I served my country proudly
during my service in Thailand in direct support of the War in Vietnam. I was
stationed at Camp Warin Radio Station which was the main communciation link between
Vietnam and Thailand. My stateside duty at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Huachuca was
interrupted by TDY assignments to Korea, for President Johnson's Asian tour, and to
Germany, to test stockpiled equipment for possible emergency use. The flags above
are the United States, and below (L to R) Thailand, Australia, United Kingdom,
Germany, Korea and South Vietnam (no longer exists therefore the flag is not
waving). These represent countries where I served and Australia and United Kingdom
who had troops in Thailand that I served with. The ribbons shown above (L to
R) are the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the
National Defense Service Medal. All these medals were earned during my service
period.
After my discharge I had many misgivings about our country's actions in that war. I used to call my service in the miliary as
"a million dollar experience that I wouldn't give you a nickel to do again." However, now I temper that depiction with the
realization and knowledge that those experiences and service to my country molded me over
the years. It made me. Those three
years put me on the path that is my life.
I served my country with pride and am better for it; but I still think the Vietnam War was
conducted badly. But the voices that speak against that war or any war deserve to
be heard; no, they must be heard every time we put our young men in harms way. We
must be sure that we are on the right path, for the right reasons and with the right plan.
I grieve for those that didn't return then and now. I grieve for those that returned
but wounded in body and soul.
Photos from
various locations.
Camp Warin,
Thailand Set 1 Set 2 Set 3
Set 4 Set 5
Ubon,
Thailand Set 1
Germany
Set 1
