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My Viet Nam Vet

My brother volunteered for 3 (Yes, three) tours of duty in Viet Nam. He was
there a total of 48 months. When he returned to the United States after
receiving a purple heart, bronze and silver stars, and a medal of honor, he
was spit at when in uniform and called a lot of ugly names and the Army
refused to promote him. He was the epitomy of an officer and a gentleman!

He left the Army with less then 20 months to his 20 years and thus lost
his retirement. He died a hero in my eyes and the eyes of his family and
friends and was given a military burial at Ft. Logan in Denver, Colorado...
however he did not receive a 21 gun salute which he deserved---don't you
think? He deserved at least that much.

I miss him terribly!!!

God bless our Veterans and God bless the USA!!!

Sue
Denver, CO

Welcome Home from a Vietnam Vet's granddaughter

My grandfather was a Vietnam Vet, and whenever he met other Vets, he always replied with "Welcome Home." Seeing as he just recently passed, I hope nobody will mind if I said it for him, so I say to all of his brothers and sisters Welcome Home! R.I.P. Frank Archer-aka grandpa

Shawna
Austin, TX

First Stateside Port

When I returned from Viet Nam in early 1968 on board the USS Damato DD-871, having provided gun fire support for our troops and other targets, are first stateside port was San Francisco (Pearl didn't count). Leaving the Naval Base in a good old navy grey school bus we were greeted at the gates with signs calling us baby killers and had rotten vegetables thrown at us. There were no Thank You for serving (our ship was hit twice). I joined the Navy rather than being drafted so I didn't have a choice. To this day I have no regrets. The four years I served was little payment for living in a free country. If I wasn't so damn old I do it again.

Michael Atkinson

Michael Atkinson
Fifield, WI

Korea

Korea, ---When I was there we were on a ridge resting before going to the next ridge . the Battleship Missouri was firing over our heads It was totally awesome to look up and actually see those shells going over with their rather slow whoop, whoop, whoop ,sound, I was amazed that I could see them- I found out much later that those shells were as tall as me , almost 6 feet , and weighed as much as a small Volkswagen. ---Wow! -----think about that a minute throwing that shell 20 miles or more,- unbelievable! when it finished .firing. in came the navy gull winged corsairs (pretty planes) we were cheering them on and guessing which of the pilots were married and those that were not. --If he came way down almost brushing the trees if there were any left, he was single, If he stayed up a couple hundred feet he was married. then after them came the little fat fighter bombers, I don't know what these were, someone said they were the Marine carrier planes they were very daring also,
WE all bitched about the other services -Navy had it easy -Air force eating a hot meal every night -Marines getting all the good stuff , but WE WERE THERE which formed some kind of bond that will last as long as we do -I take my hat off to flyer's and ships that helped us dog faces.THANKS guys A lot of us old and young veterans run into each other on the streets and stores,lots of us wear hats with the units we were in on it, no matter which branch - We smile at each other, sometimes shake hands or just nod , because we really are a band of brothers,.

Danny Walters
Portland, OR

Billly Clubs?

My Dad always regretted that he was never assigned to leave the states during WWII. He was sent to the Naval Air Station at Grand Prairie Texas and spent the duration of the war there. There was not that much excitement and the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked the men were issued billy clubs. My Dad often wondered what the authorities expected them to do with the billy clubs if the Japanese flew overhead. He would just laugh at the mental picture of the men waving their billy clubs at the enemy. My Dad served as an aviation mechanic so I'm sure that his participation was most appreciated by the pilots.

Sharlene Lund
Highland, CA

Tribute

My late husband, Henry L. Stanfield, was a career naval officer and served from 1944 to 1969 thru three wars.
It was 2003, the last year of his life, and he was invited to attend the first reunion of a ship, USS Davidson DE 1045, he had commanded on its maiden voyage. He was not doing well physically but he was determined to attend and we did,
On the first night of the reunion as we were about to enter the reception room I was stopped at the door so that Stan could enter the room alone.
As he stepped thru the door someone said (loudly) "Captain on the deck". At that moment every man in that room (about 50 of them) stood and saluted. As I watched from behind him I could feel his pride and his tears and my own. It was the most moving moment of his life as he answered "At ease".
The reunion was great, and there has been one every year since, unfortunately the first was the only one Captain Stanfield attended, he died on August 12, 2003.

Myrna Stanfield
Lake Worth, FL

POW Stories

My father in law was A POW ffrom 1945 to 1946 in the Army . Boy he tell you some stories about life as a POW. When He talked about the food he said it all tastes like chicken. And now thinking back I dont remember him eating chicken. We all heard about the horrible conditions the POW's lived in, not enough meals, personel things we take for granted that they did not have, something as simple as toilet paper he was glad to have. He always made a joke about the bad things, but looking back on the stories made me realize that is what made him the man he was. Caring, giving, strong, Understanding, and a love for god, his family, his country, and his fellow man.
When I see some one in Uniform I think of him and the service they give to all while missing their families. I always walk up to them shake their hand and thank them, at the same time missing my father in law and my father.
My father was also in the service but he never talkes about it so I do not know what he went thru. All I know is that he served on the Midway 1945 1946 and was discharged as when he signned up he was only 16 too young.
Thank you for allowing me to tell you some of the things I remember as it keeps my loved ones close to me even thou they are not.

Anonymous
Willow Grove, PA

A Bowl Of Berries For Abe

my sister has a bowl that Abe Lincoln reportedly ate blue berries from when offered to him by my great-great-grandmother before he was elected to any office while he was journeying to help a friend with a barn raising. I'm not sure of the exact time period but I believe it was somewhere near Mackinaw, Illinois while He lived in New Salem, Illinois

Anonymous
grinnell, IA

My Dad was a WWII Hero

History
from 2nd Battalion, 376th Infantry Regiment

Feb
18 Pfc Edson Lakin Cited for Heroism
This is taken from General Orders 104 Hq94th Infantry Div. 24 April 1945 Pfc.Edson A. Lakin 31401182,Infantry,376thInfantry RegementUnited States Army, for gallentry in actionin Germany from 23 March 1945 to 24 March 1945,While performing duties as scout,Private Lakincontinually exposed himself to heavy gunfire to locate enemy positions.On one occasion,when fired upon by a machine gun,he boldly advanced and pinning the enemy down with devestating rifle fire,He eliminated the crew and gun with hand grenades.Braving intense sniper fire, he routed the enemy from many of their positions, thus enabling his platoon to continue the attack and capture the objectives.The unselfish courage, fearless actions,and supreme devotion to duty displayed by Private Lakin are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Posted by John Lakin

My father recieved the Silver Star.I lived with a true hero.I submit this in his memory,

John Lakin
Sanford, ME

My Dad Was My Hero

On 4/4/44 my Dad, Charles H. Dent, Sr. (11/13/10 - 1/30/90) left his 6-month pregnant wife and 2 small daughters and proudly served in Patton's Army during WWII. I clearly remember the day he left as if it was only yesterday and I vividly remember seeing the Greyhound pull into Hotel Magee in Bloomsburg carrying my Dad who was coming home on furlough. He would rush to two little excited daughters and wife. By God's grace, my Dad returned home to his family upon receiving a medical discharge. His family was so blessed to have had him as father and husband. He was the most honorable man I have ever known. His word was golden. I never heard him complains about the government's involvement in the war. He was the most proud American I have ever known and I thank God for him in my life. Dad, I miss you more than you will ever know.

LuAnn (Dent) Everitt
Lightstreet, PA