Still crazy after all these years by Dave Berry

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Still crazy after all these years

This Summer, after almost 44 years, Don Scott (the ugly one on the right) and I (the ugly one not on the right) got together and had a chance to catch up. We had a toast to fallen comrades and better times (just about any time after 1968). We enjoyed the companionship, told way too many war stories (his may have actually been true) and renewed a friendship that we both treasure. His wonderful Kathy and my equally wonderful Kathy (you know how the Army likes to standardize things), being the only normal people in the room, enjoyed an instant bond. It was great and well worth the wait. I consider myself blessed to have been able to reconnect.

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Reflections by Ruth		10-Jun-2019 23:25
glad you could reconnect, great photo and story to go with it :)

Dale Andrews		14-Aug-2018 18:49
Good to see Big Red One Vietnam Veterans on the www. Helps to know I'm not alone. I was a medic with the 1st Bn 7th Field Arty, 1st ID in country Dec. '67 to Dec. '68. I was with A Battery 6 months and Charlie Battery 6 months. A year in the field (boonies). Rarely got to base camp in Di An, and only a few days at Lai Kai to resupply. Mostly at LZ,s, NPD's and FSB's. Ok today, now 50 years later. I toured the battle sites In 2013. Chu Chi is now a tourist destination, and ran by only the direct decendents of the VC. The granddaughters of the enemy served me tea in their black pajamas and guided me around the tunnels. There's a firing range where I hear AK-47's and M-16's firing as a hury flew over head, in 2013, Spooky. Glad to be alive. Thanks for the photos and blog. Dale Andrews.

Buz Kiefer		28-May-2016 16:24
Great photo and note. Vote.

Long Bach Nguyen		21-Nov-2015 06:00
Looking good Dave

Greg Gross		19-Jun-2015 00:58
Does anybody know who our Sgt. Majors were????????????????????? My battalion 1st/16th rangers was traded to the 9th infantry division and sent to base camp Rach Kien. We hated leaving the 1st division.......god awful.......a lot of us were killed. I left early in 1970......one of my brothers in the 2nd/52 infantry,9th division was Kitt Plotner from San Francisco......anybody know of him........if he was killed I would cry a lot as he saved my life many times ambushing viet cong tax collectors and also in the plain of reeds. Tears rolled down my cheeks when I drove off in the back of a 1/4 ton waving good by to him. my life

Greg Gross		19-Jun-2015 00:48
The 1st division all stuck together and we were at a wonderful base camp at Lai Khe. Don looks like a 1st division soldier. I cry sometimes yet when I remember our base camp. We all did so well on our operations and protected each other so well without complaints. We had good officers and good NCO's. All did well calling artillery in to our ops and air support.

Greg Gross		19-Jun-2015 00:39
1st battion 16th rangers,Alpha company......Sgt. Greg Gross.......Company Commander Capt. Harder......he was the best. Tiger Beer 33.....knocked me on my ass many times after an operation. We were the best and I have never forgotten any of them......all heroes. cried all the time for our fallen heroes and continual to cry on memorial day every year.....I will never forget the 1st infantry division. Company club was right across the street from my hootch. Rubber trees were in our company area.

Tom Payne		22-May-2015 18:48
Thanks for your service and glad y'all reconnected.

Guest		27-Mar-2015 12:26
lucky 2 b alive

Jim's Atavistic Visions		05-Aug-2013 19:22
Remembering the old difficult days with smiles over bottles(?) of beer! ... Josefina

Dwight		06-Mar-2013 17:25
You guys really made me laugh. As a fellow vet (Navy 64-68, S.A.T.) I can understand the comaderie that no one else will ever understand. God bless.

Dave Berry		12-Apr-2012 01:48
Gary, I'm sorry, but I didn't know Benny. It is great that you are recognizing him. You can order a patch or other Black Lion items here: http://28thinfantry.org/quartermaster/products.php?badge

gary kimmel		12-Apr-2012 00:07
Dave my frind was kia nov 20 1968 benny sapp did you know him he was from rockford ohio? Iam making a medals box need to know where I can get a patch or copy of Black lions.

Cindi Smith		07-Oct-2011 14:16
Your story made me smile. Cheers to the two of you!

Dave Berry		06-Oct-2011 02:31
It was Don's choice. The stuff we drank in Vietnam was sent to a lab for testing and the report that came back said "Your horse has diabetes". I believe it's illegal to sell it anywhere except Florida now. My friend Tom Hinger always has a case ready for visitors.

Barbara Read and Fred Schaad		06-Oct-2011 02:06
I am sure your neighbors would be relieved to know you don't have a loaded 50 cal in your kitchen. That looks like good beer by the way.

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