THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, VIETNAM

Thanks for the memories Vietnam... green mountains touching white sands while sky blue waters lapped in rising then falling waves of beauty. The crystal clear, cool air at 5,000 feet overlooking paddies that looked like jig saw puzzles. The excitement and thrill of low level, cyclic climbs over trees and river banks while tree twigs dangled from the skids. The whopping of Huey blades will forever haunt my heart. The motorcycles carrying 4 or 5 people while belching blue smoke. The beauty of grass and thistle roofed rural villages surrounded by banana tree plantations. Roads looking like ribbons disappearing into the hazy heat. All the ammo I could possibly shoot and a machine gun to do it with, while watching tracer rounds curve in their graceful arcs, into whatever harmless target I had picked out... and the fellowship and friendship of being with, and part, of the baddest-assed, bravest, kindest son-of-bitches on the face of the earth.

©Copyright July 4, 2006 by Fred Alvis