A story about two vets.

[Pghredneck]

It took a while to get to know the old guy. Other people had told me that he was a Vietnam Veteran and had served in the Army but, other than that, I knew very little about him. I’d bump into Mr. Lee about once a week and, over time, he began to open up a bit. We’d sit together and have a drink or two while talking politics. His level of wisdom and knowledge was quite impressive and I came to admire him. I also noticed that he was always willing to take young folks, who were struggling, under his wing and get them pointed in the right direction. He helped so many people that it was amazing.

Our early evening chats normally coincided with the shift change at the local pub. When Tucker, who is the evening bartender in that establishment, walked in , Mr. Lee would wave to him and loudly say “Here comes the Navy. They always saved our asses." Until a few months back, I always figured that Mr. Lee was just showing respect to another vet but later I learned the rest of the story. As it turns out, Mr. Lee had been held captive in a POW camp in Vietnam for an extended period of time and later was rescued by the unit that Tucker served in. After being loaded onto the river boat and heading towards safety, Tucker and Mr. Lee began to converse. It was then that Tucker’s accent revealed that he was from Pittsburgh. They had grown up in the same city but in different neighborhoods and never had met previously. A 30+ year friendship born.

Mr. Lee died last month but his funeral was delayed while arrangements were made to have him buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The local ceremony was held here yesterday. And, on Veterans day, Tucker spoke at his old friend’s funeral. This coming Monday 21 shots will be fired in Arlington for Mr. Lee.

Thank you Vets! And, Mr. Lee - I‘ll miss you…

[Fictious Actor]

Cool read..... thank you P-neck

[Pghredneck]

Cool read..... thank you P-neckFA, thanks for taking the time to read it. The story surrounding these two men, the circumstances under which they met, and the resulting bond between them is amazing…

[overwatch]

Thanks for posting this PGH, great story that illustrates the comradely nature of service of ones nation regardless of which service one serves in and the common cause of the allied armed democracies and the friendships it builds.

Bring back national service say I. One for all and all for one.

[Ethyl]

Thanks for posting this PGH, great story that illustrates the comradely nature of service of ones nation regardless of which service one serves in and the common cause of the allied armed democracies and the friendships it builds.

Bring back national service say I. One for all and all for one.

well said sir, well said.

[Pghredneck]

There was a funeral earlier today. Tucker’s (one of the fine gentlemen mentioned in the post at the onset of this thread) 20 month old grandson laid in the casket. Like his grandfather, the little guy was a fighter. Tyler tried his best to overcome the congenital illness from which he suffered. Not long ago, the doctors thought that he had turned the corner and might make it but unfortunately last Sunday, on Mother’s day, he succumbed. Attending today’s sad event once again drove home the points that life is fragile and that we need to be thankful for everyday…

[Bitch]

There was a funeral earlier today. Tucker’s (one of the fine gentlemen mentioned in the post at the onset of this thread) 20 month old grandson laid in the casket. Like his grandfather, the little guy was a fighter. Tyler tried his best to overcome the congenital illness from which he suffered. Not long ago, the doctors thought that he had turned the corner and might make it but unfortunately last Sunday, on Mother’s day, he succumbed. Attending today’s sad event once again drove home the points that life is fragile and that we need to be thankful for everyday…
My thoughts are with your friend and his family on such a sad day. My condolences.

[shadow_wolf]

There was a funeral earlier today. Tucker’s (one of the fine gentlemen mentioned in the post at the onset of this thread) 20 month old grandson laid in the casket. Like his grandfather, the little guy was a fighter. Tyler tried his best to overcome the congenital illness from which he suffered. Not long ago, the doctors thought that he had turned the corner and might make it but unfortunately last Sunday, on Mother’s day, he succumbed. Attending today’s sad event once again drove home the points that life is fragile and that we need to be thankful for everyday…

PGH, I send my thoughts and prayers to your friend and his family.

[overwatch]

There was a funeral earlier today. Tucker’s (one of the fine gentlemen mentioned in the post at the onset of this thread) 20 month old grandson laid in the casket. Like his grandfather, the little guy was a fighter. Tyler tried his best to overcome the congenital illness from which he suffered. Not long ago, the doctors thought that he had turned the corner and might make it but unfortunately last Sunday, on Mother’s day, he succumbed. Attending today’s sad event once again drove home the points that life is fragile and that we need to be thankful for everyday…

Sorry to hear this man, tots dying leaves me lost for words. Hope you and yours are coping OK mate.

[VERITAS]

Thanks, PG. Such worthies deserve to be remembered, and we are all the better for your having shared.

[Pghredneck]

Thanks guys. When the time is right, I’ll relay your kind sentiments to my friend Tucker, to his son and to his daughter in law…

[zapcomix]

:happy_12: :happy_01: :happy_12: :happy_01: :happy_12:

[Pghredneck]

Here's to Mr. Lee, Tucker and all vets. :food_02:
It took a while to get to know the old guy. Other people had told me that he was a Vietnam Veteran and had served in the Army but, other than that, I knew very little about him. I’d bump into Mr. Lee about once a week and, over time, he began to open up a bit. We’d sit together and have a drink or two while talking politics. His level of wisdom and knowledge was quite impressive and I came to admire him. I also noticed that he was always willing to take young folks, who were struggling, under his wing and get them pointed in the right direction. He helped so many people that it was amazing.

