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tooch–in 1971 3 of us met at the bar in youngstown ohio that fred`s folks owned. some time after that they sold the bar and no word on fred since. there is a mayoga family that owns a cheese store in PA. someday i`ll get back there and ask questions. the 3 were me, flannery and walt searight.
Jim.
Good luck. I applied for everything you discussed and it took about 18 months to get approved. Although I wear hearing aids which was service related it was judged not severe enough for compensation. Call me if you want to discuss.
Today is Jan. 12th. Although there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of soemthing from Vietnam, somehow, the 11th passed without me realizing that was the day of Arky and Jake. I don’t know if it’s good or bad that I didn’t but I feel a little bit of guilt over not thinking about them. For years after getting home, I had guilt, especially about Arky with wife and 4 kids and hardship discharge on the way. The guilt was of the nature of “why him instead of me, a single guy with no one to depend on me?” In 1978 or so, I took a college course on death and learned about “survivor’s guilt” which I had never heard of until then.
Anyhow, sorry to sound depressing but even after 43 years, we never forget.
Different subject. I get a 10% VA compensation for hearing loss and some other stuff from Nam (I got home with a near-fatal stomach disease, plus the usual skin problems and one or two other little things.) I recently found out that diabetes and heart disease are considered effects of agent orange. Rule of thumb is infantry was exposed to agent orange. I’m just getting the ball rolling on getting more $$ from the VA but I figure I would mention it here because others might not be aware of it. I had heart surgery 16 years ago and was diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago. It can take months or years to get approved for coverage but the coverage, if you get it, takes effect on the day to enter your claim, not when the problem appeared. So, I would suggest anyone else get in touch with your local DAV or VA to get the ball rolling. Around here, (Long Island, NY) the word is that the DAV will get your paperwork in order and send it to the VA whereas the VA has people who seem to love rejecting it for not crossing ts, etc. For example, if you list two doctors, they will not OK anything unless they talk to both doctors, so even if you see a specialist for the disease, you only list your PCP. I just got started on this this week so I don’t know the outcome but, the ooner you start, the sooner you find out.
Jim Intravia/aka infantry the 90mm guy.
The other night, I got a call [out of the clear blue] from Bruce Martin a.k.a. “MARTY”. He was wounded pretty badly in Nov. of 69. Eight of us were hit by that boobytrap including myself and Lt. Shepard. It was really good to hear from him. Finding this web site has been a major positive for me as I am sure it has been for many of you guys. I still wonder what has happened to Fred Mayorga, Hoot Gibson, and Dane hammond. Tooch
King Ferguson sent me a CD with his photos from last year’s reunion and I want to thank him for sending them to me. Ken Ruesch provided me with some photos as well. I would like to have more to post not only from last year’s reunion, but all past reunions plus any photos from Viet Nam.
Top Silverman did the same for me, SR, but I took his advice immediately upon receiving it thank God. A tough but fair man I have appreciated many times over the years. Hope to see him in DC this summer for sure. Hope all have a great New Year!
Happy New Year to ALL of my Grunt Brothers!!
good new year to top silverman and all the grunts out there.
top–it took me 10 years to listen to your advice in Nam–telling me i should quit drinking. for me that has worked out well. thanks for that advice. Caring about grunts-easy to see why you are a top-.
Happy New Year all my Brothers…esp Larry H and Larry F and and Chuck and hell all my brothers..love you all and wishing best in 13…..we were the best!
Great to hear from you brother Jim.
In the recent added photos to the right (will show up in the current photo section) , is Art Sprague in the E-6 uniform. He retired from the Linn County Oregon Sheriff’s department after 38 years! Congratulations, on your service. I went up and visited with him as well as some other Nam brothers in April.
Happy New Year!
Hey Top,
Glad to see your post! Hope you can join us at the 196LIB reunion in DC in July. To all of you from Ken and Tai HAPPY NEW YEAR CHUC TET!
great to hear from you TOP–best of luck in upcoming year ..
Just want to wish you all a Happy New Year! Top
Top, Great to hear from you! I hope things are going well for you and your wife. Long time no hear from.
My Nam brother Dennis Silva is a huge antique tractor collector. He has restored several old tractors. He and some of his antique tractor buddies had been invited to drive their antique tractors in the rose parade on New Year’s Day. Now he and thirteen of his buddies had their invitations pulled. He is hoping that it rains on New Year’s Day. I think all of us ought to join Dennis and hope with him.
just a fast HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL may it bring a less stressful blessful 365 to ya
dang–having to re-type for some reason.
since i already sent larry some sept. reunion pics, know i won`t have to walk point at the next reunion.
hope we all have a less exciting new year morning than we had in 1970. that 3 or 4 a-m wake up to fireworks by A.co was a bit much. way too much for them.
I’msitting here tonight ready to have more great leftovers to be followed by my grandmothers version of “whiskey” cake. I call that Northern Comfort on another cold wet night!
I had a complaint about a month or so ago about the photos posted from the September reunion. Someone thought his photo looked like he had just been hit by a cattle prod. I could take down some photos if you guys would get me your photos to upload.
No one has sent me any photos form the Sister Bay reunion. I would love to have some to post.
I know how us grunts reply, so I am sure I will be overrun with photos.
Gary,
Should have blown your claymore………………….
Dammit! Why didn’t I think of that?
Foo gas might have worked too.
Snowing to beat the band in North Texas…and sticking too! The National Weather Service says we may have 4-6 inches by daybreak.
Thank goodness I’m prepared. Got plenty of tobacco and beer. What else could I need?
ps: I was supposed to leave for New York City in the morning. Think I’ll put that off for a day or so.
At 0100 this morning, while sitting up on fire watch, I heard a loud noise which seemed to be coming from the roof of the barracks. I grabbed my personal weapons (shotgun and pistol) and ran outside, only to observe some kind of alien craft perched upon my shingles! Without illumination, it was difficult to tell what it was and some sort of creature was about to drop down a chimney I don’t have, so I opted to treat it as a threat to my perimeter and initiated fire.
Whatever it was beat a hasty retreat and the craft zoomed away, disappearing into a cloud bank. A few moments later, I observed a fireball just over the horizon. Anybody know what that was or whether I got it?
Must have gotten it because I didn’t have anything like that happen to me. Next time put your glasses on or was you doing something on fire watch that altered your vision?
Merry Christmas to everyone ,and a happy and healthy new year
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. It’s an honor to have you as Brothers.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year to all my Brothers.
Chuck..thanks for the advice…it works just as you said….Comfort and Joy to you and Merry Christmas..see you in ’13……now…back to Comfort and Joy……………
Hey Chuck,
I love your play on words: whatever ALES you. Ha Ha!
A lot of great Tidings (whatever that is) to all you guys. Let me suggest a lot of Southern Comfort with your egg-nog. It will take the edge of what ever may ale you. And you can then call it Comfort & Joy.
Happy Holidays!
What did the bald guy say when he received a comb for Christmas? …..Thanks…I won’t be able to part with this……..I wish you all tidings of comfort and joy.
I hope that all of you grunts have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year.
Merry Christmas to you and your families. May it be safe and joyous for all.