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As I posted before, I am writing a book about Gardner’s command time with us. I would welcome any memories you have about him AND ask if any would mind if I included some of your photos in the book. I will give you credit for any photo I pick. I’ll need you to email me and let me know if this is okay at:
Harper49T@hotmail.com
Thanks, everyone.
Ty,
His illustrious tour of command should be expanded to include his time of staff following it where killed a lot more oung soldiers at Kham Duc and LX Judy Make sure you don’t open yourself up for any liable or slander suits—He’s not worth it!
Ken, If I am sued for this, so be it. We are old now and the truth about inefficiency in combat and sacrifice to protect a career should be brought to light. I don’t want to pass with this unspoken on my conscience but thanks for the warning. How’s the knee, brother?
PRESIDENT’S DAY… when the President steps outside and if he sees his shadow we have 6 more weeks of bulls#@t.
You hit the nail on the head with that statement Ty…If his lips are moving he’s lying
Radio silence is not needed any longer. All my correspondence (email & snail mail) to Darrell Chancellor had bounced so I had to get out the old blood hounds again. I found him just down the road from where he lived. He sold his place and moved to a new place, changed internet carrier and changed his phone. His new information will be up soon. He is getting along just fine. Thanks you for the donation for the web site, Darrell!
I talked to Ken Ruesch. His knee replacement went fine, but he has had tremendous pain. He said he is now ready for phone calls and emails. He will go thru about two weeks physical theropary before he gets to go home.
Hey Mr. Harper,
Now your new mission should you decide to accept it is to get that recluse to our next reunio. Any word on Mr. Rex?
Ooops! reunion
For Tom Scanlon:
I just got another call from a guy that wants to come to the reunion but he did not know where the twin cities are located. Perhaps just you Minnesotians know where the twin cities are :>)
Huh, I thougt the twin cities was Walsh and Creede Colorado. No wonder I was lost for a year in VN.
Hey Guys!
I am typing this email to you from my rehab hospital. I had full knee replacement surgery on my right knee and don’t let anyone shit you it isn’t fun. I might be out of here in about a week or so. Surgery went well and the Surgeon told Tai and I that he was surprised that I could stand it as I literally had bones grinding on bone. It’s hard when you are and old P***y like me and can’t stand pain . Hope to see you all in MN and Terry, you and Ben in Mt Morris in May.
Thanks to Jim, Bill and Mitch for info about March 16, 1970. I’m writing a book about Cpt. Gardner’s failures as a commander and would welcome any of your stories and observations regarding him. I would also like feedback on May 4, 1970 from you other brothers who were there with me rather than rely on my recollection solely. Thanks for all your help. Here’s my email address again: Harper49T@hotmail.com Semper Primus.
I have been using snail mail to get the reunion notices out to those brothers that do not have email addresses. On the ones that we haven’t seen at reunions and I have a photo of them, I have been sending them a photo of them with a message on it. I have been getting calls and email addresses from several. A call that I just got a little bit ago was from Jesus “Chewy” Carrizales who was very surprised and happy with remembering him. He said he is coming to the reunion. He is doing really well.
Larry, great to hear you made contact with Chewy. He was a great member of our squad, and always kept his smile.
I remember Chewy, if it’s the same guy. They locked him in the conex box which served as a stockade at Hawk Hill one night for some reason.
I just got off the phone with Donald Hooper’s Mom and she confirmed that he is gone. She said a memorial service will be held at some point in the future, probably about a week or so, but there will be no funeral or wake or anything in line with his wishes. She’ll call me back with the details when she’s ready and I’ll post them here, in case anyone wants to go.
Thanks, Jim. Here’s my email address for you and anyone else who’d like to share March 16, 1970 memories.
Harper49T@hotmail.com
Hello, everyone. Sad to hear about more passing. We’re at that age though. I am writing some things about the night of March 16, 1970 when many died and were wounded. Anyone with any information or thoughts about that night, PLEASE email me with them. Thanks.
P.S. Happy V-Day to you heartbreakers!
Ty. I have something to email you regarding 3/16/70 but i don’t know your email address. I don’t see it here.
