Jimmy's Web Page

On March 29, 1973, the last combat troops were pulled out of Vietnam.

Thirty-five years later, Georgia's governor, Sonny Purdue, proclaimed March 29th 2008, as Vietnam Veterans Day in Georgia.

We, a group of Vietnam Veterans here in Hinesville, hosted the first celebration of that Day in the State.  It was a nice affair, beginning with the reading of the Proclamation, period music, a live band, stories and poem readings and a nice address by our guest speaker, Ray Gaster of Savannah, who was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.  Of course there was tons of great food, donated and cooked on the premises, by our own group of chefts.

We had a couple of hundred Vets and their families, that came from the surrounding areas.  We had a great time making new acquaintes, and re-newing relationships with old friends.  Of course there was alot of exchanges of stories, memories, and good holsom fellowship.  This was a very special day for all us.

545th MP Company Reunion

Here are a couple of pictures from the one and only reunion of my former unit in Vietnam, the 545th Military Police Company 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).  Although the majority of the atendees had already left Nam before I arrived, there were a few that were there the same time as I was and that I remember.

A very special moment there for me was being re-united with my former Commaning Officer, LTC (Ret) Gary Lawhead.  Except for the slight receiding hairline, he looks just like he did in Nam.

Two others that were there that I remembered were Jim Barrett and Craig Giovani.  It was just a year before that I ran into these two guys at the Welcome Home Celebration in Branson MO.  It was certainly good to see them again.

It was also a special treat to see two of the interperters that were assigned to our unit "over there".

I'm really hoping to make it to another reunion of the 1st Team's Finest, the members of the 545th Military Police Company.

Hinesville GA is located right outside of Ft Stewart, home of the 3d Infantry Division.  The 3d ID is currently deployed to Iraq for their 3 tour.  This time, it's a 15 month tour instead of a 12 month one.

We, (my VVA Chapter), met the first plane load of troops when they returned from Iraq after the first deployment. We made a vow right then, that we would be there for each and every flight of 3d ID Troops.  So far we have made each and everyone of them, (over 2500 so far), and have been able to complete the mission.  The picture to the right is of me welcoming home the nephew of one of our internet group members, Homer (surfrider).

Some of my Brothers from out of state have had the opportunity to be here when we had a group coming in, and it was a very emotional time for them, as it is always for us.

All of the Division with the exception of the 4th Brigade are back at Ft Stewart.  The 4th Brigade, of which two of my neighbors are assigned are scheduled to be home before Christmas.  We will be there to Welcome Them Home, no matter what time of day or night, nor what the weather.

We Will Be There For Our Troops

Christmas

Christmas is such an important time of the year, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is a time when we try to get together with family and friends on this most important holiday.

Unfortunately there are those who either don't have any family or friends to celebrate with for what ever reason.  I am fortunate to be involved with a group of Veterans who try to insure that some of these unfortunate individuals at least have a little time with those that care and a little something to remember the visit.

What I'm talking about is one of our trips to the Veterans Hospital in Dublin, GA.  Every year, we, along with some active duty soldiers from Ft Stewart, travel the two hours to take "goodie bags" and try to spread a little cheer to some of the patients there.  You can just see the difference in their eyes between the time we get there and and the time we leave.  It is with mixed emotions that we make this trip.  Of course it does the patients good, and it does us good, but at the same time, it's heart renching to know that there are those of "us" that are not able to get out and celebrate Christmas with family and friends.

I know most of you know about the Wreaths at Arlington project.  It's where a "Christmas Wreath" is place on every grave at Arlington Cemetary.  This year it was expanded  in an attempt to get a wreath on every veteran's grave in the country.  It was called "Wreaths Across America".

Here at Ft Stewart, we have "Warriors Walk".  It's a "Walk" that contains an Eastern Red Bud Tree, along with a plaque for every Soldier, from the 3d Infantry Division, that has given his all.  At the base of each tree, is a granite marker, bearing the Soldiers name, rank and unit  Each tree has it's own light at the base, so friends and loved ones can pay their respects at anytime of the day or night.

This Christmas, we particiapated in the Wreath Across America project   by placing a Christmas Wreath at every tree planted, on Warriors Walk,  in memory of the Soldiers of the 3d Infantry Division, who gave their all in Iraq. 

It was the start of a tradition that will live forever.

The first Reunion of Net Vets was held at The Wall, in September of 2005.  It was an awsome experience to be with the Brothers who came from all over the country, OR, WI, TX, TN, GA, FL, PA, and who knows where else, on the Hallowed Grounds of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  It was a time for reflection for all of us, a time for some of us to heal and a time to just be Brothers to each other. 

There is no strangers amoung Vietnam Vets.  When you cry, there is a Brother to cry along with you.  When you laugh, there is a Brother to laugh along with you.

  When you need somebody to talk too, there is a Brother there to listen, and when you need someone to pray with you, there is a Brother there for that too.

The St Patrick's Day parade here in Savannah Georgia, is the second largest parade of it's kind in the country.

This parade has brought together hundreds of Vietnam Veterans, who return year after year to march in the parade.  It is an experience every Vietnam Veteran should encounter at least once in their lifetime.

It has become a very popular event among some of the Brothers I have met in the various web groups, and once they attend their first one, they are hooked and keep returning the next year.

The Savannah Chapter of VVA, provides each participant a T-Shirt, and the AVVA always puts on a big spread for us after the parade.

The Vietnam Veterans Reunion in Melbourne Florida is a huge event, that lasts an entire week.  It begins with the Moving Wall being escorted in and setup.  Veterans come from all over the country to spend a week with their Brothers in Arms.  There are wall to wall Veterans and not a stranger in the crowd.

Accomadations range from plush RVs to two man pup tents.  There are plenty to eat and drink, and alot of vendors, where you can get almost any decal, patch, pen, etc pertaining to Vietnam and Vietnam Veterans, you could want.

It a reunion that every Vietnam Veteran should experience once in their lives.