We hit the road on a rainy California morning, heading to Texas for a reunion of Mr. D's Army unit. Over one hundred of them had trained together at Fort Irwin, California, and shipped out from Long Beach in 1968 to Vietnam.
By the time we passed Palm Springs, we had blue skies and smooth sailin'
Not long after they arrived in Vietnam, my husband was re-assigned to work as an artillery adviser to the Vietnamese. He really didn't remember the others at the reunion, but some of them knew his name from being on the other end of the radio when he called in the firing coordinates for the heavy artillery.
Apparently those things are not easily forgotten.
I took one look at the pictures they had in albums and started to cry.
We were newlyweds at the time he was deployed,
and it's still hard to think about all they went through.
The reunion was hosted by a retired Officer, at his country road ranch.
He and his beautiful and talented wife were very gracious
and treated us all to a day of down-home food and music.
She's an artist, and her wood-burning art can be seen here
(these photos are from her website)
The color is added with pencils or pastels
I was taken with the property and all the rustic elements
and wandered off and went a-shootin, while hubby reminisced
Counting My Blessings,
xo Susy
I'm joining my blogger buddies at
Spiritual Sundays
Spiritual Sundays
First time visiting your blog through Spiritual Sundays. Very nice post, pictures, arts and people. I enjoyed every bit of it.
ReplyDeletei bet that was an emotional day for you both!
ReplyDeletesuch a generous gesture of that kind couple
to host the whole unit!
Wow, thank you for taking us on a tour of this wonderful occasion. I think it is great that you got to go. I know it brought back a lot of memories. I feel so badly about how Vietnam veterans were treated. I think they are finally getting some of the recognition they deserved.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
Barry was waiting on Okinawa to go into Nam. It was at this time that all deployment of troops was halted. He just missed combat and yet he still gets very emotional about that entire era. I know he has mentioned that voices become very important and unforgettable.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that Mr. D got to reunite. I know there is always a kindred spirit amongst the military.
And, your little photo shoot is wonderful! My kind of ranch! I love the mixture of vintage and rustic!
Thanks for your encouragement! I would love to write a book. I've actually been accumulating material.
Love, hugs, and mush,
KJ
P.S. I love her wood burning — especially the birdie...
ReplyDeleteSo happy you were able to be together for the trip. The pictures are amazing. Awesome wood burning, too.
ReplyDeleteI am sure it was a hard time for you as young marrieds, when he went to Vietnam. Good to have a reunion after all these years also.My hubby Ray went back to Vietnam for a visit. It helped him put the ghosts to rest.Your photos are awesome...love the old time stuff.
ReplyDeleteYes, I took a trip to look at the wood burning, Its wonderful! She is, very talented.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful trip for both of you...I can't imagine your first years of marriage. Counting our blessings with you today...
ReplyDeleteA great post here, Susy...and some awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm holding your hand while we both count blessings. :))
What a wonderful place for this reunion. Your photos are beautiful. All things I love to be surrounded by. I'm sure it was a healing time for all who were so blessed to be there. My heart went out to you, thinking how it must have been as a newlywed to see your husband off to VietNam. We barely missed that as hubby was still at Long Beach State then.
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