Joey........hey oh..welcome back there fella....
I sent out a few APB's looking for ya.. took a little summer vaction eh?..
I sent out a few APB's looking for ya.. took a little summer vaction eh?..
Veterans Day at AZB
- Thread starter sde
- Start date
i've been at tree top level a few times but have low flight hours compared to alot of others..also there were some Units that did alot more than i..sde said:I also spent some time north of DaNang, a FSB with a name a can not recall. It was about 1 click from the DMZ and I was only there for about 4 weeks after being redeployed there when the 1st Division returned stateside. I caught a ride on a couple of Hueys that month, you guys had balls of steel!!! If Hal wants to give respect to anyone it should be those door gunners and the pilots who flew at what, 100-120 knots at grass top level, following the contour of creek beds.
I just checked and this is your first post since May 15, 07! . I hope all is well for you and that we will see more by you in the future.
Steve
sde said:
Steve, thanks for starting the thread. I have enjoyed reading all of the posts by Veterans and well-wishers alike. It is nice to see others who have traveled similar roads. I have no pictures to share at this time, maybe in the future. The pictures from all of the Veterans are nice to see.
When I volunteered to join the Marine Corps, my brother was just finishing up his volunteer 4 year obligation and had just finished doing two tours of duty in Vietnam. I was the youngest brother and a bit less physically strong than my older brothers. One was in the Navy for a couple of years until he was forced to leave for medical reasons. My brother Barry never discussed much of what he did while he was in Vietnam but I knew he was proud of his service as a Marine.
In 1969 I joined the U.S. Navy for 4 years. When I told my brother of my decision he bellowed at me: Why didn't you join the Marines? I said I wanted to see the world and he said you could have done that with the Marines. He also said Icould have joined the Marines for two years instead of the four years that I had volunteered for in the Navy. I was on the 120 day delay program and Barry, my brother told me that if I joined the Marines for TWO YEARs, I could always re-up if I liked the service as a career.
To be continued.
part 2
He explained that if I re-upped the Corps would pay me additional sign up monies. He also explained that I stood a good chance of going to Vietnam. I was 19 and was immortal at least for a little while. He wanted me to be a Marine. Some parts of me thinks that he wanted to see if I would make it as a Marine.
So Barry told me what I needed to do.... The next Monday morning I went down to the recruiting station and met with the Chief Petty Officer who had signed me up. Since I had not sworn in, I was eligilbe for an inter=branch transfer if I could convince him to allow it. He was a 20 year lifer and looked to be tough as nails but I was ready and had my speech rehearsed. I stood in front of him and explained: "Sir, I have had a change of heart. I no longer want to serve in a sissy's outfit, I want to be in a man's man's outfit. I want to be a Marine". Well, the Chief's face turned red to purple and I thought he was going to take a swipe at me. With his face contorted and enraged, he managed to bellow: "Well if you don't want us we sure in the hell don't want you. Get another branch of service to take you and I'll sign the paperwork". I was so relieved because I didn't know if they were going to shoot me on the spot or let me go but figured my brother knew how to get them to do what I wanted them to do and it worked.
I went back down the the Marine Corps recruiter who had agreed to a two year stint for me but as he was writing up the paperwork, he mentioned three years and I corrected him and said "No Way, if I have to go for three years I'll stay in the Navy for four". The bluff worked well enough and he conceded that he MAY have said two years and so I joined for 2. They sent me through basic training, ITR, BITS and dumped me as fast as they could in the rice paddies of Vietname along with thousands of other young men in 1970. It was an honor to serve my tour of duty doing what my country asked me to do. My service in the Marine Corps helped to turn my life around and the experiences helped to make me a better man.
Thanks to all Veterans, past, present and future.
Semper Fi,
Joey Aguzin
He explained that if I re-upped the Corps would pay me additional sign up monies. He also explained that I stood a good chance of going to Vietnam. I was 19 and was immortal at least for a little while. He wanted me to be a Marine. Some parts of me thinks that he wanted to see if I would make it as a Marine.
So Barry told me what I needed to do.... The next Monday morning I went down to the recruiting station and met with the Chief Petty Officer who had signed me up. Since I had not sworn in, I was eligilbe for an inter=branch transfer if I could convince him to allow it. He was a 20 year lifer and looked to be tough as nails but I was ready and had my speech rehearsed. I stood in front of him and explained: "Sir, I have had a change of heart. I no longer want to serve in a sissy's outfit, I want to be in a man's man's outfit. I want to be a Marine". Well, the Chief's face turned red to purple and I thought he was going to take a swipe at me. With his face contorted and enraged, he managed to bellow: "Well if you don't want us we sure in the hell don't want you. Get another branch of service to take you and I'll sign the paperwork".
