I don't do this much, but I thought I'd share this one.

On the weekend of 7/18, Dee and I went to West Hampton, Long Island, for what has become an annual reunion of some guys I went to Holy Cross with and were in the Corps. ( Chuck Mansfield, Bob Lund and Roger Hunt). We went to OCS and Basic School together, all are Viet Nam vets, all are certified whackos and we always have a lot of laughs. Chuck Mansfield ran into George Sullivan who lives in Southhold Long Island. Sully, (as Charlie and Paul know) was a Basic school classmate-he lost his left leg and won a Navy Cross with 4th Marines on St. Patrick's Day, 1967. Sully (and of course Charlie Sudholt) were my suitemates in Basic School and part of the fiercest fireteam ever known to the Corps. Sully hosted a barbecue and invited Gerry Burns and Kevin Brooks, members of 1st Platoon, A Company TBS 1-67 and of course both Vietnam vets. Gerry shared this one:

Gerry works for Variety Magazine and is connected with some show biz types. He also knew actor Robert DeNiro from his youth. Gerry recently returned from Iraq with DeNiro and some other celebrities on a USO Tour. (Gerry says DeNiro is a fantastic guy). Anyway, Gerry was walking through one of the 1st Mar Div camps in blistering heat approaching 120 degrees.

He was in civilian shorts and walked by a Marine Lt. Col. and a 1st Sergeant, who politely inquired what a civilian in his right mind was doing in such an infernal shithole. Gerry explained that he was with the USO group, and was a civilian, but was an ex-marine and thus not in his right mind. They asked when he had served and he told them and casually mentioned that he had served in Viet Nam. The Lt. Col. and 1st Sgt., as if on cue, immediately snapped to attention and saluted and said "Thank you and welcome home".

Gerry was astonished. They explained that they were both Gulf war I vets and came home to hero's welcomes. However they said all active duty Marines knew that fighting in Iraq was light duty compared to Viet Nam, the RVN vets were their heros and came home to nothing. So they make it a point to come to attention, salute and thank any RVN vets they meet.

Gerry said he broke down and cried.

Semper Fi
Frank Teague