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Replies: 36
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CU Medallion [50930]
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Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:11 AM
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who saw my name in a Hill 4-11 newsletter. His daughter did a search for him since he is as computer savvy as I am and she found my number. We talked for two hours and, amazingly, our 54 year-old memories matched almost exactly with few exceptions. He says we loaded a ton of rice we found hidden by the VC into Huey choppers and I still think it was on a single Chinook. He has photos of napalm being dropped so close to us that we could feel the heat and so do I. (What were we thinking to get out cameras). We both rode armored vehicles across a ditch filled with explosives that didn't explode until the 3rd one was above it killing several guys. He said he was getting on that 3rd one when he was told they already had too many on it and he had to move to another one ( lucky move). We both bowled in a Marine bowling alley in Da Nang when we couldn't get a space-available spot on a plane for a week leave out of the country (at different times). Shared experiences with the druggie who put us in bad spots before he was put on a chopper for punishment and his jumping out to commit suicide (yelling Geronimo!). Tons of memories that we both described as being "like it happened yesterday". Talked until his cell phone battery died... tough on sleep time though as I relived much of what we talked about and didn't wake up until 9:00 when I am usually awake by 6:00.
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Hall of Famer [20292]
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Wow!!
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:14 AM
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Thank you for sharing your story! Very powerful!! I cannot imagine going through something like that!
And thank you from all of us for your service, Friend!
Message was edited by: CBProf®
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All-In [26022]
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Re: Wow!!
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:19 AM
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From what I have been told, war memories are difficult to forget. Thank you and all the others for your service.
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All-In [27188]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:17 AM
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Thanks for your service. My uncle served on a helicopter in 'Nam
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Oculus Spirit [80411]
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That's amazing.***
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:19 AM
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110%er [5482]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:23 AM
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Thank you for your service. The war was winding down when I graduated and 40% of the guys on my bus to Ft Jackson failed their physicals. My number was 69 and i failed for high arches that i didn’t know i had😵💫😵💫
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110%er [5482]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 6:39 PM
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Back in November our financial planner did a dinner for all of his clients and featured all of the veterans. It was a thanks to the veterans dinner. He asked each one to stand and tell about their service. It was very informative, emotional, and there was a lot of thankfulness in the room. Thanks for everyone’s service including a number of my uncles who served in WWII. Two of them are buried in the allied cemetery in Maastricht.
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CU Guru [1100]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:23 AM
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I can only imagine some things can't be forgotten even if you want to forget. Thank you for your service.
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All-Conference [400]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:30 AM
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Thank you for your service. I have a father figure who served. I enjoy our time together and listening to his experiences.
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Orange Blooded [4510]
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Wow. Thank you for risking it all for us.***
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Jan 5, 2024, 10:44 AM
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Standout [302]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 11:14 AM
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Thank you for sharing this, CLover65, and thank you for your service. God bless!
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110%er [8278]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 11:20 AM
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Had an uncle at Da Nang. He gave me a lighter from there, still have it. He wouldn't talk about it much.
Glad you survived and glad to hear your stories!
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Orange Blooded [4884]
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me too he would not speak of it much
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Jan 5, 2024, 1:35 PM
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he was a corpsman with the marines during tet offensive and at hue city.
bless you all and thanks from the bottom of my heart!
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CU Guru [1207]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 11:48 AM
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Thank You for your service and God Bless America.
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Orange Blooded [3420]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 12:28 PM
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Thanks immensely for your service. Combat Vets never got the benefits the govt should have given, by a long shot. Marine Vet brother in law got cancer from agent orange exposure, Army Vet husband of a cousin died from it and a fellow CU Marine Vet classmate has a COPD type issue from it.
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All-In [32656]
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Incredible - thanks for sharing.***
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Jan 5, 2024, 1:37 PM
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Oculus Spirit [79409]
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Cheers . . .
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Jan 5, 2024, 3:07 PM
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Only because I would need a drink to relive those moments with a comrade!!!
Love you Brother!!!
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All-Pro [677]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 3:22 PM
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Appreciate this and all of your posts
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All-American [564]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 3:28 PM
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Thank you for your service, sir.
And Welcome Home.
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Oculus Spirit [77007]
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Some of these you havent shared here!***
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Jan 5, 2024, 3:41 PM
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All-In [40446]
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Wow!
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Jan 5, 2024, 3:47 PM
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Thank you for your service Clover!
