Steve, I was in the amphibs from 63 to 67, USS GUAM-LPH9. We were in the Carribean Ready Squadron, four ships, one Marine helo squadron and a reinforced batallion landing team.

We trained the Grunts in Helo ops, take 'em in, land 'em behind the beachhead, and bring up their gear. In the four or five months we were down there each year, we got to know the grunts prety well. We were proud of them. We helped train them. They were "our" Marines.

Then they went to Viet Nam and when they came back the next year to train the replacments, we grieved with them.

I was involved in that ratf**k in Santo Domingo. I was a BAR man on the ships landing party.

A friend of mine got greased. I got a campaign ribbon. I still can't look at the WALL.

I don't know what brought this on. I guess it was us being in at the same time.

stay loose

troll