SwiftVets.com

Tony · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:45 pm Post subject:

Somebody should print this thread and mail it to John Kerry. The whole thing - from start to finish. Makes for a good read. I'd love to hear how he reacts to us - his fellow vets.
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http://tonyk.smugmug.com/photos/1822816-L-1.jpg
USN 1983-1992

JPinSF · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:14 pm Post subject: Reporting In.

I am a Viet Nam-era vet who served in the Air Force from 1972 through 1977. Although I never served in-country (I was sent to Germany) I know many many vets who were there and have spent hours and hours talking to them about the experience. I also have a son who was just released from the Air Force in July and who earned a Purple Heart because of injuries received at the Kobar Towers, Saudia Arabia in 1996.

twodogs · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:11 am Post subject:

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:06 am Post subject: Checkin' In

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USN from March '57 to February '61. USNR from then to March '63. I spent most of my tour suffering in the Pacific. Mainly on Oahu hanging out around Honolulu, (Barber's Point NAS), with regular trips to Midway Island. We flew the barrier patrols between North America and the USSR. Normal mission time was a 10 to 13 hour flight in a Super Constellation, (WV-2). We did an excellent job of keeping them away, don't you think.

Currently retired and living in Wyoming.
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Holy %*^! What a ride!"

Anonymous
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Holy %*^! What a ride!"

Anonymous

War Dog · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 1:58 am Post subject:

Welcome my fellow Veterans, and to my old friend Joe McManus!

For those that asked what a "War Dog" is, it is a military working dog or K9.

And for "War Woof", that's just my old dog handler way of saying, we're at war, and let's bite them in the a$$!

War Woof!
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"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

USAF1stSgt · Seaman Recruit Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Posts: 1

My Bio:

Active Duty 1980 - 1989
- Stationed at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. 80 - 84
- Stationed at Arnold AFB, Tn 84 - 89

Air National Guard - Tennessee Air National Guard - 1990
USAF Reserve 1990 - 2002 - MacDill AFB FL

Duties over the course of my career:
- Administrative Specialist
- Personnel Specialist
- Radio Operator
- First Sergeant

I look forward to contributing to the forum. Early, (and throughout my career), I served with many fine Vietnam era vets...they were my mentors. I learned about the slow burn they endured as they spoke of "Hanoi Jane" and how they were greeted when they returned "to the world" from 'Nam.

Senator Kerry's conduct after his return, (and in reserve status) was unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman. I knew some of these type of officers. I called them "careerists." They were "Academy ring knockers" that wrote their own citations, "sitreps", and often volunteered to help "ghost write" all correspondence for their superior officers, (brown nose time).

These individuals were politically savvy and could negotiate the buoys well. However, sometimes they were too smart for their own good. Arrogance would soon accompany their actions as they explored the bounds of being the "golden boy."

I saw this happen on several occassions...John Kerry reminds me of this type of officer...let's "frag" his chances of becoming CINC.
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USAF Reserve, E-8, 1st Sgt (Retired)

USAFLady · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 3:13 am Post subject: Hi

Great book..... Unfit for Command..... read it in 5 hours..... now its out surfing my friends who can't get a copy..... I already have 3 friends that want to borrow it after my initial friend....

I'm retired AF.... 20 years.... 78-98..... Enlisted puke......

Thanks for letting me join your club....

darnhank · Seaman Recruit Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 1

I'm a retired Air Force officer. Served as enlisted and officer from 1949 through 1976. Korean vet and Vietnam vet. Many years on B-52 crew. Served in countlry at Hue Phu Bai and Monkey Mountain, guiding B-52s to targets. Love what the swiftboat vets for truth are doing and admire them immensly and have contributed. It is beginnning to look like these guys are going to succeed in keeping this phoney from becoming commander in chief.

hrandym · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:03 am Post subject: not too smart

It took me a while to get here. But then I am an engineer. What did you expect?

I served as Engineer Equipment Maintenance Officer (CPT) in the 2nd Maintenance Bn. Actually they assigned me as Company Commander, for what reason I will never know and probably don't want to. Bunch of ordinance guys and me an engineer, I didn't stand a chance. I was stationed at Vung Tau (laugh, laugh) but unfortunately not close enough to the R&R. I was sort of north of that. I did a lot of travel using local flying groups (9th Infantry, Black Horse, etc.) and probably flew over you swifties at some time. We supported non-divisional artillery in the area, as well as 36th Engineers and numerous other units at various times. Is this enough?

