3 months a year? One of our favorite cities anywhere and with the exchange rate you can live rather well. Well it's 2am-trying to wind down after eight hours with 30 crazy people-sometimes I think we are giving the drugs to the wrong people-I am sure Jim W. can relate to that. Only eight more months, then retirement. Seems like I have been working for the gov't since i fell out of the womb. If I knew then what I know now I would have climbed back in! By the way Freddie-I agree we where kids. I think I made CW2 and turned 21 all in the same week. That damned Hairy Bufflo was no fun to drink. Think I fell head first into one of those rain barrels that sat around the area. What is the old saying? "I am an Army aviator-I will not drink! If I do drink-I will not get drunk! If I do get drunk-I will not fall down! If I do fall down-I will fall on my face so they can't see my wings!" I guess head first into a rain barrel qualifies. One last thing: A nurse goes into a bank to cash a check. As she starts to write the check she sees she has a rectal thermometer in her hand. She says, "Ah hell, some assholes got my pen"! Goodnight all.
jeff
lake norman , nc USA - Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 00:10:35 (MST)
well just got home from the hospital. and just like a baseball game " it ain't over till it's over". more tests tomorrow but at this point it looks like the left kidney has to come out, and it all started from a surgery she had 4 years ago. this DR. says that from what he can see the DR. that did the bypass surgery 4 years ago did a sloppy job of it and that is where and when the infection started. I am so ticked (not the word I really want to use) that DR. # 1 does NOT want me to get my hands on him right now. Gently ..... what can I say. it shouldn't come to that point because her right one is working just fine. but you are ............ I can't even think of a word to describe how I feel about your offer. but I do know one thing about you ..... you are like Donna YOU'RE A KEEPER. Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 22:42:04 (MST)
Yea Jeff.....God we were kids....just gettin old that`s all....Crows feet and bald heads seem to be the style for us.......and baseball caps.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 17:21:27 (MST)
Thanks for the welcome Gently! I was intrigued to read your post about the special on the Ravens. I am divorced and had a few dates with a former member of the Ravens...his name was Michael Zimmerman. He was a pilot, still is. Works in Dayton. He told me that it was totally undercover what those guys did in Laos. Much is probably still classified. There is a website on the group. I don't think I've met Robbie...probably others that will come and go while I make myself comfortable for the long ride with you good people. And if you feel like it, you can always email me at LSAH1852@hotmail.com. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you at some point. Our work has just begun.
Have yet to see Mark's 'fro here in town. I'll keep watch tho...
sue
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 16:33:45 (MST)
Fred S. and Kim L. Thanks for the picture of you two but I already had a copy I lifted off the post office wall. Don't worry Freddie I will always picture as that 19 year old blonde young man. I am at work taking care of our WWII brothers-never a dull moment!
jeff
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 14:47:37 (MST)
A woman was leaving a 7-11 with her morning coffee when she noticed a most unusual funeral procession approaching the nearby cemetery.
A long black hearse was followed by a second long black hearse about 50 feet behind. Behind the second hearse was a solitary woman walking a pit bull on a leash. Behind her were 200 women walking single file.
The woman couldn't stand the curiosity. She respectfully approached the woman walking the dog and said, "I am so sorry for your loss, and I know now is a bad time to disturb you, but I've never seen a funeral like this. Whose funeral is it?"
The woman replied, "Well, that first hearse is for my husband."
"What happened to him?"
The woman replied, "My dog attacked and killed him."
She inquired further, "Well, who is in the second hearse?"
The woman answered, "My mother-in-law. She was trying to help my husband when the dog turned on her."
A poignant and thoughtful moment of silence passed between the two women.
"Can I borrow the dog?"
