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Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
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Orange Blooded [4159]
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Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:43 AM
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My wife and I went to Augusta, Ga last weekend to visit a relative at the Augusta Burn Hospital. After that we went to Golden Corral for lunch. My wife went to fix her pakte and I was left on purse duty, you know watch my purse while I go get my lunch. There was this man a little older than me sitting directly behind my wife who had on a retired navy cap, and motorcycle vest that had multiple duty badges from 1960 to 1987 on it. So I asked him how he was doing and told him I appreciated his service and sacrifice, and that I served 11 years in the USAF. Three badges stood out to me, all 2 year tours in Vietnam. I asked if he did 3 tours in Vietnam, and he said yes he was there off and on for 7 years. I said that is crazy, how did you draw the short straw for so long and what he said made me have a whole different level of respect for the man. He was a gunner on a river boat. He said that he felt since he knew sorta what he was doing and was used to it, he was keeping some other 18 year old kid from having to go through what he had endured and come out of. That my friends is a generation like the ones before that this current generation will never understand or come close to equalling. I would have bought his meal if you didn't pay when you come through the line in Golden Corral, but it was really a good day! GOD Bless all those that have served our nation graciously, bravely, and with the knowledge that they at any time might have to make the ultimate sacrifice so that others can live safely and peacefully here in AMERICA!
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Senior Writer [∞]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:46 AM
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That is awesome. When we stopping fighting amongst ourselves we realize we have some really good people in this country
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CU Guru [1374]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:49 AM
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That’s awesome man. Glad to hear that. Health advice- Golden Corral is like filling your insides with gasoline. Baaad stuff.
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Orange Blooded [4159]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:54 AM
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But the rolls are so guuuuuddd!!
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Hall of Famer [21764]
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1st Rounder [603]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:51 AM
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Kudos for the story and many thanks to the Vietnam vet's contributions.
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All-In [27366]
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Don't let the "He should just do what best for him" people
Jan 31, 2020, 9:52 AM
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on this site read this. They ain't gonna like it.
Or even understand it.
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Scout Team [167]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:54 AM
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Thank You for sharing.
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All-TigerNet [10469]
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Great story, but I have a question
Jan 31, 2020, 9:54 AM
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Army personnel served 12 months tours of duty over there, and Marines served 13 months. Was a two year tour of duty standard for Navy personnel?
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Orange Blooded [4159]
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Re: Great story, but I have a question
Jan 31, 2020, 9:58 AM
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I have no idea, can ask my neighbor he was there for 2 tours. This vet said he was there off and on for 7 years and had badges for it. Didn't ask how much time past between tours. He was as nice a guy as you would ever want to meet, but also looked like he could take care of himself. I am not so sure he couldn't serve another tour if needed, lol!
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All-TigerNet [14751]
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Re: Great story, but I have a question
Jan 31, 2020, 10:02 AM
[ in reply to Great story, but I have a question ] |
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Read my mind was going to post similar. Also in terms of medals and ribbons you don’t wear 3 for the same thing, it’s one with little pins in it to signify multiples but this sounds like a vest with badges not the uniform medals And ribbons I’m thinking of.
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Orange Blooded [4159]
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Re: Great story, but I have a question
Jan 31, 2020, 10:11 AM
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No these weren't medals, just cloth badges that had Vietnam Vet 1961-63, 1964-65, 1966-67. He also had pins, ribbons, and what looked like original service medals on his vest also. He also had a super nice 1995 Harley-Davidson ultra Classic! I wanted it so bad!!!!
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110%er [9903]
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Re: Great story, but I have a question
Jan 31, 2020, 11:43 AM
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Sounds like on his first tour he volunteered for another year. Then he did two more tours. That also makes sense with what he said about staying on and reducing the need for another newbie. BZ to him! Semper Fi!
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Orange Blooded [3560]
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Re: Great story, but I have a question
Jan 31, 2020, 4:57 PM
[ in reply to Re: Great story, but I have a question ] |
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I can only speak from an Army standpoint. My first tour was part of 65 & part of 66 and second was 67-68, each 12 months in length. I assume his patches reflected similar timeframes.
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Orange Blooded [2236]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 9:59 AM
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Thanks for sharing and most of all thanks for recognizing his contribution and showing your gratitude. My wife's uncle served multiple tours including being a POW and WIA from being shot in the face. He received a Purple Heart but he's suffered from the side effects of war. He's a tormented soul, a good man, but his demons are tough to for he and his family from time to time. Those guys really went through hell.
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CU Medallion [67853]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 10:05 AM
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I dont think you ever come back from something like that and arent totally changed regardless of war. My mom was engaged to a guy in the Pacific during WWII. She said he came back a totally different person when he came home. eventually they broke up.
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Heisman Winner [134686]
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I was in line at a grocery store in Monroe, N.C. over a year
Jan 31, 2020, 10:04 AM
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ago. The man behind me had on a Vietnam Veterans hat. We struck up a conversation. Seeing we have about the same number of items, I asked him to go ahead of me and told the young lady at the counter I would pay for his groceries. He thanked me and I thanked him for his service.
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All-TigerNet [10492]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 10:17 AM
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Today’s generation does have some of the same. I hang out some with a retired Army Artillery Colonel. His son, Army Special Forces, served 3 tours in Afghanistan, Silver Star. It’s such a small sliver of our country’s overall population that serves in the military and a still smaller sliver that serves at the pointy end of the sword. You just don’t hear about it.....at least not enough in my opinion.
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Orange Blooded [3663]
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God Bless our veterans and military***
Jan 31, 2020, 10:28 AM
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Varsity [231]
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Re: God Bless our veterans and military***
Jan 31, 2020, 10:54 AM
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I was fortunate that my 2 tours of service were over when VN occurred. Know I woudda never been that strong. Hats off to those with his great attitude and service. Thank you for sharing.
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Orange Blooded [4195]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 11:02 AM
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Thanks for sharing God Bless all the vets who have defended this great nation. Thank you
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Orange Blooded [3423]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 11:06 AM
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Thanks for sharing such an interesting story. I usually wear my AF cap when out and will speak to any vets close by to learn about their service. I think there were a number of guys like the one you spoke with who served additional tours or time feeling their experience and skill set would help save lives. A distant cousin who was born in Piedmont and grew up in Washington state kept returning to his Vietnam unit after being wounded several times for such a reason. Was awarded eight purple hearts. One story noted he left his hospital bed in a gown, not waiting for discharge, to rejoin thinking his experience and skill set would save lives. Was a Medal of Honor recipient.
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All-TigerNet [10640]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
Jan 31, 2020, 11:38 AM
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As a Marine platoon leader (combat engineer) in Viet Nam my men rotated home at different times as we ddi not go over as a unit but were always losing or adding Marines. On several occasions I would be somewhere when I would run into one of my old platoon members that had rotated home. Invariably, they would tell me they had come back because they had rather be in country than back in the states shining brass and polishing their boots. Other than the chance of being shot, or blown up, many Marines liked being in country. None of the ones that came for a second tour were married in my platoon.
I did have a fellow platoon leader, who later became our Company Commander, (Jim Nollenburger, Company C, 9th Engineer Battalion) who served at least two tours and possibly more. These guys were very valuable, as they had experienced just about everything and passed it down to those who followed.
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110%er [9903]
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Re: Interesting conversation with Vietnam vet in Golden Corral!
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