After Action 2008
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To: E Company Rangers
From: Rick Stetson
As we head towards the 4th of July, I want to wish all
of you a safe and enjoyable Independence Day and to thank
you again for helping make Nhan's trip to the United States
possible. If you have not done so, get on our web site,
www.9thdivisionlrrp.com and read Nhan's words of
appreciation and check out some of the photos he took. And
speaking of photos, be sure to click on "Photos by Rip
Tragle," and then click above the arrow that will appear on
the next page. There will be a number of selections from
Rip's excellent photography to choose from, but don't miss
"2008 LRRP Colorado Reunion." When you click on the reunion
link, the following albums should appear: "Nhan's Album,"
"Gold Mine Day," "Pikes Peak," and "A Better Plan." Just
place the cursor over the album you want and you will be
treated to a great slide show. Rip says of "A Better Plan:"
I was spending all my time organizing and getting nothing
done, so the hell with organization." Rip's photos need no
organization as they all bring back fond memories for those
who made it to Colorado. And in "A Better Plan," Rip
features a number of the ladies who attended and they
certainly are a lot easier on the eyes than a bunch of
us old Lurps.
I was interested in Nhan's trip after he left us in
Colorado. Sal told me that he and Nhan had a good flight to
North Carolina where they took in a show at an Imax theatre,
dined in an Italian restaurant, went to Georgia where they
had a nice visit with Wheeler, traveled to Virginia to visit
Bill Anderson, stopped by a Vietnamese mall outside
Washington DC and then made it to the Vietnam Memorial where
Nhan was stunned to see so many names. Stew Koontz took Nhan
on a Rolling Thunder ride through DC and I'm anxious to see
if they got a photo of Nhan sitting atop a big Harley.
While Nhan was at Stew's place, Dennis Lastine came to visit
and Bob Martin drove down from Ohio which meant that most of
team Two Two was present for a reunion.
Nhan also made a stop in West Virginia and for that
account, you need to click on "Bill Cheek" when you are
on the web site. Bill has written up a humorous account, as
only Bill can tell it, of Nhan dispatching a "VC rabbit,"
with "one shot one kill." And that was with a .22 pistol
being held at a most unusual position due to Nhan's loss of
limbs. Bill has included photos as proof of Nhan's
marksmanship ability and now Bill has one less rabbit
to dine in his garden (it was the rabbit who got dined
upon.) Bill is owed a huge "thank you" for spearheading the
effort to bring Nhan to the States.
Another guy we are indebted to is Roy Barley and his
family. Roy wrote me that he took Nhan to a dairy festival
and war memorials in the Buffalo area as well as to a Boy
Scout store where Nhan was treated to a shopping spree. Roy
said he was like "a kid in a candy store" as Nhan stocked up
on books and supplies for his scouts in Nam. And as all good
tourists do when visiting Buffalo, Roy took Nhan to Niagara
Falls where they rode on the Maid of the Mist and got soaked
while standing up front. Coming over here, airport security
broke the locks on Nhan's luggage so Roy made sure
he received a new set. In Colorado, we were moved by Roy's
kindness when he presented Nhan with a new laptop computer.
At our next reunion, I need to get Barley to explain how he
got Nhan through the airport security checkpoint (they both
have metal in their bodies from the war) and how Nhan
whipped up a delicious meal in Barley's kitchen. Nhan has
promised that if we visit him in
Vietnam, he will cook us a "real Vietnamese meal." He
also wants us to write him so he can use his new computer.
His trip to the United States is one he will never forget
and thanks again to all of you who showed Nhan such
kindness.
The rave reviews continue to come in for all who have
watched Erik Spink's "Painted Faces." No movie offers yet
for those of us who were interviewed but I think
Erik's documentary deserves an Academy Award nomination.
Thanks to all who sat down with Erik in Orlando as well as
those who sent him photos and film footage. There is one
more link I encourage to check out while on our web site
that is maintained in such excellent fashion by Jonesy and
that is, "San Diego 2009." It is not too soon to block off
May 13-17 on our 2009 calendars as it looks to be a reunion
that will be well attended and one we won't want to miss.
Bob Hernandez (along with Tess, Marshall and Greg) have been
busy with the advance planning. Bob is the pointman for
collecting the registration fee which will cover the banquet
and hospitality room (his address is in the link) and be
sure to check in from time to time for updates as next May
draws closer.
I have "hunted and pecked" on my keyboard long enough
so I'll check out of the net for now. "Happy 4th" to you and
your families.
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