359 entries.
wrote on June 29, 2020 at 8:23 pm:
YESTERDAY WAS A SOMBER DAY FOR ME, WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD OUR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WITHOUT CUMA, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN MARRIED 51YEARS ON 6/28/20 , I CAN SAY HOWEVER THAT SHE MADE ME HAPPY FOR 50 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AND 12DAYS, SHE ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO OUR MILITARY REUNIONS, AND ENJOYED THE PHONE CALLS SHE RECEIVED FROM OUR ADOPTED DAUGHTER CATHY, RICHARD, GIL, AND NORM, TO MENTION A FEW, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE REGT. FOR THE KIND CARDS BEFORE AND AFTER HER DEATH, ,, THANK YOU MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS, ROUNDS OUT, ROUNDS OUT.
THANK YOU, BILL BEERS
wrote on June 15, 2020 at 4:37 pm:
In recent weeks the 17th ARA Board of Officers discussed the perils of COVID-19 and how to safely hold a September 2020 reunion. After much discussion, we voted unanimously to postpone the 2020 reunion until next September 2021.
There are just too many COVID-19 factors working against us.
Age: the loyal members who would attend are well into the susceptible age. Most of us are just not young anymore!
Medical issues: most, if not all, of us have some serious medical issue(s) that would make us a target for COVID-19.
Travel: travel to Gettysburg through virus infected areas would be a real challenge and our members would not enjoy traveling and being VERY CONCERNED while traveling.
Logistics: Try having a good time in Gettysburg – while wearing a mask, trying to socialize with our friends – w/o a handshake, no hugs, having a conversation while six feet apart; eating spaced out – and occasionally stopping to go wash your hands and sing a song for 20 seconds.
With all those factors in mind and no safe solution on the horizon – we decided to play it safe and postpone the 2020 reunion.
wrote on May 27, 2020 at 11:19 am:
A STORY TO TELL; With Bill's (Dahlin) permission I thought this worthy on this page.
THE VIETNAM ARTILLERY MAN 1967-1968
C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 17th Artillery Regiment, 1st Air Calvary Division
by Bill Dahlin, 4/23/2019
The sudden flashes, the long streaks of burning powder from the ends of stainless steel tubes.
The roar of the battery guns sending hot metal rounds of death out arching through the night.
From dusk till dawn with strong coffee in our veins loading shell after shell after shell
with time, quick, delay or concrete piercing pointed fuses screwed into the giant bullet noses.
The ghost appearing of silhouettes of sweating, helmeted, shirtless men laboring in the dark.
The frighten and the strong standing together without questioning the seemingly endless task
of coordinating blankets of exploding shrapnel on other men we could not see and never know.
A time of rest, of a letter, of a meal, or warm, rubber tasting water from a huge black bladder.
A brief shower with soap under from a canvas pail or a face wash and shave from helmet basin,
A trip to the two *holer - halved 55 gallon barrels with diesel fuel under screened wooden planks. (*out house)
Then bore sighting the guns through the rear primer hole and cross of strings at the tube front
on a sighting board at some distance and then setting the deflection sight on gun’s left side.
Then taking commands from the battery’s aiming circle to line all guns on north and re-setting
each gun's two aiming stakes with green and red night flash lights for night indirect fire sighting.
Filling sand bags, setting barbed wire, improving gun firing pits and bunker living conditions.
A tin of Premium Saltine Crackers with peanut butter or pressure can cheese or popcorn from
an expanding aluminum foil bag heated under over a one man, small gasoline stove, a cigarette --
Then FIRE MISSION! Or INCOMING MORTAR ROUNDS. Get that 105mm pumping rounds out there! FIRE! MEN! FIRE!
The five men below were awarded metals for V.C. action against the battery on 4/2/1968. Not shown but memorialized by their fellow veterans and by purple hearts are 11 men KIA including a 1/Lt and 23 wounded including the battery commandeer a Captain.
The pictures didn't show up here but the story itself I felt very worthy for a Memorial Day. Richard-Chaplain
wrote on May 9, 2020 at 11:35 am:
Ref: GENE JOHNSON : I spoke with Gene this morning. He's still on dialysis 3 times weekly other than that he sends his regards to all. He asks for prayers for his son-in-law, James Ness, who has been in the hospital 33 days with COVID 19. Remember cards, calls, emails and prayers go a long way!
wrote on April 29, 2020 at 8:41 am:
Ref. Bill Dahlin; Bill sent me a message yesterday but it didn't show up until this morning. ". I am doing well here at the hospital. Had three more stints places in my heart. I now have eight.
