TAPS ...
This site is dedicated to:
Jerry Preston Denham DOB 2-15- 47 / DOD 07/15/89 US Army Vietnam Vet
John Richard Gregoire DOB 6-12- 46 / DOD 04-2-67 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Roger Hogan DOB 12-14-48 / DOD 11-14-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Charles (Dutch) Covert DOB 12-27- 51 / DOD 10-25-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Raymond Horace Pike DOB 3-3- 48 / DOD 01-31-68 US Army/Medic Vietnam Vet
Ron Timberlake DOB 12-27-51 / DOD 05-05-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
Larry Tweedie DOB 10-27- 49 / DOD 05-26-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
CWO Terry Lanier Alford DOB 10-22- 47 / (MIA 11-04-69) US Army Vietnam Vet
Jesus DeLa Rosa Jr. DOB 05-07- 42 / DOD 07-19-66 US Army Vietnam Vet
Dennis M. Fair DOB 11/19/46 / DOD 8/20/2010 USMC Vietnam Vet
Major Glen Granberry (Retired) DOB 3/23/39 DOD 02/08/2012 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Bealer Caudill DOB 04/26/1942 DOD 2/17/2012 US Army Vietnam 5th/7th Cavalry
Connie Mack Pearson DOB 08/15/1945 DOD 02/24/2013 US Army Vietnam 5th/7th Cavalry
Jimmy Pruitt DOB 09/29/1947 DOD 08/10/1993 US Army Vietnam 2nd Btn./20th ARA
This page is also dedicated to all my Combat Brothers who fought and died in Vietnam
or after Vietnam and have gone to Fiddler's Green.
This site is dedicated to:
Jerry Preston Denham DOB 2-15- 47 / DOD 07/15/89 US Army Vietnam Vet
John Richard Gregoire DOB 6-12- 46 / DOD 04-2-67 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Roger Hogan DOB 12-14-48 / DOD 11-14-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Charles (Dutch) Covert DOB 12-27- 51 / DOD 10-25-00 US Army Vietnam Vet
Raymond Horace Pike DOB 3-3- 48 / DOD 01-31-68 US Army/Medic Vietnam Vet
Ron Timberlake DOB 12-27-51 / DOD 05-05-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
Larry Tweedie DOB 10-27- 49 / DOD 05-26-99 US Army Vietnam Vet
CWO Terry Lanier Alford DOB 10-22- 47 / (MIA 11-04-69) US Army Vietnam Vet
Jesus DeLa Rosa Jr. DOB 05-07- 42 / DOD 07-19-66 US Army Vietnam Vet
Dennis M. Fair DOB 11/19/46 / DOD 8/20/2010 USMC Vietnam Vet
Major Glen Granberry (Retired) DOB 3/23/39 DOD 02/08/2012 US Army Vietnam Vet * A/229th AHB
Bealer Caudill DOB 04/26/1942 DOD 2/17/2012 US Army Vietnam 5th/7th Cavalry
Connie Mack Pearson DOB 08/15/1945 DOD 02/24/2013 US Army Vietnam 5th/7th Cavalry
Jimmy Pruitt DOB 09/29/1947 DOD 08/10/1993 US Army Vietnam 2nd Btn./20th ARA
This page is also dedicated to all my Combat Brothers who fought and died in Vietnam
or after Vietnam and have gone to Fiddler's Green.
* John (Rick) Gregoire was the only KIA in a
helicopter crash on 02 Apr 1967. He was the only
casualty, when the Huey he was on had an engine
failure and upon landing, Rick, instead of running
away from the slick after he got the co-pilot out, ran
towards the nose and up a hill, not realizing what
was about to happen. As he ran up the hill the main
rotor was still turning and he ran right into it, taking
off the top of his head. I didn't even recognize him
and had to ask the pilots who he was. When they
told me, my knees buckled and I broke down. Rick
had been on sick leave for a couple of weeks and
wasn't even supposed to be flying but as he loved to
fly, like we all did, he talked someone into letting
him go up in their place. A couple hours later he
was dead. We had a memorial service that night for
Rick and as we were having the service the chopper
he crash landed on was being flown off under a
Chinook and flew right over us. It was an eerie
feeling.*
helicopter crash on 02 Apr 1967. He was the only
casualty, when the Huey he was on had an engine
failure and upon landing, Rick, instead of running
away from the slick after he got the co-pilot out, ran
towards the nose and up a hill, not realizing what
was about to happen. As he ran up the hill the main
rotor was still turning and he ran right into it, taking
off the top of his head. I didn't even recognize him
and had to ask the pilots who he was. When they
told me, my knees buckled and I broke down. Rick
had been on sick leave for a couple of weeks and
wasn't even supposed to be flying but as he loved to
fly, like we all did, he talked someone into letting
him go up in their place. A couple hours later he
was dead. We had a memorial service that night for
Rick and as we were having the service the chopper
he crash landed on was being flown off under a
Chinook and flew right over us. It was an eerie
feeling.*
Click Here: A Documentary About The Huey
Helicopter in Vietnam And The Lives It Affected
Helicopter in Vietnam And The Lives It Affected
It’s a Journey toward Healing
And bringing Closure to some
An Outlet for some Grieving
Maybe an End that’s finally come.
