Vietnam Veteran's Day March 29 th.

[biglever]

On you tube Sam Elliott, has a Great tribute to the Vietnam Veteran's.,
I can't post it on here with my cell phone.
It would be great if someone could due it , for today
Thanks, and Thank you to all my brothers and sisters
Who served.
USN 68- 72..

[Deadwood Dutch]

http://youtu.be/aVeBtnfAxP8

[biglever]

Thanks for the link.

[2fewdaysafield]

Good vid. Wouldn't expect anything different from Sam Elliot

[PT7]

Appreciated the tribute given in the video, biglever.
Agree whole-heartedly with your note: "Thank you to all my brothers and sisters who served."

The video reminded me of what I'd like to do someday. I was in the AF during Nam, and two of my high school friends --- one Marine, one Army --- did not make it back. The video took us to the Wall. I would like to see their names in person someday, and salute them for their service, bravery, and sacrifice during that conflict.

One other close friend of mine served in Nam as a helicopter medic. For the 40+ years we've known each other, and still regularly chat, he never has talked about his service....other than letting me know his job assignment while he was there.

I served state-side. In the flight rotation back then, my flight "missed" combat assignment by one week. Incredible.

So with those memories, I add my Salute today, to those here and not here.
To Ronnie C., Marine -- on the Wall
To Dwight B., Army -- on the Wall
To John B., Army -- here at home today.

[Deadwood Dutch]

I could have very easily been involved with the war because in the Spring of 1965 I got my draft notice to report to Fort Jackson South Carolina with the Army. The war was in it's "build up" stages" and after boot camp many were going over there. But, I joined the Navy before my report date with the Army, so I avoided that. But then instead of two years with the Army, I was committed to four years in the Navy. I met some really nice guys, one being when we were stationed in Norfolk, Va. When our orders came for our next duty station, mine were for Guantanamo Bay Cuba and his were for a river patrol boat (PBR) in Vietnam. I often wonder what happened with him. I have never been to the Wall in D.C. but I was stationed in Arlington, Va., just across the river, in 1966, before there was any Wall in D.C. I was in walking distance of Arlington National Cemetery and frequented it often. I would like to see the Wall some day.

[biglever]

Made two west-pac cruse's , first was aboard the
USS Klondike AR-22 in 68-69
Pulled into Vung-tau. For a wile the Klondike was a big repair ship. One night after I just got off standing watch,
They call the ship to General quarters. There was incoming. Artillery rounds landing about 100 yrs off our bow. This was in the pitch dark, we weren't aloud to have
Any lights on.. or smoke a cigarette out doors at night.
Because a sniper could pick you out.
Everyone went to there stations ,to get the ship underway,
We had two destroyers off our port side, that we supplied
Power too, as they needed repairs. We cut them loose.
Then the call came to stand down,
Come to find out ,it was our own guys, that were testing a piece of artillery ,that they just put back to gather.
And pointed it out to sea and fired , 3 or 4 rounds.
The second ship was the USS Orleck DD 886.
Which got. The Top Gun award for the entire length of the Vietnam War for fireing more support rounds of 5" 38's
Than any other ship,
Was on the Orleck in 71-72 For 8 month cruise all up and down the gun line. Spent 90 days straight the last time.
A ship is supposed to be relieved after 30 days,on the gun line, but every time a ship was on it's way out to relieve us
Something happened to it.,
The last ship got slammed in a typhoon, the same typhoon we had to ride out , so they went back to port,
And we did there 30 days.
Enuf sea story's.
Thank you all , present and past service men and women
Carry on.

[daytime dave]

That was a very moving tribute. Thank you all, especially biglever, for your service.

[RanchRoper]

A moving tribute. That's all I'll say as that period in time was not my country's finest hour as a US ally.

Personally, my hat's off to the vets.