The military service thread

[KORBIN5895]

I have an Uncle (my foster mom's brother) that served in Nam. He was part of a special forces team that destroyed Vietcong villages and blamed the Vietcong. He lost his mind over there and the army in its infinite wisdom sent him home without any help or support. Because of some circumstances at home that he was unaware of he literally lost it and spent 40+ in maximum security prison. His family never knew he saw active duty until he told me 7 years ago.

[RandyRhoads]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Where is randyrhodes? this is his kind of thread...

Here I am

Originally Posted by infernalis

Sadly my father was messed up in Vietnam, so he was a poor example of a parent.

Sorry you had to go through that. I can only imagine, but I think I can do so with a decent idea of what kind of hellish toll that would take on a kid. (or soldiers wife, oops)

Originally Posted by infernalis

A true love story...

My Grandfather on my biological dads side was a serviceman during WW2 and his unit liberated one of the Nazi death camps, He fell for Anastasia (My grandmother) who was scheduled to be gassed.

Her only crime was being Estonian. They got married in Europe and she was automatically granted US citizenship.

I used to love listening to her talk, she had the sweetest accent, the way she rolled her R's was really cool to listen to.

They were together all the way to the end.

That's a beautifull story Wayne. Reminds me of Enemy at the Gates, only way more romantic and rare.



2-506th Infantry Band of Brothers, CURRAHEE!!! Haha....

[RandyRhoads]

Most of my family on my dads side (Grandfather and his brothers) served in WWII. The family house had 6 stars in frames. My grandfather was merchant marine. His 5 brothers were Army/Navy. The other brother got into a vehicle accident preventing him from joining. My mother was also in the army...for a short time before she turned into a dirtbag deserter. My great grandfather on her side flew a Mustang P51 and was shot down over enemy territory and hidden by locals. My grandfather on her side did retired after 20 years as a Chief Warrant officer in the Army. I also have 2 cousins in the army. One of wich was a Sergeant First Class at my recieving unit. Funny having to stand at parade rest for a family member lol...

Sure wish I was older while they were still alive to hear their amazing stories.

[Norm66]

I never served, but I have unlimited respect and admiration for those who have or currently do serve.

My mom's dad was in search & rescue (Army Air Corps) in the South Pacific while both my Dad's parents were Navy in WWII (it's how they met). Plus my dad and his brother both served in the Navy during VietNam but neither actually went to VietNam.

None of my grandparents were willing to talk all that much about their service time. My mom's dad would tell me stuff about being in camp and a little of the shenanigans bored guys got into but not much about what he actually did (he was a spotter in a S&R bird). All my dad's dad would tell me was that he was a store-keeper onboard a ship but I've been told by other guys that store-keepers were often the guys on deck manning guns or running ammo during general quarters. My dad just tells me stories about ship-board life and some of the ports he saw (the Med mainly).

I have had the huge pleasure of knowing a guy through my wife's family who was a 2nd Lieutenant platoon leader for an infantry platoon in Europe in WWII. He was one of only a few survivors from some of the combat he saw. He had a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. Sadly, Gene just had a major stroke last week and is in Hospice care now. I'm glad I got to know him.

Randy (love the name BTW), Band of Brothers was great. I own the box set and watch it at least a couple times a year. Major Richard Winters was my favorite character (funny, I had to edit to say Richard instead of the short version, lol). A buddy of mine was in the 101st for the first Gulf War. 3rd of the 187th if I remember correctly. They called themselves 'Rakassans' whatever that is.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Here I am

good to see your back mate

cheers shaun

[RandyRhoads]

Originally Posted by Norm66

They called themselves 'Rakassans' whatever that is.

Ah the Rakkasans. A Currahees rival lol. On run there were always alot of nasty words shouted between brigades.

[Lankyrob]

I was chatting to an "old guy" i met through the Pain Support group i am in on the weekend. He is well into his 80's yet looks about 55!! I could tell he had some military in him just by the way he conducts himself and talks.

OVer our Xmas meal and a glass of scotch he opened up a little about his career and experiences - man i could have listened to him for DAYS!!

Turns out he cant say much as he is still restricted by the Official Secrets Act but i know enough about how the military works to figure out his "code" for what he was doing.

Basically he joined up as infantry, ended up as a PT instructor for the Marines, transferred to "4-man squad work" (Special Forces or SAS) and ended up bodyguarding for royalty and also for Margaret Thatcher!!

He learnt to pilot aircraft, drive pretty much any motorised vehicle from bikes to tanks and "did and saw lots of things that i wish i never did, and wish that i can forget" (a direct quote)

That man had a life that we can only imagine, gave 40 years of his life to Queen and Country, was shot, blown up and experienced unimaginable things and yet he lives in a basic flat, has no help, lives in constant pain, has parkinsons

It is disgusting that those that give so much receive so little support when it is most required, if i had my way he would be living in the lap of luxury and looked after 24 hours a day by a squad of nurses/chefs etc and be able to see out his life this way.

I wish i could write his life story so that when he goes there will be something to remember him by...........