Remembering
To all those that have said, “Thank you for your service” and “Welcome home”. I say, “Thank you for your sentiments & gratitude and remember, it wasn’t voluntary”. Let’s not do it again.
Tomorrow is for expressing those sentiments to those that didn’t survive to enjoy the society they were fighting to preserve. It is a day for remembering those that paid the highest price as the result of one of our wars.
This is both sides of the challenge coin minted in honor of some of our comrades shot down over Cambodia on June 30, 1970. Pilots Leslie Douglas and Richard Dyer, crew chief John Burgess and infantry SFC Juan Diaz died in the crash. Also on board was the sole survivor, door gunner John Gooseman. He pulled Lt Douglas from the wreckage but he succumbed to his injuries. Goose has been recovering from his injuries ever since. It is not an easy process.
Goose has been an important part of the “Good Deal” family and responsible for telling the story and preserving the memory of our fallen friends. My thanks to he and Pat & Cheryl Fries for both reviving their memories and helping me process the loss.
A short while back the US Army recovered some of the remains of the victims of that crash and interred them at Arlington. Goose was invited to the ceremony and later (August 2015) we placed the above coin at the Wall in DC.
L to R “GoodDealers” Pig, Goose, Al & Vik.
The last week has seen two of our comrades from the “Good Deal Company” leave us. I know this will be the future we have to live with, but this week hit me surprisingly hard. Herb Nagel and James Winters will be missed and I’m sure we will lift a glass in their honor whenever two or more of us are gathered.
This October some of the “Good Dealers” are gathering in DC to reconnect and visit the wall. It will be my first opportunity to see my old commanding officer since I left the unit in Dec 1970. He was the best CO we had and I am looking forward to the mini reunion. Anyone wishing to join us, just ask for details.
So tomorrow I plan to find someplace quiet by the river and lift a glass to my fallen friends from 46 years ago up to now.
The weather should be perfect for it.
So far I've reached acceptable proficiency at the following, in chronological order: Silversmith, infantryman/door gunner, helicopter pilot, fireman, carpenter, residential contractor, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist and crotchety old retired guy. Currently, I'm learning to fly again and that is what this is all about. 7/7/2020 edit: As I have had the opportunity to reflect (old people do that a lot) on my actual proficiency level at the above occupations, I feel adjustments are in order. The term "acceptable" depends on the observer, their own proficiency and experience level. Acceptable to me might be woefully deficient to the master. I think it would be more accurate to claim that I have earned a living wage at all of these occupations but never got rich. Actually, I feel that I have gotten rich at the last one. I have what I need and am profoundly grateful for all of it. The future looks bright indeed, as I have learned to fly again. For that I have all of you to thank. Thank You!
Leave a Reply