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got a question//i have noticed that when a ‘NAM vet passes the wall gets mentioned//does our name get etched in??any comments??
Well today I found the letters I wrote my wife from basic through Nam. The others I found, well over 100, were to by mom, dad, and grandmother. It is going to take me awhile but I plan on reading everyone and putting them in order. Got to be over 200. I can truly say I do not remember writing any of the but the memories are flooding back.
I have also found some newspaper articles from our big offensive at the end of August, 1969. My Dad and wife saved them. For those of you who came in the field at that time like Larry Harper you got a very “hot’ welcome. My hat goes off to you all as I was a vet of 10 months by then and that was the worse I had seen
Russ, I agree with your comments.
Heard a good old song on the radio the other day…….”The devil went down to Georgia” by CDB. So I went to itunes to get the album. Found another good old song on the album…..”Still in Saigon”. “My little brother calls me a killer and my daddy calls me a Vet”….etc…. Sure brought back some memories.
We’ve all been there. We have an unprecedented and likely never to be duplicated legacy in being called killers by our own when in war for our country. The anger we all expressed in those letters home was the harbinger to that legacy. But, to this day I couldn’t be prouder of that legacy and knowing that we will always remain strong as a brotherhood. To the last man standing.
Terry,
It took me 43 years so give it time.
Six years ago while sorting through some boxes I found an unmarked box with letters to my girlfriend of that time. Daring to open one it was trom Valentines day 1970. I found it to be not of the day to day life or struggle of that time but more hopeful and in tune with dreams for the future. After reading that I still can’t read the rest for fear of disapointment I suppose. By the way, I married that girl. My best friend and wife for over 40 yrs.
hi bill–no on ross or ryder here–hawk hill was my 1st firebase up north.
gary–my “:change” started when hillbilly was KIA; just after we lost 2 medics to a booby trap. then on 16 march-70-we had 20 casualties and on the 28th my squad hit a bouncing betty. that settled it for me. my anger was mostly at the enemy and the booby traps. i wanted to blow up the whole country. and that anger did spill over to “lifers” also, but that was secondary. i still hate booby traps.
I have been reading more letters today. Do any of you go back to LZ Ross and LZ Ryder?
LZ Ross was turned over to the Marines when we went to LZ Baldy. We use to chopper up to LZ Ryder which you could see from Ross build it up, do patrols, and observe since it was on a mountain top. After awhile we would destroy it & a few months later do it again. I can always remember them bringing in a 105 piece for cover fire. Ryder was never a permant base like Ryder, Baldy, or Hawk Hill but we made it real secure. Just wondering if any of you made it to LZ Ryder?
Gary, amen to that. I am starting to see that in the few letters I have read. Especially after a major NVA engagement in March, 1969. I had a boss tell me in an evaluation once how I was loyal but question authority before doing something. He said once it was explained to me and I asked questions that he could count on me to follow through. Now I understand better why.
One the things most notable in my letters home from the war is the sudden, remarkable change in the attitudes of the writer (me). At first, it all comes across as a great adventure, a thrilling account from a young man, a child really, who sees value and honor it what he is doing and who is enthralled by the experience. Then, beginning at the time Jim Stout was killed, it becomes a relentlessly cynical recounting of everything wrong with the Army and the “lifers” who run it. Anger, hatred, disappointment, a loathing of all things military and anyone in a position of authority, turns the writer from an excited observor into a radical, revolutionary, anti-war, anti-military angry young man, barely recognizable as the same young man a few months before.
The change in me was dramatic, moreso than I knew at the time. My letters reveal drastic changes in my world-view, my self-image and my outlook on the future. It’s really quite astonishing how deep and permanent the scars are and how readily observable the change was at the time, though I could not see it.
I wonder if my Mom and Dad noticed?
R.I.P.to gary king–always a bummer to lose a fellow grunt.
Bill and Mark,
My father kept almost every letter I wrote home from Vietnam. Several months back I transcribed all of them into my computer as a document of over 30 some pages. It is a very nice chronological history of the majority of my time in Vietnam. Unlike some guys I didn’t hold back and told my parents every gory detail so that if I got zapped at least it would have not been something totally unexpected as if I had told them nothing and that everything was fine. I gave Ben a copy of it in Killeen and hope to get some response from him. He started to read it in the hotel lobby and laughed some so I suppose it was not all bad. Ben I hope you express the loss we feel with our Brother Gary passing as many will not be able to make it. He was a very nice person.
Today I started reading my letters home from Vietnam after 43 years. I started with letters to my Dad which number about 18, 1 to my Mom, and 1 to Grandmother. I still probably have about 40 left. Most to my wife to whom I am still married after 45 years. Even though I have had them for years I have not had the courage to read. I want to put them in order by date, leave them to my kids and maybe to an historical organization if any interest.
I also have some CD tapes, about 8 to 10 I want to put in order and have them transferred ro a CD.
Call me crazy, and some do, but now that I can reflect back I can some interesting things.
