Back to my readings.

[formergrunt70]

Since having been in Vet group sessions at the Vet centers, the past seem to be more prevelant. I've went back , and refreshed My mind with a couple of books that I have.
One is: My tour of duty with (Black Death) D Co. 3/21 196th Americal. By: "White Oak"
Danny P. Gives a good account of the action, and photos that He shared. He and I was
in the same platoon. Danny often walked "point" with a shotgun. Guess I will call Him this week. The other book was before I arrived in Country, but nothing really changed from 1968
to 1969. I got there in 1969, and Capt. Humphries left the Battalion in 1968. He wrote a very good book that gives after action reports,and the day by day activities of the Americal Division: "Through the Valley" By: Captain James F. Humphries. Copywrite 1999.
These 2 books, along with Patriotfiles, and open My eyes, and given Me a lot of answers
to the "Hell" I endured in 69-70.

[phuloi]

Top,
As I`m sure you`re finding out, going back and reviving some of those old memories can be very enlightening...and painful at times, too. We sure enough all have some "junk in the trunk" that has been padlocked for years and we`ve now found the key-in each other. My best advice is not to open it all at once and that you don`t need to empty it all at the same time. Be selective. That works for me, anyhow.

[formergrunt70]

Thanks "Brother"
I didn't know You were Engineer. Finished my Tour in Ft. Campbell. 1SG C Co. 20th Engineer Battalion. They have moved to Ft. Hood, right after desert storm.

[DMZ-LT]

About 12 years ago IRS Fred was ordered to a vet center by his wife cause he had anger management issues from Nam. They kept him and put him in the program and we started calling him Psyco Fred. Fred told his counselor if they thought he was crazy they should meet his friends Ron , Sid and I . We would no go to the vet center cause they said no weapons in the building. The counselor came to our bar one night to meet us and explain the program. We all agreed to go if we could at least keep a knife on us. We became the Psyco Vets m/c , VA Hospital , Decatur , Ga. My very first session , the first thing he says is " Tell me the 3 most terrible things you went through in combat." Had been pushing that stuff away for 30 years at that point but it all came rushing back.. I cried. But it was the first step in a long journey towards today. This site and the people here have been my biggest inspiration and strength. Keep movin Topp , your with brothers and sisters here. Tell Danny I said Hello , think he may be coming to the mountain party , would be great to shake your hand there also.

[phuloi]

"Build And Fight!"

[Packo]

Great motto!

Mine was "How much will you take to burn shit for me?"

Not quite as stirring.....but right to the point.

[DMZ-LT]

" We'll do what we can.... if we have time "

[phuloi]

Hell, I`d take that duty if`n it kept me close to my hooch and shower!

Had a guy in my company named Doty-a mountain of a man-he loved burning shit. He said he felt safer there than in the field. He`d make a circle of the shitcans and get them smokin real good, get in the middle and smoke wacky-tabacky all day.

[formergrunt70]

Now I know. Didn't never ask, but was always curious as to why You all was called Psycho vets. Phuloi, Yep! build and fight. "If it ain't raining We ain't training" Really would like to meet meet You guys one day. Talked to danny today, he's all good. enjoying the "Grands" I'm hanging in there. I told the group that I'm in at the Vet center, Hell!
I'm dangerous as a dose of coal oil. It's all good!

[1CAVCCO15MED]

It's Psyco Vets. It is not misspelled. It means nothing but it sure fools a lot of folks.

The medic's motto is Shine my boots? My hands are sterile!