The Gathering Bulletin Board

(Post Reunion)

Dave wilson - 02/23/00 09:02:55

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So...what is going to happen..where and when, I have my own thoughts...but I'm afraid it would be back east. Bob, heard anything about my CIB?????

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Well gang, I found a couple more 3rd platoon brothers this past week. I'm hoping they will make an appearance on this page soon. I got to speak to Jake Troxler of North Carolina and Garry Fowler of New York State on the phone. You can count me in on G thering Y2K and the Americal too. Maybe there will be an opportunity to find more B Company brothers there? Hope so. Still scouting out our brothers.

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Count me IN for a Gathering 2 whether it be a full blown one or not. Americal Div reunion is only secondary, if that!!! Let's see who else has their PRICK-25 tuned in and on the same freq'.

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I will very shortly be moving to San Antonio, and therefore will be off the net for a while. Anyone who is interested in attending the Americal (ADVA) convention, or if you're thinking about it......times-a-wastin ! I will try to make arrangements for a yone who wants to attend. Just let me know what the details are, what kind of accomodations you want etc., and I'll get it done.

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Hey now, let's not get hostile Jim. Yeah, I think there is a message. It's not that 2nd Plt grunts are computer challenged.....they just can't read or write !!!! Oh yeah...my check is in the mail. Great idea Dennis. Terry....you should take back at le st half of the things you've said about Dennis !

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B26 ..... Does this mean I'm still an honorary member of 2nd platoon? And where the heck have you been for the last eight months? Rick

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Isn't there anyone from the Second Platoon who is computer literate. How come nobody else but me has shown up. You don't think there is a message in that do you. Chappel shut up. Jim

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PS John's wife Marcia, should also be thanked for the work put into the web site. Truth be told she is the "Real" web master.

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Welcome to all the new arrivals, we knew that you would show up sooner or later. If you have any photos please send them to John. He will return them undamaged.Bob Wagner had some I would like to see in the album. Speaking of John...we have all thanked h m and complimented him on numerous occassions....but the one thing we haven't done is help him by shareing the expense of this web site. It costs about $10 a month to maintain the site. Maybe we could all send John $10 once in a while. Now John...don't go deleating this note. With all the work you put into the site you should not have to foot the bill also. And don't go editing the note either. $10 ( ten ) is all your getting. I heard a rumor that Terry was bussing us all to the Left Coast and SGT Santos was chartering a plane to Hawaii. I for one am proud to have such men as friends.

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Rick, If it gets out that you pissed on the Alamo we will both be in need of an escort. A couple of those tanks (maybe the 2nd Armored Division) would not be too much.

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Terry, I remember the winters at Hood. I spent two there. I took basic at Hood. If it hadn't been for you grunts of the 5/46th coming along, I would have ended my army "career" driving off into the sunset in my 52 ton M60A1 tank. I agree with you Terr , I'd prefer the nice quiet mountains and on a small scale for Gathering II. HOWEVER, since we have so much new blood interested in a Gathering II, I wouldn't hesitate in going to San Antonio. Heck, I could piss on the Alamo again as our company armore (Mike Carey) and I did one drunken night there. Welcome to all the new guys !!!!!!!

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AWOL Hell! I've been lurking here in ambush. TEXAS! You got to be kidding! Easy for you to say! None of you has a ponytail! Do you know what it's like driving through Texas with a ponytail? I'd need an armed guard. Summer!!! Do any of you guys remember Ft. Hood in the winter? Summer in San Antonio makes that look like Club Med! But what the hell- It's better than not seeing you guys at all. Save me a spot in the back yard Bob, I'll either come on the bike with my poncho and iner or bring the bus. (Hope you've got understanding neighbors.) I still vote for a nice cool mountain somewhere.

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Naw Doc, just kidding around..........also great talking to you and Jim B........

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Checked Americal Reunion on their page. It's June 15, through June 18, 2000; and will be held at Holiday Inn Select at the airport. Sounds like a convenient location unless the LT is inviting us all to stay with him. If so I get the bathtub.

