Reflections, Reunions, Articles, and other Items of Interest's........
Here below, is a listing of events that we attended, related articles and other memrollbia from the group on the subject of our tour in RVN. In the process of looking back, this period of time in our lives means many different things to all of us. Scroll down and take a look. And please let us know if you have, or know of, any other articles, photos, or information that our brothers may find interesting or healing in nature.
Send your comments, write-ups, and info for posting to ... randyparmley.ca@gmail.com
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An "Email Reply" from Capt. Randy House who retired as "General R.W. House" on his feeling about Charlie Company.
A poem from Gary Gilliam to his brothers..."A Soldier's Reflection" (you may need to rotate this PDF once opened)
Here is a great article on the "Rescue From FSB Ripcord" by Tom Marshall (June, 1998) is from a Huey Pilot's point of view. This is an absolutely chilling account of the evacuation that occurred on July, 23rd 1970.
A beautiful writeup here with the Week of the Eagles 2009 "After Action Report" from Gary Gilliam. (See Below)
An old hometown Newspaper Article from Frank Matsko on the Large Bunker Complex that we found and destroyed.
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A Christmas Story, ....Remembering Christmas 1970?....
I know that the men of the 2nd Platoon do.....
(12/15/09) Our old buddy, Sgt. Steve Bago reminded of this little event, so let me put it out to you all and test your memories.....
DEC. 25th, 1970 With a early morning radio call from HQ telling us to prepare an LZ for the extraction of six old-timers who where going to the "Bob Hope USO Christmas Show" at Camp Evans for the day. And that the bird was to arrive at 10:00 Hours to pick them up. The men of the 2nd platoon shifted into scramble mode.... The morning fog was thick and dense as we pulled together and inventoried our explosives on hand to do the job. We seemed short, but if we creatively applied the C4 blasts to clear the trees and brush we could pull it off. Besides, we had several axes and a bunch of machetes to finish up with. The men wolfed down their C-Ration breakfast and jumped into the work with Sgt. Chris Christensen giving directions and Sgt. Bago, Sgt. Hudson, and Sgt. Parmley pushing the work along we accomplished a small "Christmas Miracle" and produced a beautiful LZ by 9:30AM. During the morning the fog kept rolling in and out as we toilled away, but it usually burned-off about 9:00 or so. But today, the fog was much heavier than normal.....
As 10:00 was approching the waves of dense fog was still blowing in, and out, and over us. Sgt. Chris Christensen was on the radio with the in-bound Bird. We could hear the Chopper coming closer as the sounds from the Bird bounced off the hillsides around us. Chris yelled out "Pop Smoke" just as another wave of fog rolled over us. We started to get worried that the Bird wouldn't be able to see our smoke and and locate our new LZ. Sure enough...the pilot of the Chopper radio'ed back, saying all that he could see was a heavy blanket of dense fog. He would make one more pass over and then he would abort the extraction mission. Again, we could hear him fly over with the same results. I think that you could of heard the yells of the men of the 2nd Platoon a "click" away as the sound of the chopper faded away. I think that it was Thurman (Frogtown) Logston that even picked up his M60 machinegun and fired several brusts in frustration. Everyone was bitching and moaning after putting in all the work building an LZ.
As the fog finally lifted and burned-off. It left the men of the 2nd Platoon sitting-there on a pretty little LZ frustrated and pissed-off. "Now What???" said the guys....I think that it was Sgt. Jeff Hudson that said "Screw it"..."It don't mean a thing"..."We did'nt want to go to that dammed show anyway". The looks upon the faces of the men were devastated as we sit there. After all,...here it is..."Christmas Day", in the middle of a "Christmas Truce", and we are sitting on the top of a lousey hill in the middle of the dammed jungle, a million miles away from Home. "Yeah, You are Right, It don't mean a dammed thing....."
Has we sit there in dis-belief of what just happened. I think it was "Doc Warren" (Rick Warren) that said..."Well this is pathetic",... "You guys need to get crap your together",... "I don't care where I am at, but I going to celebrate this Christmas with a cheer",....."Get off your butts, and help me put together a Christmas Tree". With that, he jumped up and grabbed a scragglely little branch that we had just chopped down for the LZ and stuck it into the ground. He started to place empty C-Ration cans and colorfull scraps of trash paper on it. The guys all slowly got up and started to join in upon hanging things on the "Tree". Yes, this is our dammed "Christmas Tree" in the middle of nowhere, and we are going to do it right....Before long, everyone's spirits were lifted and there was a smile on everybodies face. Doc Warren even grabbed Mike Schmidt's Black Berret...Smearred some shaving cream on his face, and then he pulled a "Red Mail Bag" over his shoulder and yelled out "HO", "HO", "HO"....."Merry Christmas Charlie Company" as the men all chuckled. I swear that I even heard several of them humming Christmas Carol's under their breath as things started returning back to normal. Oh well, it was just "Another day in Paradise" as Sgt. Chris Christensen yells out ..."Ruck-Up"..."We got a mission"....
