This is a short story that I will share with those of you web browsers who have curiosity about the way war works for the individual. My experience with war made me a pacifist. No greater hell on earth is there than war. It is indeed a living hell that wastes dedicated citizens and patriots lives an more often than not causes the survivors a great deal of pain as well.

The Vietnam war like all war's was another opportunity for man to show his love of hate. But no matter what is said or disagreed on, one thing for sure:

The only reason you charge up a hill or race across a rice paddy while some fool is trying to shoot your head off is becasue your fellow soldier, comrade, buddy is trapped in a hail of gunfire (commonly called a shitstorm) and his only chance of survival is if you support them with immediate and direct action.

Another fallacy commonly heard is the one that officers say charge. The way it really works is the officer must stand up first in the hail of gunfire and say 'Follow Me'.

One last thing, the twelve months I spent in Vietnam with A Company 1st Battallion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airbone Division, showed me how well people from diverse backgrounds can function as a team and meet common goals together; the experience, for me, put some reality into the true meaning of brotherhood, no disrespect to sisterhood, but there were no women in my outfit.

Unfortunately, people working together is something you see very little of in today's hate filled political and social climate.

One more last thing. The soldiers and marines did not loose the Vietnam war. Our dearly elected political leaders once again formed a public policy with little foresight or alternatives. We and other American units kicked ass and took names, but how many times are you going to charge up the same damn hill????.

See ya;; Airborne All the Way

Lnks you may like \\www.usarmy.org