November - 1970 - Ft. Gordon GA Thanksgiving

Well, here I am at Fort Gordon, GA. I finished my advanced training "Communication Center Specialist" and finally received my orders after weeks of detail including KP (Kitchen Police), etc. How did I get Vietnam when most my fellow GI's received orders for Belgium, Germany and Italy.

I knew it when I was growing up, even when I was young, that I would to go war. My mom always said not to worry, that I wouldn't. Here is how it came to be I think. I actually advanced in typing as I knew how to type. But later in the training I blew a very very basic test. They were shocked. They were shocked, I can't describe that somehow it just didn't connect. So I backed up a few days in the training. Did that cause the delay in orders and my assignment? I'll never know. I always thought it did but then didn't I always know I'd go to war?

So here I am trying to out process so I can go on my leave and we just celebrated Thanksgiving. During out-processing they inform me that I can't leave as I didn't pass the vision test. Ya think? I flunked it during my physical for the draft. They sent me go Greenburg Optical around the corner from the Fadley Building. It happened to by our family eye doctor. He told me that I had low vision in my right eye that was not correctable for the service. I took that note back and they said, "Don't worry, we will get you glasses".

I now have to go to an eye doctor on base who states I need to get glasses before I can deploy overseas or go on leave. I pretty much tell him the story and to sign my papers which he does. I now have a very long walk back to the out-processing center. Now that I think about it why didn't I take base transportation both ways instead of walking that long distance?

My plane didn't leave until the next day so I decided to say in the barracks. Since everything was turned in, I slept on my slipcover over the mattress. In the middle of the night I was woken up by the officer on duty and told I wasn't authorized to be in the barracks but stayed the night anyway. I was sick from all the shots I received. I finally fell into a deep and troubled sleep.

I woke up in the early hours of the morning and realized that the folks on duty didn't' wake me up to catch my flight, which I missed. When I did get to the airport, Delta went and gave me a first class seat to fly from Augusta to Atlanta. When I got to Chicago, I met up with a fellow GI I knew from basic. He name was Albert Wall and he was from Greenwood Nebraska. While waiting for my connecting flight on United, I got a call at the desk at the gate. A small bag I checked in opened up and baggage claim was trying to find me. Luckily I had information in the bag. Unfortunately I also had dirty underwear as I took a shower before I left the base. Funny about the things you worry about. Not where I was going but that I had dirty underwear. (In a later post I'll let you in on how I avoided that problem going on R&R.) When I got to Omaha I said my goodbyes to Al and took off for my leave. When I opened up my bag the man who took care of it for Delta put his name card in the bag along with baggage tag's. I was honestly touched by his kindness.

It's kind of odd that here I am going on leave before leaving for Nam right after Thanksgiving and that would also the the same scenario a year from now. The difference is that my innocence would be lost and I would be forever changed.

Friday, November 26, 1971 - Homcoming

I got on the plane to Omaha and as I walked down the aisle I saw the older lady I would be sitting next to. I thought, shit, she'll bitch if I smoke. The plane took off and she lit one as soon as the light "no smoking" light went off. I really didn't talk to anyone on the plane. She did ask me where I was coming from and I said "Vietnam". She welcomed me back and immediately scooped 1/2 her turkey lunch into my plate and said I needed it. One of the few, if any, acts of kindness I would ever receive when it came to Vietnam. Other than that the flight was uneventful.

Three hours or so later we landed in Omaha. I was met by some of my family and my mom took me to the hospital to see my brother who was in his early-mid teens. He said to me "I bet your glad I got shot so you could get home early." I was shocked at what he said. Never in my life would I have ever wanted something like that to happen. Fuck man, I just spent a year working at a hospital in Vietnam taking wounded and dead off the choppers and getting them into the ER. And I bagged my share of bodies. Now this? What the fuck was happening.

I don't think I said much of anything and as time went on got really tired. We headed to the family home. I got to say hi to the rest of my family. No too long after that I went to get some needed Zzzzzzzzzzzs.

