ARJ Defense ad

52 Years ago today

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • thescoutranch

    TN Transplant - We love living in TX
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Mar 5, 2020
    2,009
    96
    Georgetown
    This is a thank you to all the military who have served throughout the years.

    52 years ago today my father was serving in the Air Force (20th SOS), and was shot down in Cambodia piloting a UH1 helicopter, while extracting special operations forces. Everyone on board survive the crash and spent the next eight hours on the ground defending their position against overwhelming enemy odds. My father took command of the troops on the ground and was directing the fire suppression runs by the two gun ships in his flight. Once the gun ships were low on fuel/ammo they would cycle back to the base and another pair would be dispatched.

    My father only told me the entire story once. He told me his only prayer to God was, “ if something happens to me, take care of my family“. It took over eight hours to coordinate the extraction for the group. For his actions that day he was awarded the Air Force cross.

    I have always counting my blessings for getting to have my father back in my life. So many children do not get their parents back, because they served their country, I was very blessed and fortunate.
    Over the last couple of years, he has continually slipped into the grip of the disease of Alzheimer’s, and doesn’t remember a lot of the events in his life.

    Thank you God, for protecting and returning my father to me, 52 years ago, today
    DK Firearms
     

    mad88minute

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Oct 13, 2017
    1,659
    96
    Houston
    Your story gave me chills and foggy vision. I'm still relatively young, but I still thank every youngster I see in uniform for stepping up to serve so I don't have to continue in my service.

    I came home from the army just in time to watch my grandfather loose the last bit of his memory to alzheimer's. After that he went back to his army days and wanted to fight everyone when he saw me. He knew I was a soldier, remembered he was a soldier and went to work. One of the last things he told me was " get your gun, let's go!" Later that day he put a male nurse thru some drywall.

    Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk
     

    satx78247

    Member, Emeritus
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Jun 23, 2014
    8,479
    96
    78208
    Your story gave me chills and foggy vision. I'm still relatively young, but I still thank every youngster I see in uniform for stepping up to serve so I don't have to continue in my service.

    I came home from the army just in time to watch my grandfather loose the last bit of his memory to alzheimer's. After that he went back to his army days and wanted to fight everyone when he saw me. He knew I was a soldier, remembered he was a soldier and went to work. One of the last things he told me was " get your gun, let's go!" Later that day he put a male nurse thru some drywall.

    Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk


    mad88minute,

    I SALUTE your grandfather's HONORABLE SERVICE

    For the last year of her LONG life, Mother believed that it was early 1942, that she was a newlywed & that I was my Dad & that "Honey, you look very handsome in your Army Air Corps uniform."
    (Mother passed away peacefully in her sleep at 99 years, 8 months of age in SEP 2017.)

    yours, satx
    USA, Retired
     
    Last edited:

    MTA

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    40   0   0
    Mar 10, 2017
    9,054
    96
    Fannin
    Vietnam vets have my eternal gratitude. I am absolutely disgusted by the way they were treated by the filthy flag burning communist pussies who stayed at home

    Your father is a warrior. Men like him are the reason why the revolution was won and why we enjoy our lives in America today. Seriously, if anyone who reads this is a Vietnam vet, thank you sincerely for what you did for us. Alot of us young bloods are absolutely grateful for your sacrifice
     

    pronstar

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Jul 2, 2017
    10,542
    96
    Dallas
    My dad met my mom in Saigon, he was a spook. Worked for a “an American telecommunications company” and my mom did as well.

    They left in ‘68, they saw the writing on the wall. It wasn’t safe for them to be there.

    Commies murdered much of the family on my moms side, my mom was considered a traitor.

    We, as well as some other relatives who became Americans through the refugee process, sponsored a great many “boat people” who fled. Some blood relatives, others not.

    Some of the stories they shared with us would make any one of you men weep.
    They knew oppression.
    They risked their lives to come to America. To become Americans.

    None took a dime of welfare or any other government assistance...they were too proud, and knew the land of opportunity would provide for them.

    I was born in CA in ‘71.

    As an American, I’m ashamed of how we treated these men, and what we’ve become as a nation.

    To say that I’m eternally grateful for the strong men who fought for the freedom of my mother’s homeland is an understatement - I would not be here today if it weren’t for brave men like your father, and mine.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    Axxe55

    Retiretgtshit stirrer
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 15, 2019
    47,022
    96
    Lost in East Texas Elhart Texas
    My father served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, but was stateside the entire time working on B52 bombers going to Vietnam. He was also serving and servicing B52 bombers during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

    My Uncle "Bill" joined and served in the Navy, and was deployed in the "Brown Water Navy" in Vietnam. Uncle "Bill" ended up retiring from the Navy after 22 years of service.

