I am home!

donbrails
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 49
(7/16/01 12:59:41 am)
| Del All I am home!
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Just some random thoughts.
On June 4th, the weekend after school ended, I packed my sister's belongings in a 24 foot Ryder truck and we headed to California from Wisconsin. After almost two weeks in San Diego I packed my youngest daughters belongings in a 15 foot Ryder truck and we headed for Panama City, Florida. On the way across Texas we visited my sister in San Antonio and my oldest sister in Houston. When we arrived in Panama City we stayed with a friendof ours and his wife while we set up my daughters apartment. Dan is a 9 year Navy veteran. He is a deep water diver, as is his friend Chris, who has been in the Navy for 10 years. Chris was in Panama City to attend a 11 week dive school.
On the way across country we had the opportunity to see the Navy and Marine jets flying into Miramar Naval Air Station. We also observed the Air Force training planes flying over my sister's house in the morning and returning to base in the afternoon in San Antonio.
We saw the U.S.S Alabama moored in Mobile under a dark night sky but still lit up so you could see the flag as you drove by. While in Panama City we were able to tour the Navy dive school and also the experimental dive building. Our tour was conducted by John, a 12 year Navy diver.
After my daughter was settled I took a bus to Williamsburg, Virginia to see a friend that I had served with in VietNam. We had not seen each other in over 33 years. I was 20 years old and Sarge was 21 when we seved with B Company of the 588th Engineers in TayNinh.
What a joyous reunion! When he and his wife met me at the bus station it was as if we had only parted a few days ago. I know we had both grown older and our hair was a little grayer but in our minds we were still young. Frank had retired as a Sgt. Major after 28 years of service. We spent almost 4 days together talking about old times . We still remembered many of the same people, if not by name at least by face. It is amazing what you remeber when you begin to talk with some one after so many years. The girlfriend pictures in the ammo dump...making Tim paint the company movie screen right after receiving a Dear John letter...the time spent building the bridge at Prek Lok Special Forces Camp...the time spent at both French Forts...eating Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in the field...working as a temporary cook back in base camp...Jim, Bruce, Richard, Rex, Kenneth, all good friends, KIA...our reactions to going home. We stayed up until the wee hours rehashing old memories as his wife made sure we were both well fed. After my time with Frank I had to leave and take the bus back to Wisconsin. (This is a story in itself...the journey through Hell!).
I am now home after six weeks to once again be with my beautiful wife who gave up precious time from our lives to allow me to make this journey. I now have many stories, poems and etc. to catch up with on the board. After going from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean I know that thanks to the Vet's and others on this board that we still live in the greatest country in the world!
I am glad to be home.
Thanks,
Don

oneknight
Moderator
Posts: 1430
(7/16/01 5:43:58 am)
| Del Re: I am home!
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Don,

Great to have you back. Glad you had a great trip.

Just a random thought Don, you really should get busy posting
now.......lol!



Donna

LarryJK
Senior Chief Moderator III
Posts: 389
(7/16/01 6:51:37 am)
| Del Re: I am home!
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Don...congrats on your big adventure! Welcome home...again!!

Indybear57
Moderator
Posts: 423
(7/16/01 8:30:29 am)
| Del
ezSupporter
Re: I am home!
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Don-sounds like a bodacious trip! Glad the reunion you had was a good one and that all went well on the trip. It's good to see you back on the board.

Mike L

dap22
Senior Chief Moderator II
Posts: 873
(7/16/01 8:57:24 am)
| Del
ezSupporter
Re: I am home!
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Don........missed the "random thoughts". Glad you had a good trip and welcome back
Dave

TShooters
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 391
(7/17/01 1:00:34 am)
| Del Re: I am home!
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Welcome back, Don! Sounds like you had a great trip/reunion! Hope you have some
pics to share!

Sharon

homer4
Moderator
Posts: 1159
(7/17/01 5:41:58 pm)
| Del Re: I am home!
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Welcome back Don...one of the OG's I see. Good to see ya and certainly enjoyed the above. Reunions have got to be the greatest times to share, some names and faces and the stories...bet there were tears along with some hearty laughter as well.

Good Deal!

Best friend Richard Lowman was at Tay Ninh with the 588th...I'll get back with the Company and dates...wish he'd become a member here as well...other family and friends of mine too.

Any cash left from the carousing abou Don? We could stop for a 33 at The Lounge and ...
...and two hard boiled eggs.

106RR196LIB
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 179
(7/18/01 2:20:53 pm)
| Del Welcome Back
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Don;
Sounds like you had a great trip except for Wisconsin!
I will be going to a reunion at the end of July -- i'll see the survivors from the old AT platoon.
These are times to cherish.
Mike H