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Online now: 4 members: Fresh, TABLE SETTER 11, jcabrera24, kotonk; 108 anonymousDiscussion: Not Directly Related to Softball, But...
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| Oct. 21, 2008 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | Not Directly Related to Softball, But... Over the past week several communications with me were concerned with Vietnam. Like me, I am sure that many of you are late 50's to early 60's (I am 59) and Uncle Sam gave you a special invitation. Since 2008, '09 and '10 mark 40 year anniversaries, I was just wondering about some of your memories and insights. Oh, except for the political stuff! Let's leave that to other websites. Thanks |
| Oct. 21, 2008 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | I served as weapons repairman/supply in the 2/1 Cavalry, 1970, South Vietman, Song Mao area primarily. |
| Oct. 21, 2008 TexasTransplant Men's 70 516 posts | Radio Officer and XO, 261st Signal Company, Thy Hoa/Phu Hiep area, 1968. Enrolled in Advanced ROTC in Spring of 1964, thinking I'd go to Europe after college. Summer of '64 is the Gulf of Tonkin. Got to go overseas all right, just in the other direction. |
| Oct. 21, 2008 POPS14 14 posts | Spend 19 months off the coast of Vietnam on three deployments from October 1963 thru Novrmber 1966. On board the Destroyer USS Black, escorted Aircraft Carriers and patroled the coast for small gun boats carring guns and/or ammunition. Proud to have served my Country even in an unpopular war. |
| Oct. 21, 2008 shortstop13 Men's 70 10 posts | Served as a radio teletype operator/supply convoy driver; stationed at Phu Hiep April 1969-March 1970, 225th Aviation company |
| Oct. 21, 2008 slomo 47 posts | I was with the 366th TAC Fighter Wing at DaNang RVN in 69 and 70 (13 months). About 5 years ago my granddaughter found my dogtags and I decided to wear them and haven't taken them off since. Last year in a senior tourney as I was changing into a dry shirt for our next game a guy from the Chicago Classics came over to me and asked me if I had served in Nam. He had seen my tags. I replied I had and he said Thank you for your service. No one had ever said that to me personally and I completley lost it. My granddaughter said pa-pa why are you upset did you make another out! I told her I wasn't upset, I was proud. We have 5 Viet-Nam Vets on our team and to a man we thank God we made it home to the GREATEST country in the WORLD!!!! |
| Oct. 21, 2008 JohnBob Men's 65 256 posts | 10/4 slono on this being a Great Country. I also was in DaNang from May 68 to May 69 with the 218th MP company. I had to stay 4 extra days due to a airline strike,those were 4 LONG days.. One of my best memories was being able to see the Bob Hope Christmas show in 68, Ann Margaret sure looked good even though we were about 100 yards from the stage . |
| Oct. 22, 2008 2awesom Men's 50 308 posts | I just wanted to say a "BIG THANKS" to all you gentlemen for serving this Great Nation! I graduated from MP Training in December 1974, but never made it over to Nam. |
| Oct. 22, 2008 Airbosn Men's 70 329 posts | Slomo, A similar situation occurred at Nationals in Plano, TX. I was wear a shirt that said USN Retired, Member for Life. and a large group of people stopped and thank me for my service to this great country. 1967 aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59), tdeployment was cut short due to fire and explosions on the flight deck. 1972/73 Ubon Thailand...Backdoor activity in Cambodia |
| Oct. 22, 2008 Doc11 4 posts | I was in the 359th TC out of Qui Nhon from Sept '66 to Mar '67 delivering jet, helicopter and diesel fuel to the air bases in Pleiku and An Khe. Some runs to Phu Cat as well. Got injured in Mar and was air evac'd to Camp Zama, Japan. While recovering in a re-hab unit, I tried out for and made the post baseball team and spent the rest of my tour in Japan. |
| Oct. 22, 2008 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | us air force 69-73 ecm tech on the f-4,had orders but never made nam.i ended up in korea.we were supposed to take our f-4's over to da nang in 72 after our sister base kunsan but they stayed there and we didn't get to go. |
| Oct. 22, 2008 armiho211 Men's 70 449 posts | 1960--1964, US NAVY-served aboard the USS LYMAN K SWENSEN, DD 729. served as RADARMAN,3RD CLASS, we patrolled the taiwan straights for a few months, i was there before all hell broke loose in VIETNAM. AS I WAS MARRIED AT THE TIME, THEY KEPT ME THERE FOR 8-9 MONTHS, returned back to the states on the USS ORLECK,DD-886, got out in jan 1964. what memories ! |
