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Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: March 25th, 2016, 5:46pm
Something similar happened one very dark night while I was on river patrol on the Anton River.  We took small arms fire from an island, so we headed straight for the island at full throttle returning fire. Our wake began glowing a strange luminous purple-green color.  It was weird.  I later found out it was caused by phosphorescent algae which would glow when agitated.      
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: February 1st, 2016, 8:01pm
Great story, Frenchie.  It put a smile on my face!
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: September 25th, 2015, 6:16pm
You're right Frenchie,  they couldn't take any of the RAs.  It was totally unexpected and shook all of us up, draftees and enlistees alike, especially when you saw the look on the faces of those guys picked to be Marines.  That was on 7 Nov. 1966. Little did we know what lay ahead of us!
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: September 19th, 2015, 5:33pm
Same thing happened in Newark, N.J.  The sarge had all the draftees, who were separate from the RAs, come to attention. In walked a Marine officer, he stood there for a minute or two, then he held his arm straight out and said "every one to my right, you are now in the Marines".  Some of those guys looked like they were going to faint.  Right then, I was glad I was RA.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: May 22nd, 2015, 1:39pm
Jim,  hopefully your VA patient rep. & Congressman  will speed things up.  It's been a long time since February when you first bought it to their attention.   This should have been taken care of a long time ago!  Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Rocky Bleier   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: December 27th, 2014, 4:44pm
I had the same experience. I went into the local American Legion post for a couple beers. As soon as they heard I was a Nam vet,  everyone steered clear of me.   Only a few snide comments  to let me know what a low life and disgrace to the military  I was.  I left.  This was around  '69.   I didn't go back into one of those places until  about 2007 when I went into a VFW  with some relatives for pizza night.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: September 20th, 2014, 5:12pm
Jim,  I've never heard of VBL.  The "sell my VA disability" deal sort of sounds like those commercials for selling structured annuities. I agree with you in that they probably are not  out to do us any favors.  Thanks for bringing it our attention.    
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: July 24th, 2014, 3:54pm
Frenchie, absolutely terrific!  Thanks!
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: July 4th, 2014, 3:10pm
Doc,  great idea, as is Jim's comment on including pictures. This way we could stay up to date on inventory, especially any new items.  I'm planning on ordering a couple items and this would be a good way to do it. Ken, I hope you will be able to set something up.
D Day   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: June 10th, 2014, 3:04pm
Good post and pictures, Frenchie.  I'll bet you had an interesting childhood. Was it hard adjusting to a new country as a young teenager?  It  looks like you just jumped right into it and never looked back!
Memorial Day   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: May 31st, 2014, 7:41pm
You are right, Frenchie, it truly is a beautiful sight. As a bonus, we always have, at the very least, a slight breeze here in Sarasota. It keeps the flags a  flutterin'!
Memorial Day   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: May 29th, 2014, 4:22pm
Frenchie,  my brother does the same thing, runs a flag up the pole and puts small flags across the front. It really looks good and very patriotic. I think I'll join you guys and do the same on Flag Day and the 4th.  
Memorial Day   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: May 27th, 2014, 3:30pm
Jim, Frenchie  Great job with the flags.  There are more than average in my neighborhood. I run mine up a 20' pole with the Army flag below it, but only on special days. Flag day will be next. The Sarasota National Cemetery is a few miles away. What a spectacular and somber sight. Vibrant blue sky, green grass, white headstones and flags at every one of them. It truly puts the meaning of Memorial Day in its proper perspective.
Memorial Day   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: May 26th, 2014, 3:36pm
Fly the flag proudly today and remember all our fallen brothers.  Jerry Smith and George Mussenden, two good friends and fellow MP's,  gave the ultimate sacrifice on February 29, 1968.  RIP my friends, you are not forgotten.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: April 26th, 2014, 6:01pm
Jim, very well put.  Frenchie, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I haven't heard anything about it other than your posting. This, also, is very disturbing.  You would think there would be much more media coverage.  
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: April 18th, 2014, 5:32pm
You are absolutely right about the clip, Frenchie.  Thanks for quoting it.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: April 16th, 2014, 6:20pm
Jim, thanks for the list.  I would have never guessed there were 76.  Never heard of about 70 of them. Based on the few I've seen, you are right, they are not very realistic.  I guess you had to actually have been there to know what it was really like.  