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Welcome Paul Perez. I beginning to think Dave Wilson thinks I talk too much. Per Lt Chappell, I'm game for San Antonio. May or June is fine with me. Fort Sam Houston was where most Army medics got their medical training. I'm sure S.A. TX has changed a ot since I was there last. Watch your back downtown at night.

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Here's a suggestion. The Americal Division Veterans Association convention is in San Antonio in May ?....June ? There is a really nice Vietnam Memorial, the city is great...stuff to do, perhaps a side trip to Ft Hood and the old Bn. area....I'm open for suggestions. Does anyone have any ideas ? Did I mention that Marta and I are moving to San Antonio in march !!!!

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Anyone have any idea's about the next Gathering? B36 said he would look into it I'am open for most places (missed the first one) so....

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It's great to see more and more of our old buddies are finding their way into the BB. Welcome guys!. Next reunion? Where...when???? Anyone hear from Terry? AWOL?

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Anyone there? Not you Doc.

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My name is Paul Perez (pperez@satx.rr.com). Got info on this site from Bob Chappell. I was a Sgt E-5 in B Co 5/46. In Viet Nam 3/26/68 to 1/16/69. I was platoon leader for a short time. I'm the one who got hit in the back of the head with a full can of be r at a bar in Chu Lai due to race problems at this camp. We had been in the bush for a few weeks, didn't start the fight, my guys wanted to shoot the place up but I made them pull out. I remember Adams the medic, Bob Fuller, Ralph Hare from East Texas, Da id Forms from up north, also, the guy that got killed when he flipped the jeep, and the guy I almost killed myself when he left a grenade with the pin half out in the bunker when I relieved him of guard duty, also, someone we nicknamed the "Old Lady" for weeping the floors at the first base camp before LZ Gator who may of lost his legs, and others. If I remember correctly, the chopper that went over the edge that day did not take fire. I was the last to unload that chopper with one foot on the runner and he other on the hillside while it hovered. When it tried to leave it caught a downdraft, lost altitude and the rotor or blade hit the side of the hill. Some of our guys went down to the wreckage. One or two of the crew were dead and one had a broker back. Extra supplies were salvaged. One thing has always plagued me. The name of my first friend killed. I remember Roosevelt and Rosenburg. I called him "Rosie". He got hit in the chest by shrapnel from a booby trap. I believe we were at the first LZ, the one efore Gator. Thanks, Paul A. Perez, 4311 Fig Tree Woods, San Antonio, Tx 78249-2051, 210-479-1178, 210-479-3563 fax. p.s. I'll e-mail some photos when I have them scanned.

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John, please add to address list: Albert (Al) Gower 207-929-5494 pnltybx@prodigy.net 82 Tapley Road Saco, ME 04072 thanks

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What a month!!! I had a long talk with David Wilson (originally of HHQ and then B Co.) He also knows the whereabouts of Ralph Spearing (was and I'm told is, one of the craziest people alive). Then tonight I get a call from Ralph Perigone of San Antonio Texas. What a week. David can be contacted at 207-293-3840 NIMQUOD@AOL.COM Ralph can be contacted at 210-633-0642 or 210-633-0022. As soon as I get his email I will post it. When and where is the next reunion?

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Hi Doc, thanks to you I have talked to Jim B., Jim Leeper. and Bob C.............If I sound like a happy clam....I am, yes living in Maine it should be lobster, clam sounds better!!!!!!!!!!

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have talked to "Doc" and Leeper.........( have a picture of Leep and I saying goodbye, the day I left to go back to the world. We ( my wife and I) looking forward to the next Gathering.

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P.O Box 224 Readfield, Maine 04355....207 293-3840

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Welcome Dave. It's great to find one more buddy from 3rd platoon. Hope to see you next reunion. Dave found me from a message I left on 5th/46th locator. Everyone that hasn't already done so should leave a message there; and get on Americal locator pag . Ain't it Great! We're still finding people that remember us?