A short ride back into the Past
That shows the Future out ahead
A release of all those Emotions
Which were held inside, instead.
Some Reunions of old Comrades
And keeping Promises once made
Meeting the Families of Buddies
Learning some Memories won’t fade.
A Tribute to all the Heroes
Who flew those Hueys in and out
And the Medics who rendered Aid
Showing what Bravery is all about.
An Education for some People
And to Teach a new Generation
To always Have and Show Respect
For all who Serve our Nation.
A "Welcome Home!" for all those Vets
And, "Thank you for your Sacrifice."
Our Country made this mistake once
Let’s make sure we don’t do it twice.
When we send our own into Harm’s Way
We must never again lose Sight
That they Wage the Battle in our name
Whether we think it Wrong or Right.
"IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE"
Is a must for All of Us to See
A lesson for, "We, the People."
In this, "Land of the Free."
© Del "Abe" Jones
02-22-2005
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Sp. 4 John Richard "Rick" Gregoire
Vietnam/229th AHB/ 1966-1967
Vietnam/229th AHB/ 1966-1967
Hand Carved By CWO (Ret.) Robert (Weird) Stanley- Thanks Weird
Song Is "For What It's Worth"
By Buffalo Springfield
By Buffalo Springfield
Sent In By SFC Aaron S. Bowen (Retired )
The Thunderbolt is for the surprise and shock action of "Winged Assault". The blue is
for the infantry carries and the sky from which the assault will come. The Bayonet is
Aviation Group of the 11th Air Assault Division. The orange is the color of Army
Aviation and it supports the winged spear also symbolic of "Winged Assault".
The Thunderbolt is for the surprise and shock action of "Winged Assault". The blue is
for the infantry carries and the sky from which the assault will come. The Bayonet is
Aviation Group of the 11th Air Assault Division. The orange is the color of Army
Aviation and it supports the winged spear also symbolic of "Winged Assault".
A Homeless Veteran's Poem
Where has all the time gone, where the hell did it go,
I was once looked up to, I was a war hero.
Now I walk to where ever I want to, and beg for what ever I can find,
My face is so old and wrinkled, my life has not been kind.
A half century ago, I served when I was called to go,
I was a combat soldier, proud and brave, ready in my soul.
My time in Vietnam made me hate my life,
Drugs and booze were my strength, which led to my strife.
Today I eat whatever I can find, I sleep wherever I can,
I am the people I hate, I am the one they can't stand.
The life I know of using drugs and becoming a boozer,
Has almost, but not quite, helped make me a total loser.
Then one day it happened, I had not thought of Him in years,
I fell to my knees in prayer and shed a half century of tears.
God told me to rise up, go forth, and again become a man,
Now today, I show others like me, what God will do and can.
© Keith Bodine 06/21/2007
Where has all the time gone, where the hell did it go,
I was once looked up to, I was a war hero.
Now I walk to where ever I want to, and beg for what ever I can find,
My face is so old and wrinkled, my life has not been kind.
A half century ago, I served when I was called to go,
I was a combat soldier, proud and brave, ready in my soul.
My time in Vietnam made me hate my life,
Drugs and booze were my strength, which led to my strife.
Today I eat whatever I can find, I sleep wherever I can,
I am the people I hate, I am the one they can't stand.
The life I know of using drugs and becoming a boozer,
Has almost, but not quite, helped make me a total loser.
Then one day it happened, I had not thought of Him in years,
I fell to my knees in prayer and shed a half century of tears.
God told me to rise up, go forth, and again become a man,
Now today, I show others like me, what God will do and can.