Bill, my mother recently sent me all of the letters I wrote home in the order I sent them; from basic training thru my tour in Nam. Reading two years of my life was a bit emotional to say the least. Two things that stood out was how much I left out writing to my parents from Nam, and how much of a kid I was. Tooch
I plan to attend Gary King’s funeral. Anyone else going?
Gary you have earned your reward// just wish it wasn’t so soon// R.I.P. FELLOW BRETHERN// GOD must of had your eternal home finished
Gary,You fought a tough battle in Vietnam and now again in life! It was wonderful that we got to reconnect in St. Louis and again in Wabasha!
Love yah brother! RIP
I have some very bad news to report:
Larry, hello this is Brittany and I regret to inform u that Gary King (my father) passed away yesterday morning. I have funeral and visitation information.
Baue funeral homes
3950 W. Clay St
St. Charles, MO. 63301
636-946-7811
Visitation is Thursday from 3 to 9pm
Funeral is Friday at noon.
Here is a link to his Baue tribute site:
http:/hosting-tributes-24674.tributes.com/show/Gary-A.-King-92435244
I remember when u guys met in st. Louis and I met a wonderful group of men that served with my daddy.
I hope that I speak with u soon.
Brittany
I have recently begun receiving E-mail of a personal political nature from a person who regularly posts on our website. Whether or not I agree or disagree with this persons opinions is irrelavent. IF THIS CONTINUES then every posting I receive from him WILL be deleted to junk mail. Take me off your forwards, you know who you are, stop it now.
2/1 Infantry in the news. It’s not good.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/09/24/1811217/soldier-gets-7-years-in-afghan.html
Great news Judy and we say thank you to all involved in her care and the Lord. Larry, is this your first grandchild?
We got back from the reunion yesterday. We had a great time with several my Brothers!
I want to thank Brother Si Nerone for pretty much furnishing all the beer at the reunion! I let everyone know where the funds came from and everyone wanted me to pass on their appreciation.
Judy’s appointments went well, she is still cancer free!
My son, Brandon’s, wife is due on October 17, so I am still not sure if I will get to go to the Iowa reunion.
glad to hear Killen was a big success/ maybe my health and pocket book will allow me to catch another one later//larry
went to the kokomo indianna reunion this past weekend. hard to believe how much it has grown. good to see some iraq and afghan vets there also.slick rides were available–for 100 bucks. weather was decent–good weekend all in all.
For those of you who weren’t there we should also mention that the current Commander of the 196th Bde was staying in our hotel along with a CW4 and a MSG. It was nice to be able to socialize with them and they also came to a barbeque that Fred put on at Lake Belton recreation area. Needless to say a good time was had by all especially Chuck’s special guest Captain Morgan Arghh!
Subject: Killeen, What a hoot! Larry announced there were 16 of us there plus one more. You’ll haveto ask Chuck about that. I feel blessed to have this opportunity, and for those who for whatever reason cannot attend these now, may you have this chance in the near future.Kudos to Fred and Pancho for their efforts, they deserve our many Thanks . On to Le Claire, South Dakota, and Wash. DC in 2013 with the 196th Brigade reunion.
Brothers!
I had a wonderful time in Killeen thanks to Fred and Pancho We ate in a real live messhall and for $4.25 they had lobster and crablegs plus many other items to numerous to mention. We had a wonderful time at a sportsbar called the Tilted Kilt near our hotel to which I will say no more. Hotel was great and let us get loaded and loud in their lobby! Larry: I asked at the security point on the way home if the AK round would have gone through and they said yes. Didn’t get home until around 10:00 last night so today is a day of rest!
I couldn’t make it to the reunion in Killeen. I am sitting here at home and we are watching two of our grandaughters. I am sipping on a Bourbon and toasting the good time I’m sure you all are having. I remember the nice times we had in Hilton Head and Wabasha and look forward to when we meet again. PARTY ON !
Louie
We are having a great time here in Lileen. We did some running around on Ft Hood which was a real treat. Lotta of beers and cocktails. We are having a BBQ this afternoon.
See all of you next time.
To All, I had the pleasure of meeting Charley Scandalito, Charlie co. cammander in 66-67. Was a captain at that time. Retired a full bird colonel out of the guards. I had my duece at a car show when he walked up to me. A very nice fellows. I will be meeting him again for lunch,as we still communicate by e-mails or phone. His e-mail is scandalito@sbcglobal.net., if anyone remembers him.The company was still at Chu Lai. They hadnt moved to Hawkhill yet. Have a great time at the reunion in Killeen. I will make it to the reunion sometime, maybe next year. I am sitting here with my leg elevated, which I wont explain why….ha
well======I aint won lottery so i guess i’ll get scenes of Killen via this site thnx mr harper for given this//a place to reconnect to fellow brothers of rvn///maybe even a group pic. down a few for me/ok lawrence
OK……It’s Wednesday night and I just got a call from Fast Eddie and Larry who are at the hotel sucking down beers already. they should be in great shape by the time the rest of us get there…
Half day and a wake up……