Song Is "Nowhere To Run"
By Martha And The Vandellas
By Martha And The Vandellas
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. I was shot down once with small arms fire and crashed twice 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 truely 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(11BP) 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 2004 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, would have, or glad they didn't, I did, and am proud to say, "I
fought in Vietnam". Keith 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. I was shot down once with small arms fire and crashed twice 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 truely 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(11BP) 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 2004 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, would have, or glad they didn't, I did, and am proud to say, "I
fought in Vietnam". Keith Bodine
TAPS ...
This site is dedicated to:
Jerry Preston Denham DOB 2-15- 47 / DOD 07/15/89
John Richard Gregoire DOB 6-12- 46 / DOD 04-2-67. * A/229th AHB *
Roger Hogan DOB 12-14-48 / DOD 11-14-00
Charles (Dutch) Covert DOB 12-27- 51 / DOD 10-25-00
Raymond Horace Pike DOB 3-3- 48 / DOD 01-31-68
Ron Timberlake DOB 12-27-51 / DOD 05-05-99
Larry Tweedie DOB 10-27- 49 / DOD 05-26-99
Terry Lanier Alford DOB 10-22- 47 / (MIA 11-04-69) Terry is still MIA
Jesus DeLa Rosa Jr. DOB 05-07- 42 / DOD 07-19-66
This page is also dedicated to all my friends who have gone to
Fiddler's Green. May they rest in Peace and their families have
closure over their loss.
This site is dedicated to:
Jerry Preston Denham DOB 2-15- 47 / DOD 07/15/89
John Richard Gregoire DOB 6-12- 46 / DOD 04-2-67. * A/229th AHB *
Roger Hogan DOB 12-14-48 / DOD 11-14-00
Charles (Dutch) Covert DOB 12-27- 51 / DOD 10-25-00
Raymond Horace Pike DOB 3-3- 48 / DOD 01-31-68
Ron Timberlake DOB 12-27-51 / DOD 05-05-99
Larry Tweedie DOB 10-27- 49 / DOD 05-26-99
Terry Lanier Alford DOB 10-22- 47 / (MIA 11-04-69) Terry is still MIA
Jesus DeLa Rosa Jr. DOB 05-07- 42 / DOD 07-19-66
This page is also dedicated to all my friends who have gone to
Fiddler's Green. May they rest in Peace and their families have
closure over their loss.
* John(Rick) Gregoire was the only KIA in a helicopter
crash on 02 Apr 1967. In fact he was the only casualty.
They 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 tried to run 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.*
crash on 02 Apr 1967. In fact he was the only casualty.
They 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 tried to run 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.*
For My Son Kyle From Pop. I Miss You Every Day
Click Here: A Documentary About The Huey
Helicopter And The Lives It Affected
Helicopter And The Lives It Affected
"WELCOME HOME!"
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
Web Site
http://mywebpagenetscapecom/delabejones/page2.html
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
Web Site
http://mywebpagenetscapecom/delabejones/page2.html
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The storms of life are
sometimes rough and
sometimes smooth.
Until you experience
both storms you will not
understand what life is
all about.
God Bless, Hacksaw
sometimes rough and
sometimes smooth.
Until you experience
both storms you will not
understand what life is
all about.
God Bless, Hacksaw
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Please Visit This Website By Clicking On Award
