The mess of stationery I carried was a collection of soggy, semi-wet and dried water stains holding strands of paper together. The envelopes were in the best shape because I’d rolled them into a tight tube and used one of my extra trouser springs to hold them together. I released the spring and carefully pulled out an envelope in the very center, unfolding it as I went while making sure the pack of stationery and envelopes stayed guarded under the tipped-up edge of my tilted helmet. I was under my poncho cover, and the wet mud of the river bank wasn’t really all that wet, but still, I fought to maintain as much moisture security as I could cage together. The sun had fallen behind and above the clouds that poured drizzling rain down into the heart of the valley where the company, and what was left of Kilo, had gone down following the debacle of taking out the cliff top snipers. Blowing the drums along with them had been a great positive bonus.
It wasn’t quiet by any means but at least the night would not be owned by the NVA.
James,
Good morning from a hospital bed in Washington DC. I am happy to be here and reading these pages. Had a little issue at work the other day and was admitted due to tightness in the chest and well, all the things associated with a panic attack. I have never ever had one and people have always told me I was to be admired for being able to handle so many stressful things at once.
That is not why I write this. I write this because well I am in awe of the human spirit and brain. Stress, I have no stress, I read what you write and I feel like I am right there with you. I think to myself 17 years old 121 pounds and I am running around Fort Polk in November and December singing I want to go to Vietnam I want to kill Charlie Cong!! Drill Sargent Lopez was there three times the man ride me mercifully all the time. Now I know why. My mos in the army was 82c20. I was once downrange at Fort Carson and called in the 8” gunfire. Looking through the box scope I watched a direct hit on an older piece of something. I remember watching it mash down jump up like spring loaded and then boom it was gone!! That visual coupled with the freight train sound of the round coming in is etched in my memory and has been since the spring of 75.
I thank God that I did not go there and have finally gotten over the shame I used to carry of saying I am a Vietnam era Vet. My Shane was because I did not go but receive the benefits and recognition. So James thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing these books. My passion today is affordable housing for vets. We, my children and I are developing a 27acre community that will focus on homeless vets and or their family. Contact me privately and I will fill you in on the details. I can never do enough for vets because, well I am one!!!
The mixed ‘honor’ of being a Vietnam Veteran.
Predatory behavior volume can be written about that.
I am glad you are here and doing what you are doing.
If you have somehow ended up in the A Shau then you would most probably still be in the A Shau to this day…so to speak.
Thanks for all the work you do for the vets. Panic attacks are nothing to take lightly.
It is usually your system telling you something is wrong but not always were!
You sound like a terrific guy so I hope that is not true. Take the pills!
Semper fi,
Jim
Mr. Strauss,
I am a friend of Luis Urroz, who is responsible for me reading the first 10 days, & the second. I really need the 3rd 10 days …soon…please. Thanks for the engaging & compelling read, I have really enjoyed them.
Bill Fee
Urroz. What a class act that guy was and no doubt still is. One squared away Marine Officer with a sense of humor.
We were too far away at Presley Obannon Hall to know one another back in the Basic School.
I am working away this night on the next book. I can only push so hard.
Not so funny today that that guy in PTSD counseling killed those three women.
The result of PTSD is seldom
violence taken out on other people. It’s usually much more likely to be solo suicidal.
Thanks for the compliment and thanks for mentioning
Urroz.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim: was happy to have celebrated my 50th university on February 14, 2018. February 14, 1968, I was drafted into the US ARMY in Kansas City, Ks. From there we took a little bus trip to Ft. Leonardwood, Mo. for the start of another life. Got off the bus and immediately gave up all civilian attire. along with a complete new shaved head look. The army did give us each a towel to cover our heads as well as a good used field jacket as we stood outside in line for some 14 hours. It snowed a dab, 26 inches as some of us lucky ones remember. Part of the famous de-moralization process I suppose. Then off to basic and combat engineer training along with the added pleasure of special demolitions training. Then off to the A Shau out of Camp Evans. Hope you forward the last TEN DAYS soon.
Thanks Steve, the next segment of the third ten days will be up tomorrow.
Thanks for anting more and standing by, and for telling us all about some of your own experiences.
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt. thank you for the Second Ten Days. Riveting read! Your experiences are intense.
Appreciate your support, Andrew
Semper fi,
Jim
Good morning Jim.
Back then, as you “whispered into the uncaring and unforgiving jungle in front of you”, you did not have the opportunity to move at your own pace before you “slowly moved into its clutching grasp”.
Be assured that today, from all of us who care, you have that opportunity to take as much needed rest required before pressing forward. Not hard to see the situation getting more intense throughout the remaining days ahead.
God Bless you and all who were there with you as well as all who have joined you on this mission.
God Speed LT. We wait
Thanks, Jack.
It is an interesting and sometimes bumpy journey back.
Semper fi,
Jim
James,
Seems like you have hit a pretty big wall with the memories being dredged up. Wish I could help you in some way, but have no idea how. Anyway, I thought this might help.
James Taylor – You’ve Got a Friend
When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you’ve got to do is call
And I’ll be there, ye, ye, ye
You’ve got a friend
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep you head together
And call my name out loud now
Soon you’ll hear me knocking at you door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yes I will, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall, ye
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, ye, ye, yeah
Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold
They’ll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them, oh yeah, don’t you let ’em now
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again, oh baby, don’t you know
Winter, spring, summer or fall
Hey now, all you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yes I will
You’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend, yeah
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Oh, ye yeah, you’ve got a friend
One of my favorites, thanks, Robert.
Semper fi,
Jim
1971 James Taylor – You’ve Got a Friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2o7n27Dw9w
Looking forward to the next page. Thank you for expressing the depths of what you were going through, and are still going through. As in most traumatic events, the physical wounds are most easily healed, the mental/emotional wounds tend to linger. Stay strong, and keep writing…these chronicles are a great read!
Sorry so long in response.
Thank you for your comment.
It is a bumpy road for sure.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, are you waiting until after I die before writing the next chapter? What is going on with you?
Well, I am waiting for you to die, but not with smiles or enthusiasm. And the story flows, like the Bong Song, sometimes at flood and sometimes
at a trickle, although I never saw the trickle times. I apologize but I am here. No excuses.
Your friend
Semper fi,
Jim
Take your time Sir – can not imagine how difficult this is to write
… at your own pace. Be Well
Thank you, Dan.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you Lt. James for a good read. Hope you stay well and let the healing contenue. All of us that have seen combat carry some baggage mine is lighter than yours. Don
You are most welcome Don. Thanks for the support and the compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Lt. I cannot begin to comprehend the depths of emotion that hammered you when you wrote that 22 on your letter. Thank you so much for sharing that.
God bless and guide you
Glenn.
Thanks for thinking about me. Now to get oriented to finish the next segment…
Semper fi,
Jim
The suspence to each new chapter keeps building each time. Know this had to be a tough one to write. I do feel you are being your own worst critic on your time there. Keep up the great work and hope it helps to give you more peace of mind.
Got the 2nd book and the wife is about done with it so I can read it LOL. Left a review as well. Think picked up a couple more readers last week.
I like that part about the wife. Thanks for that and more.
Semper fi,
Jim
LT , We shot a few fire missions that had bad dope figured up by our FDC. I was on the logarithms. Not sure if we hurt anyone either. That WP air burst killed the NVA too. Remember that!!
Cpl Blair W/Y 1/11 1970