In a previous post, I talked about nearly being an Army brat. I also could have potentially been fatherless as 2nd Lieutenants had short life spans in Vietnam, but…that was not my fate…nor, the fate of my father.
I do not personally know anyone that died in Vietnam. I have no names to scratch for my own memories but, my partner, my ‘significant other’ knew many that perished as he was in country 1967-1968 with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 (PDF) at Camp Haskins-South, Red Beach, Da Nang . There will be a future post on him.
A veteran named Dave. He was grieving and I gave him a copy of this.A veteran named Travis (left). A veteran named Mark. Each received a copy.Mother and daughter. I tried to share to the daughter but, I messed up the phone number.
Ray scanning names.
The little ones with their Mom. She wanted them to understand.Veteran Travis left a ball cap/cover for his USS Oriskany shipmates that perished in a fire in 10-26-1966. The two reflections are me & veteran Travis.Dale R. Buis, the first casualty.Richard Van De Geer, the last ‘known’ casualty.Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines & Coast Guard (right to left).
A very nicely done post, Vic. Just seeing all the names breaks my heart. And to know how they were treated when they came home, just wasn’t right. I hope this wall heals…healing is a good thing from a bad thing.
[…] take this one. This shot is much clearer than what my stupid-phone can come up with. It belongs to my buddy Ray and he doesn’t remember where he took it. The upcoming full moon will be full on the 22nd at […]
October 21, 2018 at 7:34 PM
I’ve been to the Wall and it is emotional draining. I know many men who came back from Vietnam injured, paralyzed or traumatized.
October 21, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Yeah. It breaks my heart. They never got the ‘hero’s welcome’ like the WWII veterans. At least the Korean War vets didn’t get spit on.
WWI vets had their own issues with the government. They had to fight back:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army
June 12, 2019 at 5:18 PM
A very nicely done post, Vic. Just seeing all the names breaks my heart. And to know how they were treated when they came home, just wasn’t right. I hope this wall heals…healing is a good thing from a bad thing.
June 12, 2019 at 11:57 PM
I agree. And, thank you.
August 4, 2021 at 6:02 AM
[…] take this one. This shot is much clearer than what my stupid-phone can come up with. It belongs to my buddy Ray and he doesn’t remember where he took it. The upcoming full moon will be full on the 22nd at […]