
My Vietnam Experience 1968
PREFACE
This story began as a blog on October 20, 2017. The intention was to relive the experience (50 years ago) chronologically. Each blog published represents a period of time or an incident from the past. Most of these pages are an accurate depiction of actual events. Some are in the spirit of historical fiction. Many of the characters’ names have been changed because my memory has faded over time.
There was no official diary or log kept during my tour. The photos I took have writing scrawled on the back, describing the scene or date the picture was taken. Some details came from the wedding book Jenny kept during our first year of marriage. Additional information was extracted from the “Command Chronologies” (monthly log entries) maintained in a database at Texas Tech in Lubbock. These unit accounts have been declassified and are available (free) online.
This historical narrative came as a consequence of discussions with my VA meditation therapist, Cheryl. The purpose was to embrace these memories of the past, and this endeavor would hopefully lower the levels of anger, anxiety and stress. This project has allowed me to let go of certain issues (through forgiveness), and I thank her for that gift. There is now less “crankiness” in my life.
Jenny, my wife and “Editor in Chief,” has managed to keep the story coherent. She lived through this experience with me and was my rock. We survived the tour of duty together as a couple . . . not an easy task.
To read our story from the beginning: Go to the Menu and select START.
This is the end of the blog and beginning of an online book.