NEW YEARS IN VIETNAM

As my clock struck twelve my heart throbbed for home in North Brookfield, Mass. Vietnam was old hat to me. Specialist Mosby .. my replacement as a 91p20 had arrived and I took on new colors.No longer did I have to zap folks but insterad spread my wings in the 345th Medical Dispensary. I became an ambulance driver and got to see some action of my own.

I was told to report to the Dodge Power Wagon with the big red cross painted on the sides. The 195 3 Dodge was a clunker. But I knew the way. A report came over the phone that a brawl had occurred... maybe the 39th Signal Corps Enlisted Man's Club .Sure enough. This "brother" was lying in a pool of bloods and the GI's were taking sides .Not  me. as a medic I learned I had a job to do... bring this cat to the 36th Evac. Hospital. I once was there with Captain Robert C. Heath my XO. We had an M151 and totaled it,, hitting a Vietnamese on a Mo Ped then pooning a water truck parked to the side. not fun.

Posor Heath was but 10 days from returning to CONUS. I had a little bit more time to heal.My cervical spine took 10 years to mend!

Meanwhile back on Back Beach the New Year was rung in with beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Black Label. We partied like it was the end of the world. Vietnamese were hawking native pineapples  for a Dong. We knew no differently than to drink and celebrate. The real world beckoned us by the covers of Time and Life.What a horror show. Armed Forces radio and television didn't offer us much.

The one song I recall was Scott McKensies "If You Are Going To San Francisco Be Sure To Wear A Flower In Your Hair." I yearned for SF. Worst off, Massachusetts was 3,000 miles East. I figured I was 10,000 miles from home.All a got were letters for 9 months. A few guys talked with home via MARS. But when you are inebriated who cares?

My ETS date was February 15th...Hello Mary Lou! Some soldiers of Vietnam had things rough when they got home. The greatest thing for me as a draftee was I had my Aetna job waiting for me and my old bed at home. It was very difficult for me with jet lag and all. I forced myself to re-adjust to civilian life. 48 years later I think I am adjusting to those who danced to "The Draft Dodger Rag" by Pete Seger!

But wait. Our worlds today are worlds apart from 1968. Today I look on my new PC and see all of the weather live in Vung Tau..12 hours ahead time.If we adopt it we win.. if we reject it we are being short-changed by the blazing technologies of 2016.

I am appreciative and honored to have served my Country at the time of War. Hopefully I will  live in peace and harmony to see my sons children and grandchildren to the year 2525........Happy New Year my fans. .God Bless.  Remem

ber champagne gives headaches!