View Full Version : Things That Stick With you
Other than stuff that happened in combat, what kind of things do you always seem to remember?
An example from me:
Prior to deploying to Iraq, we were sent to Camp Shelby, Miss. for training and equipping. We flew in to Gulfport and they put us on buses. Those military buses. As we were leaving the airport, there were men working in an open area where they seemed to be putting in the foundation for a building. One of the men, a young black man, stopped working and stood saluting us as we rolled by. I can see that man standing there saluting and I don't ever seem to forget that moment. Sometimes, that image just pops in to my mind and I can't help but wonder how he is and what he's doing. I'll just never forget that moment and I hope that guy is doing well.
Anybody else ever have a moment like that?
Saudi sunrises. It just reminds me of "Epic" movies like Lawrence of Arabia or Apocalypse Now. Realizing you are out there doing your job in an exotic far away land that you are too busy to really enjoy or even notice half the time.
Ofcourse, it also reminded me of STAR WARS. Hence the bus stop graffiti which stated "Welcome to Tatooine" (The desert planet Luke grew up on)
mike24d20
04-28-2011, 09:16
Beign on guard duty on a Hawk tac site in Korea. Morning before everyone is up an the mist all around the base, real peacefull.
Nick Riviezzo
04-29-2011, 04:09
I was leading a Huey Fire team[gunships] one morning in Viet Nam. We picked up a 10 ship flight of Huey lift ships in staggered trail formation to escort them somewhere. The mist and humidity conditions were just right for a rainbow to form over each rotor system in the 10 ship formation! Man, it was beautiful. Nick
Dan Shapiro
04-29-2011, 08:47
Going to Vietnam, we had to stay over after refueling in Hawaii. Seems someone slammed the rear door of the plane and broke a door seal. They had no spares locally and had to send for one back state-side. We were bussed over to the local motel where we were assigned 3 to a room. As we were walking down the hallway in our jungle fatigues a man and woman (wearing tux and wedding gown) were coming from the opposite direction. The guy was carrying a bottle of champagne. On seeing us, the guy asked if we were headed to Vietnam. When we said "yes", he handed me the bottle of bubbly - saying "You can use this more than we can."
We did - and it tasted great!
"Roger that!"
Out of your mouth before you can stop it.
Sean P Gilday
05-01-2011, 02:11
One of the things
The Company was formed at Bayshore Armory the day we left for Mobilization in 2004. Pretty emotional to begin with, what with Families and it being an Infantry company they knew we werent going to fix trucks. Once on the Buses as we pulled out the Suffolk County PD had not only giving us an escort but every intersection was blocked off all the way to the Long Island Expressway. At each intersection Police Officers were at attention saluting the units buses, along with Vets groups. they had two patrol cars and two motorcyclists escorted us to the county line where Nassau Cty PD picked up. From there NYPD to the City line.
Michael Tompkins
05-01-2011, 04:06
Thirty-three years ago, while stationed at a Nike-Herc site in the FRG, newbies were called "jeeps". You were a "jeep" for 6 months. In the meantime, you were treated with no respect regardless of rank (to a point) and got all the sh*t details. If you did anything dumb, whether you were still a "jeep" or not, you got called a "jeep". No one wanted to be called a "jeep".
My most memorable "jeep" moments were in the mess hall. If someone dropped a glass, plate, tray or whatever, the ENTIRE mess hall in unison would yell out "JEEP!!" It did not matter what rank...officer or enlisted, or time spent at D 5/6 ADA.
To this day, whenever I hear a glass or plate or whatever dropped in a restaurant, I mentally yell out "JEEP!"
Former Cav
05-01-2011, 05:01
whenever I hear a chopper I think "gunship"
I 1049ed my way to the RVN.So there I am standing on the flight line at Ft. Lewis in my brand new Jungle fatigues thinking I might have made a mistake...............
Bill, what's 1049ed? That's not another name for volunteered, is it?
Sean, I understand the emotions. I was on the advanced party going to Shelby, so, lucky me, I got to leave two weeks early. No escort, but a tree branch broke the window on the bus door when we slid on ice in the parking lot. The homecoming was great, though, which is another of those things. We were on a C-130 at about 30,000ft. over Baghdad when it occurred to me that we would have a police escort from the airport to the armory and then I knew I would have a fire department escort from our city line to my home. When the realization of the "parade" I (and we) would get, I started thinking about my brother-in-law and the other Vietnam veterans I knew and I started to cry. I couldn't help it and I'm glad it was nighttime and the lights were out. It bothered me that I was a nobody that would be treated like a hero and you guys were hero's who got treated worse than nobody's. I said it to my brother-in-law a week ago and I'll repeat it here- Vietnam veterans, the generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who came after you look up to you and respect you. Regardless of what some citizens and politicians might think or say, you are our heroes. Thank you for the example you set. We can only hope to live up to it and not disappoint you.
