Post by AmericanLegion on Jul 6, 2010 16:12:02 GMT -6
HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION (Sept 2009)
This summer I was given a unique opportunity. I was able to accompany my friend Ron to his Marine Corps Viet Nam Tankers reunion in Charleston SC. It was his 41st year since becoming a Marine and attending boot camp at Parris Island. I'm sure I was more excited to attend the reunion,he could to possibly see some of the guys he served with but I would get to meet them and learn more about Viet Nam. Either way we made plans and attended the reunion. What a wonderful 4 days we spent with a great bunch of people. Unfortunately no one from his tanker group was there, but a lot of guys were where he was at the same time. The memories were both good and bad but it was a very upbeat reunion.
These guys were of a select few in Viet Nam. When you think of tanks you think Army in large numbers. The Marines had during 1965-1970 only about 3300 men in tanks. Out of that number roughly 600 belong to the Tankers Association and about 100 of them came to the reunion. This in itself was impressive to me after all these years. They brought their wives,girlfriends, kids, grand-kids and nieces and nephews, it was a real family affair. They came from across the country to see their old comrades and to meet new ones.
This reunion was especially poignant for us because the organization arranged for us to attend a graduation ceremony at Parris Island. To watch 7 platoons graduate ( 2 all female) was very impressive. These days all women are sent to Parris Island for training. Men still are trained on both coasts. It was also a great feeling when they announced our group was there. There was a standing ovation given to the men who never really got respect at the time of their service once yet a Thank You. You could see the pride and respect to be a Marine in these men . They were older, creaky, many half deaf but they were still Marines and everyone of us accompanying them were proud to be there.
We were given a tour of the Island, most of which the men never got to see, they were to busy trying to survive boot camp. In the 60's the barracks were old and decrepit wooden ones, now they are new with air conditioning. The mess hall is new and has been outsourced, which means no more KP. Many buildings have been replaced but they still have the same purposes. When the bus driver announced we were at the famous “Yellow footprints” nobody seemed to want to move. Ron was the first to get off the bus, he had waited to get back on those prints and take a picture for his friends, he survived and was in pretty good shape for a man 40+ years later.
The timing was perfect after having the “Traveling Wall” at our post this spring. We also took a motorcycle ride to Quakertown to visit Gunny and Debbie who travel with “The Wall” and are members of our post. It was fun to see them and be able to assist with a Gold Star Mothers ceremony there. I have been able to learn more about the Viet Nam war this year than ever before. At the time it was happening I was oblivious to much of the war. I am one of the fortunate ones who can say I lost no one I knew. Since then I have met many who did and to see the names and know the numbers really makes me want to show my respect and say thanks to those who did.
For God and country,
Carol Doyle
This summer I was given a unique opportunity. I was able to accompany my friend Ron to his Marine Corps Viet Nam Tankers reunion in Charleston SC. It was his 41st year since becoming a Marine and attending boot camp at Parris Island. I'm sure I was more excited to attend the reunion,he could to possibly see some of the guys he served with but I would get to meet them and learn more about Viet Nam. Either way we made plans and attended the reunion. What a wonderful 4 days we spent with a great bunch of people. Unfortunately no one from his tanker group was there, but a lot of guys were where he was at the same time. The memories were both good and bad but it was a very upbeat reunion.
These guys were of a select few in Viet Nam. When you think of tanks you think Army in large numbers. The Marines had during 1965-1970 only about 3300 men in tanks. Out of that number roughly 600 belong to the Tankers Association and about 100 of them came to the reunion. This in itself was impressive to me after all these years. They brought their wives,girlfriends, kids, grand-kids and nieces and nephews, it was a real family affair. They came from across the country to see their old comrades and to meet new ones.
This reunion was especially poignant for us because the organization arranged for us to attend a graduation ceremony at Parris Island. To watch 7 platoons graduate ( 2 all female) was very impressive. These days all women are sent to Parris Island for training. Men still are trained on both coasts. It was also a great feeling when they announced our group was there. There was a standing ovation given to the men who never really got respect at the time of their service once yet a Thank You. You could see the pride and respect to be a Marine in these men . They were older, creaky, many half deaf but they were still Marines and everyone of us accompanying them were proud to be there.
We were given a tour of the Island, most of which the men never got to see, they were to busy trying to survive boot camp. In the 60's the barracks were old and decrepit wooden ones, now they are new with air conditioning. The mess hall is new and has been outsourced, which means no more KP. Many buildings have been replaced but they still have the same purposes. When the bus driver announced we were at the famous “Yellow footprints” nobody seemed to want to move. Ron was the first to get off the bus, he had waited to get back on those prints and take a picture for his friends, he survived and was in pretty good shape for a man 40+ years later.
The timing was perfect after having the “Traveling Wall” at our post this spring. We also took a motorcycle ride to Quakertown to visit Gunny and Debbie who travel with “The Wall” and are members of our post. It was fun to see them and be able to assist with a Gold Star Mothers ceremony there. I have been able to learn more about the Viet Nam war this year than ever before. At the time it was happening I was oblivious to much of the war. I am one of the fortunate ones who can say I lost no one I knew. Since then I have met many who did and to see the names and know the numbers really makes me want to show my respect and say thanks to those who did.
For God and country,
Carol Doyle