Well it's been a long time since I wrote somthing about Vietnam, or heard from other Vietnam Vets about what they went through. I'm not surspised because I know that Most Vietnam Vets have a hard time talking about Nam.

It took me about seven years after I retired to start talikng to my family about my time in Nam, and of course I don't tell them about the negative details, I don't think I need to put those kinds of pictures in their heads.

I've opened up more to my brother Marines at our Marine Corps League detachment # 1248 in Fort Smith Arkansas. But Nam will be with me till I'm gone from this world. The dreams are still with me but not as intense as they were when I first came back.

I remember the heat I felt and the smell of Nam when I first got there. I remember reporting up to the base at LZ Baldy at 7th Marines, Delta Company, and being a Corporal at the time, being put in a GP tent by myself. And as night fell that first night I relized that I was in a strange place thousands of miles away from home and that I might never see home again.

I remember the dust and all the activity going on as the sun came up over Baldy the first morning, all the Marines heading for chow, those going out the wire who wouldn't be back for weeks, and some not at all. I remember five tons driving off the LZ billowing black smoke and the choppers flying in and out; only God knew what the day would bring.

I remember my fellow Marines that were in the same realization that I was in. I remember how we live like pack animals, and smelled like them too LOL. I remember the long day patrols and the night ambushes. I remember digging in and sleeping at fifty percent alert and makng sure that my frags, red and green star clusters, and illumination pop ups were realy at the parapit in case we needed them for an FPL (Final Protective Fire). I remember the battles we fought as we scurried around dodging bullits and bombs trying to cover each other's backs.

I remember the tears as the choppers pulled out with our dead and wounded. I remember how we sat around in the jungle and tallk about home and told jokes to pass the time when ever we got the chance. I remember sleep being my only escape from it all. I remember letters from home. I remember a lot of the dumb stuff we did because we were young. We were young and were experiencing war before we could experience life.

There's so much I remember about Nam and I think it's because I'm allowing myself to after all these years, a lot of it is funny and a lot of it still makes me cry, there I finally admit that I have weak moments. But I can really say that I loved those Marines I served with because I put my life in their hands every day, and they put theirs in mine.

And today I can truly say if you are a Marine I'll be glad to shake your hand and sit down with you, and have a good conversation about our Marine Corps and where it's taken us in life's journey.

To our Marines that are out there fighting today's wars, I feel your pain, I know your dedication, and I'll welcome you home with open arms.


Semper Fi!