Jim Intravia/Aka “infantry” 90mm guy
Reply looks like it would post on the board.
Wow! Don was in my squad. He had less than six months in country when they sent the big red 1 home and he had to finish his tour with Charlie company. I think he got there about March, 1970. My squad had a lots of guys wounded in March, 1970 when I was on R & R. We also got other guys in my squad about the same time with the same deal of less than 6 months in service from the 82nd also.
For those who knew him, Donald Hooper passed away yesterday. I don’t know from what.
From time to time I still try and find more of our brothers. Today my mission was to find Al Firman. I got ahold of his wife and she told me he passed away over a year ago. Bummer.
I got phone calls today from Ron Jeffries and Roy Krigstad who are really looking forward to going to the reunion in the Twin Cities.
Just in case you don’t get the letter from Top Secrest, here’s the details on this years 70-72 C 2/1 group reunion.
It will be May 12-15 at the K-Bar-S Lodge in Keystone, SD. http://www.kbarslodge.com
It’s a really great place within sight of Mt. Rushmore. The room rate, with a complimentary breakfast, is $134 per night. All rooms are non-smoking and upgrades to a private deck appear to be available. The reservation cut-off date is April 12th, so call now. Even though the lodge is currently closed for the winter, leave a message and they WILL call back. The number is: 1-605-666-4545-0. Mention that you are with the Charlie 2/1 Reunion.
Keystone is at about 4300 ft. elevation, so bring some warm clothing. It can still get cool up that high in mid-May.
Top has reserved a block of 15 rooms, but let’s make ’em add more. EVERYBODY COME! If you haven’t yet been to a reunion, you REALLY don’t know what you’re missing.
Top has also asked that if you’re coming, please call him at 1-605-717-1115 and let him know so he can work the numbers.
LT Ruesch was supposed to have a knee replaced yesterday. I haven’t heard anything about how it went. I hope everything is ok.
Talked to LT tonight, he’s a hurting unit right now but the surgery went well and the Doc could not believe he was walking on that leg because it was bone on bone. Pretty bad. But they may let him out of the Infirmary tomorrow and send him back out to the field. No mercy!
I’m glad to hear he’s coming along fine. But, I’ll bet Tai won’t cut him any slack just because he’s temporarily gimpy.
My son, Brandon has been trying to get the web site updated and a fresher look as time permits. So it is a work in process. I hope we get the photo section up and running soon. I have more to post. I am very happy to see some of the old message posters back and also very happy to see new ones as well. I’ll try not be a stranger to the site.
Amazing no comments on last nights game. Terry are you ok?
OK Wally…… I’ll say it…… WTF…..
I think everybody likes the new improvements to the website. Larry carries the whole cost of all the stuff we enjoy when we check it out. Now might be a good time to kick in a few bucks to help defray the costs he gets hit with.
Give it some thought guys…..
Severe flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety and debilitating depression. Oh, you’re asking about The Superbowl. Bummer
By the way, I like the redesigned website. It looks neater.
I agree! Larry always gives his best.
Frank, I saw your reply on the Americal page and was just inquiring if anyone knew you. Always looking for C 2/1 guys to try to get them connected with the 196 or Charliegrunts web page.
Anyone remember Mitch Kotula, who was 3rd plt leader in early 70 or Frank Ripley who was in 3rd 71 and 72.
Mitch and Frank both come around here every so often. Frank has a Face Book page and I talk to him pretty frequently. I even had breakfast with him up in Michigan a few months ago. He’s doing fine.
Good morning! I look and feel like I’ve been attacked by a Singer sewing machine but I’m doing ok. Cap wrote me and said that you’re asking about me. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Anyone know Dick DelRossi? He’s on the Americal website. He was with C2/1 in 1972. He has pictures from being in Quang Tri. I gave him this website but I haven’t seen him post anything yet.
