Welcome Home Brothers and Sisters!

 

March 29, 1973

On this date the last United States troops left South Vietnam, ending America's direct military involvement in the Vietnam War. For me the date really had little significance yet I do recall the speech by Nixon announcing the success of the "Vietnamization" process for ALL Vietnam. My recollection of the event was just another face saving line of BS from an already untrustworthy bureaucrat. This was not a good period as I recall. For the first time since 1966 when I was discharged I was out of work. Being able to get a day here and there doing odds and ends. It was not as if I had no skill as I worked as a Lithographer (offset pressman) for the past 7 years. It did not matter thus the old axiom ' a man with a trade will always have work' became a myth. Eventually, under the GI bill I went back to school while still working in my craft at night.

 It took thirty-eight years  for March 30th to be designated Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. In MHO "too little too late"  I guess it was necessary to relieve some of the guilt of the political class of the day both national and local levels. After all, over the past 38 years a great many of us had quietly went about our business and have now had become a "voting block' to contend with in future elections. Forgive my skepticism but nothing in politics is done without  producing political capital. It's been that way since the beginning of time.

 

I personally prefer to celebrate a fellow veteran service and sacrifice everyday.  After all those who made the ultimate sacrifice remain in the hearts and minds of their loved ones for eternity. I was never put off by the fact that there was no big banner waving welcome home. Like most vets of that period I was just grateful to be back home. So, in my eyes, if you took the oath at some point in your life you deserve your nations gratitude. There is nothing more gratifying for me then to see the smile of a fellow veteran when asked "Has anyone thanked you for your service today? Well then, let me be the first!"

 

 

Remember, we're of a unique breed. At some point in our lives we wrote out a blank check to the citizens of the United States of America payable up to and including our lives. We swore to protect and defend our Constitution. So, my brothers (and sisters), if no one has thanked you for your service today, then let me be the first. THANK YOU!

Welcome aboard! Grab a cup of "joe" and take minute to read the bright RED print to the right. Now that you know where I'm coming from let's get started.

Well, spring has sprung and it's well into March. This is the first post of 2013 and most of the stuff posted until now has been sort of a test drive with this Blogger thingy. Not to say it was without substance as it was a reflection of a time and circumstances this swab-jocky will never forget.

Your in the drivers seat boy's

This is the maiden voyage for this blog. Hopefully this will be the goto place for all of my shipmates for the latest on what's going on in the search for the Lost Tribe. So, if you are a CHB One'er or CHB Two'er and read the last Newsletter, your most likely here to kick the tires. Be my guest, check it out there will be a quiz later.

As mentioned, untill I get a few details ironed out, the comment section will not be functioning. Hopfully by mid April I'll have it up and running. If you need to reachout to me use the Email address on the Home page.

For those who may have just happened to stop by, well, we're not excluding you at all. Your more than welcomed to browse around and see what our experience was like almost a half a century ago.