© Keith Bodine 06/21/2007
The Soldiers Song
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I've never expected, or had much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
Author Unknown~
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I've never expected, or had much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'
Author Unknown~
The Crest Of The 229th Assault Helicopter Btn.
Granny was one of the best pilots I flew with
and we were best friends. I miss you granny.
Rest In Peace - Your war is finally over
In honor of my son who was always
Supportive Of Me. I love you. Pop
Supportive Of Me. I love you. Pop
Almost All Of My Page Titles Were
Created Using FlamingText.com
Click On The Logo To Go To Their site.
Created Using FlamingText.com
Click On The Logo To Go To Their site.
There Are Two Storms
In Our Life. One Storm
Is Growing Up. The
Other Storm Is
Growing Old. Until
You Experience Both,
You Won't Understand
How Precious Life Is.
In Our Life. One Storm
Is Growing Up. The
Other Storm Is
Growing Old. Until
You Experience Both,
You Won't Understand
How Precious Life Is.
Photo By Permission Of Photographer
Sara Beal. No reproduction or copies
permitted unless pre-approved by
ITSOTB or Sara Beal. Copyright
Protected. Connie Mack Pearson
facing me at our reunuion.
Sara Beal. No reproduction or copies
permitted unless pre-approved by
ITSOTB or Sara Beal. Copyright
Protected. Connie Mack Pearson
facing me at our reunuion.
Connie and I met on a battle field one
night in Vietnam. He had been shot
nine times and needed to get out of that
LZ as quick as possible. Our Huey
landed and right away the wounded
men were being brought out. The last
one to be brought out was Connie. He
told me if he didn't get out, he would
die. We didn't know each other at all.
He was with the 5th/7th Cavalry. I
remembered that unit and one night I
found the 5/7 website and sent an
e-mail to find out if Connie had died or
lived. He lived.
With the help of "In The Shadow Of The
Blade" producers, Connie and his wife
Sue, drove all the way from Illinois to
Houston, Texas. It was a grand reunion
and we enjoyed talking about "that
night in Vietnam". I'm very sad right
now as I found out tonight Connie died
on 24 Feb. 2013. I will miss not being
able to call him anymore. I loved that
man and I will miss him.
night in Vietnam. He had been shot
nine times and needed to get out of that
LZ as quick as possible. Our Huey
landed and right away the wounded
men were being brought out. The last
one to be brought out was Connie. He
told me if he didn't get out, he would
die. We didn't know each other at all.
He was with the 5th/7th Cavalry. I
remembered that unit and one night I
found the 5/7 website and sent an
e-mail to find out if Connie had died or
lived. He lived.
With the help of "In The Shadow Of The
Blade" producers, Connie and his wife
Sue, drove all the way from Illinois to
Houston, Texas. It was a grand reunion
and we enjoyed talking about "that
night in Vietnam". I'm very sad right
now as I found out tonight Connie died
on 24 Feb. 2013. I will miss not being
able to call him anymore. I loved that
man and I will miss him.
584TH MED CO,
AMBULANCE (LONG
BINH), USARV
AMBULANCE (LONG
BINH), USARV
128th AHC/Tomahawks
I was with the 1st Cav Division as a door gunner in the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion from
June of 1966 to June of 1967. The base camp for the 1st Cav (Air Mobile) was at AnKhe, in the
Highlands. Almost all of our operations were in the Highlands near the Cambodian and Laos
borders. My ship was shot down once with small arms fire on Hong Kong mountain, and crashed
once due to engine or transmission failure. My first official kill was 24 June 1966. It was my 21st
birthday. I was very lucky in that I did not suffer any permanent physical damage and was able to
return home with all my limbs.
I am very supportive of the MIA issue. I have adopted an MIA my wife went to high school with,
and I am very supportive in getting Terry back home. I also stay in contact with Terry's sister and
we send each other information when we receive any news on the progress of the MIA's being
searched for. I am a life time member of Heli-Vets, Vietnam Helicopters Crew Member
Association, the DAV, VFW, American Legion, and the 229th AHB Association.
I can't describe to you how much I loved flying on my Huey. It was exciting every day to hear that
baby crank up and be on it as we took off for unknown destinations. We never knew how hot our
situation was going to turn out so we were always prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.
As I look back now, even though I still hate that war, I wouldn't change anything, except not
seeing all those KIA's. I could have done without that part of it. Unfortunately that's part of war.