I am more than proud of the Swifties. Not only for their service then but their service now. Although Vietnam got a bad wrap at home (Kerry Inc.) I am proud of the men I was privileged to serve with. What else can I say? Thank you, Swifties.

One thought. I heard on some news program that Bush was talking with school children when 9/11 happened, and he just kept on with his activity long enough to close out with the kids. On the other hand, Kerry says he couldn't "think" for about forty minutes. Who would you prefer to have in command, a man that keeps his cool and doesn't panic when crisis occurs or one who can't think for forty minutes? Forty minutes is not too good for a Swiftie. Is that an average for you guys? I'm sort of kidding, but I a sure that Mr. Kerry did hurt your average.

Oh, does anyone have a remaining copy of "Vietnam on Ten Cents a Day"? I lost mine.

Randy Moore US Army Corps of Engineers 1965-69, Europe and Vietnam
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Herbert R. Moore, former CPT, Corps of Engineers. Vietnam '68-'69 Mekong Delta

hrandym · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 10:26 am Post subject: Choked

Sooner_1938 · Seaman Recruit Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 3

Hi Brothers (and Sisters, if any)
I'm a lifer. Started out as an Aviation Ordnanceman, USN from Jan '55 'til Dec '58. Retired in Jul '78 as 7lL Admin Supervisor, USA. My time in the 'Nam (Aug 66-Aug67) was spent behind the lines, which created a great deal of guilt in me. I was at HQ, lst Log Comd (Cam Ranh) for about 6 months, until I managed to get away from what was rapidly coming to resemble a stateside garrison by volunteering to go with a newly-minted colonel who was sent upcountry to Tuy Hoa as commander of a newly-created FSA (Forward Support Area). Felt more like a soldier when I got out in the boonies, though I was still an office drone.

Anyway, I think it would be an absolute disaster for Kerry to be elected president of these United States and I enthusiastically support the efforts of the Swifties who are working to prevent that from happening.
Jim from Texas
P.S.
I rode a Swift boat from Vung Ro Bay (near Tuy Hoa) back to Cam Panh when I was getting ready to board my freedom flight. Pretty exhilarating experience. I've always wished I could buy one at surplus for use as a personal water craft.

ocsaddle · Seaman Recruit Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 2

I am one of those "Academy Ring Knockers" that SAF1sgt refers to in his post. I believe Mr. O'Neil is also a "Ring Knocker" as are several other of your posters.
I completed Airborne school at Ft. Benning in August 1965.
I completed Ranger School at Eglin AFB in November 1965.
Served in the 4th Infantry Div in VN 1966-67, helped build Dragon Mtn. base camp outside Pleiku; went with 2bde 4Inf to firebase 3Tango; then served at "The Oasis" firebase and many other places in the Central Highlands which I walked to reach; then served with 69th Armor Bn along Hwy. 19E between Pleiku and Qui Nhon.
Came back to states and served with 1Bde 82d Airborne through 1970.
To those of you VN vets "WELCOME HOME".
To those of you like SAF1sgt who think they know from talking to VN vets - You don't!
Do not presume to judge any of us including John Kerry.
I don't know about John Kerry's service - I wasn't there. But he did serve. He is not a "Ring Knocker", I am.
My dispute with John Kerry is what he did after he got back from VN, not what he did when he was there.

Nutso · PO3 Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 271 Location: Minnesota

US Navy 1974 - 1978, US Enterprise, US Cocopa, and US Orleck.

Katie'sda · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 8:25 pm Post subject:

Us Army '66-'69 Sp/5
'67-'68 Korean DMZ Lost 4 KIA and 23 WIA in one attack.
Yeah there was also a war going on over there too.
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Us Army '66-'69

Margo · Seaman Recruit Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Posts: 1

Margo Strayer reporting for duty. USN May 1980 - January 1986
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U.S. Navy 1980-1986

lthrneck · Lieutenant Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 214

3rd Bn 4th Marines Vietnam 66-67.
0341 (That's grunt to you swabbies).
Keep up the good work, you swifties have millions of us Vet's behind you guys.

Semper fi
Dennis "dawg" Thun