I was so relieved because I didn't know if they were going to shoot me on the spot or let me go but figured my brother knew how to get them to do what I wanted them to do and it worked. I went back down the the Marine Corps recruiter who had agreed to a two year stint for me but as he was writing up the paperwork, he mentioned three years and I corrected him and said "No Way, if I have to go for three years I'll stay in the Navy for four". The bluff worked well enough and he conceded that he MAY have said two years and so I joined for 2. They sent me through basic training, ITR, BITS and dumped me as fast as they could in the rice paddies of Vietname along with thousands of other young men in 1970. It was an honor to serve my tour of duty doing what my country asked me to do. My service in the Marine Corps helped to turn my life around and the experiences helped to make me a better man.
Thanks to all Veterans, past, present and future.
Semper Fi,
Joey Aguzin
OK OK did you re-up???Now you've got me hanging. Was one tour enough or did it take two. This is also in response to Joey's message. Is that a real picture of the baby or one you found. The baby is soooo cute.
I have a freind named Mike that was in Cally's outfit. He goes to the meetings or at least he did. He lived at his Gramma's house on 25th in Salem. He was real scary and really lived out back in a hooch. Didn't talk much. About 15 years ago the house across the street caught on fire and he went in alone(before the medics & fire dpt arrived) and rescued all the people inside. He was a hero as far as the community was concerned but no interviews. I saw him a couple of years ago christmas at the pool hall. He had the same girlfreind for several years. He lived inside the house and he looked all better to me.IMHO
He even had a Drivers lic ins the whole 9 yards. God bless our vets.
I have a freind named Mike that was in Cally's outfit. He goes to the meetings or at least he did. He lived at his Gramma's house on 25th in Salem. He was real scary and really lived out back in a hooch. Didn't talk much. About 15 years ago the house across the street caught on fire and he went in alone(before the medics & fire dpt arrived) and rescued all the people inside. He was a hero as far as the community was concerned but no interviews. I saw him a couple of years ago christmas at the pool hall. He had the same girlfreind for several years. He lived inside the house and he looked all better to me.IMHO
He even had a Drivers lic ins the whole 9 yards. God bless our vets.
The baby pic in my avatar is a recent photo of my friend Donovan who posts here on AZ ! LOL,just kidding...Linda the Queen Carter posted the pic one time last year...i just went nuts over the pic.. i just get the biggest laugh out of seeing it everytime.then a friend came over and put the statement i wanted under the pic and posted it for me..i don't have access to a computer year round so it is nice to see it again...everytime you look at that baby you have to laugh..Ltldebbie said:
cuejoey said:Ltldebbie is that avatar pic of yours a pic of nearby or is that what HEAVEN really looks like ?
I've always wondered that too, CueJoey. That has to be in some Federal or State Park if it is the U.S. It can't be on private land. It would be unaffordable.
Thanks for serving, CueJoey. For what it's worth: The Wall is a little foreboding before going to visit, but when faced it is a wall of reconciliation. It was for me and my brother but understand your wishes. Just wanted to share our perspective.
JoeyA
JoeyA said:
There is a new museum in the works for the Vietnam Wall. I read about it, typed about it, and still can't remember all the particulars.
Here is a brief article:
WASHINGTON, DC - The Interior Museum will be commemorating the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a new exhibition, entitled The Vietnam Veterans Memorial: America Responds, featuring photographs, drawings and models illustrating the creation of the memorial as well as personal objects left at the Wall by the general public.
The exhibition opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007 and will be open for a special viewing from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Veterans Day weekend (Nov. 10, 11 and 12, 2007).
The exhibition will be open to the public through May 31, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays and Christmas Eve), and during the third Saturday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The visitor entrance to the Main Interior Building is at 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Admission is free; however, each adult must have photo identification.
The museum exhibition and other events are leading up to the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Wall on Nov. 13. Although controversy swirled around the monument in 1982, today more than 3 million visitors a year come to pay their respects to those who gave their lives for their country in Vietnam.
Each day offerings are left to the fallen and each day these personal and special objects are collected as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection and cared for by the National Park Service. For example, one of the larger items in the exhibit is a motorcycle made by Wisconsin veterans in memory of 37 soldiers who remain unaccounted-for-POWs and MIAs. The motorcycle will not be ridden until the fate of the last Wisconsin soldier is known.
The Interior Museum worked with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service to commemorate this anniversary. The exhibition illustrates the difficult process that was undertaken to create the memorial and showcases some of the 100,000 objects left by the public for loved ones lost to the Vietnam War.
For more information call 202-208-4984 or visit http://www.doi.gov/interiormuseum
JAM
View attachment 53814 taken at bagrhram Ab Afghanistan just before we made history with the first B1 launch from there.
