To All Our Vets...

[desertclassic]

God love you, man! This AO stuff is killing the ones of us that the Vietnamese couldn't!! I have no recognized reasons that would cause the problems I have, but by thunder the VA pushes away my pleas and won't connect them to AO exposure! I am at 90% with PTSD, hearing loss, muscle, nerve, bone and connective tissue damage to my legs. The VA PAYS for my allergic reactions, my lung disorders that are associated with asthma and COPD, but, I NEVER smoked, and that is the first question they always ask! Then they say "why do you have COPD?" :gah: Makes me turn ORANGE! :angry2:

Oldveteran :Trike1:

It is crazy. Latest study from the VA has determined that AO and blood pressure have a link. The biggest thing is where does the $$$ come from for this to be recognized and then treat and compensate the vets. I have great fears for the service people that are on the grounds of the middle east. Jim

 

[desertclassic]

That could be a little exciting. Jim

 

[2006gold]

Have a grandson on a guided missile destroyer (DDG). Hates it. But he first served on the Nimitz - quite a different experience in rough seas. Hope to get a tiger cruise with him on the destroyer before I get too old (the Navy won't let you go once you reach age 75). Did one when he was with the aircraft carrier which was awesome.

 

[Sully]

The VA has started a new study on a Rare Cancer..

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/schumer-calls-for-study-of-rare-cancer-in-vietnam-vets-1.13783880

 

[6adan]

Great video, I was lucky enough to fly in Aluminum Overcast, it was a ride I will never forget.

 

[ISP-FL]

Yesterday afternoon riding 2-up we pulled into a gas station in Bozeman Montana for fuel. As I began fueling I spotted a VN sticker on the bumper of a PU truck across at another isle. I knew I would finish fueling before him so I was going to walk over and shake his hand. Before I could do that he stopped fueling and came over to me. We shook hands, welcomed each other home, and parted ways. It was a small simple thing but I felt good about it, and two vets from different parts of the U.S. would have never welcomed each other home if it was not for displaying that campaign ribbon sticker.

 

[Sully]

 

[oldprowler]

The USS Billings (LCS-15) still has a long way to go before seeing any "active duty". After the christening there is a period of time (at least a year) of pre-commissioning during which time the finishing touches and "special equipments" are installed and tested. The crew is assembled and trained in the operation, maintenance and repair of the systems installed. And acceptance testing is performed (every individual component on the ship is tested by the crew to ensure they all perform at or above their specification). Then comes the ship acceptance testing when the entire ship is tested as a single unit to ensure that all specifications are met. Then and only then will the Navy accept the ship from the contractor in the ceremony known as "Commissioning".

I was a part of the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Lawrence (DDG-4), commissioned in January 1961 and can attest to the stresses involved in meeting a very strict deadline (the Navy really frowns on the possibility of delaying commissioning). Pay back is hearing the sponsor saying these words " Man our ship and bring her to life."

 

[tex49]

us marine veterans

God love you, man! This AO stuff is killing the ones of us that the Vietnamese couldn't!! I have no recognized reasons that would cause the problems I have, but by thunder the VA pushes away my pleas and won't connect them to AO exposure! I am at 90% with PTSD, hearing loss, muscle, nerve, bone and connective tissue damage to my legs. The VA PAYS for my allergic reactions, my lung disorders that are associated with asthma and COPD, but, I NEVER smoked, and that is the first question they always ask! Then they say "why do you have COPD?" :gah: Makes me turn ORANGE! :angry2:

Oldveteran :Trike1:

Were you ever stationed at Camp Le Jeune NC. If so look up contamination water problem at Came LeJeune.

Tex49

 

[rhino 2]

Were you ever stationed at Camp Le Jeune NC. If so look up contamination water problem at Came LeJeune.

Tex49

Welcome to Trike-Talk , James......Happy to have you with us....:clapping:

 

[peteg59]

 

[rhino 2]

So true .....!

 

[extxn]

To all on here and willing to listen ~ Welcome Home.

Me, I was in the Navy and spent time as a 19yr. old on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19) out in the Tonkin Gulf. I was never 'in country', but it wasn't because I didn't try. Went out to Diego for boot, then across the U.S. to New Jersey for 'A' School. While there, I volunteered for SEAL's. Another trip back across the U.S. for training. Ended up shattering my right femur (Twisted until it shattered) and spent a lot of time in different hospitals, learning to walk again. During that time, I also spent a lot of time helping guys back from VN who couldn't dial phones, turn on TV's, write letters or feed themselves. You'd have to be in those hospital wards to see the number of guys who needed a helping hand but wouldn't ask for it. They never turned me down if I asked if I could help do something. Long story short, I fought a medical discharge and ended up in the Tonkin Gulf. Finally retired out after having broken service (but stayed in the reserves) and to this day ~ I have a Nam sticker and a POW/MIA sticker on my windscreen. The stickers aren't for me, they're for the ones who never made it home and for the ones who did and actually know what the stickers are. I currently ride with the Combat Veteran's Motorcycle Association, Chapter 26-1 in Vermont, Vets Helping Vets .~ it's that simple when we care.