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was in HHC until july 68. then went BCo 3rd Platoon....was on hill 97 east of the top of the hill.....red head........Nimquod@aol.com

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The guy on the ADVA locator, looking for the engineers who built Gator, is Dave Taylor. He was in C Co in 1969. I have been in contact with him and, with everyones help, will assist him in writing his book about the 5/46 !! Since we were the first 5/46 grunts, he will probably want to interview us first. Anyone with any questions or ideas about this project can e-mail me.

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Guys ... I was just out on the ADVA's "locater" for the 5/46th and there's someone looking for the engineers that built LZ Gator. He's writing a book about Gator. I heard of him several months ago from a guy in A Co. He was looking for photos of Gator at the time. I sent the author-to-be a note back asking if he's still looking for photos of Gator. Also requested that when he publishes the book to post its release on the 5/46 locater.

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Merry Christmas to all you 5th/46ers out there !! Have a good holdiay season !!!

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To all you B Co. 5/46'th'ers and your families, wishing you the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year (and century). I hope our paths cross again soon.

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Happy Holidays to all 5/46th grunts and their families.

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To all my B/5/46 buddies and your families.my family and I would like to extend a Merry Christmas and a happy new ...Millennium...to all. Man I see Mick always remember his misfurtune of not seeing the Bob hope Christmas show around this time of the year.....but like I told him not to feel bad cause the only great entertainment I ever experiance while I was in Nam was the ...Daughnut Dollies...oh! yes and the famous uso in chu-lai. Enough of the great Viet Nam entertainment experiance,Have a great holiday to you all.

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Merry Christmas everyone! I already got my present last May in Taos. Santa was VERY good to me.

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Hello and Merry Christmas to all of our B/5/46/198 brothers and grunts. About this time in December, 1968 a few of us grunts were told we were going to get to come out of the field on Christmas eve to see the Bob Hope USO show. Guess what, on Christmas ve we got the dubious honor of going out on and setting up an ambush instead! What a letdown! I always remember that around Christmas time for some reason. Oh well, at least we did not take any casualties that night, nor did we inflict any. Again, Mer y Christmas to all and I sincerely hope all of your new years are happy, healthy and prosperous!

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Oh by the way I can be reached at pnltybx@prodigy.net

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After all these years I didn't think I could ever do this,glad to know you are there.Went to Nam from Texas with the third platoon.Med Evact from Nam in June 68. Good to hear from you Jim after all this time.

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Hey guys, how lucky can we get? We locate another brother in combat and as a bonus we get a volunteer to work on the next reunion! Welcome Kenneth. Now if we could only decide where and when to meet. I think Washington DC in mid-April would be good. W could see the historical sites including "The Wall". Do I hear anyone want to second this motion? Can't wait to see you all wherever/whenever we decide.

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Hello to all my fellow B/5/46/198 grunts. A special hello and welcome to Ken Musselman, who has a message on the bulletin board. I hope everyone is fine and doing well. Has anyone decided on where the reunion will be next year? I would be happy to ass st on the reunion or should I say "The Gathering" if everyone would like to have one. Keep in touch brothers and Happy Thanksgiving.

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I served with the B/5/46/198 from August 1968 until I was wounded on January 11,1969. Would like to hear from anyone who was there during that time. My e-mail address is; KENDIANE46@aol.com

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Acros the fields of yesterday He sometimes comes to me, A little lad just back from play The boy I used to be. He smiles at me so wistfully When once he's crept within, It is as though he had hoped to see The man I might have been. Author Unknown

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Afer we've remembered our fallen comrades, remember the survivors. "You've never lived until you've almost died. For those who have fought for it, life has a meaning the protected will never know."