"Get in line!"
alvis
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 14:36:27 (MST)
WARNING.... Now hear this....never,and I repeat,never, buy a new shovel,then go try and dig up an 8 foot lilac, with moccasions on.limpimg alvis
alvis
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 14:34:04 (MST)
its been passed on.
alvis
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 14:31:16 (MST)
Incase you don't want to read my long post...at least read the end, where I'm asking you to send cards to a helicopter pilot in need of some support and communication. Thanks all. Mark with an afro? Doesn't surprise me. L-Gently
Gently
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 11:15:59 (MST)
Robbie....I didn`t call you a democrat at all......I figured that out a long time ago. But the Yankees...I ain`t go nottin to say good about them. You know Columbus,Ohio is their Triple A farm club I`ve seen alot of them come thru the system. Had Dion Sanders so mad one night , he was ready come into the stands after us. When he was at Richmond and Columbus. But when he was traded to the Reds, I gave him his props. Robbie you know that George S. is from Cleveland,Ohio.....He also went to Case Western Reserve University.
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 11:05:08 (MST)
I can't believe all of the como in here since i last looked. Don Miller, I'm glad Donna came through her operation ok. After 30 years you kind of get used to having her close to you i suspect. Sue, it sounds like you are sincere and honest about what you want to accomplish by telling a story about our time in a land we really didn't want to be in but all did our jobs while we were there. I hope you know what you're getting into going to the Reunion. Especially when you talk to my door gunner Ray. He just says what the voices in his head tell him to. No offense Ray, I know you have a shirt that has that written on it. Fred S, I'm a Yankee and a Yankee fan, but not a fan of the democrats. Mark with a Fro. It probably helps cover that hole up. Still warm here in upstate NY. It's good not having to worry about where my snow shovel is. All my best to everyone, Rob
Robbie
Rochester, NY USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 10:08:35 (MST)
Geez...whata gab fest! Welcome aboard Sister Sue, hope to meet you at the Re-union...I'll be is disguise, per usual. I don't want this crazy guys making comments about my hair or choice in baseball caps, nothing is sacred here, so becareful:>)). Don, if your wife needs a kidney in the future, please put me on the donor list. It would be my pleasure to help. Melody, please try to make the re-union in June, the documentary "In the Shadow of the Blade" is going to be shown, or plan a showing in your own town. It's pretty ez to work with the the "Blade" people. Fred, it's been a year since you last talked about the daffodils...and I had the feeling this time as I did then: you big teddy bear. I love you. FS, please stop calling us "social members." It makes me feel like I party with you all of the time...and it goes much deeper than that. So, how about "supporters" cause that's what we are. Gale.........4/3!!! You know I wish you the very best! You and Debbie are very close to my heart-and I have some very tantalizing "toys" for you:>)))
FYI: On March 9th(check the PM times), there will be a documentary on the "The Ravens" on the Discovery Channel. These Vietnam Veterans fought the NVA in Laos with the CIA supported Lao-Hmong soldiers. By doing such, they and the Lao-Hmong diverted thousands of NVA to Laos rather than Vietnam, saving many American lives. Maybe yours. Mark it on your calendars. It will be on 6 different times. And in May there's a documentary on our wonderful Gold Star Mothers. Finally, I have been given three names to possibility help get to the re-union, and I'll be talking to Alex and Mark about them as I get more information on them. Now I have a request: my friend Joe, met a helicopter pilot through PTSD gathering, who we ran into last week at the VA. He had a stroke, and has lost the use of his left arm and leg. He had laid in bed for two days before a neighbor became concerned about his absence and checked on him. He has no one; no wife, no kids, no siblings. We stopped to visit him yesterday but his bed was empty, probably at PT. Please, please, every single one of you, and get the word to heli-vets, send this helicopter brother cards. His room is bare. He is alone. If you want to talk to him the number is 414-384-2000, wait for the operator and give his name. The story just breaks my heart-like so many Vietnam Veteran stories do. The war is over....but not really, is it? This pilots name is: James Sarchet. The address is: The Clement J. Zablocki Medical Center, Room A923,5000 W. National AVenue, Milwaukee 53295. I'll be visiting him this and when I find out his unit and years, I'll pass it on. With a heavy heart-Gently
Gently
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 09:42:41 (MST)
I started hating the New York Yankees in 1961, when they beat my beloved Cincinatti Reds in the World Series. Well got to take the wife to the airport, she`s going to Toronto for a third interview with a company up there. So I`ll be "home alone" for a couple days......
Fred Skaggs
USA - Monday, March 01, 2004 at 05:14:05 (MST)