Yes Sir.That was the form # to volunteer.We looked up to the WW2 guys who looked up to WW1 guys who looked up to,well you get the point.
Disappoint us.You and your brothers have made us proud.You and your brothers are my heros.
Ron James
05-03-2011, 06:11
On my way to Vietnam eary 1966, by the way of Oakland Army Depot, stayed there over night, left the nest day. That morning showered, shaved, cool as a cucumber, then I started to brush my teeth with Brylcreem ( anyone remember Brylcreem Hair dressing ) , damn, rinsed out my mouth brushed my teeth, them I put Colgate tooth paste in my hair. Yeah, I guess i was cool as a cucumber
It never got old watching the sunset on the Carrier.
Sitting and staring in awe of the northern lights while on Lp/Op at 2:00 in the morning at Ft. Greeley, Alaska. 1 hour shifts due to -35 degree temperatures but my buddy and I stayed out for three hours. What a light show!
BEAR
Watching the Northern Lights in Goose Bay, Labrador in '61 - '62. They looked like giant green curtains being drawn across the sky. If the wind wasn't too high a few of us would drag folding chairs up to the barracks roof to watch. (Wearing parkas and 'iron pants' of course.)
I wasted a bunch of 35mm film trying to get a picture but just never got the hang of it.
csm14thbn
05-07-2011, 04:38
After 27 yrs in the army and multiple deployments, for me it was June 5, 2010. I was the Task Force CSM for the anniversary jump into Normandy. I was the Jumpmaster on the left door and after I exited and checked canopy I started looking down at the Norman countryside and couldnt believe what those guys must have been going through in 1944! My hair stood up on the back of my neck and I couldnt believe I had the honor of jumping into the same area. There were about 400 paratroopers jumping that day(American, British, French, German) and we had to work our way through the crowd (about 20,000) to turn in our parachutes at the turn in point. By the time you made it through the "gauntlet" you didnt have a patch left on your uniform! Everyone wanted a souvineer or to take pictures of you with their kids. It was a pretty amazing event.
Michaelp
05-07-2011, 05:09
Nobody looks up to anybody who comes later. We did our time already.
We will look you in the eye and accept you as one who has earned his place in our ranks as a veteran.
Nick Riviezzo
05-07-2011, 12:26
Michaelp, I know we haven't agreed on everything in the past and I have to say that your post above leaves alot to be desired. That is a crappy attitude and demonstrates the high esteem you have for yourself. I know next to nothing of your "war record" but if you can't look up to these young men today you have lived a jaded life. BTW, never say never and never say nobody 'cause pal I am not with you on that point of view. Nick
cwartyman
05-08-2011, 04:40
I look up to those that served before me and I look up to those that served after me whether that service was in Peace or War. For they have done what many have not. One cannot choose where they are sent but by god they went and did what they had too. Yes, those that went into harms way are a special breed but those who served and did not have to go into harms way are just as special as they were still willing to do it if called on. In the end all gave some and some gave all and all those who have served this great country in its armed forces are deserving of respect.
Mack
USMC
1988-1995
Had a 1st shirt who used to say "some of the sorriest excuses for human beings crap between a pair of combat boots".
In this day and age where most people don't serve they sure are looked up too by me.Combat time has nothing to do with it.Anyone who served knows that is in Gods hands.
Time to youtube the Henry V speech.
Michaelp
05-08-2011, 09:08
So you suggest that as a veteran I should look up to some body who has served as well?
That indicates taking an inferior assessment of one's self. English 101
I say again, I will look a new veteran straight inthe eye and welcome him to our ranks.
Get a clue, Riviezzo, you ain't the "GI Joe of the Internet"
You're just another one of us that did his time.
I'll leave the stories of personal heroism to you and your big head.
Yes,I find volunteer service to the nation,in our armed forces,to be admirable.No matter when.
