One in five is lean.
One in five is mean.
One in five is a lean,mean, fighting machine.
Where are the one in five today?
Mostly in graveyards I'd say.
But when the Bitch Goddess War
Clamors for more blood and gore.
Come alive, one in five.
Come alive!
I also want to thank you for your service with the USO and Bob Hope's trips to Viet Nam.
For me personally, I served on a destroyer tender from 64 through 67 and made three WESTPAC tours. Our ship served as a support type of service dropping anchor in Subic Bay, Kaoshiung, and Yokosuka. The Seventh Fleet came to us for repairs and much needed R&R for the crews of the ships engaging the enemy in the South China Sea.
While in Yokosuka in '64, two destroyers were fired upon by Viet Cong gunboats. By noon the next day, Yokosuka Naval Base was void of most all US Navy ships. The tin cans and Carriers deployed to Yankee Station, and our ship, the USS Piedmont (AD-17) steamed for Subic Bay. We set up shop for the duration of our tour in Subic and were relieved by the USS Dixie (AD-14) in December '64. Nine months later we set sail for Subic again to relieve the USS Prairie (AD-15). It was during this second WESTPAC tour, that I had the opportunity to attend Second Class Diver's School at the SRF in Subic, hence, my screen name. My final tour began in January '67 and we returned to San Diego in July.
Though I never served "in country," a small detail from the Piedmont did get sent to Viet Nam in '64 to rescue a ship that had been abandoned by it's civilian crew and poised a threat of sabotage and possible sinking in the harbor of Saigon. That small crew, re-lit the boilers, got the ship underway and sailed it to a safe harbor out of harms way. For this effort, the entire ship's company received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal which is proudly pinned to my Dress Blues in the cedar chest. I have put that uniform on and stood proudly at local Veteran's Day parades and ceremonies saluting my fellow veterans and our great American Flag. Thirty-three years later, the uniform still fits, but now has tear stains on the front of it as I have honored my comrades and country.
I never had the honor and priviledge to see you and Bob Hope perform, but with the accounts published in the Stars and Stripes, I still felt like I was a part of it. Thank you Snow Bunny, you were, and are a true hero to those of us who served our country. May God continue to Bless you. I proudly salute you.