Surprised Veteran

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

First off, Happy Veteran's Day to all that have served in our armed forces and patriots who for whatever reason were unable.

Being an old semi disabled guy, crotchety at times, I usually am not caught off guard.
Yesterday I received a priority box. In it was a near mint M1 helmet dated to my Viet Nam service years 1968, 69, 70. It was a gift from one of our forum members who's name I will not say out loud (Harlan). My wife of 44 years and I just stood there looking at it, then I started to well up. The kindness of some people is amazing.
Below is my shadowbox, also given to me, by the last guy I trained at work who was a 26 year Air Force retiree. The plaque on the right was another gift from a friend. And now this Helmet from Harlan takes it place next to the Viet Nam map where I wore one. And yeah I know, I'm not wearing a helmet at my .50 cal maching gun in the picture. Sometimes you just didn't have time to grab it. The flag is off my boat, guess I stole that. The other stuff was also given to me, by the government.
My appreciation and thanks to you Harlan, it really gives me a reason to remember this Veteran's Day. You are a special friend.

Jim

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[browningautorifle]

Looks good Jim. Sometimes you just can't explain what goes on.

[LeagleEagle]

Happy Veteran's Day to you Jim and thanks! That's a great display. My sister put one like it together for my Dad who passed away in 2007. He was a WW2 vet who spent 20 years in the Army reserves. The box includes the flag the VFW honor guard presented us after his funeral. I salute all of you.
P.S. Dad was sort of in the" Navy" during WW2. He was in the Army Transportation Corps assigned as a cargo officer on Liberty and Victory ships.

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Nice touch with the map detail.

[Rustship]

Jim,

You must have been on a River Boat. A lot of people dont realize how much the Navy had to do with in country fighting. Not many people have ever heard of HAL-3, a Navy Light helo Squadron in Viet-Nam.

[frankderrico]

Jim, wonderful display. Thank you for your service. For those that don't know Jim did three tours in the Nam. Someday we have to sit down and have a beer. I would like to here the story of the PH.
Also thanks to Harlan you, deserve the gift. That guy has good timing.....Frank

[Maniac]

That is a great display, Jim. You've given me inspiration to make one up for my late Dad who served from before WWII to 1967. He passed away last spring.
Thanks to all who have served our country since it's birth. We can never repay you but we can sure try!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Jim,

You must have been on a River Boat. A lot of people dont realize how much the Navy had to do with in country fighting. Not many people have ever heard of HAL-3, a Navy Light helo Squadron in Viet-Nam.

You are correct, a River Boat.

Jim, wonderful display. Thank you for your service. For those that don't know Jim did three tours in the Nam. Someday we have to sit down and have a beer. I would like to here the story of the PH.
Also thanks to Harlan you, deserve the gift. That guy has good timing.....Frank

Frank, timing, you don't know the half of it. browningautorifle and I have been working on something for Harlan since Aug. I should have it for him soon too. I had to email him (Harlan) yesterday and ruin my surprise to him. I wonder if as moderator he can read my messages, hummmmmmm....
I am thrilled to get the helmet, and a cool stand he made as well. If I ever get back to Wisconsin again. We'll have that beer.

Good to see LeagleEagle and Maniac honoring their fathers, even after they have passed. Keep it up guys, now you have memories and family history to keep going.

Jim

[DaveHH]

along with a bunch of jungle junk and sets of trop fatigues. It took about six months to make it home and I just threw it all away except the fatigues and boots which were great for hunting. That old beat up cover with my blood type and stuff written on it, the helmet that I hated to wear. I even had my flack vest and web gear, that stuff is valuable now.

Jim: how many of those did you toss overboard or discard if you went wet?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Jim, it was sincerely my pleasure and I felt honored to present that to you. Your display looks outstanding!

Happy Veteran's Day to all our vets and patriots from all of our respective nationalities. Your sacrifices and love of country is awe-inspiring to me.

~ Harlan