Old Army buddies

[Fox Mike]

Contender posted about the loss of his friend and I was wondering how many here still are in touch with the guys/gays they served with in the military? We, the old aviation guys, have a roster of the "old guys and gals" that were in some area or other of aviation throughout the State. Many are Nam vets, many are retired, while some just served a few years. I received a copy just this morning of the 'updated' roster.

I found out that one of my old 'drinkin buddies' had passed away back in August of last year and somehow no one found out about it till just a couple weeks ago. I remember taking him to a bar for his first 'legal' drink. We were both 'full time' Guardsmen though in different units. We hooked up time and again over the next 20+ years. I remember when he, and I, and eight pilots, ferried five OH-6 helicopters cross-country from West Jordon Utah to Weide AAF in Maryland. He and I were the maintenance and Tech Inspector for the crews on the trip. It was just about this time of year and we got stuck in Salt Lake City for almost a full week waiting out snow storms. One trip to remember.

 

[contender]

Frank,,, It was Jack's post that got me to post about my old friend. And yet, I understand how you feel. As for my old military buddies,, we were all post Vietnam, and didn't have the same type of bond that many developed. Plus, I only did 3 years,, so none of my friendships were very long term.
I had a few friends,, that sadly, we never kept in touch. I often wonder about them & how their lives turned out.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Like attending a High School Class Reunion and then seeing a list of those who had not lived to attend.
Shocking to see friends names on the list.

 

[loaded round]

I've been a member of my Army ASA Group/Turkey for the past 14-15 years now. We have a monthly news letter written by one of the groups founders and also have an annual reunion in a location chosen the year before. This year we're going to Virginia Beach, Va. in October and expect to have 100 attendees including wives. Also look forward to each reunion and each old war story keeps getting better.

 

[cpt-t]

FRANK: I have several Viet Nam Army Buddy`s that I talk to several times a week. However there are three others that I served in Combat with in 1968. We talk to each other at least once a day, and many times more than that. They are my Special Brothers and the four of us shared some truly unbelievable unique experiences together. And we risked our own lives for each other many times. And they are as close to me still, as most any of my blood family. We can still finish each other's sentences, and know what the other`s are thinking, most of the time.
ken

 

[exavid]

I remember when he, and I, and eight pilots, ferried five OH-6 helicopters cross-country from West Jordon Utah to Weide AAF in Maryland. He and I were the maintenance and Tech Inspector for the crews on the trip. It was just about this time of year and we got stuck in Salt Lake City for almost a full week waiting out snow storms. One trip to remember.

I don't believe a word of it. I know those things can't really fly! :wink:

 

[Fox Mike]

I don't believe a word of it. I know those things can't really fly! :wink:

This is true. They just beat the air into submission.

 

[pete44ru]

.

IME, it's rarely that a G.I. kept in touch with their G.I. "buddies" after discharge/separation.

IMO it's because, while the close relationships were necessary in order to perform our duties, the changing location order/requirements that separated "buddies" made it necessary to acquire new "buddies", often forgetting about the previous "buddies".

I know some service folks stayed fairly consistent in their location/group assignments, but others (myself included) got orders to change duty stations several times during their hitch(s).

For instance, I got orders that moved my duty assignment 5 times in the 4 years I served (basic to tech school, tech school to 8th Air Force headquarters (SAC), SAC to Armorer's school, school to SE Asia, then SE Asia to TAC @ Pope AFB (Ft. Bragg military reservation).

That turned out to me having several different families of "buddies" over the course of my hitch.


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[Jeepnik]

Just a few now. There was a pretty active Pedro air rescue organization but it's fading as people pass.