July 11th 1967 fifty years ago and then some I had a 20 year old uncle in Vietnam. A young squad leader lay bleeding from gunshot wounds halfway around the world because his country called. He could've went to Canada, sometimes we wish he had, but he died two days later in a mobile hospital. He posthumously was awarded the Silver Star/Bronze Star/Purple Heart for his actions. Today I'm a patriot because of his story and countless others just like him, a scared tough boy from America did his duty honorably. I'm thankful Father God had me born here in these United States. For all it's corruption and faults it remains the best option.
It is indeed. It is a "country, of many realized dreams"
... Stories like yours of which tells of the sacrifice and horror
and a lot of good experiences in time-served for this country.
I was in the army during the Iran Hostage situation time-frame. In MI , Scanning for DFSK/FSK signals on a R390 receiver. (Using an Oscilloscope to hone the signal in and see if it was stacked). I played no significant role other than to scour the digital tapes and look for missed chatter or Morse code... (They were still using Morse code in some areas. I had to get up to 72 wpm). (Slow) ...But I enjoyed my time in service.
I was also part of the first few semesters of coed basic training at Ft Jackson, SC (drag-a$$ hill)... Floors 1 and 2, guys, floor 3, girls...It was both, weird and cool....Then to Pensacola for MOS training and then to San Antonio for Perm duty...
Ah Skate city!
I don't make light of your post dan4, sad that
anyone ever has to die, but as you say, we can attempt most anything here in this country and it is because of men like your uncle.
I salute him,
Coach J