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four-niner delta
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 134
Location: Burbank, CA
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 Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject: E-mail from a soldiers son |
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Today I received an e-mail from the son of my platoon sergeant in Vietnam. His dad AND my good friend was killed on 13 Sep 1967. This young man was 1 year old at the time of his dad's death and never knew him. It is difficult to write to him, but in a way it gives me a real connection to his family after all these years. Have any of you had contact with familiy members who were KIA in Vietnam after so many years. He DOES want to know the circumstances of his dad's death because the government gave them conflicting reports. Are we surprised??!!
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Gary Armitstead
Burbank, CA
U.S. Army Vietnam 1966-67 Mekong Delta
Mobile Riverine Force
A Co. 3/60 9th INF DIV |
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mtboone
Founder
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 470
Location: Kansas City, MO.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:06 am Post subject: Re: E-mail from a soldiers son |
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| four-niner delta wrote: | | Today I received an e-mail from the son of my platoon sergeant in Vietnam. His dad AND my good friend was killed on 13 Sep 1967. This young man was 1 year old at the time of his dad's death and never knew him. It is difficult to write to him, but in a way it gives me a real connection to his family after all these years. Have any of you had contact with familiy members who were KIA in Vietnam after so many years. He DOES want to know the circumstances of his dad's death because the government gave them conflicting reports. Are we surprised??!! |
Four-niner delta, yes, I have been in contact with many families who lost some one in Vietnam. I was part of a project to gather photos of the 50 men who died in Vietnam on Swift boats. See http://swiftboats.org/memorials/kias/kiaphotos.html
I have talked to over 25 plus of the families of Swifties that died and while it was very emotional for both sides, they wanted to hear what happened to their loved one. It seems the military back then gave them very little details except that they were dead, I also tried to help put them in contact with some one that knew or served with them at the time of their death and it seems to have helped give them some type of closure.
It is not easy in any manner, but I think you will find it helps you also. Good luck and God Bless you
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Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69 |
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LewWaters
Admin
Joined: 18 May 2004
Posts: 4042
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:39 am Post subject: |
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Four-niner, Terry is right. We had a lady contact us a couple years ago about her Dad, who was KIA 3 months after her birth. All he saw was photos of her and she never knew him.
Both her and her Mom contacted an online group from my old Unit seeking information on him. We got them in contact with one who was actually in the Helicopter at that time and survived, but with injuries.
He was hesitant and felt akward, but today is glad he spoke to them and told them exactly what happened and the circumstances of the death. It also helped them to know of the many brave acts he committed.
It isn't easy, but you might be surprised at some ghosts you release that you didn't realize you had. The families deserve the truth about their loved ones.
Maybe approach it slowly instead of all at once, but in the long run, I'm sure you'll be glad you did.
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Clark County Conservative |
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four-niner delta
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 134
Location: Burbank, CA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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Hey guys,
I just got off the phone talking with the son of my platoon sergeant! What a treat. He served six years in the military and is a "dyed-in-the-wool" conservative! And he is from New York! But it was a good thing to talk to him and share stories of his dad and the good times we had in Vietnam.
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Gary Armitstead
Burbank, CA
U.S. Army Vietnam 1966-67 Mekong Delta
Mobile Riverine Force
A Co. 3/60 9th INF DIV |
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