50 years ago today I arrived in The Republic of Vietnam. I can remember the bus ride from the airport to 1st Division Headquarters and thinking I had gone back in time. I wasn’t scared, more incredulous than anything.

I spent three days in what was called the “casual” hootch waiting to see what unit I would be assigned to. There were guys who had been there awhile, either going back after being wounded or being transferred. Several of the guys who had been wounded told me and other new guys not to go to Echo Battery or as the called it the Deadly Egg, it was on the perimeter of An Hoa and got a lot of probes and sniper fire. I got ‘The Egg’..

22 months and 18 days later I was on the way home on a MACV flight. 

One small shot of Scotch to salute’ the ones who didn’t make it back alive.

Rob

Hang in there.  OK?

Jewellann

Gunny
What rotten timing to have an anniversary like that this time of year !

Stay with us today Bud. We'll get you through it !

   

It was my Christmas present.

No complaints, just a lot of memories. Some good, some bad.

I hadn’t even thought of it until almost midnight...the bewitching hour.

Thanks Popeye

Rob

Thank You for your sacrifice brother Gunny.
I believe you and my Uncle Todd served around the same time. One of my favorite men. I tip my morning brew to ya.


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you were there the same time as my uncle and a year before my dad

I was in 8th grade making a beach board in woodshop !

My dearest friend went 48 years ago. He came back a very different man, but also somehow more his very best self-all the goodness in him amplified. Maybe that was you, too. You're a good man, Gunny.

We carry the memories of them flash burned to our very souls. It is our burden, and our honour to do so. They are with us immortal and we continue to serve them with our thoughts and remembrances daily. It is a gift, borne of ultimate sacrifice, and a duty of love.

The time of year is a hard one when you carry so many brothers in your heart. But love is stronger than anything I've encountered.

You got this Gunny!

Right you are, Scott. I’ve got all sorts of dates burned into what’s left of my brain. I had forgotten about the 16th being my 50th anniversary until almost midnight.

My radio operators brother called yesterday, i was the last to see him alive. The brother (David) was a couple of years younger and i guess sees me as a connection to Terry, the brother who was KIA. I didn’t know hm well, he had only been in country for a couple of weeks.

I hope you (Scott) are safe from the fires there.

Rob