Nick Riviezzo
05-08-2011, 01:10
Michaelp, I have deleted my inital response to your ignorant personal attack on me. Suffice to say,I put in 23 years of active duty. I went from Private to Major by way of Warrant Officer Aviator and was Commissioned in Viet Nam.I did three combat tours in RVN,one on the ground and two as an Aviator and have been well decorated for my service.So, yes I am proud of my record. Why don't you tell us of your service? But most of all,tell me why you think you're too good to look up to other vets,some have done more than you and I combined. If,of course,you are the holder of the Medal Of Honor I might could understand your attitude But,of the few MOH soldiers that I have had the privilege to listen to,they have always given the credit for their valor to their fellow soldiers. No, I am not a MOH soldier but neither am I too good to salute those of lesser rank first, nor am I too good to look up to those who have followed us. It is a matter of respect and in order to receive respect one must respect himself and earn it from others.Take pride in yourself,but take pride in those that have followed us. Just my,not so humble opinion. Nick
armorkav
05-13-2011, 10:35
A-Freakin_Men! Attaboy Nick.
As a flight commander at Ft. Rucker in the early 80s what that stuck with me most was the look of pride on the faces of the parents each time we graduated a class of new Army aviators. It made think that just maybe what I was doing really was worthwhile.
Nick Riviezzo
05-14-2011, 12:01
Kirby, I retired here at Mother Rucker in Feb. '86 and taught in Primary and Advanced Divisions for the contractor until Jan. 2010[24 years]. I believe that is what I was saved for during the perilous times. I wish I had kept accurate count over the years but I think something on the order of 325-350 students "suffered"under my tutelage! Thank God I know of none that were killed.
Armorkav, It was my honor to Command two Air Cav Troops as the Acting Commander[I was a Captain and they were Major slots] But, I believe my finest accomplishment was to Command a ground Armored Cav. Troop[ C Troop 1/10 Cav. at Fort Carson,Co.Very few of us Aviator types got the chance to get a ground command. Thank you for your encouragement. Nick
Kirby, I retired here at Mother Rucker in Feb. '86 and taught in Primary and Advanced Divisions for the contractor until Jan. 2010[24 years]. I believe that is what I was saved for during the perilous times. I wish I had kept accurate count over the years but I think something on the order of 325-350 students "suffered"under my tutelage! Thank God I know of none that were killed.
You and I may have crossed paths down that way. I spent 80-84 teaching Contact and Combat Skills. My flight's callsign was Crusader, pretty sure that one has fallen victim to political correctness by now.
Came back as a contractor in 90 to teach primary. I was in Mobley's bunch upstairs in one of the hangers teaching primary, can't remember the callsign now. Ended up teaching the CH47 transition on a special contract 90-91 during Desert Shield / Desert Storm. I wish I had kept count of the students myself.
Nick Riviezzo
05-15-2011, 03:42
"Mobleys bunch"= Vikings. I was grabbed out of primary to teach OH-58 when Primary went to Huey. When the TH-67 came in the OH-58 contract went away and I was put in your sister flight[Defender] with Will Dillonaire.Small world, my friend. Nick
Griff Murphey
05-15-2011, 08:45
The smell of any of the old time type mosquito repellent does it for me. Also diesel fumes somewhat bring back "entrucking."
I find shoe/boot polishing very relaxing.
"Mobleys bunch"= Vikings. I was grabbed out of primary to teach OH-58 when Primary went to Huey. When the TH-67 came in the OH-58 contract went away and I was put in your sister flight[Defender] with Will Dillonaire.Small world, my friend. Nick
I liked Mobley a lot, he was the only person I ever allowed to hunt on my land in Pike County. I had about 225 acres then now it is down to about 175.
Thanks to all of you for your service. You are all American Heros, whether serving in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan, Libya, the United States, or wherever your country sends you.
A few things stuck with me, bayonet, couple of magazines (M16), canteen, pancho and liners, pilot survival knife given to me by friend assinged to aircraft carrier. A little bit off of every job is my motto.
m1ashooter
08-12-2011, 12:38
Many things still stick with me from my service time. One of them is guarding a metal box full of simulated classified documents, at night, outside at -30 below zero during a SAC ORI.
Michael Tompkins
08-12-2011, 01:52
Many things still stick with me from my service time. One of them is guarding a metal box full of simulated classified documents, at night, outside at -30 below zero during a SAC ORI.
Man, the Army was great for simulating all kinds of things. I remember during a Tac-Eval, I was assigned a position in one of the sandbag bunkers on the Nike Herc site. I was a 60 gunner. I was given a laminated card stating my basic load of stuff like M60 ammo, M16 ammo, fragmentation grenades, M203 rounds, decon kits, nerve agent antedote, bayonet, etc., and was told to keep it in my pocket and show it to the inspector if he requested it. We sat in our bunker all day and was never approached by anyone. Thank God, our c-rats weren't simulated! Mike
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.