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Well, "Sticky", I hope this is the right place to post my introduction...I would not like to be ambushed, on the first operation...
Hello, all, and I wish to thank you all for your service and dedication that made the fighting forces of our country great—Courage, dedication, and an indomitable spirit. Which is possibly, why you are appropriately named: Special Forces?
I joined the United States Army in 1965, and reported for duty at Ft. Benning, in October of that year.
Thinking back—I vividly recall an officer from the Special Forces standing before us as we stood at attention. He quickly placed us at ease and gave his pitch.
In essence, he said if we wanted to be the best of the best, a true warrior, and the fiercest and most feared fighting man on earth cross this line. He drew the in the dirt with the toe of his spit-shined boot between us, and him.
I looked covertly to my right where a fellow high school mate stood. I had talked him and another into joining with me.
“How about it Tom?” I asked.
Now Tom was no pansy—he seemed to like to fight, and high school proved this—but his answer was short and succinct and I’ll not forget it.
“No Fu---n way”, he said under his breath standing at ease, and hoping the SDI didn’t hear.
Well I figured that it might not be in my best interest as well, so the line in the dirt did not see our Ohio crotches cross.
From there it was to Ft. Leonardwood, then South Viet Nam. This was a total shock— our recruiter said that it was only the draftees the army sent there.
I was assigned to the 18th Engineer Brigade and for the most part stayed around Cu Chi, Bien Hoa, Vung Tau (good to be here), Saigon, and several short stints at Cam Ranh Bay.
Tom never made it over—one hour before departing Oakland Army Base—the Red Cross notified him that his father had shot himself. He was an only child, and he was gone—back to Ohio and out of the Army.
I served in country for one day short of a year, then served a little more than a year in Germany, then a few months in the States and out.
I cannot say that it was a good time, but looking back I see it was a necessary time for an American male, and patriot to explore physically, and mentally what the word means— “sacrifice”.
The purpose of joining this group is that I am writing a novel—not about Viet Nam or anything related to it.
The novel for the most part is fiction—some truth, and some paranormal.
I require tactical information from the pros.
A friend of mine in the Rangers, and now assigned to the pentagon, could possibly give me some information, however he is on call 24/7 with his duties.
Perhaps there are some of you—you elite trained professionals, that could help.
Thanks for reading…
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