As I lay there falling asleep I wondered what I was doing back in Omaha and the World and greatly missing my family at the 24th Evac.

Thanksgiving, Novmeber 25,1971 United States

It's early morning and the Freedom Bird had landed at an airbase in Japan. We got off the plane while it's refueling. Inside it is a stark contrast to what it was a year before. Last year there were GI's like us who were returning to the World. I remember how old they looked and they looked so sad and we very quiet. I remember how dirty they jungle fatigues were compared to our new and spotless ones. However our return, there were no "newbies" just us. At the time I really wasn't aware that they war was winding down and fewer soldiers were going to Vietnam.

After the plane refueled, we took off for Travis Air Base in California. The plane was an old 707 and there was no movies or really anything else. We got three meals and the Sky went from dark to light and back to dark again. After about 10 hours we landed at Travis, on Thanksgiving night.

I had on Khaki's so was able to get a flight and not wait to get a new uniform. When getting my flight another guy yelled "Hey Mahoney". It was a guy had been with in either basic or advanced training. He must have been on the same plane as me. Anyway, he needed $20 or $40 to pay for his flight. I gave him the money. (For those who know me, this is probably the one time in my life I actually had extra cash on me.) He wanted my address to send the money to me and I gave it to him, knowing full well he would not send it and me not really wanting him to. I was really glad I could have helped.

I shared a cab with some other GI's and I think we went over the Golden Gate Bridge and headed for the San Francisco Airport. When we arrived I checked in for my flight which would leave the next morning at 9:30 a.m. After that, I joined the ranks of the other GI's, quietly walking around the airport. One GI did approach me to ask how old I was. I was 21 and he wanted me to rent a car. I turned him down. I can't remember why he wanted me to get he car.

The remainder of time I don't believe I talked to one person, just joined the ranks in pacing the airport with my fellow GI's.

Thanksgiving November 25, 1971 in Vietnam

That day finally arrived. I'm leaving Vietnam tonight for the World. My little brother was in a hunting accident and they thought he would lose his hand. My mother was divorced with 6 kids at home and overwhelmed. She contacted the Red Cross and I was leaving Vietnam on Emergency Leave. Since I was "short" and due to return I would not be coming back.

I had difficulty getting my records as it was Thanksgiving Day and many of the branches on base were closed. There were a few GI's doing a hunger strike against the war but it was Thanksgiving and I heard they were still getting some chow so. So much for the hunger strike. I finally got all my records and hastily packed. I worked 7:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day so didn't' really get to see those night shift folks and the goodbyes were very limited. I remember one of the ambulance drivers crying and hugging me. I have never been able to forget that I never were able to say goodbye to those people I spend so much time with.

I got a ride over to the facility where I'd get my urine test that was required to leave the country. It was later in the afternoon and the clock was ticking. I went into the facility. Just me and another GI who gives and monitors the test. Along the wall was the urinals and large overhead round mirrors so they could watch and make sure you actually urinated in the bottle. A person would be away from the urinals until they started to pee, then run up to the urinal and fill the bottle. Shit, talk about bashful kidney's. After a while the GI said he know I was on Emergency Leave and gave me a sticker to confirm I passed the urinalysis.

After this was done I asked how I was to get to the airbase, Bien Hoa, to leave on flight R2B3. He said I'd have to hitchhike. OK I said but internally I was scared, confused and panicked. I went out side the base perimeter within minutes a car called pulled up with a Vietnamese driver asking if I wanted a ride. No I replied and went to the MP shack and got ahold of the 24th Evac and with tears in my eyes said "Your my family" and I'm not leaving. I was told to stay there and someone would be coming. Shortly afterwards one of our newer ambulances showed up. The driver and companion got out and got my gear into it. They said there were told to get me to the airbase.

I don't remember much from that point on other than them having a conversation with an MP when we arrived. The MP kept near me and kept asking if I was OK. Around 2200 hours they began loading the plane. As I walked out on the tarmac to get on the plane the MP was their with his dog checking GI's getting on the plane. He smiled at me and said he did not have to check me and for me to get on the plane.

