Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A bittersweet return to Vietnam

A picture of me in "dogpatch" in Da Nang this past summer of 2008. This was off limits when I was in Vietnam. Sex, drugs and rock and roll, not to mention death and destruction all a part of the Vietnam days. The other picture is of me and Dennis Taricani, (PHS 67), He and I were actually there at the same time, and in the same battalion. Picture taken in the Que Son valley, and the mountain area. The monument we are standing in front of, is being erected to honor the many Vietnamese Killed here during the war. This place was called LZ Ross when we were there and was very primitive, so much so that if I saw a dinosaur back then I would not have been surprised. Rich Williams, Randy's brother, also was with us. He was a Seabee over there. This is also the area I was in when I found out Richie Stolarun lost his life. How far we have come that I am able to share our now and then experiences with each other.
Chuck Searle 2-22-09

2 comments:

janet weed boutin said...

Chucky, Your photos brought back lots of memories of that time. It was amazing the feelings that you have when you see them; I can only imagine how anyone who fought there feels when they return. Thank God that now the Viet Nam vets are getting the repect that they deserve. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

Jan

Ro Faiola Reeder said...

Chuckie,
How brave you were then and now. I'm sure it wasn't easy to go back and stand in your own footprints of 40 years ago. Rich was the first but not the last of those that James and I knew, who were lost. Most were spared, for which all of us are grateful. Bittersweet, indeed.
Rosi