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| Forums10 Topics39,540 Posts562,558 Members14,592 |  | Most Online9,918Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 14,023 Likes: 1824 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 14,023 Likes: 1824 | 
Thank you for your service, brother. And to all others who served our nation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during that war. I have always had a special appreciation for Vietnam Veterans because i could have easily been there myself, had I not enlisted Navy and been otherwise assigned. 
 I am reading a series of two books by Gary Linderer entitled Phantom Warriors, books 1 and 2. I am well into book two now, and am daily amazed at the bravery and heroism exhibited by the Rangers, LRP and LRRP units. The "Lerps" were awesome individuals who volunteered for harrowing and life threatening duty. My hat's off to them all.
 
 May God bless America and those who defend her.
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| 1 member likes this:
Parabola |  |  |  
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Joined:  Dec 2006 Posts: 3,343 Likes: 367 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2006 Posts: 3,343 Likes: 367 | 
Thanks to all those who served and didn't run away from their duty.  Your a special breed who deserve more respect and gratitude from all of us.
 A special prayer for those who didn't come home.
 
 God bless all of you Vietnam vets@
 
 Gregory J. Westberg
 MSG, USA
 Ret
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susjwp |  |  |  
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Joined:  Jul 2012 Posts: 4,946 Likes: 345 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jul 2012 Posts: 4,946 Likes: 345 | 
And also, a prayer for those that died at home from the effects of Agent Orange or couldn't live with the memories and committed suicide. These were also casualties of the war.Mike
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| 2 members like this:
graybeardtmm3, gjw |  |  |  
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Joined:  May 2016 Posts: 1,546 Likes: 341 Sidelock |  
| OP   Sidelock 
 Joined:  May 2016 Posts: 1,546 Likes: 341 | 
Mike, I totally agree, having recently being treated for the effects of it. They called it "Operation Ranch Hand" at my base. Sadly, I've lost a number of friends from it. Karl ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/74546_600x400.jpg) |  |  |  
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Joined:  Dec 2012 Posts: 3,633 Likes: 1060 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2012 Posts: 3,633 Likes: 1060 | 
I have as well, Karl.
 A wicked mutagen, a teratogen, and a carcinogen all mixed-up in a "witches' brew" (compliments of Dow Chemical & Uncle Sam).
 
 Be sure to celebrate the day with all our "thanks" here for your good and faithful duty to your country. May many more "Vietnam Veterans Days" be in your future Sir.
 
Last edited by Lloyd3; 03/29/25 06:21 PM.
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 14,023 Likes: 1824 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 14,023 Likes: 1824 | 
Remembering especially today these Vietnam Vets, all relatives or friends of mine:
 Maj. Charles Kelly, Sylvania, GA, Operation Dust-Off Huey pilot, KIA
 
 SSGT Emory Morel Smith, Sylvania, GA, LRRP, KIA
 
 Pvt. Rusty Evans, Sylvania, GA, KIA
 
 J. Wilson Sanders, Sylvania, GA, died of Agent Orange related cancer
 
 May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 1,834 Likes: 127 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 1,834 Likes: 127 | 
God bless all of you Vietnam Vets 
 Brian
 LTC, USA Ret.
 NRA Patron Member
 AHFGCA Life Member
 USPSA Life Member
 
 
 
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Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 2,071 Likes: 72 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Mar 2009 Posts: 2,071 Likes: 72 | 
God bless all who served there. 
 Michael Dittamo
 Topeka, KS
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Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 11,574 Likes: 167 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 11,574 Likes: 167 | 
A salute from this Vietnam era vet to all of those who served in country.  I enlisted in a local National Guard infantry unit when I was still in high school (1962) and we did not have many boots on the ground in country.  After college, my military obligation over, I was hired by the CIA.  With the war in SE Asia still in progress,  our training  included several months of paramilitary, including an abbreviated version of Jungle Warfare in the Canal Zone.  Somehow I ended up in Africa Division where they wanted me to study Arabic.  The clock was ticking on the time I had left to complete an MA without losing a bunch of credits.  I requested and was granted leave without pay.  By the time I finished, Vietnam was winding down and the CIA was undergoing a reduction in force.  I decided to resign and became a French teacher.  first high school, then college.  Reenlisted in an Army Reserve Military Intelligence unit where I reached eligibility to retire while missing both Southeast Asia and Iraq/Afghanistan, where my original National Guard unit served multiple tours. |  |  |  
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