I was never in the service due to a VERY bad back but I collect war items also and have numerous artifacts from VietNam, and World WarII.I have never visited any Battlefield sites but have artifacts from many,such as sand from Normandy Beach, original in Country Vietnam Patches,Sateen rip stop Uniform fatigues from Nam,some weapons from Nam, many other items from VietNam,Numerous books on vietnam mostly true stories (don't really care to read the untrue crapola stories).One of my best friends was a Medic in Nam and did not come home and I have his medics bag with all the contents except for the drugs of course and some equipment his Mom gave me.I also had the chance to meet Carlos Hathcock who was a Marine Corp sniper and had 93 confirmed one shot kills and probably one of the best shooters on the earth before he passed away.Also had a chance to meet Craig Roberts through the same friend who was also a Sniper in Nam. Craig is a well known author about Vietnam and is now a helocopter pilot for a Police Department.A very good Friend of mine is a member of the Former Marine corp Association and I met both Craig and Carlos at some of there meetings I was invited to.They had some great stories that would make you both laugh and cry. I have a very DEEP respect for all Veterans.I also love hearing Veterans stories even if they were a cook or what ever capacity they served in the Armed Services.My Brother also served in VietNam but will not say much about what it was like or what he went through over there except that it was a beautiful country and Hot as Hell.He is pretty normal but dos have some health issues and bad dreams about Nam.Good luck on geting the stories you want I have had the chance to talk with numerous VietNam Vets and most have some excellent stories to tell, but have ran across many VietNam Vets that do not care to talk about there time in country and after some of the stories I have heard I do not blame them at all for wanting to try and forget that time.Glad to see you guys are interested in the Veterans like me.Also Ebay is a very good source for numerous War related items,I have purchased many items from e bay from the original Veterans that served in VietNam.I find that a lot of Vets are letting go of these things after all these years.Of course it is ee bay and you have to be careful not to get DUPPED.But after a few e mails with someone it is pretty easy to figure out who was really there or not.
Bobby Dodson
