my dad, the veteran

For Veteran's Day I had planned on doing a post regarding my dads time in the military but I got sick and didn't feel like posting so today I have put that in this post.

Right before Christmas in 1967 my dad received his draft notice, he was 20 years old. On January 16, 1968 he was inducted into the United States Army and was sent to Fort Campbell, Kentucky for basic training then on to Fort Polk, Louisiana for Individual Training (combat). On June 13, 1968 he left from Fort Lewis, Washington headed to South Vietnam. In Vietnam my dad served as a rifleman with the Americal Division, Co. A, 4th BN, 196th Infantry Brigade, 31st Infantry. He was near Da Nang and Chu La Provinces until April 13, 1969 when he contracted Tropical Sprue. He was then transferred to the 95th Evacuation Hospital in Da Nang then on April 16, 1969 he was transferred to the U.S. Army Hospital in Camp Zama, Japan. On May 16, 1969 he was transferred to the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort Campbell, Kentucky until June 16, 1969 when he was then released for a 30 day leave. On June 28 during this 30 day leave my parents were married in a small country church near my mothers home. On July 21, 1969 my dad returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he served as a Drill Instructor in the Training Brigade, Co. B, 4th BN, U.S. Army Training Center until January 20, 1970 when he was honorably discharged. My dad served in the U. S. Army Reserve until January 20, 1974.

Throughout my life we have never talked much about my dads time in Vietnam because we all feel that it is a disrespect to bring up an unimaginable time in his life and if he wants to discuss it he will. We have all asked some questions but nothing that delves into "why" he was there or the "what" he was doing. I mentioned my parents wedding in a small country church near my moms home, on May 1, 1993, almost 25 yrs later, in the same church using the same minister my husband and I were married then on May 9, 1997 in the same church using the same minister my brother and his wife were married. I feel so much gratitude and respect for my father because of his time fighting for this country's freedom.

My dad and mom met through my moms brother who was also drafted at the same time my dad was. All of Uncle Ervin's information is the same as my dads except that he was in the 198th Infantry Brigade and he was killed on September 13, 1969 when a rocket propelled grenade hit the area he was in. Three days later on September 16, 1969 a car from the Department of Army pulled into my grandparents driveway, the two officers informed my mothers family of my uncles death. It took two weeks for my uncles body to arrive back home for the funeral.

Y'all have a good day and I will be around to read all of you throughout the day. :)

my apologies

Hey y'all! I am sorry I didn't get my post up for Veteran's Day, I have been sick along with others in my home.

I hope you all are doing okay and I will get that post up in a day or so when I feel better. :)

I'm still kicking...

I have not posted lately because I have been busy, fighting sickness, partially lazy, and most of all not wanting to get into the whole election thing so I figured it was time to drop a word or two.

Last Monday Tennessee Volunteer head coach Phillip Fulmer announced that he would be resigning at the end of this season. This resignation comes not because Fulmer wants it but because the University of Tennessee athletic administration and a lot of the "so called" fans want it. It was very hard to watch the live conference of the resignation and I do have to say that I am not happy about it. I know that this season the Vols have done absolutely terrible but I believe if you are a true fan then you will stand behind them and continue to support them even through the bad times and not dog them, no matter what team it is simply because not every team can be winners all the time. I do hope that whatever coach they hire to replace Fulmer will not be a whiny, crybaby as some that you see in college football. My personal opinion is that the UT athletic administration should have started getting rid of other people such as our offensive coordinator David Clawson. Our offense stinks to put it plainly, everybody knows it but nobody wants to look at the real problem, they just want to lay blame solely on Fulmers head which is unfair in my book. Anyway....I don't need to get on that soap box so I will move on.

Last Tuesday we elected a new President. All that I will say on that subject, simply because I don't want to argue with anyone, is January 20, 2009 will be the end of an error. I wasn't in favor for Bush in either of the elections he won and I am still not in favor of him, I believe that the shape our country is in is proof that we needed a change and no I am not laying that blame all on Bush's head because his word isn't the last word in the Presidency anymore if you know what I mean. I pray for our country and pray that the right man has been chosen. I do want to say that even though I am not wild about Bush's leadership skills I do believe that he would be fun to hang out with as a person.

It has been nice not having four nights a week of football practice. We have reclaimed our evenings and we are enjoying the time together as a family. This Saturday we will attend the awards banquet then in early December we will participate in the Christmas Parade here in town and after that we will be done with football until spring practice.

I do want to give a reminder that tomorrow is Veteran's Day. If you know anyone who has, is, or will be serving in the military for this country please give them a call tomorrow to show your appreciation for what they have done, are doing, or are going to do for us. My dad is a Vietnam Veteran and I plan on doing a post all about that so come back tomorrow for more reading, if you want of course.

Today is the 6th anniversary of my cousin Flora's death. I have mentioned it before, nothing detailed or anything. She was only 16 and her death has affected many members in our family and for some, including me, it was something that has changed the way we look and live our lives. Keep my family in your prayers today please.

I guess that is about all I have for today. As I said earlier, tomorrow I will be doing a bit of an in depth post on my dad who is a Vietnam Veteran so I hope to see all of you commenting tomorrow.

Have a beautiful day and God Bless!