Patty and I went to Savannah, GA where we were married in 1969 while I was in Flight School after my first tour. Dave Otto was my best man and we were married at the Hunter Army Airfield Chapel. So after we spent two days being tourists and visiting some old haunts, we drove up to Columbia on Saturday, May 26th. The 28th Infantry guys (current) were manning the welcome desk to sign up for the events. They were extremely pleasant and helpful. My son Justin, who is a WO 2 Chinook Pilot at FT. Bragg (just reassigned to Ft. Wainwright Alaska) and his lovely wife Heather joined us for the weekend. He had heard all my war stories and wanted to find out if any of them were true. I think he found out most were, although my part might have been somewhat exaggerated in my telling of them.
Saturday was mostly a get reacquainted time, and then Saturday evening we had a mixer where everyone got together for finger food and drinks to swap stories. I got to talk with a bunch of the old group, and I must say, we've all changed a lot since the sixties. We also had the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the WWII guys. That was an unexpected treat. I knew they would be there, but not that I would enjoy talking to them so much. They had some great stories about Normandy and The Battle of the Bulge etc. I've read about those things, but it's not like talking to someone who was there. We also met many of the Cadre from the current 28th Infantry guys, and I'm happy to report that they were very impressive. If they are an indication of the current Army quality, we're in good hands these days.
Patty and Heather (who is a lot like her Mother-in-law) had a great time. Patty fell back immediately into her old Donut Dolly persona, and was visiting everyone like she was back in Vietnam. She was a big hit with the "Next Generation" Black Lions who didn't know anything about Donut Dollies, and had never met a woman who had been in Vietnam. Her outgoing personality (and good looks) made her a big hit. I had the opportunity to talk with Jim George and Jim Kasik at length, and was able to shake few cobwebs out of my memory banks.
On Sunday we had a choice between golf and a brunch. We elected for the food. We sat with Jim George and his wife Jackie, and had more opportunity to catch up on the last 30+ years. Patty and Jackie hit it off well. LTC Hawes (the current CO of the 2/28th) spoke about the previous evening get-together and how much his Officers and men enjoyed it, but they had been a little intimidated by the Vietnam and WWII vets and our experience, but that after they began to mix it had become a great experience for them.
Sunday afternoon was a time to sit around the pool for us. Others went off on a city tour. Sunday evening was a semi-formal banquet at the NCO club. The active duty guys were in Dress Blues or Mess Dress. The vets were in everything from Dockers and golf shirts, to Tuxes. We had an excellent dinner and some speeches with introductions of some of the VIPs. Patty was thrilled to be introduced as the only representative of the Red Cross "Vets". I think Ed Burke had suggested that Gen. Shelton include her as one of the people to recognize. After dinner we had some time for additional visiting. I particularly enjoyed talking to Walter (never got his last name), a WWII Master Sergeant who spent some time telling me about what lead up to the Battle of the Bulge. Very interesting how some things never change about how people not actually in combat make decisions or don't make decisions that affect the guys who have to do the fighting, often with negative consequences. Patty, was in great form and spent time dancing with Walter and visiting with "The Next Generation" and their wives. Justin spent time listening to war stories. He is happy to have missed Vietnam, but really enjoyed the camaraderie we all shared.
The following day we had the Pass in Review and the picnic. Unfortunately Patty and I had to leave to catch our flight back to Anchorage right after the Pass in Review. We only stayed for a few minutes to say good bye to some of the people before we had to go. I did get a chance to talk to Randy Knowles and Doug McClean who reminded me that I had been the 3rd Platoon Leader for several months. I knew I had taken another Rifle Platoon after being 2-6 but couldn't remember if it was 1st or 3rd, and since you said I wasn't your Platoon leader, I thought it must have been 1st Platoon. They reminded me of one of the places we were where we had an outpost in an old ruined pagoda and where I had an encounter with a bull water buffalo. That brought some memories flooding back so I know I was 3rd Platoon Leader. So maybe when I gave you the beer I was your platoon leader. Doug reminded me of how he used to bitch about carrying the radio and how that earned him an In Country R&R to Vung Tau to quiet him down.
General Menetrey gave a very moving speech about the quality of the troops in Vietnam and about the need to remember in this age of technology, that it will always take troops on the ground to secure victory. Patty was thrilled to be again recognized for her service in Vietnam and was invited to being on the Reviewing Stand with a small elite group of VIPs to review the Regiment. The group included a DSC recipient, a couple of Silver Star recipients, a couple of Generals, the senior WWII Vet and Patty (The senior Donut Dolly).
It was a great time and went far too fast.
Black Lion
Steve
More Pictures of the Reunion from the Fortenberry Files.
Go to another report on the Ft. Jackson Reunion, sent to us by Tom Hinger