BTW ~ just went from 2 wheels to 3 this year, old age combined with root nerve compression damage in lower back, deteriorating spine in upper neck and arthritis in both hands and shoulders ~ it ain't fun Brothers. I'll keep riding as long as I can though.

Again ~ Welcome Home

Jerry (Flatlander)

CVMA 26-1

VTPGR

 

[1dn5up]

Thanks for your service Jerry, and never give up :clapping:

 

[Ray55]

Have you ever been on a submarine on the surface in the middle of a Cat. 4 typhoon?

 

[Fozworth]

I turned 18 in 1971. That was the year of the lottery draft revisit. My number wasn't called. Lottery used in '72 was not used for the draft and 73 I think it was all volunteer.

I am a rider now in the Patriot Guard because they let me be part of honoring Veterans in that small way even though I don't have military service myself.

I didn't have to go to that war in my youth like many many others. I have a sense of awe and respect for those who went and outlived the experience whether they saw action or not. I'm a grown man but at each ride with the Patriot Guard I've been in, a flood of emotion and gratitude grabs me and I cry. Especially at the services where "Taps" is played by military musicians.

I thank you all for your courage and sacrifice to our great Country.

Welcome Home.

 

[oldprowler]

Have you ever been on a submarine on the surface in the middle of a Cat. 4 typhoon?

No I have not BUT sure would like to hear the story of what happened to make that event happen. I remember my ship doing a personnel transfer between a submarine and a destroyer. The submariner had some medical emergency. The actual transfer was done by whale boat with a sea state of 2/3. It was pretty routine for us but the bubbas one the sub were rolling pretty good.

 

[rhino 2]

Have you ever been on a submarine on the surface in the middle of a Cat. 4 typhoon?

The Great Halsey... Did that twice with his whole fleet....:xzqxz:

 

[extxn]

I turned 18 in 1971. That was the year of the lottery draft revisit. My number wasn't called. Lottery used in '72 was not used for the draft and 73 I think it was all volunteer.

I am a rider now in the Patriot Guard because they let me be part of honoring Veterans in that small way even though I don't have military service myself.

I didn't have to go to that war in my youth like many many others. I have a sense of awe and respect for those who went and outlived the experience whether they saw action or not. I'm a grown man but at each ride with the Patriot Guard I've been in, a flood of emotion and gratitude grabs me and I cry. Especially at the services where "Taps" is played by military musicians.

I thank you all for your courage and sacrifice to our great Country.

Welcome Home.

Fozworth ~ riding with the PGR is more service than you know. You don't have to be a Vet, don't even need to ride a bike ~ you only 'need the feeling' and show respect for the fallen during the flag line. That Sir is more than some I know can do!

On the other hand, if you don't mist up when TAPS are played, something is wrong ~ I still do with the many interns I've stood for and I hope I always will, that's when I know my heart is where it belongs and my head is listening.

Thank You ~

 

[extxn]

FuzzyWuzHe ~~ don't ever turn loose of those memories Brother!

Most people today could never deal with what we saw on those wards, much less dialing a phone for someone else, writing a letter because someone else couldn't, changing a TV channel because the sets back then weren't remote controlled or even helping the Corpsmen & Nurses pass out the meal trays while the 'food' was still somewhat warm.

Thank You for the memories and for your service as well ~

 

[peteg59]

ALL hon. discharged vets will soon get base exchange priveleges....

Great news for those living on budgets.:clapping:

There is a sign up required, but its fairly painless. Enjoy!:

http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/artic...oon-get-to-11302458.php?cmpid=twitter-desktop

 

[lightnin]

I was Navy River Assault, MK-19 gunner 68-69 when I came home the only thing I had to wear was a set of tigers and a barett . I did the Legion thing for going on 6 years and held an office in both the post and the riders, never felt "right" so I turned my keys in and quit it all. Then I found a MC called in country viet nam and from the first chapter I was invited to visit to the chapter I joined, I was amongst my Brothers. Only requirement is to have served at least one tour "boots on the ground" I even had a fomer chopper pilot come introduce himself and asked me if I was one of those crazy bastards in he green boats with a top speed of 6knts. Said he flew a lot of fire support for us and thought he was crazy but at least he could get the hell out of there if need be. Look up ICVMC on the web and let them know you are interested. No "prospect time as we did that in the Nam and we are an international club. This invite goes for all the Brothers on trike talk or any you know. LIGHTNIN ICVMC CORPS TEXAS

 

[Sully]

Did you serve in Vietnam?? This provides some interesting statistics

and info on the War..