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Had a chance to visit the Wall a number of years ago... it was very moving... I couldn't help being drawn back into 1968 like it was yesterday... the assassinations... the demonstrations... the hate... the social unrest... such turmoil and strife... those were difficult years.
Heaven or Home???
I have always been fond of black and white photos. It leaves more to the imagination. Maybe it reminds me of a long time ago. I believe that particular photo is an Ansel Adams shot of Yosemite. Near where I was born. I think that is half dome in the background. Have you seen his shot of Moon at half dome? I will see if I can find it for you.
At present I live near Silver Creek falls. There are seven falls in about a ten mile hike. I swear they are even more beautiful.
Silver Creek is a State Park in Oregon. Anyone is invited to hike. I'll even have coffee and lunch ready when you get done. Usually have to have a driver pick you up at trails end because its not near trail head. Not too many are ready to hike it twice.
cuejoey said:Ltldebbie is that avatar pic of yours a pic of nearby or is that what HEAVEN really looks like ?
I have always been fond of black and white photos. It leaves more to the imagination. Maybe it reminds me of a long time ago. I believe that particular photo is an Ansel Adams shot of Yosemite. Near where I was born. I think that is half dome in the background. Have you seen his shot of Moon at half dome? I will see if I can find it for you.
At present I live near Silver Creek falls. There are seven falls in about a ten mile hike. I swear they are even more beautiful.
Silver Creek is a State Park in Oregon. Anyone is invited to hike. I'll even have coffee and lunch ready when you get done. Usually have to have a driver pick you up at trails end because its not near trail head. Not too many are ready to hike it twice.
My heart and love go out to all you guys. Thank you for the sacrifices you made. I feel like a wimp to admit on here that I was an Army Reservist for six years (1966-1972). I did go thru training at Fort Polk in 1966, including Tigerland. In my company of 220 men, 212 went to Nam next stop.
I was a supply clerk all six years (a cushy job) because of high test scores I got. I started out a Rifleman like everyone else, until I was transfered into the 387th Transportation Unit. We got called up to Active Status in 1968 for deployment to Nam, and were stationed at Patton in L.A. for one week before the order was rescinded. As close to any action as I got, or wanted if the truth were to be known. Some of my schoolmates and buddies were not so fortunate. A few did not make it out of there.
I could not support that war and when asked by my company commander why I felt the way I did, I told him "I have no beef with those people over there. I don't want to kill any of them, and I don't want any of them to kill me either". Sometimes these wars can waste a lot of beautiful young lives. And nothing is resolved in the end. I support the troops, but not the war. We will leave Iraq the "bad guys" no matter what the outcome. IMO we have long overstayed our welcome there.
I love all you guys and my only wish is that you stay safe and make it back home okay.
I was a supply clerk all six years (a cushy job) because of high test scores I got. I started out a Rifleman like everyone else, until I was transfered into the 387th Transportation Unit. We got called up to Active Status in 1968 for deployment to Nam, and were stationed at Patton in L.A. for one week before the order was rescinded. As close to any action as I got, or wanted if the truth were to be known. Some of my schoolmates and buddies were not so fortunate. A few did not make it out of there.
I could not support that war and when asked by my company commander why I felt the way I did, I told him "I have no beef with those people over there. I don't want to kill any of them, and I don't want any of them to kill me either". Sometimes these wars can waste a lot of beautiful young lives. And nothing is resolved in the end. I support the troops, but not the war. We will leave Iraq the "bad guys" no matter what the outcome. IMO we have long overstayed our welcome there.
I love all you guys and my only wish is that you stay safe and make it back home okay.
I really enjoyed reading through this thread, and I thank SDE for creating it.
Over the course in the history of the world, there have been so many battles fought that, at the time, each side thought war was the only solution to their differences.
The Civil War was a war on American soil, between Americans against Americans, to decide the fate of this nation, which was torn between differences.
It was, in fact, the most costly of American wars in history, a savage war that split the country in half, over 600,000 lives lost and over 1,000,000 casualties.
I am reminded of these words of General Ulysses S. Grant:
I have never advocated war, except as a means of peace.
However, I think John F. Kennedy got it right when he said:
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
JAM
Over the course in the history of the world, there have been so many battles fought that, at the time, each side thought war was the only solution to their differences.
The Civil War was a war on American soil, between Americans against Americans, to decide the fate of this nation, which was torn between differences.
It was, in fact, the most costly of American wars in history, a savage war that split the country in half, over 600,000 lives lost and over 1,000,000 casualties.
I am reminded of these words of General Ulysses S. Grant:
I have never advocated war, except as a means of peace.
However, I think John F. Kennedy got it right when he said:
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
JAM
Veterans - Healthcare - Any Hospital In America.
