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. :)