Our early evening chats normally coincided with the shift change at the local pub. When Tucker, who is the evening bartender in that establishment, walked in , Mr. Lee would wave to him and loudly say “Here comes the Navy. They always saved our asses." Until a few months back, I always figured that Mr. Lee was just showing respect to another vet but later I learned the rest of the story. As it turns out, Mr. Lee had been held captive in a POW camp in Vietnam for an extended period of time and later was rescued by the unit that Tucker served in. After being loaded onto the river boat and heading towards safety, Tucker and Mr. Lee began to converse. It was then that Tucker’s accent revealed that he was from Pittsburgh. They had grown up in the same city but in different neighborhoods and never had met previously. A 30+ year friendship born.

Mr. Lee died last month but his funeral was delayed while arrangements were made to have him buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The local ceremony was held here yesterday. And, on Veterans day, Tucker spoke at his old friend’s funeral. This coming Monday 21 shots will be fired in Arlington for Mr. Lee.

Thank you Vets! And, Mr. Lee - I‘ll miss you…

[Cali/Yank]

:food_02:

[Heads_On_Pikes]

Great story redneck...buy Tucker a beer for me if you get the chance, and buy an extra one for Mr. Lee.

Another interesting vet story was in my local Gannett owned liberal newsrag today...


<snip>

Fluke or fate?

In 2000, Roger Herrick and his wife, Lucinda, who live in Glendale, Ariz., were in Rockford while Roger completed a software engineering contract for Hamilton Sundstrand. They visited the Moving Wall Vietnam memorial on its stop in Haight Village. They hung back, on the fringes of the crowd, silently observing.

Diller was a volunteer there and approached the Herricks to see if he could help them find a name on the wall.

Roger Herrick said no, that they were familiar with the memorial and had a rubbing of his brother’s name. Diller, who still rattles off specific names, dates and details about the war with ease, asked for the name.

It clicked immediately.

The Herricks spent most of their lives futilely searching for clues about what happened to Jim.

But on the fringes of an event in a town that wasn’t their home, they came face to face with one of the last people to fly with Jim Herrick just hours before he disappeared.

“It was so meant-to-be for us to meet,” Lucinda Herrick said of the encounter.

“If they had talked to any of the other volunteers that night, they would not have known to introduce us, because I didn’t know them and they didn’t know me,” Diller said. “There is probably not another Air Force Skyraider combat pilot living within 500 miles of here, and certainly not one who knew what happened to Jim Herrick.”

<snip>

http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061111/NEWS0101/111110054

[Cali/Yank]

Here's what happened in Southern Calif on Veterans day.
http://www.wincoast.com/forum/showthread.php?p=873149#post873149

[Pghredneck]

Great story redneck...buy Tucker a beer for me if you get the chance, and buy an extra one for Mr. Lee.

Another interesting vet story was in my local Gannett owned liberal newsrag today...Thanks for the article bro. Tucker has not been in good health lately so buying him a beer is not something that I can do. But I'll give him your regards and print out the article which you posted so that he can read it. That will mean a lot to him.

PS: A special trip was made earlier today to Mr. Lee's old stomping grounds; the purpose being to raise a glass in honor of that fine man...

[NFM]

Reddie,

You're one of the good guys on here ;)

[Kdfk]

Thanks for that! Please give my best to the family and do me another favor if you will please....when you see them and when you see your other friend, Tucker....tell them THANK YOU FOR SERVING......so many came back from there and didn't get a single good word, but plenty of ugly ones....

It is funny your friend Mr. Lee said that about Tucker, because my Dad, who served in Vietnam in the Army on a ship over there said the same thing about someone he met a couple of years ago...turns out the guy used to check under the ship and sweep for mines or explosives....I can't remember the whole details because it is hard to get anything out of them about that time...but once in a while you can manage to hear something slip out....

[Pghredneck]

Thanks for that! Please give my best to the family and do me another favor if you will please....when you see them and when you see your other friend, Tucker....tell them THANK YOU FOR SERVING......so many came back from there and didn't get a single good word, but plenty of ugly ones....

It is funny your friend Mr. Lee said that about Tucker, because my Dad, who served in Vietnam in the Army on a ship over there said the same thing about someone he met a couple of years ago...turns out the guy used to check under the ship and sweep for mines or explosives....I can't remember the whole details because it is hard to get anything out of them about that time...but once in a while you can manage to hear something slip out....KDFK, will do! And thanks for the story...

[Bitch]

Reddie,

You're one of the good guys on here ;)

Yep. He sure is!

[Kdfk]

KDFK, will do! And thanks for the story...

Welcome......thanks for yours.