Memoriam (cont’d)
Anniversaries trigger memories, that they do.
I’ve never been good with anniversaries. I’ve long ago given up feeling guilt over forgetting them. It (the guilt) doesn’t change the behavior of forgetting. After deciding to not accept the guilt it was time for “new rules”.
New rules:
- It is no longer required that I remember anyone’s birthday, deathday, graduation, date of some religious milestone (bar/bat mitzvah, communion, FSM acceptance day, ect.), political occasion or remembrance (“Loyalty Day” May 1st, look it up) , day of a special achievement (first solo flight, divorce) or anything else I feel should be included in this rule.
- It is still OK to remember and celebrate any of the occasions listed in rule 1, should I remember and feel like it.
It always feels good to grant myself new powers over guilt.
Anyway, there is an anniversary coming up that I hope to never forget, June 30, 1970. The day we lost so much when a lone Huey was shot down over Cambodia.
I am always struck by the number of lives that would never be the same because of that event. Like an inverted family tree hung upside down or more accurately, it’s root system. At the top is a victim of that crash with his friends and family creating the root system below with their friends and families, on and on. Like the ripples from a rock thrown into the calm surface of a pond, the effects diminish with time but the number of families affected grows.
I’ve witnessed the affect the death of 1st Lt Leslie Forrest Douglas has had on his tree. This tree includes the only survivor of that crash, Sp4 John Goosman.
I knew Lt Leslie Douglas (LT was his assigned nickname) , he was one of the good guys. The day he died, along with many other unpleasant events of the war, was one of the memories my subconscious decided to purge. John and the rest of my friends in our unit helped me recover the events of that day and the aftermath. If you want that story click on the “STORIES” link at the top menu bar on this website and scroll down to the link to this link:
LT (Lieutenant Leslie Forrest Douglas Jr) – December 14, 2015 – 1,334 words
Pig, Goose, Yellow One, and Vic leaving a coin at the wall.
The coin
This year the VHPA is having our annual reunion in Charlotte, NC; beginning on June 30, the 51st anniversary of that horrible day in Cambodia. I won’t be there this year but I’d like to ask my friends attending to lift an extra glass for me to honor the memory of those lost that day.
As I write this while listening to “Democracy Now” on NPR, I am reminded that tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of Alaska senator Mike Gravel’s historic reading of the pentagon papers into the congressional record. The main headline of today’s Alaska Daily News reads, “Mike Gravel, who represented Alaska in the US Senate from 1969-1981, dies at age 91”.
May they all rest in peace.
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!
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