It seems it was a long time to get the engines going and soon the GI's started to yell to take off, get off the ground before they hit us, etc. All was very quiet as the plane roared down the runway and took off. When it appeared we were high enough that nothing could happen, there were loud screams of joy. The pilot voice came over the speakers and welcomed us aboard the "Freedom Bird".

I didn't yell when we took off. I just sat quietly. I was so overwhelmed by the last 24 hours. Wasn't this what I had waited a year for, finally going home and but why am I feeling such sadness?

President Bush Prepares to Leave

President Bush is getting ready to leave office and is putting aside an hour a day for photo's, etc. with Executive Office Staffers and their families. He is starting to say his goodbyes. However, it seems all one hears at this point in time is how he was the worst President ever. Please take this into consideration:

• No other President in American History has had to deal with such a massive attack against Americans, on American soil and the United States of America. It is unimaginable to think that almost 3,000 people lost their lives, not counting those who severely injured or who will suffer lung problems, etc.
• Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of five deadliest hurricanes and that happened on President Bush's watch as well.
• That President Bush had two wars going on at the same time in history.
• A failing Economy.

Just think about it for a minute to two. Try to remember seeing the planes crash into the World Trade Center. Do you remember the Pentagon in flames and Flight 93 that crashed while passengers averted what could have been a huge catastrophy if the terrorists had succeeded.

During that time, everyone looked up to President Bush and now it seems no one can say anything good about him. I find it odd that this country can blame a President for any and all things that is wrong even if it is totally unreasonable. And the hatred seems so rampant as he leaves office.

What it really comes down to is this. We live in a free country and elect leaders that we believe will lead our city, state, country, etc. Shouldn't all our leaders be held accountable? Weren't our Mayor's, Congress, Senators elected by the people of this great Country and isn't it their job to serve the people? I guess when I look at it, it is my opinion that most of our leaders failed. They all have big promises and state what they are going to do, but one must remember there is not one person in Congress and one person in the Senate, etc. If they don't work together we all fail and that the finger pointing needs to stop and our elected official need to look at themselves and why they are where they are. I believe this is lost as many politicians make this their lifelong job forgetting about why they were elected.

I truly believe that as time goes on History will be kind to President Bush, what he faced during his time in office and how he lead this country.

Pirates on the High Seas

Well, the Somalia's pirates are going strong and pirating ship after ship, going farther out to sea and seeking and getting larger ships. The ransoms are also going up with each and every ship that is seized. All the while the World basically sits back and watches, except for India which sank a mother pirate ship recently. What good is it to have Russia, NATO, the United States etc. in the area if they don't take action and just basically watch. There are times one needs to stand up and take action.

In Vietnam I remember a Huey shot up over the Saigon River. We were monitoring the conversations with "Wide Minnow" who directed choppers to the appropriate hospital, i.e., Head and Burn patients to the 24th Evac. We listened as the chopper went down and they were going to try to reach it by Ambulance as it was near the 24th. The co-pilot stated he was getting it back up and it was then directed to the 24th. I was on the helipad as the crippled ship smacked down with it's bent skids from the previous forced landing. We rushed in the pilot, door gunner, etc. into the ER. We were told from the Americans on that ship that they were hovering over a Sampan asking the two South Vietnamese advisers for the OK to fire as they felt they were North Vietnamese. They did not get that clearance and in turn they were fired upon. If memory serves correctly, the pilot had among other wounds his heel shot up, the door gunner, crew chief and co-pilot also wounded. The only people not wounded were the South Vietnam advisers.

I heard stories like this over and over from other battle casualties who stated that they were awaiting an OK to fire but ended up getting fired upon first. How many lives of our soldiers trying to protect our freedom have been endangered by this type of direction? And what is scary is that you hear the same today going on in Iraq and Afganistan.