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All-TigerNet [12876]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 3:52 PM
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Very interesting Clover. I hope the conversation was therapeutic for you.
I can't imagine the things you've seen and have been through. My senior year in high school(1972) was the last year birthdays were drawn for the draft lottery and that was also the year the draft ended.
Thank you for service as well as your post on Tigernet.
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110%er [8095]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 9:02 PM
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My senior year in high school was 1973. The last draft was on March 12 1976 for birthdates in 1956. On March 20th 1975 the draft for people born in 197e was conducted.
My draft number was in the 360s, so I was safe. Plus the war was winding down big time by then.
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Hall of Famer [22740]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 5, 2024, 4:18 PM
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That is great that you were able to connect. Must have been a lot of emotions in/from that conversation. Hope it was maybe at least a little therapeutic for both of you.
It is indeed an honor to know you, my friend!
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1st Rounder [629]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 7:45 AM
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Sounds like that call did you some good. I hope so. Thanks to people like you and your friend, I’ve never had to go to war. That’s amazing stuff.
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Commissioner [900]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 9:50 AM
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Thank you for your service. My dad was in the 73rd Combat Engineers in Korea.
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All-TigerNet [10640]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 10:24 AM
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Great story Clover! I was surprised to find out that us Marines has a bowling alley. I guess they forgot to mention that to us when we arrived in country. We did pass the Air Force golf driving range on our way from the airport. It has been exactly 54 years since I was there, and yes, it seems like yesterday. As many bad memories that it brings back, there are plenty of good memories of the friendship and comaraderie that we would have never otherwise experienced.
Message was edited by: TigerLinks®
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CU Medallion [50930]
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The bowling lanes were "old-school" for sure
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Jan 6, 2024, 4:26 PM
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No automation - had native Vietnamese setting up the pins. But a good way to pass the time since we didn't get a plane out for the space available leave.
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CU Guru [1458]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 10:59 AM
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We all sleep well at night, thanks to you and those that previously and currently serve this country. Stories shared between the two of you are recognized as true acts of bravery and are sincerely appreciated by the rest of us. Thank you again for your service.
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CU Guru [1574]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 4:41 PM
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Thank you for sharing. And thank you for your service. I’m sorry for the treatment you guys experienced when you got home. You deserved a hero’s welcome and did not receive it. May God bless you all for your faithful service!
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CU Medallion [50930]
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My return was different - went to Walter Reed Hospital for almost a year
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Jan 6, 2024, 4:45 PM
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and we were greeted every night with visitors who treated us extremely like we were all heroes.... which was often a bit of a stretch.
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110%er [7200]
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Thank you for this post. I will always remember it.
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Jan 6, 2024, 5:35 PM
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I don't give 2 craps about the politics. All I care about is the Americans who were sent there and fought for each other like you and your friend.
This post is exactly why every American should respect and care for veterans. As well as being a Patriot if the only reason is for guys like clover.
Thank you
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Orange Blooded [3043]
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Clov, thankful for you. Thank you for sharing this!
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Jan 6, 2024, 8:07 PM
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My dad was USA, amphibious transportation, and in theater in 66 and 67.
He never knew I went to Clemson, would give anything for him to know and to know that I graduated.
He didn’t have a whole lot of interest in sports, except for my interest and watching me play.
I suspect he would love to watch a game in the Valley on Military Appreciation Day.
He’s observing it all from Above, in this I trust.
Thankful for your service and your posts!
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CU Medallion [50930]
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Re: Clov, thankful for you. Thank you for sharing this!
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Jan 6, 2024, 8:49 PM
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So sorry for your loss- your situation is the worst imaginable- most guys over there were single and did not leave wives and children to deal with their loss. My thoughts were always about how it would affect my mother if I didn’t make it back. Would have been so much worse if I had a wife and kids.
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CU Guru [1453]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 6, 2024, 8:37 PM
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Thanks for sharing this story. I'm glad you reconnected with your friend. It was very moving to read your thoughts. Take care.
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CU Guru [1776]
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Thank you for sharing your tough memories.
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Jan 7, 2024, 9:34 AM
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It reminds us to be grateful of the sacrifices many made.
All gave some. Some gave all.
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Orange Blooded [3901]
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Re: Got a call last night from a Vietnam platoon buddy
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Jan 7, 2024, 10:04 AM
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Thank you for your service 🙏
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