| Oct. 23, 2008 MikeC Men's 60 38 posts | Great post I am sure it will end up connecting people. Served Phu Lam Signal Group Oct. 1967 to Oct. 1968. Phu Lam was a small signal base just outside Siagon. Through a friend I learned about a web site started up by others stationed there it is http://phulam.com able to log on and read stories talk to others that were stationed there great web site. After finding this web site I was visiting with another Senior ball player and he started searching the web for his company/station in Nam and was able to find a great web site also. So you all may want to do a little searching and you could get back in touch with guys you have been away from for many years. Mike Coulter U.S. Army 1966-1969 Fossils Softball 60 Major You have to just love this country for the chances it gives us everyday! |
| Oct. 25, 2008 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | Thanks men, for your responses. Hope others will share as well. I was 20 years old, green as could be; not a very good soldier. Just doing the best I could. 3rd week in country, finally assigned to 2/1 Cavalry. Usually, 220 or so men stayed in bush, while approx 30 of us stayed in firebase. After almost a month in the bush, C troopers came in. I was approached by a girzzled veteran. He came staight to arms room from jungle. "My M-16 is malfunctioning. Can you repair?" I confirmed, His doubt showed on his face. So, He chambered a round, stuck the muzzle to my nose and inquired: "Are you sure?" Yes! I stuttered. "Cause if I get in a firefight and my weapon malfunctions---If I live, I will come back and kill you!" Gist of the story: stripped every moving part off, replaced with new, test fired for an hour. He was happy; I was alive. God bless |
| Oct. 25, 2008 kbl Men's 60 544 posts | i served 64-68 in the navy. i got to make 3 WestPac deployments. i was a communications yeoman 3rd class. i was on the USS Bennington cvs-20 off the coast of vietnam. i am sure glad i did not have to serve in country. i never thought i had what it took after hearing what all you guys went through. i thank you all who served in country. i have been playing softball ever since i got discharged. thank you all for this thread. ken, 60aa - spring-ford, penna. |
| Oct. 27, 2008 caretaker Men's 50 4 posts | To all you vets that posted previously.....heartfelt thanks! Grew up in the military...Army brat. Father was 26 years Green Beret and 3 tours in 'Nam. And I can honestly say I am as proud of y'all as I am of him. And yes....I served as well....USMC 1976-1997...Semper Fi! |
| Oct. 29, 2008 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | Sorry for not letting this go yet. However, still hoping others will share, especially some wild and crazy stories--please keep it clean! One more from me: First 2 weeks were "In Country" training. On second day or so started seeing soldier with monkey on his shoulder. Chain around monkey's neck, always sitting on guy's shoulder, eating bananas, etc. Near the end of training, where we were being taught how to survive "The Bush", I heard a loud screaming and commotion going on about 50 yards away. A crowd started gathering. As I got closer, heard agonizing scrreaming, profanity. Finally, audible words, "Help Me! Get This thing off me." Arriving at the scene, I saw the guy and his monkey. Unfortunately, the monkey had fallen in love with the guy's ear and was amorously involved with said ear. Thrashing about, hitting the monkey, finally the guy runs over to a duece and half truck and beats the monkey against the rear view mmirrow. Knocked unconcious, the monkey fell to the ground. The soldier grabs an M-16 from someone and proceeds to unload on the monkey. The last time I saw the guy, he was walking on his tiptoes between 2 burly MP's who had him by the arms, escorting him away to give an explanation of the events! War is Hell! |
| Nov. 1, 2008 bigred3 38 posts | I was too young to serve. I juat want to take the opportunity to thank all of you who did and say "Welcome Home" |
| Nov. 1, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I'd like to thank all of you vets for your service and sacrifices. I was an Air Force brat and didn't join and wasn't drafted (flat feet). Thanks again! |
| May 25, 2009 armiho211 Men's 70 449 posts | GUYS- this is an old message that i thought may be appreciated on this SPECIAL day, memorial day. anybody that was lucky enough to serve in the military for this great country. GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA ! frank armijo USN 1960-1964. |
