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Homeward bound on the "Hustler"

January 1968: After 9 months in the field at various Fire Support Bases with the 1st/22nd Inf. Rgt. of the 4th Inf. Division, I was headed out of the field on my last chopper ride in the central highlands of Viet Nam to Camp Enari, where I spent my final 3 months on the Camp's mortar battery located on the perimeter as a 4.2 inch heavy mortar crewman. Despite all hell breaking loose with Tet offensive, and rumors of heavy fighting and casualties around Kontum, I was never sent out as a replacement, and ended tour of duty on the first of April 1968.

Pete Gill
Pioche, NV

Enterprise

Served with pride aboard the USS Enterprise from 1985-1989. Transited the Panana Canal and sailed around Africa.

Deployed to the Middle East three times including twice in the Persian Gulf.

Participated in Operations Preying Mantis, Earnest Will and the Libyan Expedition.

I would do it all in a heartbeat.

Tom Dorney
Fairfield, CT

Deployment

My daughter Heather was only eight years old, and she really could not understand why I had to travel halfway around the world, but more important, why I had to leave her. I have experienced many highs and lows in my life, but I have never felt the extreme pain that rips at one’s heart when they have to leave their children behind to serve their country for an extended period of time. I will never forget heading down the terminal tunnel at Saint Louis Lambert Airport to board my plane and hearing Heather screaming on the top of her lungs, “Daddy PLEASE don’t leave me!” I made the mistake of turning around, and the sight of my miracle baby in complete hysterics still haunts me to this day. I was speechless, and my heart was completely broken. I knew there was nothing I could say or do to make her feel any better at that moment. I had already done my very best to explain to the kids why I had to go. All I could do was yell back to her that I loved her more than life itself, and then I was forced to turn my back on my daughter as a stewardess informed me that it was time to board the plane.
As I took my seat, I could still hear Heather’s desperate pleas for my return, until they shut the terminal doors. Whereas most planes are warm when you board them, to me, the plane was freezing. I have never felt so alone in my life.
Leaving family, friends and the comfort of home is a feeling service people rarely get used to. For most of us, its duty we serve, because our hearts would carry us in a different direction. So when a person is deployed, receiving caring letters in the mail from family and friends is the best morale builder there is.

Brian Scott Sherman
Belleville, IL

Hero's

Hello let me introduce myself my name is Brian Scott Sherman. I am a disabled retired veteran who has proudly served our glorious country for 33 years. I served in the United States Air Force for 23 years and have been a Government Contractor for the past 10 years. I have committed much of my life to the United States of America because I wanted to give something back to her. I truly believe there is a reason for everyone's existence and mine was to serve old Glory!!! To this very day, I still get goosebumps when I hear a patriotic song and shed a tear when I see one of my Comrades return home from a deployment and are reunited with their families. Unfortunately many of our citizens who live in the land of the free have no idea the countless sacrifices those who serve this great land make. It hurts my heart deeply when I hear people make comments like the following: Hey they volunteered to serve so I do not feel they deserve any special privileges. It was their choice so suffer the consequences.
My answer when given an opportunity to respond has been - Yes they did volunteer to serve which makes them my hero's. They give us the opportunity to live free and enjoy many things that so many of us take for granted like water!!! They put our Country first, because they love and respect her. If my Hero's did not volunteer America would be lost without a doubt!!!

Think about that last statement for a moment before ever saying something so hurtful and sad towards my Hero's again...

My God bless you and our glorious land we call the United States of America.

Brian Scott Sherman
Belleville, IL

Eagle Scout Project

My son is a Life scout and he is working on his Eagle Scout project. His project is doing a Vietnam veterans memorial statue at the VA Hospital. The statue he chose is the battle cross statue. He is putting in two park benches along with a sidewalk for any veteran who is in a wheelchair so he or she can get closer to the statue. He's also doing a raised flower garden. He would like suggestions on three separate plaques to honor the veterans. Thank you.

Ginny
Mount Washington, KY

Firrin Ford

My grandfather served during ww2,he met my grandmother Dorothy Lean got married in Sydney Australia. He was on a break when he met my grandmother.
They were only married for 2yr in that time they had my father Firrin Jr. My grandfather died 8th May 1944 in PNG. It broke my grandmothers heart. I don't know anything about his journey to Australia or who he served along with. Staff Sergeant Firrin Ford. What I heard was he was in transporting.

Thanks Leigh-Ann Wren

Leigh-Ann M Wren
Redland Bay, Australia

My Military Family

My dad was my first hero in life. Because of him I dreamed of joining the military to follow in his steps although that dream didn't come true I supported the military in other ways. I was a military spouse for 20 years and even though he retired I miss my military family. I worked as a civilian nurse on a military base which is now closed. Both my brothers served in the army and now my sister who is currently in Kuwait . Kathy is my second hero. Although my dad died at 42 he left me some fond memories. I remember his favorite beer of black label and he smoked taryten cigarettes. He always wore vitalis , was always tan had a beautiful smile and strong arms to hug me with. But my favorite memories were when he came home from his assignments he always stopped at Ferlo's bakery and brought home doughnuts. My dad was a career man retired as a staff Sgt. Served in Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart. I know the sacrifices made by our soldiers first hand and wish all of them can come home safe. I also will never forget their sacrifices for my freedom. I know it doesn't come cheap and it's not free. God Bless you all.

Debbie delauro
Indianapoli, IN

Kind words for a WWII Veteran

I was in a Sprouts supermarket awhile back. Spotted a gentleman on a motorized cart with a WWII cap on. Went over to give my Thanks. He said "Thank You. I'm dying." He said he had a good life. Is is going to be with his wife in Heaven. He Thanked me for my service as I had my US Army veteran cap on. I say it every chance I get "See a WWII or Korea Vet, Thank them, not too many around. They won't bite, I promised."

Edward Albrecht
las Vegas, NV

An honor I got to share

In 1990 when I was reporting for my 2 weeks active duty for training for the Naval Reserves at NCS Stockton, I checked in like normal. But the Senior Chief Petty Officer surprised me. He asked if I had my dress white uniform and if I had anything to do that afternoon. I said I did have the uniform and nothing to do. He said I was to change into the uniform and report in 15 minutes. I did as directed to find myself and 5 other active duty petty officers were going in a van somewhere. At the time, I was the only reservist, the only female and 4 months pregnant. Come to find out, we ended up at a cemetery... we were the burial detail for a Vietnam Veteran.

We prepared and lined up. The caufin was already on the stand. After marching in, I was the one standing closes to the end by the stars. They wanted me to fold the flag. The amount of emotion for someone I didn't know overcame me. I folded the flag with the greatest care, tucked in 3 gun shells that were from the 21 gun salute, then walked up to the widow. With her, her son and grandson present, I knelt down on one knee, presented the flag and let her know that on behalf of a grateful nation, we were thankful for what her husband did for his country and that nothing would measure up to what he gave for all of us.

This is the greatest honor anyone is given, especially me as a reservist sine we normally don't get to participate in such an event. To this day, almost 26 years later, I still get chocked up recalling the event. I'm very honored I got to lay to rest someone who gave his all for this nation.

Catherine McLarnan
Tucson, AZ

Prayers

I have been service conected for 30 years. Am 30% but needing more as my problems are being complicated by declines in physical health. VA has never acuratly diagnosed my TBI or given me a fair rating. I have a two hour screaning assesment the 17th. Say a prayer. Thanks

Lawrence Post
tumtum, WA