[CAS14]

The small band of brothers with whom I served in Vietnam is on the decline. We're becoming extinct. I have to get busy and make sure those who are left get one of my sticks.

I made one for a Marine who had been diagnosed with cancer. He got to use it for just a year before he passed.

My teammate through the 1968 Tet offensive has M.S. He got his stick a month or so ago, and he loves it.

Next, I'll make one for one of the guys who was with one of my best friends when they were ambushed and we lost him. This guy suffered for decades with substance abuse and what is now called PTSD. He's finally stable, married his high school sweetheart, and with professional help stays positive and enjoys living on the Oregon coast. His stick is up next. I have his preferred stick measurements, and the USMC, unit, and ribbon pins required. He wants the most natural finish possible, so I'll go with 100% tung oil. He wants a lightweight stick, and so my selection is limited. But I think I have a cedar or a "diamond" willow stick that will work. This one will be fun.

 

[Rodnogdog]

Thanks for your service and for this post, it is a testament to your selflessness and self sacrifice. Bless you

 

[CV3]

I understand CAS14. I was working out of Chu Lai 65 thru most 67. !st Marines 1st Engineers. Many of my friends have moved on. I gave up on the VA in the 70's. Got help out side the government and have worked for years to try and help those who are struggling with PTSD and all the issues that stem out of it. At least today they are not just blown off as a section 8 and are cared cared about by the public, And not being spit at and called baby killer for doing their duty. Yes! Still a bit of anger here.

 

[cobalt]

good cause there well done

i also am aware of the conflict in the general society caused by the conflict ,don't understand why the troops who where sent there under orders have often got the reception they did after all they where doing there duty

The aggression should have been towards the politicians its then that have to deal with consequences not the troops quite confusing how that came about as to many where sent home in body bags

 

[CAS14]

For me, this is most healing. In the pre-internet generations we were separated from our combat brothers upon transfer to the next stateside unit (referred to as "the world"). Generally we lost touch, we just wanted to forget, and we had no means for decades to reconnect. Now that we can, we have the opportunity to show gratitude to those who would have laid down their lives for us in a heartbeat. It's an honor and a privilege.

The other rewarding activity is to support those young ones with our old units when deployed. They are always surprised and most appreciative when the generation they regard as role models reaches out and actually admires them.

As we've always been taught, when you give you receive far more, one way or another.

 

[Whiteroselad]

I know that you don't do it for the accolades but "WELL DONE PAL" I don't know much about your experiences as I was only a toddler when this war happened but from what I have seen since I find the (if I am correct) public response to the veterans unfathomable! Why would you not support your own squaddies. I have seen programmes on the History and PBS America channels that have interviewed veterans and whether they agreed with the politics or not they went to the other side of the world to help their mates/fellow squaddies. Sorry if I have spoken out of turn on something that didn't affect me directly but ALL the veterans of this HORRENDOUS war have my respect. N.

 

[CAS14]

The Vietnam generation grew up during the peak of the Cold War, expecting annihilation by nuclear war with the USSR. The Soviets were invading one eastern European nation after another, and China was also in an expansion mode, taking control of neighbors. Whether correct or not, these threats caused our leaders to believe that communist expansion into southeast Asia would not stop there. Certainly our Phillipino and Aussie friends were concerned.

So in 1965, home for Christmas break during my sophomore year in college, a high school buddy dropped by to say hello. He looked dapper in his Marine Corps uniform, but required a cane to walk. He was recovering from wounds that he received during the early "hill fights" in South Vietnam (not the first Khe Sanh hill fights). Well, that was the final straw. I enlisted on a "120-day delay" plan, which enabled me to complete the spring semester, and then went off to boot camp.

I grew up in many ways. I was a "B" student before, and an "A" student afterwards. If you are so fortunate as to survive, and to cope with any issues, that military discipline can influence a career in positive ways.

 

[MJC4]

Thank you for your service CAS & CV3. Thanks to all that have served or are serving today.

 

[Whiteroselad]

Thank you for your service CAS & CV3. Thanks to all that have served or are serving today.

Here here, I know that we are not from the same country but I don't think Britain has a closer Ally Than the USA, My best mate has been in the army for 25 years and my Mother and Father both served, and so I wear my "Help for Heroes" brands with pride! You all deserve our utmost respect fellas! N.

 

[CAS14]

Thank you for your service CAS & CV3. Thanks to all that have served or are serving today.

Here here, I know that we are not from the same country but I don't think Britain has a closer Ally Than the USA, My best mate has been in the army for 25 years and my Mother and Father both served, and so I wear my "Help for Heroes" brands with pride! You all deserve our utmost respect fellas! N.

You are most welcome! My Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) units deploy small teams with the U.S. Army and with allied forces. In Afghanistan over the past six years at least, ANGLICO teams have supported the Royal Air Force, some British Army units, and the 1st Scots in Afghanistan. I know that they made numerous friends among those troops.

 

[CAS14]

The first day in a week and a half that I felt like doing anything was sunny and unseasonably warm. I came to Woodward Park and began to carefully remove the outer bark from an eastern red cedar that my brother cut for me near Fairfield, TX. I have a really good feeling about this one, it will make a fine walking stick for a Sub Unit One brother.

 

[cobalt]

it looks as tho its going to be the making of a decent stick , pretty straight already

 

[Ron T]

CAS14 and Randy, My wife, who is Vietnamese, and I thank you for your service. She is most appreciative that she was able to get out of the country on the last transport ship when the country fell in 1975. She goes out of her way to thank all vets, especially those who served in Vietnam, for the sacrifices they made.

 

[CAS14]

Ron T, the Vietnamese people always treated us well, sometimes risking their lives for us. For example, in late 1967 the Korean Marines had a mountaintop recon OP adjacent to the tiny village of An Hoa, I think Binh Son region, way out west 1 km from lots of enemy held mountains. At great risk, whenever VC entered the village at night they would clang on pots and pans to alert us. They also treated us to celebrations, with food. That's one of my best memories.

 

[Whiteroselad]

I for one, love hearing the veterans stories, I can also understand that there is a time when it must be hard to talk about some situations. N.

 

[CV3]

There was a story that started out " It was the best of time, it was the worst if time". That about covers It when it comes to time in country in a combat zone.

 

[Gloops]

Making sticks for your old army buddies is a wonderful gesture, one I think they will appreciate because they are made with love and respect, I can only imagine the horrors that you lived through and I tip my hat in respect to you and all your comrades who gave so much for your country.