| May 25, 2009 rockhead 11 posts | 2 tours in Nam (Navy,SeaBees)1970, DaNang,Chu Li area, 1971 CamRahn Bay and BienHoa and many villages in between.. Heavy Equip. Operator. To All Viet Nam Vets'WELCOM HOME' |
| May 25, 2009 GT Men's 60 162 posts | Thanks to all that served. Anyone else in the 1st Infantry Div. 1/28 A Company. Glad I am here and that you are here to read this. GT Houston |
| May 26, 2009 Lefty Men's 75 721 posts | I served in the Navy from 69 to73 as a aircraft electronic tech on the Indy. Aircraft Carrier. Station in Jacksonville Fla. at Cecil Field when not at sea. |
| May 26, 2009 SOFTBALL6 18 posts | Served in VN 1967-68 - 4th Inf Div. Pleiku/Dak To 1st Lt. Platoon Leader/EXO. Thanks to all that served. |
| May 26, 2009 Dudley Men's 60 23 posts | I want to say "Thank You" to all the men and women who have served and are currently serving. I was stationed at Bien Hoa AB, RVN, Dec '66 - Dec '67. I'm proud to be an American!! Ron (Dudley) Turner USAF Jan 1965 - Jan 1994 |
| May 26, 2009 Bob50 Men's 60 242 posts | Thanks to all of are military men and woman--those currently serving and those who have served. THE FINAL INSPECTION The Marine stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. 'Step forward now, Marine, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?' The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand. There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the Marine waited quietly, For the judgment of his God. 'Step forward now, you Marine, You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell.' |
| May 26, 2009 DesertDave Men's 60 74 posts | Semper Fi. USMC 10/65-12/68. I was blessed not to have to go to Nam, 13 months in Okinawa 66&67 was only overseas duty. We are all so blessed to live in this country and I hope we never forget what so many have sacrificed. Only tough duty was burial details back in California during last 6 months, and I still get misty when I hear taps. |
| May 26, 2009 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | Hey Armiho211, thanks for bring back this little reference to Vietnam. Hats off to all Veterans, past and present. Like Desert Dave, I still shed a tear when taps are played. I still get chills when I hear the Star Spangled Banner. Cry like a baby when I see "Saving Private Ryan"! Our Country is far from perfect, but no other has ever come close. We are indeed blessed. Patriotism is needed now more than ever. |
| May 26, 2009 18mike Men's 55 23 posts | I was 1A ,ready to go to Viet Nam and the draft ended. Many thanks to all that went, fought and gave thier lives for our country. I can't thank you enough. |
| May 27, 2009 OTE24 Men's 65 123 posts | SOFTBALL6, Same place 68-69--2/35th Infantry. 1st and 2nd/35th are having a reunion in Reno end of July. John Sadler-OTE 55s |
| May 27, 2009 MikeC Men's 60 38 posts | I lost two good friends in Viet Nam just wondering if anyone spent any time with either of them while they were in Nam. Tim Newell from Des Moines, Iowa was Army infantry was one of the dog handlers. Signed up for extra 6 months so could bring dog home with him. Neither made it home. Time was 67-68 or so. Bob Flattery from Ft Dodge, Iowa same time frame. Was stationed with Richard Lacy in Phu Lam he went out to deliver some communications the night Tet started and is still MIA. |
| May 27, 2009 armiho211 Men's 70 449 posts | GUYS- i would like to share an email that i responded to in regards to memorial day to one of my vet friends: strictly my observation: RICHARD, i went to memorial day gathering in my town (duncanville,tx. pop. 36,054 ) this morning, it was very sad to see only about 125 people there for the ceremony. most were older folks, a few grand kids. it was very well done by the people who set it up. they mentioned the names of the boys/men from duncanville that gave their lives in defense of this great country since WW 1 . in driving around my city, i noticed that there were probably more people buying beer to have a party day than attending some memorial service. what are the odds that maybe some of them said a private prayer to honor the fallen, that gave them the chance to enjoy "WHATEVER" they wanted to do today. i am sure this same scenerio has played out the same in most cities and towns around the country. the educational system nowadays , i dont believe cover the various wars,how and why we got involved/dragged into over the years , maybe they dont do it in their effort to be politically correct or to shield our kids from the horrors of war. thanks for listening to a disappointed vet, frank armijo, USN, 1960-1964. GOD BLESS AMERICA ! ----- Original Message ----- |
