Vietnam in Reflection

It was 40 years ago, I was 18 years old. Our plane had landed in South Vietnam, admist mortar fire and people screaming. We were hurriedly rushed from the airport (Bien Hoa) onto trucks and taken to Long Binh. Since we had not been assigned to a unit, we were TDY to the 22nd Repl Battalion, Camp Camelot. I will never forget that first night. It was about 9pm when sirens went off. We flew out of our tiny beds and were told to take cover.

The Viet Cong launched a missle strike, they could be heard sometimes flying over and exploding around us. Being new, we didn't have helmets or flak jackets. So that night we tightly hung onto our mattress, praying for it to stop. About 10:45 the "All Clear Siren" sounded. After a few smokes, we then knew for certain why we were there. To stop communist agrression, defending America from all enemies foreign and domestic. To this very day, if called I would defend her still, the America I Love...

While this maybe be somewhat philosophical, just wanted to share this with you.