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Amen Mick! And in that moment of silent reflection today, think of this .... This is from the epilogue of "To Heal A Nation" (the Wall) "To all the politicians. To all the generals. To everyone who tries to understand. ... We were young. We have died. Remember us. ... We have done what we could but until it is finished it is not done. ... We have given our lives but until it is finished no one can know what our lives gave. ... Our deaths are not ours; they are yours; they will mean what you make them. ... Whether our lives and our deaths were for peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say; it is you who must say this. ... We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning. We were young.... We have died. Remember us."

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Tomorow, November 11, 1999 is the last vererans day of this millennium. This time thirty years ago all of us B/5/46/198 grunts were in Vietnam trying our damnnest to survive. A lot of us did, unfortunately some of our outfit did not. Let's have a momen of silence and say a prayer to honor those who did not make it. As for the rest of us who did come home, I salute all of you for a job damn well done, despite the odds and what we were up against.

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I thought I told you to pipe down?

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Yes, John I'm back. I got this e-mail today from one of my cousins. It is very appropriate for November 11th. "It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag." Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

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Nobody is laughing any harder than Marta! She says after 30 years, some things haven't changed. Ah yes, on the world wide web, almost butt naked, sitting on a shitter! I'll probably never know how many people have "enjoyed" the picture, but I hope all o you B Company grunts do.

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Bob, I'm laughing so hard, I can "barely" type. I want to thank Rick for the technical help. There's more photo's to come.

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3rd Platoon rules.Of course we didn't drink from rusty beer cans.Doc Stolp took care of his troops.We drank German bottled beer.It was rough however.Ever tried opening bottled beer with only a P-38?And the toilet paper had pictures of John Wayne on the wr ppers 'cause it was rougher than a corn cob and didn't take much off anyone.

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Yeah, the 3rd platoon had it easy... I bet they even had beer in non-rusty cans!

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By the way....that was the 3rd Platoons portable semi-private shitter. The rest of you guys had to grab the nearest bush.

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Hey you guys....shut the door...you're letting in a draft. Jeez..can't a guy get some privacy. I thought this was the officers latrine!

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Terry...John doesn't have to get me to admit I was in 1st Platoon, you've already convinced me!!!! Actually, I thought I had admitted to it when I admitted that "the ole memory aint what it use to be"...but I looked back, and I left out that part in my confession. I'm fessing up now...and DAMNED PROUD of it! Cause 1st PLATOON (the gung-ho platoon) RULES!!!!

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John, if you can get Santos to admit he was in first platoon I'll go along with him, but I won't swear I was in the army at this point without credible witnesses. THE REST of the sixties were very good to me but somewhat hazy.

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Actually, around here when a hurricane is coming we throw the surfboards on the car and head for the beach. Didn't even bother to do that for Irene - nothing but rain for a day. Took the bike to work and barely got damp. Cleared out nicely after she left nd fall moved in. Weather will be great here now until May. Don't know if I can take another summer in Gainesville. Did I tell you that there is a place in Estes Park, Colorado that has margaritas ON TAP and the best blackened prime rib on the face of th earth? The elk there are like squirels here - you have to shoo them out of the way to get your paper in the morning. Which reminds me, where are we going to meet next time (and when).

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Irene is a weak sister compaired to Floyd... Third platoon rules?? Hey Terry, were we in the third platoon??

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Hey Terry.....I hope you didn't put your water wings away. Here comes Irene! Third Platoon Rules!

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Thanks John...I have been trying for a week to come up with something smart to say ( Donna says I haven't said anything smart since 1986, but the joke is on her...she can't remember what it was either ) Floyd gave us about 16" of rain . House is on high g ound and came through with just some downed tree branches. However my business in PA were not as lucky. Over 4' of water completely remodeled our office and wearhouse. Now we are busy re-remdeling. Hey it was past due and Uncle Sam came through with a low interest loan... Terry you are 100% correct ...nothing like a 'cane to cleanse the atmosphere. It has been even more pleasent than it was . Getting about time to start thinking seriously about Gathering Two. With all the new guys checking in I guess Delaware is out of the question... ( too small ). Love to see Santos in Hawaii...

