Posted on 10/06/2003 7:34:11 AM PDT by Billie
|
|
|
|
 |
 1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar. |
|
|
|
|
 |
FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
|
|
It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
|
In memory of 1LT Michael J. Tunney (USMC) killed while serving as copilot of a Marine UH-34D tail number 145790.
The official USMC history in a chapter titled "SHUFLY Moves North" states that the most serious incident recorded during the early operations in I Corps ironically resulted from mechanical failure rather than VC fire. It occurred when a search and rescue helicopter crashed and burned on a hillside 15 miles southeast of Tam Ky while covering a 20-plane helilift of 2d ARVN Division elements. This helicopter carried several mechanics and Navy medical personnel and was equipped with a hoist. Unable to land near the downed aircraft because of the thick jungle, other helicopters landed troops at the base of the hill with instructions to proceed to the crash site on foot. When the Vietnamese soldiers reached the downed aircraft after cutting their way through dense vegetation, they found the copilot, crew chief, and five other members of the task unit dead. The pilot, 1stLt William T. Sinnott, who was injured seriously, was hoisted through the trees and evacuated by an HUS which came to the rescue. The five Marines killed in the crash were 1st Lt Tunney, SGT Hamilton, SGT Pendell, CPL Anderson, LCPL Valentin. Two Navy personnel, LT Griffin, a doctor, and Hospitalman Norton were also dead. These were the first deaths suffered by Marine Task Unit 79.5 since deploying to Vietnam.
SCOUTS OUT!
.. Morning Billie
When I arrived, my friend M. was blowing his trumpet and military numbers sang in the air. Later in the morning, as I looked down the road, here came a young, HANDSOME, proud Marine in full dress uniform. He walked over to me, gave me a hug, and with emotional voice he told me that when he saw us, he felt compelled to get off the freeway and speak with us. He returned from Iraq only 7 days ago. He fought in the attack on Baghdad and saw 8 of his friends die there. He told me that what we were doing meant so much to him, that he had almost cried. After that, the entire group wisked him off for pictures, hugs, discussions, and generally fussed lovingly over him. LOL
A quiet man from the psot office, D., hauls bags of flags and large GI toys to each rally. He happended to have a brand new 18" Marine doll in full dress uniform... you can guess who he felt compelled to give it to.:) When our Marine hero left us, he had a large present and a heart overflowing with loving support.
Later, our local bikers rode through on their Harleys. About 25 of them. Later, about 10 retuned to chat with a wheelchair bound vet named Sarge, and have some cake. One big, tough biker was talking with Florence, told her that she was really making the troops ffel supported. She then pointed out that the cakes today were for VIET NAM vets and showed him the words on the cake...he could hardly speak, then finally said "There wasn't anything like this for us when we returned..." He had to turn away because he was near tears. I know the cakes and support meant so much to him, yet ashamed that my country didn't do it sooner and wounded these fine, strong, patriots so deeply. But, we ended the day with cheering a convoy as they left the base. D, the one with the military toys, also had his two bubble guns. They filled the air and surrounded us. LOL It was a huge party and the troops and their families loved it!
Those are some of the hightlights, dear friends. Yesterday, God's House of Worship had an outdoor venue. :)
........as long as you keep the conversation very short. :-)
Hi, T Man. Nice to see you, T Man. Bye, T Man. Hugs and all that. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
