Lest We Forget

These are men of the 1st Cav Div in Vietnam on a fire base after an all night attack that almost overrun the place. The story and the eyes apply to any soldier who experiences the same sort of event.

I served along side the Anzacs in 67-68 and saw those eyes amongst them. The eyes have no nationality.

JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO.

DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible.
Rusk responded "Does that include those who are buried here?"

You could have heard a pin drop
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The Battle of Long Tan took place on August 18^th, 1966 in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. After attacks on their base at Nui Dat, 108 men from D Company of 6RAR were patrolling in the area of the Long Tan rubber plantation. Shortly after 4 pm, they were met by a large force of over 2,000 Viet Cong soldiers who attacked with mortars, rifle and machine gun fire.

I watched a short video this morning of a 100 year old veteran who broke down in tears at what the world had become. 

It broke my heart to see him so full of despair and grief. As one person said " Thank God for seniors who've served who can tell us firsthand about history and give us their wisdom. Thank You Marine and World War II veteran Carl Dekel. Happy 100th birthday. These aren't the selfish tears of someone who never grew up ... we see too much of that. This is the despair of someone who loves, knows and cares."

Tragically Pilot Officer Henry Dudley Andrews (age 24) died today 68 years ago - He served on peacekeeping duties in Korea from 11 November 1953 to 31 May 1954.