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My journey to Vietnam began when I joined
the Air Force with two high school buddies in 1966, Ron and
Larry. Of the group of guys I hung around with several of
us ended up in Vietnam. Thankfully, no one was killed and
as far as I know, only one was wounded, Don, a helicopter
door gunner. In addition to my two tours of duty, the other
guys I remember going to Southeast Asia were; Ron, Gary,
Bob, Chip, Don and Larry.
My Vietnam experience came at a place called Pleiku Air
Base, in the Central Highlands. I arrived there Thanksgiving
Day 1968 and remained there until July 1970. While stationed
at Pleiku I had the opportunity to travel throughout Vietnam
and other parts of Asia which started a life long love for
the people and the cultures.
I separated from the Air Force at McChord Air Force Base,
Washington and arrived back at the old Friendship Airport
in Baltimore on July 4th, 1970.
I’ve had the pleasure to author several small books
on U.S. and local history as well as writing many magazine
articles in the past. I am always working on some bit of
writing but I think it is more an exercise than a want to
publish.
I have a deep connection with Vietnam now and I’ve
been active with an organization known as the Friends of
the Central Highlands, Inc. It is one of several fine ex-GI
organizations working with the orphans in the Central Highland
towns of Pleiku and Kon Tum.
I became a baptized Christian in the Holy Roman Catholic
Church at the Easter vigil 2006, which for me was actually
a long journey home. Then, the month after I was baptized
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer which has been linked
to Agent Orange exposure while in Vietnam; again, the Good & the
Bad of life.
I do thank God for my life and the manifold blessings of
family and friends and I will continue on this adventure
with my eyes wide open and my glasses on as long as God sees
fit, His will be done.
I wish you all cheers and blessings as you too move along
the path of your life. |
