Old Dirt Farmer: Viet Nam Reunion - Fort Worth TX

Old Dirt Farmer: Viet Nam Reunion - Fort Worth TX: "I’d like to start this BLOG by saying, maybe it’s because I’m getting older, or maybe it’s because life takes on different meanings as the..."

Viet Nam Reunion - Fort Worth TX

I’d like to start this BLOG by saying,  maybe it’s because I’m getting older, or maybe it’s because life takes on different meanings as the result of growing older, I’m not sure, but no matter what the reason, it was the morning of July 4, 2010 when it suddenly hit me of how truly blessed I am.  Blessed because I was born in the greatest country in the entire world – the United States of America;  a country that God has blessed  along with this BLOG writer.

Anyway, as I sat and thought about my blessings I suddenly thought about the year I spent in South Viet Nam – 1969-1970.  I thought about how hard it was to leave my wife – nine months pregnant with our first child.   I remembered the trip to the airport and how I cried.  I cried because of the apprehension of going to a land ravaged by war – a very unpopular war, and I wondered if I’d ever see my child.  I asked God to be with me. This may have been a selfish wish, but I wanted to be able to return home safely and see my new baby. 

Now let’s fast forward.  I was one of the fortunate ones.  I made it there and back all in one piece.  However, as I continued to reminisce my thoughts took me back to the days of D-Troop First of the Tenth Cavalry and Pleiku South Viet Nam.  I decided to Google first of the 10^th Cavalry.  I did and found a very complete web page.  Wow, suddenly I was there!  I could almost hear the “pop” of the rotor blades of the Cobras, Slicks, and LOHs.  Forty years melted.  I saw one of my buddies in a picture and decided to try and locate him – a guy from Kentucky.  Thank goodness for the advent of the computer and Google for I found Charlie and gave him a call.  There were several Charlies  (not to be confused with the Charlies of Viet-Nam – they were the enemy)  with the same last name but I took a chance and first one I dialed was the right one.  As a result of this call I was able to get a link to another website which had a list of the guys from D-Troop.  A few e-mails later I had made contact with some of the long forgotten group.   I was told about an upcoming reunion for the D-Troopers in the spring of 2011 in Fort Worth, TX. 

Several months passed, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the opportunity to go the reunion.  Forty years changes many things.  Would I recognize anyone?  Would anyone recognize me?  What will we talk about?  Well, I decided to go.  Connie worked diligently and found a good rate for airline tickets.  We purchased. 

Time flew and it was time to go to Dallas/Fort Worth.  We have friends that live north of Dallas in Plano.  They graciously allowed us to stay with them and even loaned us their car to drive to Fort Worth.  Thanks Josie and Tom.

Now to bring this BLOG to closure; seeing several of the guys I spent one of the most unforgettable years of my life with was quite amazing.  We all had changed – 41 years does that – but I recognized everyone with whom I worked.   Less hair, or white hair; bigger bellies – for most; but the same great gentlemen!!!  Would I do it again?  You bet!!

Captain Miller – thanks for my first ride in a Cobra and the very kinds words at the reunion.

Sgt.  Harry L Allman (armor)  – Cobra  tail #544 – 1969-1970 – D-Troop 1^st 10^th Cav. – Viet Nam