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Just catching up with commo' after vacation .... Gary - My deepest sympathy with the loss of your father. John - I hope you recovered from Floyd alright. We got blown off the St. Lawrence River the last day of vaction but returned home to five inches of much needed rain with no damage. Terry - Looks like you dodged several "bullets" down there this hurricane season. Jerry T. - Good to have a sitrep from you in Memphis. Where's Elvis living now? John & Dennis - Enough of this Deleware / New Joisey thing. How would you like to have NY state's taxes and the possibility of Hillary as one of your senators? Joe - Sorry to hear about the nasty weather you've been enduring in Guam. Thinking of you this winter and your weather "situation" will make shoveling a foot or more of snow that much easier. Bob C. - A DIET????? Whaddya do .... quit eating the wrapper bands off your cigars ?????? Our Two "Surfer Joe's" from Ca. - Please take some time out from waxing your woodies and zip the guys a line or two.

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My compliments to the creator of the LZ Gator Bar & Grill. That's quite a scarey looking crowd that hangs out in there!! Two happy looking bartenders 'tho' (probably drinking up most of the profits). Do you have either San Miguel or Bau Me Bau (spellin ?) "33" on tap? May I suggest a pool table? I would think that the MPs have the place staked out 24 hours a day.

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A couple more 3rd Platoon grunts.....THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT !!! Welcome Jim and Al. Terry...don't worry, I'm on a diet. I may be heavy....but I'm your brother.

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I've located Albert (Al) Gower 82 Tapley Road Saco, ME 04072 207-929-5494 no email address

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Welcome to Jim Baumgartner. 31 years is too doggone long to go without seeing buddies; and Jim is one of us. I think he'd share his peaches an pound cake if you just looked a little extra hungry. It's great news every time we find another of our brothe s from Bravo. Give us a sitrep Jim.

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add to address book: 52 Rogers Mt Way Binghamton, New York 13901 607-724-3604 jvbjvb2@aol.com

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Terry, I wanna be Chester (wasn't he the one with the wooden leg??) Bob, if you want to see what Terry is doing, click on him for a close-up...

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John, I think you've captured the concept! Bob, I'm admiring the fresco that Violet is painting on the ceiling of course. Damn! Poncho (Mick) and I (Cisco) are ready to tie the horses up out front and move in. What do you say John? You can be Festus. We h ve a picture of Dennis packing iron- a natural for Marshal Dillon.

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Three days with no electricity and 8" of water and you thought you were back in country. I guess you knew you weren't when you didn't see any leaches or same-same water buffalo turds floating or swimming by huh ! LZ Gator is my kinda neighborhood bar ! It looks great. One question...is Terry praying behind the bar, or did he just pass out in that position ?

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Hurricane Floyd knocked out our power for 3 days and put 8 inches of water in my garage... Sitting around for 3 days in the dark with no water made me feel like I was "in country" again. But while sitting in the dark all night, all I could think of was T rry's idea of "LZ Gator"... (See home page for the link.)

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Gainesville is still here! (there was some doubt for awhile) Actually there is nothing like a hurricane passing by to improve the weather. It is beautiful here right now.

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Howbout a sitrep from you eastcoasters. Did everyone survive survive Floyd ? Is there still a Delaware, New Joisy, upstate NY ?

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Delaware, delaware... humm... where is that? Isn't it a suburb of Philadelphia???

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Sorry to hear about the uncomfortable weather you all have been experiencing. It's been nothing short of sensational here in Delaware. Average temp in the mid to upper 70's most of the summer and none of that sticky humidity. Just enough rain to keep ever thing green and always mid week so's not to spoil those precious week ends. Maybe we should have the next Gathering here!

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Gary,Donna and I share your pain for the loss of your dad.