I hope you are all enjoying this "Christmas" much more than the "Christmas of 1970" with your family and loved one's near. From me and my family....To you and all of your families...."Merry Christmas Charlie Company"
Randy Parmley, Webmaster
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The new "CURRAHEE KIA MEMORIAL" dedication Nov. 12, 2009 The 506th Regiment has formally dedicated the new Currahee KIA Memorial at Fort Campbell KY. In attendance at the ceremony from our group was Bob Seitz, Gary Gillian, and Jim Roesch. More information on this can be found at www.506infantry.org
After Action Report: Here is a summary of our visit from Col. Ret. Bob Seitz….
Gary Gilliam, Jim Roesch, and I (Bob Seitz) travelled to Fort Campbell for the 12 November 2009 dedication of the new 506th Infantry KIA Memorial. Which is located directly adjacent to the 506th Infantry Headquarters, the new memorial area has a large black spade with a profile of the Currahee Mountain in Georgia. This serves as the memorial center point for the six large stone tablets, each one with an engraved parachute. Three of these stone tablets are engraved, one for World War II, one for Vietnam, and one for Iraq and Afghanistan. The stone tablet for Iraq and Afghanistan is furthered engraved with the names of all the fallen Currahees. The stone tablets for World War II and Vietnam will be engraved with their KIA losses in the near future.
The dedication ceremony was well attended by other 506th Infantry veterans, some from World War II, many from Vietnam and of course, many active duty soldiers who have endured multiple deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Also in attendance were the commanders from all the other 101st Airborne Division units. Of special note, were the parents and family members of many of the Currahee soldiers who have fallen in the recent deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Later in the day, Gary, Jim, and I (Bob) joined Charlie Company 2-506 during their squad and fire team live fire training. Each of us was provided with a flak jacket and helmet and followed a fire team as it walked a training lane, engaging targets with live fire from their weapons.
Charlie Company genuinely enjoys its relationship with us “Vietnam” veterans and earnestly looks forward to our next visit…
Col (Ret) Bob Seitz
Retired Colonel of the Regiment
A Group Photo at the Currahee KIA Memorial Site near the Battalion HQ at Ft. Campbell KY. More photos can be found on the "Photo Gallery Page" in a album setup for this event. Use this link here to get there: PHOTO GALLERY
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The "Week of the Eagles" for 2009 The 101st Airborne Division did an absolutely fantastic job with the "WEEK OF THE EAGLES" presentation this year. The "Welcome Home" tribute to the "Vietnam Era Veterans" was very emotional and moving for everyone in attendence, young and old alike. The whole weekend will be a special memory for all. You can read Gary Gilliam's "After Action Report" or go and see the pictures on the photo gallery page There also a short Army Video that you can find at http://www.army.mil/media/amp/?bcpid=6981683001&bclid=0&bctid=40921056001
Photo just after the Vietnam Vet's Welcome Home. L to R: Gary Gilliam, Col. Ret. Bob Seitz, Jim Roesch, Frank Matsko, Big Dave Weindorf, Cal Kato, Glenn Green, Randy Parmley, Lt. Col. Don Hill the current 2nd Battalion Commander
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The "Currahee Rendezvous 2009" Homecoming & Reunion
In the last week of May, 2009 we pulled together a group of us at Fort Campbell TN to welcome the current 2nd Battalion home from their latest deployment in Afganistan. It was a real joy meeting the great young men of the current Charlie Company and joining them and their families for the offical welcome home celebration. For me, this was my first reunion, and I had mixed feelings about going. But seeing the men that I proudly served with 38 years ago filled me with emotion. It is hard to explain just how deep that the bonds between us were developed during that year in hell. I was glad that I went. I now feel that there was some healing that occured within areas of me that I didn't even realize needed it. Yes, I am truly glad that I went.....
During our visit, the Regiment held their DMOR Ceremony (Distinguished Men of the Regiment) where six members from the Vietnam Era received honors, all six were from Charlie Company. Our congrats go out to Col. Ret. Bob Seitz, Gary Gilliam, Frank Matsko, Jim Roesch, Bob Von Almen, and Roy Skeggs. These guys have hearts of gold, and their on-going support of the current regiment was rewarded. Also during the ceremony Col. Ret. Bob Seitz was also appointed as the new "Retired Colonel of the Regiment" a very special honor. We are all very proud of you guys. _If you didn't make it to Ft. Campbell. You missed an incrediable time. _ See the pictures on the photo gallery page
A group photo following the DMOR Cememony. L to R: Tom Weides, Glenn Green, Steve Bago, Jim Roesch, John Beebe, Frank Matsko, Col. Ret. Bob Seitz, Gary Gilliam, Cal Kato, Roy Skeggs, Randy Parmley, Bob von Almen.
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