I want to thank handejecter for starting the U.S. Veterans group. While reading the posts I discovered that there was a forum member that was in the Air Force unit that as an Army Captain was assigned to and we were there at the same time.

Wingwiper and I served together with the 9th SOS at Phan Rang AB. I was with the 7th PsyOps Bn assigned to the 9th SOS as S-3 Air for the Bn.

Small world isn't it. How many others have re-established friendships through the Veterans Group?

Thanks Lee.

Hawkeye

When I was in the Navy, I had a good friend named Andy Renfro. We spent hours together. He babysat my daughter when she was newborn so my wife and I could have a night off.

When it came time for him to re-up, I told him to go to college and make use of that benefit. He was determined to go to SEAL school I rode him pretty hard about not going to school to the point that when he re-enlisted and went to SEAL school, he left Norfolk and didn't say good bye.

I've only done a couple of things in my life that I've regretted. Teasing Andy is one of them.

I've searched VP Navy, Googled, Classmated, checked online records, etc. for years.

I did a facebook search about 6 months ago and one of the first pictures that popped up was of Andy. After 30 years, I could tell it was him in the postage stamp sized photo.

We've talked a few times and, while he's half a country away, we've vowed to get together, soon.

I hope that some of you can have the same experience I've had in finding a long lost friend. I hope this new forum can help.

My hat's off to handejector for starting this group!

a big +1 to handejector

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DEDUKE

You beat me to it...... Thanks Lee!

I saw you guys realize you knew each other.
Cool.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

It's funny how those things work out. I have two friends, who did not know each other, who served on the Kennedy at the same time. One day while taking to one of them it dawned on he was telling a story from a slightly different perspective that I had heard the other friend tell. Once on a Med cruise a Soviet sub tried to surface underneath the Kennedy.

I hooked them up and learned that one had been a Quartermaster and the other in the engine room, so there was no chance of knowing each other. However they had in fact shared two cruises together.

I don't post a lot, but I too want to add my thanks to Lee for opening this group. I have stayed interested in this forum longer than any other, and have met some great people. Thanks again Lee.

Lee, thanks for the Veterans Group. Super idea.
Ron

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"DEO VINDICE"

LEE,

Great new avatar!

Few have the courage to use their own picture.

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

This is great. Member, Senior Member . . . whatever.

Now I have one of the two titles I prefer, U.S. Veteran or Vietnam Veteran . . . a title truly earned.

A big thanks, Lee.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Thanks Lee.

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G.P. Charlie

Ooooh......THAT will get you banned

Thanks again Lee!

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U.S. Army Viet Nam Vet '68-69'

Thanks Lee---------

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"Class Tells"

Served aboard the USS Essex CVS 9 1968-1970..E5 Engineer (BT) Disabled when my ears were blown out doing special duty on 5" Guns. Would be honored to join...Rick S

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Do what it takes to save the 2nd!!
Rick:cool:

Thanks Lee, I'm not much of a "joiner" (I lurked around this forum for sometime before joining) But I jumped on the veterans group. By the way I appreciate you re-inviting me after I kicked myself out of the group. I hope I was not the cause of your new avatar.

Joe R.

I am not a veteran or military related but wanted to say thank you to all of you who where willing to go there and do what must be done to keep me safe, thank you

Being in the Veterans group makes me feel old..

You know... like you guys.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Makes me feel proud....

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4th SQD 7th CAVALRY

Now 'at there's funny. I'ownt care who ye are.

Seriously though, thanks Lee.

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Ted Nugent in 2013!

As stated by many, thank you Lee. I enjoy and learn from this forum and get many a laugh while reading it.

Being alive makes me feel old

We are old... :-( but it beats the alternative.

Rick
CTR2,USNSG 1968-1972
Cheltenham,MD; Medina,TX; Hakata, Japan

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Rick, W0FG
CTR2 68-72

Hostile in the open. Troops, fire at will!

You are all certainly welcome. I think we will enjoy it. I will try to catch up now.
Married off the youngest son last night.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Aaahhh, time for some peace and quiet.....

I like this group. At least I'm not the oldest guy in the room anymore.

Funny, but I have never considered myself a veteran. I always felt that title was reserved for those who actually fought a war on foreign soil.

Hell, all I ever did was fight with my drill instructors.

Thanks again Lee.

thank you Lee - I am honored to be listed with these veterans

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Fair winds and following sea

Thank you Lee.

Thank you all who have served honorably. I enjoy what freedoms we still have because of you!

Not when you reach the nursing home, it doesn't

It's nice to see my name listed as a veteran...years passed before I would tell anyone I was a Nam vet. Today it is on my license plates and I wear my 173rd Airborne pin on my jacket lapel. Are there other fellow "herd" members here?
Charlie, a former infantry platoon sergeant with Lima Platoon, Dog Co. 4th Btn 173rd Airborne April 68-69

One of the most honorable things I felt I have done in my life was to serve and defend my country and flag. It took 30 years before someone took my hand and said thank you. I will not forget the moment

Never miss an opportunity to thank someone for their service, or stand and give the honors due to our flag. Doing so is a privilage I cherish.

Lee, thank you for the recognition this group affords us.

LTC

The most honorable thing a man or woman can do is to sacrifice a little and serve his/her country in the armed services. Those who don't, or refuse, better have a damn good reason why not. While I can understand physical and mental limitations for not serving, I do take issue with those able bodied folk who won't serve...there's just no excuse. OK, rant off, and just taking the opportunity to resurrect this really old thread.

P.S. Yes, I believe in conscription, and have served with beaucoup gangster/petty criminal types who became outstanding warriors because a judge gave them a choice...join the Army or go to jail. The military just has a way, or it did at one time, of getting someone who's mind is just not right, of turning around an at risk teen, and making a productive and honorable human being who can and will focus on things other then himself.

Thanks and Welcome Home to all my Brothers and Sisters who served!

And thanks again to Lee for making a place for us.

I was too young for WW2 but served in the California National Guard from 29 Jan, 1951 thru 29 Jan. 1960 Never went overseas but was Infantry & Air Guard. I don't consider myself a veteran like you guys but did my duty much better than Bill Clinton ever did. Sorry Lee, that just slipped out.

Thanks Lee for the veterans group, I know everyone of us are proud to be represented here.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

The difference between a vet and a combat vet is a set of orders, if ordered, you would have gone. Simple as that. Either good luck or bad luck, you choose!

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Bob P.

Being a WW2-Korea era Army vet, that's still above ground, the problem is all my buddies are gone, but I still visit them at the Fort Rosecrans and Miramar National Cemeteries. Ed.

No the difference is the combat Vets know exactly how they reacted, good or bad and they live with it the rest of their lives. The others???

Small world. I was in the 35TFW while at Phan Rang.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065