Sparks

Like most of you guys, my DD214 lacks any mention of where/when I was TDY. It does list SEA service and the VSM but that info is not good enough to prove Boots on the Ground. Giz, I've requested copies of travel vouchers on two occassions and have spoken to a rep from the AF Finance section. I was told that those records dont exist. Based on your success with getting those records, I know that is not true. I also contacted the IRS in the hope I could get a copy of tax returns covering my time in VN. No luck there either. Now, like Ms. Sager, I need to reach out to my friends and ask anyone with knowledge or paperwork showing a TDY originating at Langley AFB and traveling to the west coast with stops at Hawaii, Wake Island, Guam, Phillipines, then Tan Son Nhut, VN during the summer of 1972. I would be most appreciative of any help with this. My name and rank at the time: Gardner Keith, A1C Welcome to the site Dale and best of luck to Ms.Sager in your quest for justice concerning the VA. Keith

I think I'll pretend to be a supreme court justice. How long do you think it would take for that lie to get shut down? Maybe, I can claim to be a secret service agent, a doctor, a lawyer. Just free speech Right ? The stolen valor act needs to be passed and stiff penalties enforced. Just my opinion.......

I agree with you. It takes a special kind of lowlife to claim something he isnt. There have been imposters throughout history and it is unfortunate these guys stories are taken at face value. Trust but verify ! If a story sounds too good to be true.......you know the rest.

I wasn't at Tan Son Nhut long (month and a half or so) but it seems like there was a parking pad called "Hot Spot" Located close to an ammo dump? Maybe somebody can confirm or debunk my memory. I dont remember any bunkers or having been breifed about any either. The Electric Shop had lockers containing helmets aqnd flak jackets and I had a card issued giving permission to retreive an M16 from the weapons locker if I needed it. Fortunately, I didn't need to use the card because I was never told where the weapons locker was !

Has there been any movement on a 316th reunion in Hampton in 2012 ? I havn't seen any chatter about this in awhile.

I guess I'll jump in here. I retired out of Eglin AFB, Florida and have lived in Crestview for 20 years. Eglin main is located 20 or so miles south west, Hurlbert field about 25 miles south west, Duke field and the Army special forces base are 10 miles south. I get to see F15's, F16's, Blackhawk helios, A10 warthogs, and hope to see the F35 flying soon. Every one of these aircraft get my attention, but none can compare with the sight, sound and (if I'm really lucky) smell of the C-130's flying low and slow over my house, shaking my windows during the day or in the dead of night. I am so damn lucky, I can't stand it. What a life !

Chris,I enjoyed reading your report. VIETNAM Just the word stirs a multitude of emotions. Anger - over the way we were welcomed home. Confusion - about how my feelings of patriotism could be construed as nieve by other americans who chose to accept deferements or avoid the draft. Dissapointment - that the political leaders sold us out. Sadness - that I had to keep my experiences to myself lest I be labeled an idiot for volunteering to go to VN.

Its good hearin from you guys. Giz, I wish your wife the best for a speedy recovery. I hope everyone has a great 2012. I hope to see you at Langley AFB this year. Keith

Facts are facts. And the fact is that it takes an entire team to keep an aircraft in the air. An aircraft may shut down engines at 1700 but thats just the end of one mission and the start of another. I sure remember working all night and most of the next day in all types of weather to make that aircraft airworthy for the next mission.

Absoutely, Happy Thanksgiving to a great bunch of airman and your families. By the way, my wife is a bit embarrassed about the "Herky Lurkey" comment but we both have had a good laugh about it.

I'll see your WOW and raise you a Holy Crap! That was an amazing video. I had no idea the J had a heads-up display. At least thats what it looks like. They have come a long way sice the E mod

Good question. Those WW II, Korea guys made a lot of history and are dying off at a very fast rate. I think I read somewhere that WW II vets are dying somewhere around 1000 per day. I dont know if that is a correct number, but the US is losing a lot of it's history. It is good to share with other vets some of the stories we all have.

Ken, Giz and all...Great news about your medical updates. Maybe we will just outlive expectations. I guess i'll have to make a commissary run and buy a new fridge at the BX cause I don't think one will be enough. I recon Montana can get quite cold and snowy during the winter. Having lived many years in the northeast and Alaska, I can say with conviction....I don't miss walking in the snow, shoveling it, driving in it playing in it, or having to shovel my car out of a snow drift to get to work. Florida aint so bad. I had a big, slow, loud C130 fly over my house yesterday. One of the great benefits of living close to an Air Force Base. Not a bad life at all........