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Thanks for all your thoughts. I check in periodically on our page, but don't want to monopolize it. I know I get pretty wordy sometimes. Enjoy everyone's input. I liked Terry's idea too, but already E-Mailed him I would make it a restaurant/pub/game p ace with an emphasis on socializing. It's starting to cool down finally in Muskogee. Working lots of overtime this month. Hope we don't have another government shutdown. Last one darn near killed me with work coming back. Good camping weather Terry. (My daughter just said that this evening). God bless and keep you all. Gary

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Gary, sorry guy, didn't read your most recent message until I sent my last message rubbing in the good weather we're having out here. Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My wife and I send our condolences....Joe

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Hey there...just thought I'd drop in since it's been awhile since anyone posted any messages. Sorry to tell you guys, but I think your heatwave sucked up all the heat from my side of the world. Normally the temperatures (this time of year) here are in the high 80's, low 90's, but we've been having some pretty good weather the past few weeks...most y sunny, but with overcast which has been keeping the temperature down and yes...for the past four days we've had some rainshowers. I'm not responsible for it, but it looks like we've stolen your rain! I just had to rub it in, ha,ha. I have to be honest w th you though, we had an unusually hot day (102 degrees) a few weeks ago just before the temperatures started to drop, and more than likely, what you all consider HOT is probably our normal temperatures on Guam. All kidding aside, it sure is nice hearing from you all....

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It's hot in New Jersey but I think B36 is the "winner" in the heat contest. A saloon in Angel Fire called "LZ Gator"? Count me in - it sounds perfect - but we'd better get someone else to tend bar besides Terry...

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Hey Bob and everyone, Hot as heck in Memphis this summer, hadnt rained in 2 months, dry as a bone, but im surviving !! Commo out !!!

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click click......OK all OP's, LP's ambushes, sick, lame and lazy....get back in the perimeter. Hot ?? Ya wanta talk Hot? This summer has been brutal in north Texas. I'll be glad when the cool weather gets here. I've thought about how cool it was in NM ..and how cool it was to see all you guys again after so many years. Terry, you never cease to amaze me...LZ Gator is the perfect name for the bar. And why am I not surprised that you're giving your boss fits ! Let's hear from some of the other foxhole from around the perimeter. I know you grunts are out there, and I know you're monitoring this net. We need a sitrep from everyone. What's happening on your side of the perimeter? Bravo 36 out.

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Gary- send me some email. Mine to you is being returned. Sending it just as listed. So Sorry about your Dad.

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(click, click) OP#1 checking in- movement to my front! Can I come in? I'm feeling VERY lonely. It's been a long, hot summer here in North Florida too. Still got a month & a half of it to go. Doesn't start to cool down here until mid October. I've been woking 10 hour days in the heat, come home to A/C & crash. Think daily of you guys and our days n the mountains. Miss you all! Wish we were closer geographically or able to GATHER frequently. Just make it somewhere COOL! LTC and I have talked about building a saloon near Angel Fire. Anybody else think thats a good idea? We could call it LZ GATOR. I' ready to blow Florida and Angel Fire is calling to me. (Also, for some reason, my boss thinks I'm a smartass and is encouraging a change of scenery) My last daughter just graduated from UF so Mick and I are trying to decide what to with the rest of our lives. What fun!

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It's been a long hot summer in Muskogee, OK. My Dad died last month at age 82. He was a World War II veteran. He was a welder, patching up planes in the South Pacific campaigns for the Army Air Corps. He was a good God fearing man. I learned a lot of y values from him and I'm going to miss him.

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B6K checking in. Yes, I too have been wondering how and where everybody has been. I check the BB most everyday for any commo'. So how about a "sitrep" from all .... Marianne, Terry, John, Darcy, Lou, Dennis, Bob W., Bob C., Jim, Mike, Gary, Cecil, Gen. W sty', tricky Dicky, Lon, Phum Kim Dung(?), et. al. Has everybody survived the long, hot and dry (at least in the northeast) summer? I'm about to head up to the St. Lawrence River / 1,000 Islands for a week's fishing expedition and some R&R from work.