Sad news   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: March 29th, 2014, 7:48pm
I did not know LT Proffitt personally, but may he and all our fallen brothers RIP.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: March 11th, 2014, 4:52pm
Sam, that M16 you had sounds like an odd one to me. Never heard of it. How did it function for you?     I had an early M16 made by Colt. It had the open spline flash suppressor, which was great for cutting the wire on cases of C rats.  It worked fine for me and I carried it everywhere, every day.  
Hearing Aids   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: February 23rd, 2014, 6:58pm
I agree with Greg, not boring at all and we can all learn from each what of us goes through.  That's incredible that you got your determination letter in only 2 weeks, Frenchie! That's got to be a record!  
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: February 9th, 2014, 6:00pm
I've been on medicare a couple years now. Never got a check from VA.  Every year after the lab work and annual check up I get a small bill and have to send them a check.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: January 9th, 2014, 5:48pm
Thanks Fletch.  Knowing the history of our early involvement and the political situation over there before we were boots on the ground should put things in better perspective.  Thanks again for the info.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: January 7th, 2014, 6:47pm
You are right about opinions and about the history of VN  and the war, both with the French and then us. It was all ignored by the media back then and we knew nothing about it.  I sure  didn't know any thing about it.  Those people were at war for more than 20 continuous years with France and us. In VN today, the war with us is called the American war.  I've read a few books over the last 6 or 7 years about the history of VN and the war. What's the name of the book you refer to?  I would like to see if I can find it.  
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: January 6th, 2014, 5:46pm
Fletch, great to hear from you again.  I don't have any kids,  but I worked with some people for over 25 years who never knew that I was in the military, yet alone a VN Vet. It was never discussed. We had very few vets where I worked and we knew who we were, and, even we rarely talked about our time in Nam. It took over 30 years before I began to open up and that was and still is mostly with other vets.  People who weren't there can't relate and probably don't care. Their perception of the VN Vet probably hasn't changed any, either.  I still believe we do not receive the same level of respect that the vets of wars before us and the campaigns after us do. And, they deserve it, but so do we.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: January 5th, 2014, 6:14pm
Frenchie,  you are right, he was from  NY City and he was  E4 and 20 years old when he was KIA. I looked him up on the Honor Roll.  I usually don't go to the Honor Roll because it is so sad to see so many of our Brothers who gave their lives.  As I look at page after page of names,  what strikes me is how young they were, just kids, like we were.  What a waste of life!  And we all have friends on that Honor Roll. While we will always remember them, seeing their names listed there raises too many bad memories and demons that have been long suppressed.   RIP Charles Groh and all our fallen Brothers, and never be forgotten.
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: January 1st, 2014, 5:21pm
Happy New Year Jim, Frenchie and all  Charger Brothers.  May it be a safe and healthy one with a lot of enjoyable adventures with family and friends.   Jim,  it sure sounds like your New Years eve was a lot more fun than Frenchie's!    New Years eve  68.  I really can't remember much about it. I was also on LZ Baldy, I think.  If not , it was Hill 35.  I do remember, as you mention Frenchie, that, at midnight flares lit up the sky in all directions, a pretty spectacular sight!
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: November 30th, 2013, 6:28pm
Greg,  you should have been issued a VA card with your picture.  If you showed them your DD-214 and it shows your Nam service, you are automatically eligible for the card and VA benefits at priority 6.  You have to fill out some paper work and then they take your picture and give you the card while you are there. I did it a couple years ago at the Bay Pines VA Center in St. Petersberg.  I use my card at Lowe's a lot. Just ask for a military discount and you get an additional 10% off.  Give it another try. Good luck!
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: November 15th, 2013, 8:41pm
Frenchie,  hopefully your claim will be approved in a couple  weeks and not months.  The Doc verified it, so it should be granted quickly, you would think.  But, we know how VA works!  Eating must be dull if you can't have all that good stuff. What the heck is left, salads and fish?   Anyway, stick with it!  
Honor Flight   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: November 10th, 2013, 6:01pm
Don, thanks for the information. I'm going to check it out for my area. I'll let you know how I make out.  Happy Veterans Day to all our 196th Charger brothers and all U.S. vets.  Enjoy the day and be proud of your service!
Honor Flight   (reply)
Posted by: Bob Kotch
Date Posted: November 8th, 2013, 4:11pm
Don,  sounds interesting!  How did you get on it? Can you give us a little more info on what all it involved?  Thanks  
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