I would like to ask something from those who are of like mind and spirit.
Our veterans have dutifully served their country (our country) and risked their very lives, gave their limbs, eyes, even their dignity as men and women for our country's interests and welfare. Some paid the ultimate sacrifice. We can do very little for those who gave their lives except to honor their memory and we accomplish that through memorials like The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and others.
There is something we can do for those veterans returning home after doing what our country asked of them. Many of them will return injured both physically and mentally. First and foremost we can welcome them home and TELL THEM, "thank you for your service". Those few words will mean more to them than most will ever know. These young men have risked everything for our country and that means every one of you that is a citizen of the United States of America.
Each of us should call or email our Congressional Representative and ask them to pass legislation that will enable our Veterans to obtain health care at ANY HOSPITAL in America, not just the VA hospitals that are often too far away, too few and so poorly staffed that it can take months to obtain a simple visit to see a general practitioner for a minor illness or a simple physical.
The following is a link where you can find your Congress person's email address where you can voice your opinion and ask them to support legislation that will enable all veterans to obtain basica health care from any hospital in the United States of America. The VA hospitals are unable to provide even basic health care to the majority of veterans at this point in time. They are understaffed with general practitioners let alone specialists. Obtaining permission to see a specialist requires Herculean efforts and most Veterans would rather live and die with their illness than beg for health care.
http://www.webslingerz.com/jhoffman/congress-email.html
Yes, it will cost money. It will cost tax dollars. I respect every Veteran who ever served our country whether it was in combat or not. They all have served our country's interests.
If the country cannot afford to pay for health care for ALL OF OUR VETERANS, then at least we can pay for the health care of returning combat veterans who have risked everything.
The returning combat veterans will suffer a lifetime with mental and physical illnesses and this is something that we CAN DO for them and in my opinion, should.
Furthermore, as we try to assimilate these soldiers back into society, these soldiers who have their health care paid for through Medicaire or some other method, will be attractive to businesses (because of less expense to employ them) and this will help us to get them back to work and becoming productive members of society.
Please consider writing a quick note to your Congressional Representative asking them to pass legislation that will enable returning combat veterans to have health care at any U.S. hospital.
Ask your friends and relatives to write emails or letters to their Congressmen requesting the same.
I think we owe them this dignity.
JoeyA
JAM said:I really enjoyed reading through this thread, and I thank SDE for creating it.
However, I think John F. Kennedy got it right when he said:
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
JAM
I would like to ask something from those who are of like mind and spirit.
Our veterans have dutifully served their country (our country) and risked their very lives, gave their limbs, eyes, even their dignity as men and women for our country's interests and welfare. Some paid the ultimate sacrifice. We can do very little for those who gave their lives except to honor their memory and we accomplish that through memorials like The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and others.
There is something we can do for those veterans returning home after doing what our country asked of them. Many of them will return injured both physically and mentally. First and foremost we can welcome them home and TELL THEM, "thank you for your service". Those few words will mean more to them than most will ever know. These young men have risked everything for our country and that means every one of you that is a citizen of the United States of America.
Each of us should call or email our Congressional Representative and ask them to pass legislation that will enable our Veterans to obtain health care at ANY HOSPITAL in America, not just the VA hospitals that are often too far away, too few and so poorly staffed that it can take months to obtain a simple visit to see a general practitioner for a minor illness or a simple physical.
The following is a link where you can find your Congress person's email address where you can voice your opinion and ask them to support legislation that will enable all veterans to obtain basica health care from any hospital in the United States of America. The VA hospitals are unable to provide even basic health care to the majority of veterans at this point in time. They are understaffed with general practitioners let alone specialists. Obtaining permission to see a specialist requires Herculean efforts and most Veterans would rather live and die with their illness than beg for health care.
http://www.webslingerz.com/jhoffman/congress-email.html
Yes, it will cost money. It will cost tax dollars. I respect every Veteran who ever served our country whether it was in combat or not. They all have served our country's interests.
If the country cannot afford to pay for health care for ALL OF OUR VETERANS, then at least we can pay for the health care of returning combat veterans who have risked everything.
The returning combat veterans will suffer a lifetime with mental and physical illnesses and this is something that we CAN DO for them and in my opinion, should.
Furthermore, as we try to assimilate these soldiers back into society, these soldiers who have their health care paid for through Medicaire or some other method, will be attractive to businesses (because of less expense to employ them) and this will help us to get them back to work and becoming productive members of society.
Please consider writing a quick note to your Congressional Representative asking them to pass legislation that will enable returning combat veterans to have health care at any U.S. hospital.
Ask your friends and relatives to write emails or letters to their Congressmen requesting the same.
I think we owe them this dignity.
JoeyA
