Wow
 

OK boys and girls, it?s time for one of those history lessons. In 19 hundred and 67 Christopher (Andy) Columbus(czyk) first discovered Vietnam. Arrived at Tan Son Nuht and took a bus to Camp Alpha. When they told me the barbed wire on the windows of the bus was to prevent grenades from being thrown in, I?ll admit, did get a little nervous.

To Bobby McNamara and General Westy, Thanks For The Memories. How could I have lived without sitting in the cupola of an APC? What kind of person would I have become without taking the point in the Iron Triangle? How could I drive thru the streets of Boston without having ridden door gunner on a Huey? Why would I have gotten married without dealing with the working girls on Tu Do Street? My God, it will be the 35th anniversary of my first Purple Heart in 38 days!

Yes, this is an anniversary. 35 years ago! It seems like just yesterday I was listening to Dad and Uncle Joe and Uncle Chet talking about the Big One, WWII (God bless all three of them). How could it be 35 years ago? I can?t imagine me being that old. What the heck happened? Did anyone else get old? Those Were The Days My Friend.

I may have a drink today. Come to think of it, I may have two.

Stay healthy, stay young,
Andy

Toast
 

I'm holding up a shot of Jose Cuervo Gold and saying'Here's to you Andy, may you stomp the VA's arse over their stupidity, and live a long life enrichening me with your thoughts and friendship" your Brother Frank

andy
 

The wire on the bus windows made me a little nervous at first too. I've driven though the streets of Boston and I think being a door gunner on a huey or driving a pol tanker throught the Mang Yang pass, is much safer.
Steve

Last year when we were camping there was a lot of groaning going on when someone would sit down or stand up and I said , man we sound like a bunch of old men. Sid looked around and said , we ARE a bunch of old men. Sure got here in a hurry. I'd be honored to join that toast to Andy along with Frank and another toast to all the old men that made it home and those young men who didn't. Welcome home

July 31, 1969
 

is my Purple Heart day. It will be nice to be in Mass in a couple of weeks. We'll drink a toast to all of it. As for getting old???? Not me, I'm still a 19 year old Paratrooper, I just don't know who the hell that old guy is I see in the "picture" above the sink every morning. He gets in the way of my shaving.

Babysan Packo (and still beaucoup Dap!)

It`s funny
 

I have always thought of all you guys as you were 35 years ago...until someone posts a picture,or heaven forbid..I look in the mirror.I toast with you and to you,Andy,and each and everyone of us.God bless. ..Griz Van Winkle

The only thing that
 

makes me feel old is that I can only ride the Harley for 8hrs a day unstead of 12 on a road trip. In my heart I'm still a 19 year old team leader who learned to walk point and take care of my people. Nothing else I've done in my life has really counted except that intense brotherhood.RIDE {LIVE} HARD- you can rest when your dead.[color=skyblue]:D :D :cool:

Andy,
 

Got my Purple Heart on Aug. 7th, which is as i'm sure you know....Purple Heart day. Could have done with out that one. I hope all goe's well for you sooner rather then later. God Bless.

a few comments
 

Splummer - You didn?t care for driving in Boston? Lots of people check their horns to ensure they?re in proper working order. Many drivers like to wave at you without using all their fingers. Straight streets is a lot like the phrase Jumbo shrimp, but what?s wrong with that? You just have to forget about being a defensive driver and go on the offense like everyone else. When in Rome?.. Or Boston?

DMZ - We aren?t Really old. It?s just that we use the phrase, ?I used to do that?, more often than our kids.

Paco - We will drink a toast but not until we have that long delayed crabapple fight. And you thought I forgot! And it won't be on any damn bridge.

Phuloi - Your right, the drinks are more for the ?other guys? than for ourselves. On special days our thoughts always go back to them. (Well, that?s what I tell my wife.)

Frank - Never really cared for that Mexican idiot-in-a-bottle stuff, thanks for the gesture. Man, you bummed me out! Started thinking about riding a Harley for 8 hours then stepped back and thought about Eight Hours. I don?t think there is anything I?d want to do for 8 straight hours, not even sex. OK, it?s official, I?m old.

ArtSgt - We worked with The Red One a couple of times. Where were you located when you got hit? I recall some of your guys who were in the One Quarter Cav that got in a hell of a fight in the Triangle, lots of dust-offs. We were once down in your Division's A.O. around Dog Tag for about 3 weeks. They gave us a great deal on some water front property.

Stay healthy,
Andy

Forget, Hell!
 

Why do you think I got Doc Fred with me. This time we're gonna out number you guys! Fred just got back from humpin' the Shenandoah Valley to get ready for this. Forget.....Hell!

J.E.B. PACKO

PS, can't get crabapples or sticks through these damn airports. With the north's industrial might, do you think you can loan us some? This time we do have shoes, though, so Doc and I are avoidin' Gettysburg. Should have last time also.