My dad 54 Years later

[Tank Destroyer]

My dad served in Vietnam 66-67 and I heard many of the good stories as a kid listening to him talk to the guys and I heard the bad ones when he would wake up yelling and screaming as he relived the bad times in his sleep. I would listen through the wall as he told my mother want had happened and she would comfort him through the night.
I would ask my dad if he wanted a helmet like the one he had in Vietnam but the answer was ALWAYS no, well he changed his mind and I was able to replace his helmet with a correct year and with the help of Michael and his generosity( bug juice bottle) I was able to give my father his helmet before Church Sunday and he is proud to have it.

Thank you for your service.

Marty

[Tank Destroyer]

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[MAP]

Awesome Marty. Great photos. Despite the years....definitely the same guy!

You mocked it up well. Even the position of the helmet band.

[Chopperman]

Nicely done, Marty

[bittaker]

Kind of you, Marty!!
Stig

[HARRY THE MOLE]

A very thoughtful gesture Marty, and one which will have made a Vietnam veteran very proud to have a son such as you!

Cheers,
Steve

[Watchdog]

I love to read things like this.

I suspect that without anyone realising it that helmet represents a kind of "homemade" cognitive therapy and that the ghosts are somehow less significant and troublesome these days, albeit that the memories remain (and so should they). It really guts me that old soldiers are sometimes tormented by memories to the point where they are not able to articulate as they should the gift of education to those who "weren't there" yet who benefit from the exertions of those who were.

Well done and best wishes to the "Auld yin"

Regards

Mark

[Tank Destroyer]

Guys,
Thank you for the kind words. It was a small jester on my small and a moment that I was not sure would ever happen. Mark, I agree it is therapy, my father always talked about a dear friend who was on his third tour and was killed two weeks before mustering out, “ Charles was put on light duty, his job was to drive a Jeep around and run errands for the captain, Damn it his Jeep hit a mine, it through me out but killed Charles.....two weeks just two more weeks.”
We went to DC in 94 and I took dad to the Vietnam Memorial and he found Charles name on the wall... it’s therapy and a long one.

Thank you guys,
Marty

[Pauls1970]

A kind thought, on your part Marty, glad it made your Dad's day !
Regards
Paul

[AZPhil]

Excellent Job Marty and also to Michael for making it complete!!

Possibly with time he might talk more about his experience.
Who was he attached to while in country?

Yes Please thank him for his service and offer my Welcome Home to it.
Sad to say that Not many got the later!


Semper Fi
Phil