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My journal entry for Wednesday, May 22, 1968

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Soapweed

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My journal entry for Wednesday, May 22, 1968

After breakfast, I rode Jig south into Weber's pasture. We had left a crippled cow and her calf there on the cattle drive, so I put them back onto our land.

We headed for school—the last day, incidentally. There was no band or chorus, and the morning was spent checking in. We had 20 minute class periods, and handed back books, straightened up old business, etc.

The sophomores each got $8.71 from left-over prom funds, which was a pleasant and unexpected windfall. We were kicked loose at 11:00, but I had to wait an hour at Grandma's for the girls.

Today was more than likely the last day of school I'll ever put in at Merriman. The high school has folded up, and I will have a 40-mile ride every morning and night to Gordon next year.

We came home for dinner, and afterwards loaded up some bulls to take to the Leach Place. Dad hauled three on the new pickup, and I hauled two on the white pickup. Lloyd rode with me.

Lloyd and I got in the horses while Dad checked pastures. We sorted yearlings (big heifers from small heifers and steers), and then roped and milked out 16 cows with sore teats.

We had to come home early to go to Awards Night. I got awards for band, chorus, basketball (wow!), and a certificate from an achievement test outfit. We visited quite a while afterwards, so didn't get home too early.
 
May 22, 1968:

Today arrived Ben Hoa, Republic of South Vietnam.

Tomorrow or next day, will go to in country training with 101 st airborne, taught by guys with one or more tours.

Yesterday--well most of that was spent on a plane--a long ride. Stopped in Hawaii and Guam, briefly.

Last day on ground woke up in hotel in San Francisco, then to Travis airforce base.

Backtracking to a leave in Montana, advanced training in Georgia, basic at Ft Lewis Wa, induction Butte Mt.

Forward to the 82nd airborne up in I corp--aroud Hue, Phu Bai. Spend that summer in Ashau Valley. Then about oct down to Saigon, guard perimeter of Ton Son Nuit airbase for a while --busiest airport in the world at that time.

Move from there to an old French Foreign Legion base--as base, but I'm very seldom there. Get to experience that area for a while, including a side trip into the Iron Triangle.

An interesting date, Mr. Soapweed. Two country kids with probably lots in common---but about to experience a vastly different year, 'eh? Well, we're still here and still experiencing, ain't we? All the Best to You!
 
littlejoe said:
May 22, 1968:

Today arrived Ben Hoa, Republic of South Vietnam.

Tomorrow or next day, will go to in country training with 101 st airborne, taught by guys with one or more tours.

Yesterday--well most of that was spent on a plane--a long ride. Stopped in Hawaii and Guam, briefly.

Last day on ground woke up in hotel in San Francisco, then to Travis airforce base.

Backtracking to a leave in Montana, advanced training in Georgia, basic at Ft Lewis Wa, induction Butte Mt.

Forward to the 82nd airborne up in I corp--aroud Hue, Phu Bai. Spend that summer in Ashau Valley. Then about oct down to Saigon, guard perimeter of Ton Son Nuit airbase for a while --busiest airport in the world at that time.

Move from there to an old French Foreign Legion base--as base, but I'm very seldom there. Get to experience that area for a while, including a side trip into the Iron Triangle.

An interesting date, Mr. Soapweed. Two country kids with probably lots in common---but about to experience a vastly different year, 'eh? Well, we're still here and still experiencing, ain't we? All the Best to You!
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting your journal entry, littlejoe. You are right, we were two country kids about ready to experience two completely different years. You must be a smidgeon older than me, as I was 16 at the time and would turn 17 in November of 1968.

I hope you kept a journal all these years. My own was a one-year deal only, even though there are spasmodic attempts occasionally when a journal was kept for a few weeks.

Thank you very much for serving our country in the military. We are a great nation because of the sacrifices of you and so many others who have served this nation so well. I hope with all my heart that our current leaders don't screw it up.
 
I'll echo Soap's comments, thank you for your service littlejoe. By the way Soap, I didn't know you were a basketball star, we still play on Wednesday nights in Cody. :wink:
 
Class of '66, Soap.

Nah, I never kept a journal, that was just off the top of my head. Gets a little crowded in there sometimes. Limited space, perhaps?

Love my country, sad that it's govt is incompetent and outa control.

To those that said thanks--you're welcome. And please---anybody else who feels the urge, pass it on to somebody in person, not me.

It affects me like it does this Blackhorse guy......

http://moments.org/thank-you-for-your-service/
 
I'm not sure of the date but it was sometime in late May and early June of 1968 I was in USMC jungle warfare school in Panama - - - really it was fun for us country boys but the city slickers had it very rough!

I used to keep a day planner and it really helped me out in court one time - - - now I just text to email myself so that I can keep track of billable hours and material cost etc.

Some of the city slickers about starved to death - - - after 2 weeks of class we were dropped in the middle of a jungle with an M14, 20 rounds of ammo ( you had better have all 20 when the time was over ) a Kbar and a map. We were taught that if you lit a fire you would probably be detected - - - raw monkey is not to bad about the 3rd day.

You had to figure out where you were form the map and show up at the right place ( X marks the spot ) in 10 days. Shame on you if the "enemy" caught you.

My Grandfather that raised me died the second day I was out there - - - I kept hearing loud speakers from helicopters calling my name and telling me it was a family emergency, to show myself. I thought it was a trick and I stayed hidden and missed his funeral.
 

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