Ive got to hand it to you folks. When I first got on this site I was a little worried about fitting in. But from my first post Giz and everyone else has made me feel welcome and through you all, Ive been able to relive some of the best times of my life. All I can say is thanks. Now, about LAPES...........

im reading this and laughing my ass off. Wife is sitting beside me on the front porch askin if i lost my mind. All I could do was point to my laptop and laugh. She said, "Oh, that must be the Herky Lurkeys your talking to." Seems like the whole family gets involved in these things. Have a great day!

I dont know about all nurses having a God giiven talent. I do think that there are those who work hard at developing a talent and hone their skills over many years. Nursing takes a mixture of hard work, dedication, education and a real desire to help others. I sort of know what Im talking about here. After my career as a C130 electrician, and an additional year as a civilian electrician, raising a young family etc, I started working in a Pennsylvaina State Hospital as a Psychiatric Aide. The job actually paid more because I had been working in a non unionized plant. Long story short, I used my GI Bill to attend Nursing School in Jamestown, NY. Eventually got a direct commission back into the Air Force, retired as a Major, worked 16 more years with the Florida Dept of Corrections and retired with 33 years as a Psychiatric Nurse.

Gettin older is whats happening Either that or technology is keeping the doctors in business. Actually, after EKG.s, Holter monitors, Cardiac stress tests and a cardiac cath along with my fistful of pills, Im feeling pretty good. Just startin to pay for the sins of my youth is all.

Thanks for the info xzoomie As for you Giz. I'll just open the damn door so you don't tear the house down ! I sent off another request to the NPRC for travel vouchers. This is the electronic version of the SF180. We'll see. In the meantime, Im going to see the Veterans Service Officer at the local Am Vets to start the appeal process.

The door is open. Actually it isnt cause after working in a max security prison in the Florida Dept of Corrections for 16 years I know that anyone anwhere at anytime might fall victim to one of these scumbags. But if you knock and I see some guy who looks like you wearin Fire gear and is able to talk C-130, I'll welcome you in with open arms.

Donwan...Sometimes lady luck is all you need. Im glad you came across that lone piece of paper. Giz, Most times its what you dont know that will kill you. Now that you know you have Coronary Artery Disease, you and your Doc can come to an effective treatment plan to deal with the problem head on. Good luck. You are in my thoughts Keith

Big Congratulations Mark. Just a tip. Hang on to any paperwork you have with your name on it proving your service, where you were etc. It might appear frivolus to keep that stuff but it may prove invaluable when you hit my age and have to prove to the government you were where you say you were. Thanks for your service and good luck with future endevors. From one Herk Guy to another Keith

Giz n Ken, I just stocked the fridge. Thanks for the reality check. You guys are welcome at my house anytine. Ken, I was told that even though my DD 214 lists 40 days SEA (south east asia) service AND the Viet Nam Service Medal that this is not proof of boots on the ground because they gave the same credit to the Navy types who were in the theater and never got off the ship. Hang on to that Letter of Appreciation though cause it may hold some weight. Good Luck and dont give up (like Giz keeps reminding me) Keith

Thanks to all for the encouragement. It's time to put my combat boots back on and fight for vindication. I am not now nor have I ever considered myself a hero. However, I have spent a lifetime of service to this country and state of Florida and like so many others, that committment all too often gets glossed over and forgotten. Well, the last thing Iwant to do is sound like a whiner. Nobody owes me anything. On another note: Just read an Obit in todays paper. Col. Jack Allison U.S.A.F Ret passed away November 2, 2011. Jack was a Jolly Green Helicopter Pilot during the Son Tay Raid, for which he received the Air Force Cross. God Speed to an American Hero!

Well it seems as though the VA has many of us over a barrel with the "prove boots on the ground" hoop. I was TDY to Tan Son Nhut for 40 days in 1972. My DD214 lists SEA service and Vietnam Service Medal. Not good enough. I wrote to the National Archives for copies of travel vouchers and was told they dont keep those records. I got a call from the finance section and was told travel vouchers are saved for 6 months then destroyed. I submitted a narrative of my time in Viet Nam and a copy of a small arms card which was issued when I got to TSN authorizing access to an M-16. No Luck I just got my claim settled. They gave me 10% for hearing loss (C130 engine noise) but denied my Type II diabetes and heart disease because I didn't prove Boots on the Ground. I really dont care much about the compensation. But it pisses me off that the Government can blow off my service and deny I was even there especially when I volunteered to go in-country when so many others were protesting and avoiding service

button AND filter....Then..Maybe