Veterans "oral" histories

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Those are some great stories,I watched the program and I think I remember Mr Fiske,it was a very interesting program.But also you guys in the Gulf are just as important to people like me!You may not have the stories to share of your own like Mr. Fiske and the stories you guys have may not be as Historical as Pearl Harbor but just as important to this Country in my book.Not to take anything away from the people that served in any of the other wars such as WWI,WWII,Korea,Vietnam and others, this is just my opinion.I have the deepest respect in my heart for all Veterans of all wars,and to all people serving this Great Country now as I post this message.Where would we all be now if it were not for all you Veterans!My Greatest thanks to all of you guys and gals that are Veterans.I love the classic car discussions but this has to be one of the best discussions I have had in a long time.

Bobby Dodson

[Turbo_Jet]

I've always been interested in military history as well, especially WWII and Vietnam. I found a neat site the other day that has a few stories about MACV/SOG teams in Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia. Here's the link for ya'll--> http://www.macvsog.org/ The stories that are on that site are unreal, these men were simply amazing.

I had a chance over the weekend to speak to John Setlin, who was a Sgt. in the Ia Drang Valley, in 1965. He currently builds match grade rifles, and is mentioned prominently in Hal Moore's book, "We Were soliders Once..And Young." It is really interesting to read a book or see a movie, and then actually speak to someone there...puts everything into context. I know I used to really cherish my conversations with Gunny Hathcock and his buddies Norm Chandler the rest of the Iron Brigade gang. Hopefully this thread will inspire others to take an active role in keeping veterans histories alive...

[mahoy78spyder]

Having just been through a war about this time last year, my respect for veterans is even greater than it already was. I read the accounts of the other veterans listed before my post here and my eyes welled up because it brings back the feelings I felt through my own experiences. All I can say is, "War is not pretty" and shake my head at the memory of it. One thing I've learned since coming back from Iraq last year is that I now understand why so many veterans get together for events like they do. No one else who's never seen war first hand understands the experiences that we've been through. When I first got back the nightmares were almost nightly - the daylight hours were ok as long as I wasn't by myself too much where I had time to think about "it". I trucked North to Baghdad just behind 3rd I.D. and we were in the thick of it. I don't claim to have PTSD or anything of the sorts... it just took a few months to get reacclimated to things once coming home... But when I feel the need to "talk" every now and then, I talk to one of my war buddies. There is a silent understanding between us that heals. We don't even have to talk about the war itself... but if we do, it's just even better. It gets better every day. Each of us have our own experiences and our own ways of coping once home, but rest assured we're all doing fine. My helmet goes off to all the other veterans out there who have helped keep our country the greatest nation in the world and fought to keep it "free" from oppressive regimes. We really do live in a great country - and I certainly don't take that for granted anymore!

Ken
MSgt, USAF

[jus4funn68]

Greg my Dad flew in a Curtis Helldiver in WWII. Served 2 cruises- one on the Bunker Hill and the other on the Yorktown, which is a museum on Charleston. I visit it there a couple times a year. I have all his flight records, pics, and of course the memories of hearing his combat experiences many times before he died. I hope to have him enrolled in the "Enlisted Flyers Honor Roll" later this year on the Yorktown. Im with you, I will listen to any vets from any theater anytime...we owe them and always will. Anytime you want to chat about the things I have heard drop me an email. Kevin

[mahoy78spyder]

I have to add (even though it is a very recent war and perhaps not of the historical magnitude of WWI or II) that anyone reading this thread that wants a "grunts-eye view" of the War in Iraq last year should take a peek at Oliver North's "War Stories - Operation Iraqi Freedom" book. It's basically his journal while over there, written in Sitrep (Situational Report) style, but I have been glued to the book, often comparing it to my own journal and the record of certain events that happened on a particular day. As you read it, remind yourself that what you're reading about is real events and the actual people that were involved in them. I'm only a third of the way through the book and already it's as if I'm back there, reliving the emotions, the frustrations, and yes, even the boredom at times. But suffice to say, there is a human side to war, and Col. North represents that side of the war the "best" in this book in my humble opinion. Take a look-see sometime....

Ken

[jus4funn68]

Ken how long has the book been out? Also, thanks for your contribution to the effort!