Bill C,
I was blessed at the time. My new company moved me and IBM was opening a new facility close to Mahopac so even after 9 months of living there & putting in a new septic system I broke even on the sale of the house. The cost of living in KC was 98 on the cost of living scale of 100 where NY area was 133. Changed companies after 13 years for a company car and a $300 a year raise but probably increased my stand of living 30%
Bill B….Moving costs a lot of money….I recently thought about moving closer to my daughter and her husband because the wife baby sits the grandchildren every day……She drives about a 25 minutes each way…..I found a nice house, but it cost a lot more and the taxes were double……Then I looked at the prices houses were selling at in my current neighborhood and they were not too good……Decided against the move…..Jim…..9500 property tax…..Wow!!!
Bill, C
We really liked Mahopac. The kids were young and could walk to the Lake. I worked in White Plains. Did not like the drive to work because of traffic. We bought our house which started as a cottage 50 years earlier and added onto with an attic converted to two bedrooms. It had three roofs on it and had to replace the septic system within 2 months after moving in. I will always remember the property taxes being $2800 for this 1400 sq ft house in 1984.
We moved to KC to a 5 year old house with 2800 square ft and the real estate agent apologized for the taxes being $975. All of this was in 1984.
Bill Beckum….When I was in my early 20s my parents moved from the Bronx to Mahopac NY . They lived there until my father died and then my mother sold the house and moved to an apartment in Albany…..Small world after all……I grew up about a mile away from Tooch in an all Irish neighborhood…..Now it is all Vietnamese immigrants!
Jim,
I can tell everyone now I know a guy who may have set on the same commode as some famous stars. Figured up my taxes for 2014 and paid $5,500. Gotta love the Northeast. The price of being close to grand kids.
Hey Tuch. Claymore on the desk is a good idea, especially facing out towards whoever you are talking to! Maybe I’ll find a 90mm replica and hang it around my neck like a medallion. Full size of course.
Long Island questions. I’m in Meford. About 55 miles east of NYC. Only about 5 miles from Ronkonkoma, 10 from Setauket and about 40 east of Freeport.
Yeah, it’s an expensive place to live. My home taxes are close to $9,500K and that’s is with a $2,700 vet’s discount. I’m so rich, I only have to work two jobs at 67 years old to pay the bills. That is what I consider “Semi-retired.” But the kids and grandkids are all within reach and the 24″ of snow is too wonderful to escape from so we’re staying put. Also, I grew up 5 miles from Billy Joel (who we’re going to see in April at Madison Square Garden-Christmas gift from my daughter). And not that far from Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, Ralph Macchia, Soledad O-Brien (CNN), Joey Buttafucco and Amy Fisher.
So, if I cared about celebrities, famous bums and a teenage slut, I could start a Long Island tour. And, although I don’t watch it, that TV series about the American revolution “Turn” is set right in this neighborhood, including stuff in Setauket.
And, Tuch, J-Lo is from the Bronx (that’s where you came from, right?). So, maybe you can go and hang out with her and Colin Powell also.
Jim, yes I grew up in the Bronx. I now live in Wallington N.J. It’s about 2 miles west of Giant stadium [or at least it used to be called that. until that green team moved in ]. This coming Tuesday, I’ll be at MSG to watch the Knicks lose. By the way, that show Turn is pretty good. Here in N.J. , property tax is waived if you are at 100%. I’ve just watched a movie called Fury.If you havn’t already, check it out TOOCH [ notice the spelling, you too Larry.
You know what bothers me about this Bergdahl case–Despite the White House having a strong interest in this going in Bergdahl’s favor it shouldn’t take the senior commanders this long to decide to recommend charging him or not. Second, I think the Army knows he deserted his post in hostile territory. If they are afraid to charge him because of fear of the White House, you have to ask if our senior command has the ethics and courage to be entrusted with our Army. Finally, what kind of precedent is set if the senior command just slaps a front-line deserter on the wrist (or less). Does that mean you really only have to do your duty if you want to and it’s safe and the weather is good?
I remember our head Drill Sergeant at Fort Lewis handed them out and said they were for the successful completion of 24 hours of active duty. I was very confused.
OK, for you hard core “Grunts” I need help. I was looking at my DD-214 and have figured out what most of my decorations stand for. Does NDSM stand for National Defense Service Metal?
Bill, you are correct!
Yes, that’s it.