At the time, as I have said, I hated being in Vietnam and I hated the war, but now as I recall some
fond memories, I still think about all those brave soldiers I would have never come into contact
with had I not gone to Vietnam. Even today I still have the pleasure of meeting Vietnam vets at
the VA Hospital. I didn't realize it in Vietnam but we were truly appreciated by the grunts we
worked with. They hated to hear us coming to take them into battle but they were sure happy to
hear us coming to take them out of battle. I remember feeling that same way every time I went
into the field on a patrol. I had an infantry MOS(11B4P) so whenever we were back at base camp
our CO would have all the 11Bravo guys go on short patrols. It was a very empty, scary feeling
when we got dropped off and watched that chopper fly off. I have never met a grunt at the VA
who said anything to the contrary.
I flew in a Huey in November of 2002 for the first time in over 30 years. It was one of the best
days of my life. See the story below "In The Shadow Of The Blade"
As others wish they could have, would have, or glad they didn't, I did, and am proud to say,
"I fought in Vietnam". Keith (Hacksaw) Bodine
June of 1966 to June of 1967. The base camp for the 1st Cav (Air Mobile) was at AnKhe, in the
Highlands. Almost all of our operations were in the Highlands near the Cambodian and Laos
borders. My ship was shot down once with small arms fire on Hong Kong mountain, and crashed
once due to engine or transmission failure. My first official kill was 24 June 1966. It was my 21st
birthday. I was very lucky in that I did not suffer any permanent physical damage and was able to
return home with all my limbs.
I am very supportive of the MIA issue. I have adopted an MIA my wife went to high school with,
and I am very supportive in getting Terry back home. I also stay in contact with Terry's sister and
we send each other information when we receive any news on the progress of the MIA's being
searched for. I am a life time member of Heli-Vets, Vietnam Helicopters Crew Member
Association, the DAV, VFW, American Legion, and the 229th AHB Association.
I can't describe to you how much I loved flying on my Huey. It was exciting every day to hear that
baby crank up and be on it as we took off for unknown destinations. We never knew how hot our
situation was going to turn out so we were always prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.
As I look back now, even though I still hate that war, I wouldn't change anything, except not
seeing all those KIA's. I could have done without that part of it. Unfortunately that's part of war.
At the time, as I have said, I hated being in Vietnam and I hated the war, but now as I recall some
fond memories, I still think about all those brave soldiers I would have never come into contact
with had I not gone to Vietnam. Even today I still have the pleasure of meeting Vietnam vets at
the VA Hospital. I didn't realize it in Vietnam but we were truly appreciated by the grunts we
worked with. They hated to hear us coming to take them into battle but they were sure happy to
hear us coming to take them out of battle. I remember feeling that same way every time I went
into the field on a patrol. I had an infantry MOS(11B4P) so whenever we were back at base camp
our CO would have all the 11Bravo guys go on short patrols. It was a very empty, scary feeling
when we got dropped off and watched that chopper fly off. I have never met a grunt at the VA
who said anything to the contrary.
I flew in a Huey in November of 2002 for the first time in over 30 years. It was one of the best
days of my life. See the story below "In The Shadow Of The Blade"
As others wish they could have, would have, or glad they didn't, I did, and am proud to say,
"I fought in Vietnam". Keith (Hacksaw) Bodine
lance corp.
Jimmy Pruitt, Father of Mike Pruitt,
Who I Have Met Through Mike Signing My Guestbook,
Then Becoming E-Mail Friends. God Bless You Jimmy.
Your War Is Finally Over.
Who I Have Met Through Mike Signing My Guestbook,
Then Becoming E-Mail Friends. God Bless You Jimmy.
Your War Is Finally Over.
1st Avn. Bde. 281st AHC
“Without Freedom of thought there can be no
such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as
public liberty, without freedom of speech.”
― Benjamin Franklin
such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as
public liberty, without freedom of speech.”
― Benjamin Franklin
SP-4 Connie Mack Pearson
Vietnam/5/7th Cavalry 1966-1967
Vietnam/5/7th Cavalry 1966-1967
Visit this Marine Site.
It's the best Marine site I
have seen. It has lot's of
history about the
Marines in Vietnam and
the Middle East. Please
Visit :
www.usmcvietnam.net
It's the best Marine site I
have seen. It has lot's of
history about the
Marines in Vietnam and
the Middle East. Please
Visit :
www.usmcvietnam.net
