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Forty Years ago today...

I come from a family of warriors. Father was in the So Pacific during WWII. Seven boys in the family. One brother died very young after an extremely difficult and short life. Five others enlisted - most during the Vietnam fiasco. The war DC was never going to let us win. Disgusting. Didn’t serve myself. Was actually going to enlist in 1972 but but I got hit with a game changer when one of my brothers returned from VN after having completely losing his mind over there. He was designated 100% disabled and was absolutely mentally gone. There’s nothing worse than what was inside his head. That poor guy lived in a hell you can’t imagine from about 20 yo til he died young at about 40 yo.

I was gung ho until he came home and I spent uncountable hours trying to help calm is heart, soul and mind. We were very close and he shared everything with me. But he never came back to planet earth. God Rest his Soul. So at that point, realizing something like that could happen to you vs just getting your head blown off - completely changed my view of things and my future. After taking on a few lousy jobs and a lot of pushing from my sister I applied for University, govt loans and grants etc and went to college instead. Pretty much the only one not to serve but never regretted the path I took instead.

All that diatribe and I can truly say there is no one I have more respect for than the millions of men and women that dedicated a portion of their lives - some giving it all - to protecting this once great and proud nation. I can only pray that God intervenes and allows us to recoup and continue our destiny. You all know what I’m talking about - And God Bless those who served and are serving in the US Armed Forces. May all that’s been done not have been done in vain.
 
I did 26 years, loved much of it, hated some of it but don't regret any of it. I got to go to a lot of places and do a lot of very cool stuff. Not much tops leaving the back of a C130 at 0200 from 18,000' with 125lbs of equipment after having to pre-breath for 45 minutes prior to take off. :)
 
I enlisted on may 24th1970, the day after high school graduation, and turned 18 in Basic training. I wanted to work on fighters, but got assigned to helicopters. It was quite an experience, as the AF expected you to do the job regardless of your age. I grew up quickly, and had the opportunity to serve with Veterans of WW2 that were still in the Military. I got to travel, and served with Marines, Army, and the 82 airborne throughout those four years. I was always Impressed with how tough and disciplined those Infantry guys I knew were that frequently had done 2-3 tours in Vietnam.

I nearly stayed in, but family got in the way. 47 years ago seems like yesterday to me.
 
Mines tomorrow Nov 16,1989. So 32 years ago.
Ship is at the bottom of the Pacific. I'm a old guy now. I learned a lot about the world that friends of mine have no clue, but lots of opinions on. Made friends on that ship I still talk to to this day, lost one so far. No complaints, should have stayed in, but it was not my thing at the time.
 
70chall440 said:
I did 26 years, loved much of it, hated some of it but don't regret any of it. I got to go to a lot of places and do a lot of very cool stuff. Not much tops leaving the back of a C130 at 0200 from 18,000' with 125lbs of equipment after having to pre-breath for 45 minutes prior to take off. :)
Click to expand...
26 years! That's a long time in the suck. Much respect to you Sir
 
Thank you for your service gents. My many thanks to those who gave and gave it all. My dad was in the Army Air Corp in North Africa and Europe. Flew B26'S while in the 9th, 397th bomb group.
 
ckessel said:
Thank you for your service gents. My many thanks to those who gave and gave it all. My dad was in the Army Air Corp in North Africa and Europe. Flew B26'S while in the 9th, 397th bomb group.
Click to expand...

Sounds like someone who flew the raid on the Ploesti oilfields.. If so your dad survived a hell of a mission
 
GetX'd said:
I come from a family of warriors. Father was in the So Pacific during WWII. Seven boys in the family. One brother died very young after an extremely difficult and short life. Five others enlisted - most during the Vietnam fiasco. The war DC was never going to let us win. Disgusting. Didn’t serve myself. Was actually going to enlist in 1972 but but I got hit with a game changer when one of my brothers returned from VN after having completely losing his mind over there. He was designated 100% disabled and was absolutely mentally gone. There’s nothing worse than what was inside his head. That poor guy lived in a hell you can’t imagine from about 20 yo til he died young at about 40 yo.

I was gung ho until he came home and I spent uncountable hours trying to help calm is heart, soul and mind. We were very close and he shared everything with me. But he never came back to planet earth. God Rest his Soul. So at that point, realizing something like that could happen to you vs just getting your head blown off - completely changed my view of things and my future. After taking on a few lousy jobs and a lot of pushing from my sister I applied for University, govt loans and grants etc and went to college instead. Pretty much the only one not to serve but never regretted the path I took instead.

All that diatribe and I can truly say there is no one I have more respect for than the millions of men and women that dedicated a portion of their lives - some giving it all - to protecting this once great and proud nation. I can only pray that God intervenes and allows us to recoup and continue our destiny. You all know what I’m talking about - And God Bless those who served and are serving in the US Armed Forces. May all that’s been done not have been done in vain.
Click to expand...
Hey GetX'd great to have ya back...
Smiley Salute.png

sorry to hear about your brother
that must have been hell for you, your family & especially him
 
Budnicks said:
Hey GetX'd great to have ya back...
View attachment 1194304
sorry to hear about your brother
that must have been hell for you, your family & especially him
Click to expand...
Thx Bud - good to be back. Glad It was discovered I was still alive. And yeah those were very difficult times. Still brings tears to my eyes when I reflect back on it.
 
You guys are more than a soldier you’re all hero’s. Thanks again! And a tip of my hard hat to you.
 
Thanks everyone for your service. I got drafted, 5jun68-28jun76 all active, USMC
 
If any of you were with the Green Machine in the 60's to 70's, I grew up on the east side of Pendelton. Used to see lots of Bronco's, Huey's, Cobra's, C130's, C141's and the occasional C5A going over the house. We were 1/4 mile from the Naval Weapons depot fence, about 1 1/2 from CP's fence.
 
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