Having said all of this, what is the reason nothing is being done against these pirates? The major powers are letting these ships and crew held hostage. Why? Can someone intellegently answer this question? Isn't it time to blow them out of the water rather than be held hostage by the events?

Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Over 100 retired Generals and Admirals said it is now time to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't tell policy and that Great Britain, Israel and other Nations have gay and lesbian serving. The article also stated that there is an estimate that there are over a million gay/lesbian veterans here in the United States.

Wow, did I just feel a chill in the air? I'm sure this will really blow (no pun intended) many citizens away. And I know it is probably very hard for some to understand or imagine gays or lesbians in the military. However, I believe this has been the case for all time. I remember reading the book Dispatches by Michael Herr. In it he states something to the effect that he was out in the field and it was very quiet except for the two marines making love in a sleeping bag (or something to that effect). Interesting choice of words, not screwing, not fucking, but making love. Was it just the feel of another warm body to hold on to? A round-eye who spoke their language and understood that tomorrow may be the last day? A fellow soldier who became good friends and who wanted to share that friendship to the highest level possible? Or, for those people who felt more of a freeze than a chill in the air, were they just two queers and that is the reason the war was lost?

What was my eperience serving this Country as well as being stationed in Vietnam? That is for another post, another day.

Car Manufacturers in Trouble

Well, as everyone has heard, the big three car manufacturers are in deep financial trouble like everyone else and now looking for a bailout. Many say they did it themselves and there should be no bailout. Others say the impact would be so great and filter down to so many people they have to have a bailout. What went wrong with the industry?

I think there are just too many models of vehicles and too many look the same. Take a look at the minivan's. Chrysler started with them and then the other companies followed suit. Have you noticed they all look the same? The same goes for other vehicles. Ford and Mercury have the same cars with just a slight difference to make them unique and Mercury's cost more. And the looks even cross manufacturers where it is hard to tell who made them as they all seem to look alike.

What ever happened to the unique models. Take a look at the 55, 56 and 57 Chevy's and the Dodges and Plymouth models that had the different fins on the back and of course those different shaped steering wheels and those wonderful two tone models. Why can't they be different now? Doesn't looking the same and having the same options mean that consumers are just Blah about the new vehicles. And who really needs all those fancy gizmo's. Just more to break down and pay a fortune to fix and of course pay an huge price for.

My first car was a 1955 Ford two tone white and red two door. I never got to drive that car as I was only 15. My actual car when I was 16 was a 1959 two tone Plymouth Belvedere. I had that weird shaped steering wheel and push button automatic transmission. No power steering, power brakes, power windows, air conditioning or radio. I had a small portable radio I carried with me. You would have thought I was king of the world with that car. My favorite was a 1956 Oldsmobile two tone cream and titty pink. Was it every boy's dream to drive a two tone with one of the color's always being titty pink? Must have been as that is how you hear us "Older" guys always describing our cars growing up and two tone titty pink.

Premature Babies born in the United States

A couple days ago there was an item on the news regarding how many babies are born premature and the many implications facing that child including death. That news item also stated that many parents-to-be are choosing to have the child induced due to an upcoming vacation, event, etc. I wondered what other implications there when a child is born premature other than the ones widely known? Is there a chance that since the baby was induced that due to the timing they will face obstacles that we don't even know about or can't imagine? Is our lives and activities so important that we want to knowling risk the health of our children? It this what the me generation is all about?

I was born over 58 years ago and was induced. Why? The family doctor was going to go on vacation and there was no sign I was ready for the big event. The doctor apparently informed my parents that I was ready and he was going to induce my birth. I think back now that I am older and wonder if that had an impact on my outcome. Is that why I was so behind in my speech, vision problems, etc.? Were there other problems that I'm not aware of that would put my mind at ease as to how I got to where I am today? Does it really matter at this point in time?

