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Thank you for your service

circleicirclei Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
edited November 2012 in US Military Veteran Forum
My father is a Vietnam veteran, so I am interested in the history and stories of the war. I was just reading through the posts and wanted to thank each and every one of you. Dad was in the Marines at Marble Mnt. in '67 and '68. He was a gunner in a CH-53 and was also an electrician in the avionics shop and in the flight crew. He was with HMH-463. If I remember correctly, he said he flew into Khe Sanh about 36 times during the seige. Here is a photo taken by one of his buddies while they were there. I probably have several more if ya'll are interested in seeing them. Again, thank you all. I hope ya'll don't mind me hanging out in here once in a while.

l_3e5b066e82d5e0a0c9f16a4d7f047ec7.jpg

Comments

  • circleicirclei Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was old enough to serve and was registered but was never called. I had no direction in my young life. My real dad served in Vietnam aboard carriers. He was a career naval officer and divorced from mom when I was very young. My mom remarried and the man that became my stepfather was 1st Lieutenant Robert G. Phillips, Bombardier Army Air Corp. Robert had been shot down over Tokyo in one of the largest bombing raids in history with over 500 B-29 Superfortresses. He was the sole survivor of his plane that exploded in mid air over the bay of Tokyo. ( the story of his final flight can be seen at the site "Z SQUARE 7" I am seen with him in a pic there. He was captured, beaten and tortured. He eventually took his own life, unable to cope with his war demons and I ended up on the street running with the Mexican Mafia when mom left us on our own to a degree. My uncle Col. George T.Lee, holds the WWII record for air command missions at 258 in his Thunderbolt Fighter Bomber. He was killed in a jet trainer in 54. Amyway, I am saying I am very familiar with the suffering of those who served and sacrificed and I bow my head with tears in honor of those who have served and sacrificed. SALUTE.
  • circleicirclei Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I take for granted the freedom that you fought to preserve, yes I am shamefully guilty. I am aware that many of your very best friends died while attempting to bring these same freedoms to others. The soldiers who died in Vietnam made a selfless sacrifice which makes them true American heroes as far as I am concerned. I strongly believe that the political goal in Vietnam was honorable - (Bring freedom and democracy to the Vietnamese people). We were winning the war until we decided to give up, the POLITICAL price became too high to bear. Politicians did not want to continue an unpopular war and when faced with the options of "Do whatever is necessary to bring the conflict to a successful conclusion militarily" vs. "End the conflict with Peace with Honor salesmanship" they spinelessly chose the easiest route out of Vietnam.

    With the quality of men we had in service at the time - I am convinced we could have won the war within 12 months after conclusion of the Tet Offensive, the enemy was beaten. If the President had the balls to let the military run the show completely, we could have hammered the north the way a prize fighter uses a vicious counter punch. Instead, Vietnamisation gave the President a way out of Vietnam that left many veterans who had lost friends wondering "what was it all for, what did my friend die for?"

    To All Vietnam Veterans - Don't ever hang your head in shame. You were collectively the finest fighting force in the world at the time. While you may have had your nose bloodied on occasion, you never lost a battle. With a kill ratio of 15 to 1 and total enemy killed above 3 million, as soldiers you certainly did your part towards ensuring a victory. As an American citizen I am honored whenever I stand in the presence of any veteran, however, that being said I am especially proud of our Vietnam veterans who gave so much and received so very little in return. God Bless all of our veterans.

    cneedham
  • circleicirclei Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wanted to say thank you to all the Vietnam vets. You have my utmost respect for the service you have given.

    Thank You,

    Bob
  • Jim RauJim Rau Member Posts: 3,550
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by circlei
    I was old enough to serve and was registered but was never called. I had no direction in my young life. My real dad served in Vietnam aboard carriers. He was a career naval officer and divorced from mom when I was very young. My mom remarried and the man that became my stepfather was 1st Lieutenant Robert G. Phillips, Bombardier Army Air Corp. Robert had been shot down over Tokyo in one of the largest bombing raids in history with over 500 B-29 Superfortresses. He was the sole survivor of his plane that exploded in mid air over the bay of Tokyo. ( the story of his final flight can be seen at the site "Z SQUARE 7" I am seen with him in a pic there. He was captured, beaten and tortured. He eventually took his own life, unable to cope with his war demons and I ended up on the street running with the Mexican Mafia when mom left us on our own to a degree. My uncle Col. George T.Lee, holds the WWII record for air command missions at 258 in his Thunderbolt Fighter Bomber. He was killed in a jet trainer in 54. Amyway, I am saying I am very familiar with the suffering of those who served and sacrificed and I bow my head with tears in honor of those who have served and sacrificed. SALUTE.
    Thank you![:D]
    What are you doing with your life now???[?]
  • circleicirclei Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am fighting for my life every day now with Hep C and Diabetes. I should already be dead according to my doc and specialist but, supplements and vitamins are keeping me out of the box. I have a small farm in SE AZ and struggling to make a go of it. I am also president of the Chiricahua Gun Club which I founded a while back. I am a NRA Certified Instructor, former sworn Arizona Ranger and AZ DPS CCW Unit Instructor. I love to teach...to instill a love for firearms, their safe, proper, proficient use and noble status as tools of freedom, defense of life and liberty. I raise Australian Cattle Dogs/ Blue Heelers and am trying to get a program underway to place pups with PTSD diagnosed vets. Heelers are listed in the top ten most intelligent dogs on earth. I know from experience this breed forms a very strong, loving, loyal bond that can bring a man out of severe depression and the suffering of PTSD. Heelers were brought back in numbers from New Zealand/Australia by servicemen returning from their WWII posts who were drawn to this breed for it's many attributes. I have not had any success dealing with the beurocracy and need some input and advice on how to volunteer my services. I am not looking for money...just the opportunity to help those suffering from PTSD. I have been told the Tucson, AZ VA has a hall named after one of my uncles(Sipple Hall). I would be much obliged to anyone that has connections with the VA there for assistance/advice on how I can volunteer my services there. I am convinced PTSD diagnosed vets, especially those that are alone, will benefit greatly from the love and loyal companionship the Heeler breed gives to their human partner. I am willing to place a pup with any PTSD diagnosed vets you know of who would benefit from one of these pups, It is best to place them when under ten weeks so a close bond forms early in the pups rearing. I placed some pups that were 7 months old and am waiting to see how that works out. I believe a bond will form even at that age. Aside from all this, my wife was surprised when I broke down in tears over the Benghazi outrage. I explained to her that we do not hesitate going in harms way as we don't leave people behind and the willful failure of those responsible to make sure we answered the call for help is beyond belief, inexcusable and is a crime of treason by cowardly traitors. I would appreciate hearing from those here and their feelings about Benghazi... justice for the criminal perpetrators and honor for the few heroes that did the right thing. What say you?
  • Jim RauJim Rau Member Posts: 3,550
    edited November -1
    I don't know as I can be much help to you, but I can attest to the therapeutic power of a relationship with animals. I have three cats (inside/outside), three dogs (outside), three horses and a mule, and heard of cattle. I would rather spend time with them than most people I know!!![;)]
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