In June of 1967, I enlisted in the Marine Corps. After 9 weeks of boot camp at Paris Island South Carolina, I graduated from platoon 394. From there I went to Camp Lejune North Carolina for infantry training. Then home for a 30-day leave before heading out knowing it would be at least a year before I would see my family and friends again.
By October, I was at Camp Pendleton in southern California for more infantry training. Then off to Okinawa for only a few days. So by the time I enlisted in June of ’67 by December of ’67 I was in Vietnam in time to replace troops going home for the Christmas holiday.
This was my first Christmas away from home I had turned 19 the previous month in November of that year. We were at a base called the Rock Pile; I was standing guard in the trenches on Christmas Eve. I remember we had some hard candy passed around to all the troops that night.
Another occasion I remember about this Christmas Eve was a radio operator calling in we heard his message coming in it went something like this. “Have sighted something in the sky it appears to be a large sleigh driven by seven flying reindeer, with what appears to be a very large man dressed in a red suit yelling out words such as Merry Christmas to all." We all go a big laugh out of this.
After a full infantry tour in Vietnam, I was home for the following Christmas. I don’t always look back at this Christmas although when I do I remember how young I was only a kid away from home for the first time. It makes me think of our young troops deployed in foreign countries today, Especially Iraq and Afghanistan.
I only hope and pray someday the real and true meaning of the Christmas carols we sing each year such as “Peace on earth and good will toward men" will become a reality. And our young men and women will not have to spend the Christmas holidays away from their families and friends.
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» left by Joseph Collins(430) Joseph Collins (1 year 278 days ago.)
David, I salute our troops serving overseas along with you! I hope our men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan can come back soon, however we both know there will always be American troops stationed away from home somewhere in the world. My first Christmas away from home was at Hahn Air Base, West Germany (circa 1980). Germany is a beautiful place to be for Christmas and except for the occasional OktoberFest bomb, it was a safe place to be. Thanks for your service and be blessed this holiday! Respond to this comment
» left by David Tanguay(5,793) David Tanguay (1 year 278 days ago.)
Thanks for your comment Joe, after I was released from the service in Sept. of 1969. I went to work but I believed in the youth movement of that time. I was pro hippie, yippee, all those idealistic groups of the ‘60s. I’m still optimistic that someday the world will live in peace. "thank you for your contribution" Merry Christmas!
» left by Mike Tanguay from Limington maine U.S.A. (1 year 140 days ago.)
Super article Dave .I am very proud to have you as a brother and salute you as well as all other troops serving now.To serve one time in Nam is one thing but to turn right around and go back for a second term as you did is something to be very proud of..Thanks again ans as usual great article.Brother Mike Respond to this comment
» left by David Tanguay(5,793) David Tanguay (1 year 140 days ago.)
Mike, thanks for your comment, you know that second tour was mainly because I wanted to get out of the service early. by extending my tour I got out of the service 10 monthes early Respond to this comment
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