Regardless, I do know one thing. I was part of the first draft in 1969 when capsules were drawn that gave you a number associated with your month and day of birth. My number was 145 for my birthday, August 4th. Those who held that number was to have a 50-50 chance as far as being drafted. I was drafted and in boot camp at Ft. Lewis Washington in May of 1970, vision problems and all. I wonder if I had had a natural birth what day that would have been and what number would have been as well. Do I have any regrets regarding the draft and going to Vietnam. I can honestly say no. As you follow my blog as time goes that and many other questions will be answered.

A Biker's Jacket

This afternoon I was at Wal-Mart and my wife and I decided to stop at the McDonald's in the store for a soda. As I was getting ready to sit down I noticed two men as well as a 12 or 13 year old sitting at the table next to ours. They had on their leather jackets, chaps and boots. I noticed their jackets with all the patches, the largest being "Combat Veteran". The name tag on the front said "Wingnut", "Desert Storm and POW patches also were part of the jacket. As I was looking over the jacket and all of the patches my wife asked why I was staring at the man. I said I was looking at his jacket. How could I tell her I was trying not to be overcome by emotion seeing the pride he has for serving his country. I find it hard to describe my feelings at that point in time. I wanted to go over and visit with them about their service, where they served, how it was coming back to the World and on and on. Unfortunately, I could not. I was so afraid they would find out that I was a Vietnam Veteran. How would they look at me? Like the citizens of this Country did when I returned to the world so many years ago? Would they consider me as worthy as they felt.

I let the time pass and didn't say anything. When leaving the store they were getting on their bikes and I noticed the young man with his jacket. It too had patches much like the man he was riding with. I suspect that was his father and my heart was overjoyed at that sight and the love they must have for each other as well as love of Country.

Will I ever be able to let go of my emotions and show my pride in my service to this great Country and the pride I have in serving it?

Sundays Now and Then

Sundays are just another busy day of the week. It seems the only difference is that most people are off work that day and you go to church. Television is loaded with channels and many of them carry news shows regarding the politics of the day. And most of those shows have the host and guests arguing about who said what and what they should be doing. Regardless of what they are saying, our country is in a huge financial crisis, facing threats from radicals and in two wars. And let's face it, the politicians who are supposed to represent the people of this country seem to have lost their way over the years. Our politicians need to get back to the basics and learn to work with each other and stop their childlike ways. After all, don;t they work for us, the people of the United States?

Growing up, Sundays were quiet. Stores were closed including Grocery Stores and Gas Stations. We would get up, go to church and have dinner as a family at home. My mother would always cook a roast, mashed potatoes and gravy every Sunday. Our neighbor, Ed Peterson, would buy the roast and my mother would provide a portion of the Sunday dinner to Ed for him and his elderly parents who all lived next door. Of course, we tired of the roast but we were a poor family and thankful for that roast every week.

After dinner my parents would usually take us for a short ride in our 1955 two tone Ford station wagon. It was a two seater and a family friend, Frank Dolphins, made a third seat as my parents had eight children. We would go to Eppley Airfield to look at the airplanes from the car or go to a park. At home we would play in the yard or walk down to Riverview Park (now the Henry Doorly Zoo) which was free. TV was black and white and had two channels with limited programming so at the time, it did not have a large impact on our lives. If we really needed a food item, Joe's Market, (a small family store attached to the front of their home) would be open and we would get the few essentials we needed. It was expensive but there if you needed it.

As you can tell, Sundays were a very slow, quiet time for families to spend together. At the time I never thought I'd miss those days but now cherish the memories of those Sunday's.

My First Time - Again

Do you ever think back to your "First Time" and just how many "First Times" you may experience in life? Your first tooth, your first haircut, that first crush, THE car, and of course the "FIRST TIME? I do, and find it odd that many of the "First Times" I remember are etched in my mind just waiting for that specific word, phrase, picture or event to bring it to the forefront of my mind.

Well, today is another "First Time" for me. My first blog and my first post to that blog. As the days pass I hope to share my stories and thoughts of past and present "The Stories from a South Omaha Boy". I hope to bring to my blog what I consider the very difficult and unique life I have led and continue to lead.