Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

It's been a really bad week and I have been feeling so sad and just flooded with memories. Maybe because Veterans day is fast approaching and I know most veterans are greatly affected by that day. Anyway, Thursday was one of those days when out of the blue I got hit with a flashback of an incident driving into work where an APC flipped over and that flashback / memory was extremely vivid. I don't know what triggered it and tears welled up in my eyes and the memory just kept getting more and more vivid.

Not too long after showing up for my nightly duty the call came in regarding wounded from an APC that flipped. If I remember correctly, it was an explosion that flipped it. It got really crazy fast. I don't remember much about the wounded coming in an several choppers except for two soldiers. I remember that there was some communication about one of them either having died or on the brink of dying. I decided to bring him into the ER from the chopper since we didn't really know. As we got to the entrance of the ER from the Helipad a Corpsman opened up the poncho he was wrapped in and got very angry. He stated he was dead and wanted to know why was he being brought in. I told him. He had us take him to the Morgue by taking him around by the Helipad rather than through the ER.

Once everything settled down in the ER and the wounded were processed the Corpsman (He was actually older than most of us.) came and got me and told me I was going with him to bodybag the two soldiers. I told him no. I had gotten a glimpse when the poncho was lifted up and knew I could not handle it. The Corpsman gave me an order and we went to the Morgue. When we got in the Morgue he gave me a pair of gloves to put on, the one and only time I wore rubber gloves. even though I came in contact with blood most every day. We prepared the bag and put it on a litter and then slowly began to cut off the jungle fatigues. I remember this young soldier being crushed from his neck to his pelvis and split open. The process was slow and one done with respect . something I believe was always done. Soon the clothing was removed and we moved him into the body bag. I will not go into any other detail due to how horrific it was based on his injuries. I still remember the very strong smell of old blood while preparing this soldier and this smell from many years ago also overwhelmed me as I was driving in to work.

I assisted with the other soldier and I believe the injury he had was a broken neck. The only real memory I have was having to remove this soldiers false teeth.

After all was said and done my E-6 showed up and ripped me a new one, one of the only times I remember being yelled at. He stated he had told me when I came on to duty that we would be getting in these casualties and I was to locate him and advise him they were on their way in and he'd be over. I believe this was at a time we were very short staffed due to an eye disease affecting a number of my fellow soldiers. I told him I don't remember him telling me this and I did the best I could. Noting was ever said about this again.

I will never forget these and the other young men that crossed my path. My biggest regret is that I do not remember their names. I want to find out more about them and to honor them whenever on the rare opportunity I get to to to the Moving Wall. Regardless, they are always in my mind and I think of them and pray for them and their families every day. You are not forgotten my brothers.

The Snake Bite

I was watching a program tonight and it centered around animal bites. It brought to mind one night at the 24th in Vietnam when the call came in. The Medivac was bringing in a soldier from the field with a snake bite. The chopper landed and we brought in the guy along with the dead snake. I remember the snake looking very odd, rather large and green and yellow. No one at the hospital knew what type of snake it was and the only thing they could do was admit this young man and watch for dangerous symptoms.

I know those of us on duty that night were really concerned. I can't imagine how he felt being bitten by a snake that no one knew what type it was nor could they really do anything. This young man survived but again, I cannot comprehend how he must have felt through the night, most likely thinking and expecting the worst.

This was the only instance of a snake bit I can remember and this night and soldier have never been forgotten by me.

Don't Ask - Don't Tell

It is time to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell and let all men and women who want to serve our Country serve regardless of sexual orientation. Don't Ask, Don't Tell dominates the news right now as well as our politicians. We have so many more important things that need to addressed in our Country. Let's get working on them. Obama said he was going to end it so just do it, keep your promise.

Gay and Lesbians have served in the Military since the beginning of the Military and they served our Country well. Some died for our freedoms. No, we never really heard about their sexual orientation but now, some are coming forward and want to be recognized and accepted for who they are as well as continue to serve our Country.

There is a book from Vietnam called "Dispatches" and the writer (Michael Herr) states something as to being at a fire base and it is very quiet except for the two Marines making love in the sleeping bag )if my memory serves right). He didn't say screwing, fucking, queer Marines. He said "Making Love".

I served this Country in Vietnam and yes, I know a few men who "Made Love" to another man. I've thought about it for many times since returning. My conclusion is that it was just that, Making Love. Were they gay? I don't know - and it doesn't matter. What matters is that there were two individuals in a war zone far from home, living in a horrible situation. Yet they found friendship, warmth, kindness and tenderness  for that brief moment.

Yesterday I asked a fellow Vietnam Veteran what he thought. He said he didn't care about it at all - the only thing he cared about was that whomever he fights with watches his back as he does theirs. Enough said.

And in closing I want to mention the recent suicides this Country is facing of young gay and lesbian women. The individuals are being bullied, taunted, chased, physically and mentally abused, etc. In the current situation they can't even look to the future as they have no protections at work and if they wanted to serve this Country - forget that. Try to put yourself in those young peoples shoes. Sexual Orientation should not be an issue nor should race, religion, etc. What really matters is the person and that he or she is respectful, treats others with respect and that those same courtesies are returned. We all need to take care of each other and do the right thing.

Snyder vs Phelp

Tomorrow the Supreme Court hears oral arguments regarding the protests of Military Funerals by the Westboro Baptist Church members. That church seeks nothing but publicity be it at a funeral of a Serviceman or Woman, a Catholic School, etc. Now some may say it is freedom of speech but I do not agree. These Servicemen and Women fought for our freedoms. Without those sacrifices, this church would not have the freedoms they so abuse. No private citizen should have to face the harassment, anger, lies, humiliation, etc. that this so-called church spews out at the funerals. Don't we deserve the freedom to say goodbye and bury out dead? I pray the Supreme Court agrees and rules in favor of Mr. Snyder.