Comments

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  Lindsey E. Ford HMC (SW) April 27, 2013 at 10:56pm

  My retirement uniform (that is dress blue jacket) and the medals and breast insigina was donated to the Cruiser Sailors Association to be put on display on the USS Salem in Quincey, Mass - p.s when I wore that uniform I was a medium and now I am a extra large! lol
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  Jerry Ballard(sw)SH1Ret April 27, 2013 at 10:14pm

  hahahahahah Thomas I have my Retirement Uniform in my closet and I can't wear it either...

  I'm not on the Fat Boy's Program at home but I'm getting close... Ahhhhhhh working at that.... is harder when you get..... Pssssss ( Older)
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  Thomas Collier April 26, 2013 at 9:46am

  I think the reunion sounds terrific, however there is probably not one item in the "seabag," I could wear! So it would not be good for me to have to show up in uniform.LOL 
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  H. Buning April 26, 2013 at 3:04am

  An RTC reunion sounds great! I never know FOR SURE when I can get

  off work, but I'm a day's drive from San Diego (a hard day's drive, to

  be sure) and I'd move a lot of boulders to get there.....
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  Thomas Collier April 22, 2013 at 8:24pm

  Daniel, Sorry for your loss. I am the chaplain for the Blue Water Sailors of the Vietnam War, and there are many horror stories out there concerning Agent Orange. It is a sad reality what we had and have to go through for the   treatment and care at the VA. My ministry takes me to the streets for the homeless vet and to get them to the VA. Sad reality.... many get rejected.I pray for those coming home now and before that they get better care than the Vietnam vet.
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  Daniel J Chesley April 22, 2013 at 6:16pm

  My brother died as a result of agent orange exposure in 2009. He served 23 years in the Navy and started having health issues before he retired in 1991. He had everything concerning his exposure documented and in his records before he retired. That being said he still died much too young. Shame so many Vets have to fight so hard for the treatment they deserve.
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  Terry Schiele HM-2 (RN) April 22, 2013 at 3:40pm

  While with the marines near Khe Sahn I thought that would be the most dangerous time of my Naval career. The time at El Toro  with the air wing gave me a few anxious moments. I thought I had dodged all the effects of Viet Nam. Going to the reunion to NTC gave me pause to look at the grinders which were now part of a commercial area and stand before the USS Recruit made me think about the what has all happend since I was there in the Fall of 1967. At the time looking forward I could not have even guessed.  At the time we were all invincible. I am still working on that but not with quite the same amount of speed. 

  I was preparing to have a stem cell transplant when I met a Master Chief blue water sailor who informed me of the VA benefits.  I applied as soon as I got better from the transplant and it took me 7 months to get the benefits.  I called them every week and talked to people who didn't have a clue to others who knew what was going on, explained what was next and even approved and forwarded my application to the next step.  I wish I could have gotten back to that person each time. I have 100% disability benefits but prefer to be on the cutting edge of research.

  As a recruit and from hearing what my father who went through joining the Navy and going through Great Lakes I knew what to expect to a large degree. Seeing NTC/RTC now teaches that even those things that I thought would be permanent are subject to budgets and advancement.  My grandfather was in the Army in WW I, father in WW II in the Navy and I in during Viet Nam.  My father could not have forseen spending 3 days in the water after his ship was sunk off Leyte Gulf.  A bit different for a farm boy from North Dakota. I know this site is for RTC/NTC but some things just flow and this place was the starting place for many adventures and harrowing experiences.
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  Thomas Collier April 22, 2013 at 3:32pm

  Thanks Jim! A lot of us have been battling and many have lost. We have lost shipmates, comrades in arms and friends we made for life. But we endure and continue on the front lines to see others less fortunate are cared for and treated.

  You were right about the "check in the mail," it is amazing.

  Thanks again.
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  James W Ward April 22, 2013 at 3:02pm

  I understand the Agent Orange fight is an uphill battle, Glad you are getting the care you need. I lost a friend a couple of weeks ago from Agent Orange and have another that is close to losing the battle. I was exposed but not near as bad as most.  My time in country was on and off again..I consider myself lucky.

  God Bless all of you who have had contact with the Agent Orange. Ah but we were told it was safe.  Isn't that like saying the Check is in the mail..

   
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  Thomas Collier April 22, 2013 at 10:21am

  Terry, I too was the victim of Agent Orange. I have had cancer, diabetes, 29 years post operation, 5 bypass surgery. Took 8 years of    battling the VA to get compensation for it. Only good was they granted me hospital and clinical benefits 2 years afte r I filed. They covered my meds and any thing related to Agent Orange.