I spent one T’giving , 1966 in combat at Phan Rang, S. coast below Cam Rahn Bay next port S on coast. Have to look up the day’s mission to be sure but I do know was in support of ground troops S of Highlands to Saigon area. Was reason we were pulled back from DaNang and N Viet missions. Got real hot for a slow dive bomber with now heavy AA and SAM installed . We watched them off load Russian transports and come south not able to strike the civilian ports just the ferry choke points at night along HiWay I , even across the DMZ as well, I recall a buffet set up where the S Korean cook made burgers after running outside to pee off the porch base overlook to China Sea from the hootch area above. O’Club, a screened rambler; attachéd 2 holers just out back. Pleasant , actually and not near as noisy as crowded DaNang then world’s busiest airport. Just 3 F-100s and 1 B-57 sqdn in attendance .Oh, yeah, C-123’s, Harrys’ Hog Haulers did all the Agent Orange spray missions we flew behind and under to suppress ground fire. Front row seat!
Troops we’d supported the non- holiday were getting what could be carried hot or far away cold to warm up selves. Had an interesting conversation in my Public Information Office at 52nd Tac Ftr Wing HQ about 6-7 years after -’73. I mentioned “weekends” and both my NCO’s looked at me funny. Both done a SEA tour after my ’66-67 and said, “What weekends?” I laughed and agreed no time or days off when all out to kill you in 5 countries. Included holidays and day of week was Sunday cause the BX Seiko auto day/date was red.
My first USAF holiday was Nov ’61 Lackland AFB TX following Basic. Mess and clubs always did a bang up spread, was just not home cooking. I spent the afternoon at a nice couple’s home after a chapel service then a supper at the mess . Nice but not my siblings and folks. Back in CA afterWaco Nav training, for Nav Bomb school, Sacramento and assigned B-52s Riverside I was usually able to be back home until Clark AB PI and VietNam in ’66. Back at Clark just before Christmas I had a package from my sister Sonja Sue and inside was the family bird’s wish bone . Stuck it up on my dresser for the nice recall and went off to train some new pilot how things are actually done dive bombing as a crew together thing. More 50/50 than they expect from all previous training which will keep us BOTH alive done correct. After a sundown at Hill Hacienda O’Club annex Happy Hour thru dinner I got home and saw a stream of ants across the colored concrete living room floor right up the steps to my middle bedroom of the 3 we shared with a mirrored 13th Tac Sqdn between 60 day deployments. In Villa Angeles, Angeles City guard gated community outside Clark; had been built by one of first crews from Japan in 1964 as investment . We furnished by flying to TaiPai Taiwan and loading all we could in the bombay during training overwater flights. When we rotated home we sold our share to the next 3 leasers . So I followed the ant trail into my room and it led in and also back out to Sonja’s wishbone top the dresser! I do expect was the only ever to be roasted in Salinas California and picked polished bare in the Philippines. Take yo’ holidays where they come. With all kids gone? Our first Thanksgiving today since 1971 alone EVER. Old has some under appreciated benefits and shared with the one you’ve loved 44 years is among the best.
Lot have seen my George Patton style , General Order prayer, last 12 years but encore …
Thanks, Ma’ am
Why am I so thankful for all of God’s blessings when others are much more in need?
Well, I’m thankful because She is not second guess and pulling my warranty deed.
Why is She not saying, “Now give me your life as I’ve given you yours in the past.
Countless others have bled, suffered torture and died .
Did you think NICE was going to last ?”
So I’m thankful , dear Lord, for this season of peace when my life has been going so well.
All I ask is this moment of rest and surcease
before you start giving me hell.
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