    Funny story about Uncle Bill. I can remember as a wee youngster him having tattoos, and swore one day I'd have a tattoo. So in a way, he was part of the reason I ended up with several tattoos! My father was sort of against having tattoos, and back in about 2008 or 2009 when I had my first heart attack, my father visited me in the hospital, and it was the first time he ever saw my tattoos, and blamed Uncle Bill for me having them!
     
    Last edited:

    Wiliamr

    Well-Known
    TGT Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Apr 15, 2011
    1,807
    96
    Austin
    1619298599093.png
     

    rotor

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Nov 1, 2015
    4,239
    96
    Texas
    My father served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, but was stateside the entire time working on B52 bombers going to Vietnam. He was also serving and servicing B52 bombers during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
    My buddy and I went into the Air Force at the same time which really dates me. They sent me to Wyoming and he went to Thailand. We are both technically Vietnam vets. Only 3% serve their country.
     

    satx78247

    Member, Emeritus
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Jun 23, 2014
    8,479
    96
    78208
    My buddy and I went into the Air Force at the same time which really dates me. They sent me to Wyoming and he went to Thailand. We are both technically Vietnam vets. Only 3% serve their country.

    rotor,

    IF we can believe the DEC 2020 issue of ARMY ECHOES, the actual number of LIVING GIs, who served in the US Forces, was in DEC20 just over ONE PERCENT of all US residents.
    (The vast majority of all WWII, KOREA & FAR too many of our RVN War era brothers & sisters have "- - - - been promoted to ETERNAL GLORY". = At one point in 2015, supposedly an average of 1500 WWII & KOREA vets were dying EACH DAY.)

    yours, satx
     

    Axxe55

    Retiretgtshit stirrer
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 15, 2019
    47,022
    96
    Lost in East Texas Elhart Texas
    My buddy and I went into the Air Force at the same time which really dates me. They sent me to Wyoming and he went to Thailand. We are both technically Vietnam vets. Only 3% serve their country.

    Dad went into the Air Force in 1961 IIRC. He wanted to travel to other countries, but he never left the states. Served on several SAC bases over the years. His cousin "Rich" joined the Army in 1962, and he did end up serving in Vietnam from the beginning.
     

    satx78247

    Member, Emeritus
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Jun 23, 2014
    8,479
    96
    78208
    Dad died in 2004 from esophageal cancer. He retired in 2001 as E-9 Command Chief. In 1969 was just weird to out rank your Father ( in 1969 he was E -6, I was O-3) He was a damn fine soldier. One of the few who truely understood, duty to God, Country, Family. I just wished I was as a good a man as he was.

    wiliamr,

    Actually, you father NOW outranks you, as he was "Promoted to ETERNAL GLORY" in 2004. = I salute his service to THE CONSTITUTION & HONOR his memory.

    yours, satx
    USA, Retired
     

    Zazonkers

    Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    May 11, 2021
    139
    46
    Fort Worth
    My father was a Marine fighter pilot. Hell, he has more sea time than his 30 year Navy son (hmmm). Your story is one that resonates with all the Vietnam in-country folks I’m sure. To your father and all american veterans and to the active duty still fighting the fight..... HAND SALUTE.... TWO!
     

    rmantoo

    Cranky old fart: Pull my finger
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Jan 9, 2013
    814
    76
    San Angelo
    My dad met my mom in Saigon, he was a spook. Worked for a “an American telecommunications company” and my mom did as well.

    They left in ‘68, they saw the writing on the wall. It wasn’t safe for them to be there.

    Commies murdered much of the family on my moms side, my mom was considered a traitor.

    We, as well as some other relatives who became Americans through the refugee process, sponsored a great many “boat people” who fled. Some blood relatives, others not.

    Some of the stories they shared with us would make any one of you men weep.
    They knew oppression.
    They risked their lives to come to America. To become Americans.

    None took a dime of welfare or any other government assistance...they were too proud, and knew the land of opportunity would provide for them.

    I was born in CA in ‘71.

    As an American, I’m ashamed of how we treated these men, and what we’ve become as a nation.

    To say that I’m eternally grateful for the strong men who fought for the freedom of my mother’s homeland is an understatement - I would not be here today if it weren’t for brave men like your father, and mine.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

    Have you, or any of your immediate family, been to Vietnam fairly recently? I know a few people in situations analogous to yours who have, and all were very glad they went.
     
    Top Bottom