Would you call back?

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vonn

vonn

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I had a message on my house phone this afternoon. When I listened to the message it was someone who wanted to know if I was a member of Ranger class xxxxx(Army) and left a name, number ,and email address for me to contact if I was. Since I had been to RVN before Ranger school the instructors were determined to prove they were tougher than Nam and I did hard time just to graduate. Didn’t know anybody when I got there and haven’t bumped into anyone since ,almost 50 years. Can’t make up my mind about replying, would you call back?
 
I went through something similar 20 years ago. It was the troop I served with in Vietnam and I recognized many of the names.

I'm still in touch with a few but for the most part when I came home I wanted no part of the military or to relive any of it. These people get together every year and discuss old times. Sorry, but I came home and became a civilian. I don't really care to spend time with the past of 50 years ago.

You'll probably find the same with those that contacted you.
 
vonn said:
I had a message on my house phone this afternoon. When I listened to the message it was someone who wanted to know if I was a member of Ranger class xxxxx(Army) and left a name, number ,and email address for me to contact if I was....
.... Didn’t know anybody when I got there and haven’t bumped into anyone since ,almost 50 years. Can’t make up my mind about replying, would you call back?
Click to expand...

Two-step process:
1. Ask yourself if this interests you. If not, ignore. Considering how long ago this was, most of their phone calls will be dead ends, you’re not hurting anyone’s feelings.

2. If you’re interested enough, use the e-mail he gave you to answer through a cut-out e-mail account (if you haven’t got one, just sign up for free aol mail, yahoo, whatever). Be polite, but give no more information than they already have, and ask what this is about. Only engage further if you’re satisfied this is legit.
 
I have a book from post WWII, it lists every man that served in every Allied Ranger and Commando unit. (Not the Airborne Regiments or Divisions). This was published to stop frauds (we call it stolen Valor now).

There are now Associations for Rangers, SF, USMC, & ect. Contact them and see if the name is on the list! If not BEWARE! There is also a commercial firm that authenticates claims of "Special" (includes, Ranger, Seal, UDT, Para Rescue and so on) service from 1958 foreword. A lot of mall ninjas want the high paying contractor jobs! (A friend had an Armored Car company and never needed the service, but was well aware of it, but I have no idea of how to contact them.

Ivan
 
vonn said:
I had a message on my house phone this afternoon. When I listened to the message it was someone who wanted to know if I was a member of Ranger class xxxxx(Army) and left a name, number ,and email address for me to contact if I was.
Click to expand...

If that was you, contact him by email.
Let the guy flesh out his explanation.
What have you got to lose?

If it wasn't you, don't.

I'd put it at 99.99% legit, if you
were in that Ranger class.
 
It was me in the class. Haven’t decided what I want to do about this but thanks for all the replies. Guess I have shut most of my memories out for so long that now I can’t remember . The couple of guys I knew and stayed in touch with have been dead a few years and I am not sure if I want to open the box. Would like to live long enough to see my granddaughters get a little older is my main ambition nowadays.
 
Last edited:
Most likely a class member who obtained the class roster and is now google-searching names to try and make contact. People have a way of changing over the decades so there is no way of predicting what sort of person this is now or what he might be trying to accomplish.

I might set up a new G-mail account, use that to make contact, see what the deal is. If you don't like the information provided you can walk away from that free G-mail account easily enough with zero chance of being traced for something like this.

I have been contacted by a couple of guys over the years. In both cases they were trying to document incidents for claims of disability based on military service. In neither case could I contribute in good conscience; one was disappointed and the other one became rude and abusive (apparently thought I owed it to him to lie for him).

I think it was about 1972-73 when the Ft. Benjamin Harrison fire wiped out thousands of GI's official records, and lots of guys ended up having a hard time documenting training accidents, combat actions, even unit assignments and dates, etc. If that is the case you might be able to help a guy out, if your memory retains the details.
 
Call back

Try Googling the number before anything else, you may be able to tell if it is a legit call, from the info you find on Google
 
They probably are legit. When I was contacted by the people I served with they were starting an organization so they weren't in any lists. In the 20 years they've been around they have become established and even have a Facebook page.

But as I mentioned in my instance they probably just want to reminisce about the good old days, and those days may be something you don't want to be reminded of. Even though I have nothing to do with the organization that contacted me I stay in contact with a few of them now that I was close to.

Every year the group that contacted me meet in San Antonio or Las Vegas but I have no interest in being a part of it.
 
vonn said:
I had a message on my house phone this afternoon. When I listened to the message it was someone who wanted to know if I was a member of Ranger class xxxxx(Army) and left a name, number ,and email address for me to contact if I was. Since I had been to RVN before Ranger school the instructors were determined to prove they were tougher than Nam and I did hard time just to graduate. Didn’t know anybody when I got there and haven’t bumped into anyone since ,almost 50 years. Can’t make up my mind about replying, would you call back?
Click to expand...

Vonn, thank you for your service. My son went through Ranger School in 2013 without recycling, so I know you are a tough knot for sure. Welcome home Brother.

Good luck.
 
I understand your emotions. I had a similar phone message several years ago. Turned out to be legit from classmate from Benning and served with in Nam. I really didn't care to take part in any annual get together, but we do talk a about twice a year and has lead to contacts with several other old army buddies. I think it may have helped me a bit.
 
No. Why. Because scamming veterans is really rampant right now. See
Watch Out for these 7 Key Veteran Scams.html

And Dozens of fake charities scammed donations for veterans the pocketed the cash: FTC

I am retired Coast Guard and I keep in touch with many of the people I served with. But I have also been approached the way you were. Someone I did not recognize or remember wanting to get in touch. If they persist look into it further. It is easy today to find out a lot about you especially if you do social media, or even forums like this. They may sound like they know you but you should be cautious.

There are ways you can look up old unit rosters, deployments etc. Check them out. One I am a member of is Together We Served. U.S. Military Records Search & Veteran Locator | TWS If their name is on the list then try contacting the person on your own. You may find out that they did try to call, or they may tell you no it wasn't me. But if they left a phone number or e-mail address on the voice mail do not call them or e-mail them that way.

It's the same advice as never click on an e-mail link you do not recognize.
 
Last edited:
PeterDE said:
No. Why.

It's the same advice as never click on an e-mail link you do not recognize.
Click to expand...

It's not the same. Clicking a link can take you to a page
where malware can be installed on your machine, if you're
not using antivirus software.

Emailing the guy back doesn't involve that type of risk.

And, TWS is a nice feel-good site, but not a valid indicator of
military service. You have to know about it, and jump thru
their hoops to be "listed".
 
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