Going home tomorrow after the medical staff insures my groin incision for my heart catheter." He also sends thanks for all the prayers! Remember, cards, calls, emails and prayers go a long way!
wrote on April 16, 2020 at 11:30 am:
Ref: BILL DAHLIN: I talked with Bill yesterday about his condition. His reply was, "
Thank you for your correspondence. The heart doctor called Monday. My heart catherization is re-scheduled for April 28th, a Tuesday. My phrenologist (kidney doctor) reported yesterday that my creatine level has increased to 1.8. A value of 2.0 is Stage 4 kidney failure. At Stage 5, I'd be on dialysis. I am just happy to continue to be alive - in the Lord! But I will still be glad in the Lord. I will rejoice in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18 " Bill also filled a request for me of getting some pocket sized New Testament Bibles for some of the members. (Again Thanks Bill) Bill has done so much for this organization that I continue to ask that you please keep him in your prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on April 9, 2020 at 2:39 pm:
REF. BILL DAHLIN : Bill was scheduled to have his heart procedure done this past Monday but was put off due to his possibility of having COVID-19 and a high white blood cell count. I waited to put this post to hear about his results. He just notified me that he is NEGATIVE! Can't say when the procedure will be done but can say "PRAYER WORKS!" Please continue to pray for him that all will go well. Remember, cards, calls, emails, and prayers go along way.
wrote on April 3, 2020 at 9:41 am:
Thinking of the Charlie Battery Vets who survived and those who didn't on this day 4/3/1968, a terrible day for those men. Thank you
wrote on March 28, 2020 at 2:40 pm:
REF.: Paul FUSCO- I spoke with Paul via online this week. He states he's had a by-pass and a knee replacement. Please keep him in your prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on March 28, 2020 at 2:37 pm:
REF: BILL DAHLIN. I spoke with Bill this week and he informed me of the following upcoming: "My heart angina has subsided considerably since two weeks ago. I am waiting on a call from my heart doctor to have an angioplasty (3rd) scheduled with the possible insertion of another stint or so. If this procedure is not scheduled for any reason, say corona virus cautions, an elective surgery prohibition, doctor’s work backup, I still have an appointment with the heart doctor in mid April. Taking it easy and sheltering in place per government requirements!" Please keep this good man in your thoughts and prayers! Remember, cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way.
wrote on March 17, 2020 at 1:09 pm:
Ref: CORONOVIRUS- We all know that the world is dealing with a serious problem causing much sickness and death worldwide. I have been trying to think of the right words of encouragement but I think my pastor said it all in an email sent today to our congregation." “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else, (Nor Coronavirus) in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37- 39) Remember - God’s promises are fulfilled and accomplished beyond time, space, and situations. Therefore, let us stand on God’s promises."
Please continue to take care of yourselves and pray for a cure, a vaccine, and those families affected. God Bless, Richard and thanks to Rev. Kong Namkung.
wrote on February 29, 2020 at 10:56 am:
Ref. LM Norman Barton- I received news today that Evelyn Barton, wife of LM Norman Barton passed away Dec.9th at 90 years old. Please keep Norman in his family in your prayers and thoughts. Remember cards, calls, emails and prayers go a long way!
wrote on February 28, 2020 at 3:21 am:
Thank you for documenting your history. My father was in 2-17 in 68 to 69 in Vietnam as a FO. He passed recently and I came across old slides he kept. I'm working on scanning them and can provide the images. I wish he had found this site before he left.
wrote on February 24, 2020 at 7:34 am:
I was on a 5-man MAT team, MAT 37, in northern Pleiku Province, 1970-71. Blackhawk FSB in An Khe provided most of our artillery calls, which we lived by. At times, we were on the far end of the max range of 175s, and occasionally out of range, which was nerve-wracking. Thanks to all of you who we woke up many times during that year. My call signs always ended with "Three-Seven", our team's designation. You usually fired within 5 minutes of our calls, and you were appreciated beyond imagination. You're in my book, PAWNS OF PLEIKU often. Thanks, guys.
wrote on February 7, 2020 at 3:34 pm:
Ref: Gene Johnson: I spoke with Gene today. He is still going through dialysis several times weekly for his condition. He won't be able to make the reunion this year due to this but he and Carol send their regards. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way.
wrote on February 5, 2020 at 11:29 am:
REF. WEBSTER COLE: Please keep Webster Cole and his family in your thoughts and prayers. His uncle Alfred Cole passed away this morning. No further details at this time. Remember cards, calls, emails, and prayers go a long way!
wrote on January 7, 2020 at 6:08 pm:
I was with the 1st Cav 1968-69 HQ G-3 & HHC 3rd Bde (Security Platoon) my first tour.
Have been researching and plotting FSB/LZ's etc
on the 1:50,000 series maps for over 35 years now. Just received a Quarterly Command Report HQ 2/17th Arty (1 Oct-31 Dec 1965). In going through this report, I've noticed they have C 1/8th Inf as security. There is a 1/8th Inf, ARVN. Does anyone who was there in 1965
know if this was ARVN or is it a typo for 1/8th Cav?
Don Smith
wrote on December 31, 2019 at 6:19 am:
Sorry to hear about your knee replacement. Let me know if I can do anything for you. I'm only about 60 miles down the road from you. Our prayers are with you for a quick and healthy replacement!
wrote on December 28, 2019 at 11:52 am:
HI everyone, sorry I missed the last reunion. I am currently rehabilitation from complete knee replacement.
wrote on December 23, 2019 at 10:11 am:
I just want to take a moment and wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Also take a moment and reflect back over the last year about how you could help someone now and this upcoming year. Remember JESUS is the reason for the season.