Sept 19 2325 Singapore Time - On My Way Home

Well, I left DaNang Airport at 1155 and arrived in Singapore 3 hours later. The last time that I flew DaNang to Singapore was July '68. A huey was dropping off supplies to my field  company when someone hollered out, "Hannan, R & R."  I had had no clue if I would ever get an R & R or, if so, where it might be. I rushed to the chopper with my M-79 and pack and jumped on board. My head was still spinning as it lifted off and headed for Chu Lai. Then came a cold beer (something cold!), a shower (I had been in the field since Feb), and a haircut (longest my hair had ever been). From Chu Lai I believe that it was a C-130 that flew me to DaNang. 

 Leaving DaNang Air Base July '68

When standing on the tarmac in DaNang July '68, about to board a plane destined to Singapore for 5 days R & R, someone tapped me on the shoulder. To my surprise, it was Gary Davidson (aka G-Man) from my hometown of Versailles, Ohio. He was going on R & R in Taipei. What a coincidence! Gary was in the 1st Cav and also an infantryman.

Singapore Airport July '68  

Anyway, here I am in the throes of a long layover with almost 10 hours to go. Then it's 16 hours to Seattle, followed by another (shorter) layover before the final leg of this journey, 3.5 hours to Anchorage.

Coming home from 'Nam again.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sept 12 1645 Vietnam Time - DaNang U.S. Naval Hospital-Gene Morrison

Image
Today Thong and I traveled by motorbike to seek out the site of the U. S. Naval Hospital in DaNang, where SSGT. Gene Morrison was airlifted subsequent to being severely wounded May 26, 1968. Thong had a general idea, but we poked around until finding it. The Vietnam-era building was replaced on the original foundation by a new hospital. The main gate to the new hospital is in the identical location of the U.S. Naval Hospital gate, through which Morrison would have been transported.  Site of U.S. Naval Hospital, DaNang, Vietnam SSGT Morrison's chopper would have landed on a helipad right about here. It has obviously not been maintained, but this is the pad. Then the wounded Marine would have been taken by ambulance a very short distance to the hospital.  Vietnam-Era Helipad for U. S. Naval Hospital, DaNang Here are the hangers for the helicopters at the U.S. Naval Hospital Helipad. We wanted to get inside the wall, but it's now a military installation of some sort and soldiers ...
Read more

Sept 15 1630 Vietnam Time - 750 Chickens in Huong Van Village

Image
I'm late in reporting last Friday's delivery of 750 chickens to 15 impoverished families in rural Huong Van Village. It was a great event with 750 21-day-old peepers waiting to be picked up by15 appreciative families. Khanh and I were joined by Vi and Ha of Hearts for Hue, who did a super job capturing the action with photographs and video. Also in attendance was Mr. Thuyen, the local Red Cross director.   With Mr. Thuyen, Vi, and Khanh    Chicken Bonding  When all recipients had arrived, we began distribution. Everyone was excited to get 50 chickens, which will serve as a source of food and income. And I was excited to personally hand the crate containing the chickens to each recipient. Hey, you Versailles, Ohio folks....It was Poultry Day in Vietnam!   A Little Talk Before Distribution    Remember Our Friend, Thuong? And off the happy recipients go with their chickens! h  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! As the distribution was almost complete, I not...
Read more