tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post3882535793437904854..comments2023-12-21T22:29:33.778-05:00Comments on Memoirs From Nam: Loved Ones We Left BehindCJ Heckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13867024641088772150noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-85592807741063249412015-01-08T18:06:47.642-05:002015-01-08T18:06:47.642-05:00Always good to hear from a fellow Vet. Thanks my f...Always good to hear from a fellow Vet. Thanks my friend.Michael Lansfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-84521297439338079102015-01-08T18:05:46.588-05:002015-01-08T18:05:46.588-05:00Very moving comments my friend. I still am in awe ...Very moving comments my friend. I still am in awe at our loved ones endurance with what we went through. Exactly right about media not saying facts, Still that way it seems. My Dad was in WWII in the Pacific & he never spoke a word either. I knew nothing about what he did til he passed either, yet he & I never talked about either war, Ironic also. He already knew all my thoughts without words just the same. For many years I kept all my thoughts & experience hidden, for many reasons. Now is just my time to let others know what we as Viet Nam Vets endured & came home not only to but with as well. Strangely my will states my headstone be in Black Granite also. Who knew?. Thanks for all you did my friend.My heroes are the same as yours & lost so many trying to keep them here & the usual last words we all heard were "You're going to be ok". I heard & said them more times than one could imagine. God Bless.Michael Lansfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-39040065005919894682015-01-08T11:41:39.686-05:002015-01-08T11:41:39.686-05:00Michael, thanks for sharing this. Very moving.Michael, thanks for sharing this. Very moving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-39260428497045986972015-01-08T10:54:32.825-05:002015-01-08T10:54:32.825-05:00By all means we had no idea about the impact a yea...By all means we had no idea about the impact a year in Nam would have on us nor our loved ones once we said “Goodbye”.<br />We grew up fast and there was little if any thought of how our loved ones endured, sitting and waiting, and watching the TV for any news related to Vietnam and where we were at. My parents always listened to the “Casualty” reports on TV. The sad part being that the TV was so tainted and biased it was ridiculous. Having participated in certain operations and then subsequently seeing how those were reported – It made me wonder if I was actually a participant – it was totally different than what occurred!<br />Our loved ones always waited to receive a letter from us to ensure them we were still alive. My parents, especially my dad, wrote daily. My “girlfriend” at the time (whom later became my wife) also write when she could as well. However – Dad would always write. Being in WW II – He knew the importance of the “mail” to the soldier in harm’s way. He I could tell what my world had become – but I am sure he already KNEW THAT!<br />Dad knew the impact it would have on me as well as on him and mom for the rest of our lives. Dad ignored the public media and he relied on our mailings for the facts.<br />Once we came home, we were changed men for life. I had no problem in discussions with my father about things we did over there. He was not in Nam but he knew the horrors of war and the effect it has on the men fighting and the loved ones at home.<br /><br />I did not withdraw from society (totally) after returning. My father was my best “counselor” upon my return. Dad was my true hero for me. <br />For those whom did not survive – those are the heroes along with my Dad. As stated often the last image to those who did not survive was a fellow comrade comforting him as he began his journey to God. We valiantly tried to assure that they did not die alone. Wherever they fell we wanted to be there for them until the end. They are the heroes – as was my dad.<br />My ONLY regret – was that when my dad passed away – I was NOT there.<br />I was not present to give him the comfort, peace, and love he had given me me when I returned from Vietnam. <br />His tombstone is made of “black granite” just like the Vietnam Memorial in DC. Ironic? – More than likely he planned it that way.<br />RIP Dad – My Hero!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-25328946600159689102015-01-08T10:40:46.394-05:002015-01-08T10:40:46.394-05:00Thanks again Robert for your support & for rea...Thanks again Robert for your support & for reading what I write. Always spoken from the heart.Michael Lansfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-58204701272261596202015-01-08T10:06:52.749-05:002015-01-08T10:06:52.749-05:00Thanks Robert, my friend. Just things we all lived...Thanks Robert, my friend. Just things we all lived & endured. Hopefully so those that really didn't know us will have a better understanding of the world we endured & could never speak of til years later, & some never can. We are all the same brotherhood regardless.To learn & know that we as a group were willing to lay down our lives for each other without question & never ask why. Ordinary men who did extraordinary things without question. Heroes all.Michael Lansfordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5680984228843410546.post-34411483119948468692015-01-08T09:19:47.601-05:002015-01-08T09:19:47.601-05:00Beautiful writing Michael. It is smooth, clear and...Beautiful writing Michael. It is smooth, clear and heart touching. I hope that some day you put it in a book for all to read and feel the anguish, pain and healing you must feel sharing your experiences with us here.Robert Cosmar - Astrologerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09194633844069596066noreply@blogger.com