During my tour in Vietnam 1971-72, I befriended a man by the name of Artis Clemons. Clemons had been Vietnam in 1967 with the 1st Cavalry, he survived
and came back in 1971. Our friendship began in July of 1971,he was like having a big brother that shows you around camp, the do's and don'ts, just an all around good guy. If you saw one you saw the other, we were like two peas in a pod.
As time went I really looked forward to hanging out him, his back in the rear hut, we all had a hut that 4-6 men could bed down, your R&R was your down time, for now. Clemons had a great sound system where we listen to Marvin Gaye song, "Whats going on", it was appropriate for the time.
We got orders to pack light, it was time move. while waiting on my orders assuming Clemons and I was going home together, I was glad to be leaving Vietnam, but happier I was going with my friend. Clemons came to me and said he had gotten his and was leaving in a week, I still hoping my orders would come down, but it didn't. Clemons time came quick, he was leaving that morning, I walked him to the gate, we hugged, did our Dap and he was on the bus going to the airport. I returned back to my hut and cried, I had a feeling I would never see him again.
After Vietnam I lived in the Midwest for nearly thirty years, I moved to Birmingham in 2003, I am from Birmingham, I was here for my Uncle's wife funeral, I got on the pc and had a message from A. Clemons, I was excited, I am going to see or talk to my friend, but it was his, we exchange information to make sure, that we are talking to the right person. after that I asked where is your dad ? he replied, sorry he died two years ago, I was devastated.
RIP Artis Clemons.
Birmingham, AL
