Executive order protecting federal statues, monuments.

[911]

I know when I went into the army, I was concerned that I'd not be able to take a life. However, when faced with the fact that others were trying to take my life made it easier (not the best choice of words) for me to defend myself. If you have to, there's no doubt it will haunt you for the rest of your life, (we call it the black snake) but, the answer is.... you are alive to live the rest of your life.

I was 18 when I was sent to Vietnam. We were on patrol in a small jungle type area along the Mekong River. A couple of shots rang out and the Marine beside me got shot and yelled as he was hit. I looked up in the trees and saw a VC trying to get off the limb and onto the tree. I quickly fired off a few rounds and he fell out of the tree landing flat on his back. After all the action had ceased, we walked up to the VC that I shot and the Sgt. came over and kneeled down to check for a pulse. He stood up and said, “He’s dead.” And walked away. The other Marines came over to me and started slapping me on my back. It was like time stood still as I stood there and thought about the life that I had taken. I wondered, “Did he have a family?” I asked the Sgt. what to do with him. He told me not to do anything. Just let him lie there. After a few hours, I felt better and was able to refocus. From that point on, shooting at the enemy came easier.
I have some really horrible war stories that I have never told. I’m still not ready to tell them.

Squatting Dog—-Were you an Infantryman?

 

[Gaer]

I was 18 when I was sent to Vietnam. We were on patrol in a small jungle type area along the Mekong River. A couple of shots rang out and the Marine beside me got shot and yelled as he was hit. I looked up in the trees and saw a VC trying to get off the limb and onto the tree. I quickly fired off a few rounds and he fell out of the tree landing flat on his back. After all the action had ceased, we walked up to the VC that I shot and the Sgt. came over and kneeled down to check for a pulse. He stood up and said, “He’s dead.” And walked away. The other Marines came over to me and started slapping me on my back. It was like time stood still as I stood there and thought about the life that I had taken. I wondered, “Did he have a family?” I asked the Sgt. what to do with him. He told me not to do anything. Just let him lie there. After a few hours, I felt better and was able to refocus. From that point on, shooting at the enemy came easier.
I have some really horrible war stories that I have never told. I’m still not ready to tell them.

Squatting Dog—-Were you an Infantryman?

I can't even imagine . . . . .