SOBERING STATISTICS FOR THE VIETNAM WAR

In case you haven't been paying attention these past few decades after you returned from Vietnam, the clock has been ticking. The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet in a larger sense should give you a HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE.

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 60 years old."

So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. Vets who served in Vietnam? I don't know about you guys, but it kind of gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of information I'm used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets...

So the last 14 years, we are dying too fast, only the few will survive by 2025...if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So in 2,190 days...from today, lucky to be a Vietnam veteran alive... in only 6-10 years.

These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer - 1st Recon April 12, 1997.

STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS:

9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975).

8,744,000 GI's were on active duty during the War (August 5, 1964 - March 28, 1973).

2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam, this number represents 9.7% of their generation.

3,403,100 (including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the broader Southeast Asia Theater (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, flight crews based in Thailand, and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters).

2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (January 1, 1965 - March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.

Of the 2.6 million, between 1 - 1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support, or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.

7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam

.

Peak troop strength in Vietnam: 543,482 (April 30, 1968).

Agent Orange is taking a huge toll on Vietnam Veterans with most deaths somehow related to Agent Orange exposure. No one officially dies of Agent Orange, they die from the exposure which causes ischemic Heart Disease and failure, Lung Cancer, Kidney failure, or COPD related disorders.

CASUALTIES:

The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.

Hostile deaths: 47,378

Non-hostile deaths: 10,800

Total: 58,202 (includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.

8 nurses died -- 1 was KIA.

61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.

11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.

Of those killed, 17,539 were married.

Average age of men killed: 23.1 years.

Total Deaths: 23.11 years

Enlisted: 50,274; 22.37 years

Officers: 6,598; 28.43 years

Warrants: 1,276; 24.73 years

E1: 525; 20.34 years

Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.

The oldest man killed was 62 years old.

Highest state death rate: West Virginia - 84.1% (national average 58.9% for every 100,000 males in 1970).

Wounded: 303,704 -- 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 injured requiring no hospital care.

Severely disabled: 75,000, -- 23,214: 100% disabled; 5,283 lost limbs; 1,081 sustained multiple amputations.

Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300% higher than in WWII and 70% higher than Korea.

Multiple amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in WWII.

Missing in Action: 2,338.

POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity).

As of January 15, 2014, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

DRAFTEES VS. VOLUNTEERS:

25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII.)

Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.

Reservists killed: 5,977.

National Guard: 6,140 served: 101 died.

Total draftees (1965 - 73): 1,728,344.

Actually served in Vietnam: 38% Marine Corps Draft: 42,633.

Last man drafted: June 30, 1973.

RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND:

88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian; 10.6% (275,000) were black; 1% belonged to other races.

86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian (includes Hispanics);

12.5% (7,241) were black; 1.2% belonged to other races.

170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 (5.2% of total) died there.

70% of enlisted men killed were of Northwest European descent.

86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action were Caucasian; 12.1% (5,711) were black; 1.1% belonged to other races.

14.6% (1,530) of non-combat deaths were among blacks.

34% of blacks who enlisted volunteered for the combat arms.

Overall, blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a time when the percentage of blacks of military age was 13.5% of the total population.

Religion of Dead: Protestant – 64.4%; Catholic – 28.9%; other/none – 6.7%.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:

Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.

Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18%.

76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working class backgrounds.

Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50% were from middle income backgrounds.

Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional, managerial, or technical occupations.

79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school education or better when they entered the military service.

63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had completed high school upon separation.

Deaths by region per 100,000 of population: South – 31%, West – 29.9%; Midwest – 28.4%; Northeast – 23.5%.

DRUG USAGE & CRIME:

There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group. (Source: Veterans Administration Study.)

Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison – only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.

85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.

WINNING & LOSING:

82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the War was lost because of lack of political will.

Nearly 75% of the public agrees it was a failure of political will, not of arms.

HONORABLE SERVICE:

97% of Vietnam-era veterans were honorably discharged.

91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw heavy combat are proud to have served their country.

74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.

87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem.

 

[lightnin]

US Special Warfare "River Rats" 68*69 This unit arived in country in 1969 and was turned over to the Viet Navy. In those 3 years of operation we sufferer 5'550 KIA. We operated deep into IV Corps, the Mekong Delta, and places know one knew about

 

[Sully]

 

[rhino 2]

View attachment 47592

Ive said that a long time ago.....And to add NO Exemptions..If you can't serve in the military... Then you do Two years community service....No side jobs while your doing it also. ,And at the same pay as the military....

 

[Peter A.]

Serve

+1. I'm all for it, then some people would APPRECIATE what all we have righthere in THIS COUNTRY - FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.....

:clapping::clapping: