Richard, I know I'm easy, but you really know how to push my buttons! My dad fought in the Pacific, didn't talk about it till I came home from Vietnam. He asked me what I saw and told me what he saw. He just wanted me to know that it had happened and been seen before by others and they felt the same...I wasn't alone. I didn't know until then he had done the same with my brother when he came home from Vietnam. Dad made our living selling American auto parts to auto parts stores and warehouses. He was upset with me when I drove up in a Toyota until I explained it was a company car. Said he hoped I was looking for another job. I won't speak for others, but I can't forgive the Vietnamese for what they did to our dieing, dead and captured. I can't forgive them for what they did to their own people. I'm glad some can and sorry I can't. We can fight wars humanely, but apparently there are a lot of cultures in the world (like the ones we are currently engaged with) that can't. 

Susan, again let's pretend we're 30 years in the future. JD's begging his grandson not to buy that Afgan import, the "Taliban 350GL with camel-hair bucket seats."  After thinking about it, I went from Japanese to German cars.  If I can ever find a way to buy a Maserati, I will have completed the Axis.....I think your Dad (and my mother) would both throw rocks at me.

A couple of years ago, I was in the market for a new car and was considering a Toyota.  Daddy (yes, I'm 62 and I still call my father Daddy) practically begged me not to get a Toyota.  I got the feeling I was slapping him in the face and trampling on what he did to save our country.  I felt really bad!  I wound up getting a Buick!

Susan, that's an interesting comment. I believe my mother had the same general feelings.  The WWII generation had, or have, trouble getting past Pearl Harbor, I think.  I don't hear that so much from Vietnam vets.  I suppose it's a matter of the direct sneak attack, long tours of duty in WWII.  It's all kind of weird if you think about.  We kill each other for years, make peace and then schedule a Princess cruise to Japan or Vietnam; there really is a Hilton in Hanoi now (name changes aside) that's a hotel.  30 years from now, we'll probably have Disney attractions in Kabul.

JD, both great posts on the right day.  If some of you haven't had an opportunity to read the Military page, take a look and read the citations of the other surviving vets....JD's sent chills up my spine (good chills).  And JD, just so you don't take all the credit...I'd like to point out that as long as Eddie Arnold & I were on post, not a single VC broke through the lines in San Diego, or even made it to the beaches...that's right...not one.  Seriously guys, have a good day.

I have been remiss in not paying tribute to another classmate who died later as a result of his wounds

Please accept this tribute as

a reminder that anyone who serves in our

U.S. Military Services

is, in a sense,

 one of our Hero's

and this person deserves his own personal recognition

due not only to his service but also to the number of years that he suffered in

tremendous physical and mental pain

Victor Noah

Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment,

1st Marine Division

WIA

January 31, 1968

Passed at home December 10, 1975

Victor

 this Veterans Day November 11, 2009

reminds all of the SOC Class of 1966

that you too sacrificed your life

May God Bless you forever

HAPPY VETERANS' DAY!

last Sat, sorry no one said anything until today!  Hope it was a great one for you!! 

I have happy fingers, take the "n" off American.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for the sacrifices you have made to served our country so faithfully.  May God bless our Veterans and Our Troops.  God Bless American