Old Guys From The Vietnam Era

[jomama]

Any of the old guys from the Vietnam War era left? From the air base (and CIA operation) there at Udorn?

I was just reading about Tony Poe again. He was in charge of the H’mong in Laos…got there in 1961. After the war he lived in Udon Thani until 1993, I read. He since has passed away in San Francisco.

I went up to Udon Thani in 1991 to do a story on the “MIA” from the war living in Issan -- those who never went back to Kansas. I found some here and there, but never had the heart to write the story.

The day that sticks out is when I called on a couple of guys living in a guesthouse. At noon they were shirtless, drinking whisky with their bargirl companions. I just didn’t want to write that story.

I went back about five years ago and stumbled into a VFW gathering at the Charoen Hotel, where we were staying. Seemed to be quite a few of the old timers in attendance.

How are they today?

[mouse]

Old guys? Sir, how dare you? I am a mere......... oops!

my first and original cloth CIB

If you find them, I would appreciate contact with any of them. They can PM me or email directly to me at [email protected]

[rito]

I was to young for Vietnam, but I met and spoke with with Tony on a number of occasions. The man was quite a character and a legend. I met him in 93 when I joined the VFW in Udon. I saw him again when I went to visit him after his triple by-pass at the San Fran VA 96 or 97, anyway he remembered me and called me by my name when I showed up. I was impressed, this old warrior 3 days out of surgery recalled my name and shook my hand with a firm grip. I was sorry to hear about his passing and disappointed that I missed his memorial service.

RIP and Semper Fi Tony,

Rito

[JRinger]

Any of the old guys from the Vietnam War era left? From the air base (and CIA operation) there at Udorn?

I went back about five years ago and stumbled into a VFW gathering at the Charoen Hotel, where we were staying. Seemed to be quite a few of the old timers in attendance.

How are they today?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

....ah, the Charoen Hotel, how can I forget; 1971 celebrating my 19th b'day with two lovely ladies. 100 baht/day then, don't know what they get now, the hotel that is, not the girls..sorry I missed that VFW get together....70-71; Danang, 1st MAW, Headquarters. G-3.., zulu too.

[ray23]

Any of the old guys from the Vietnam War era left? From the air base (and CIA operation) there at Udorn?

I was just reading about Tony Poe again. He was in charge of the H’mong in Laos…got there in 1961. After the war he lived in Udon Thani until 1993, I read. He since has passed away in San Francisco.

I went up to Udon Thani in 1991 to do a story on the “MIA” from the war living in Issan -- those who never went back to Kansas. I found some here and there, but never had the heart to write the story.

The day that sticks out is when I called on a couple of guys living in a guesthouse. At noon they were shirtless, drinking whisky with their bargirl companions. I just didn’t want to write that story.

I went back about five years ago and stumbled into a VFW gathering at the Charoen Hotel, where we were staying. Seemed to be quite a few of the old timers in attendance.

How are they today?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They are alive and well at least the majority. tons of " old timers" here belong to the local VFW try thier web site VFW Udon. I have several of the guys emails but I don't feel comfortable giving out thier personal information.

[kayo]

There ae still a couple of guys from the Korean war who went MIA, hovering around. I became, for a very short time, friends with one old guy who's been living in a temple in Surat Thani for most of the last fifty years. Great guy.

[hxjohn]

there are guys around but to give any names i dont think thats such a good idea you should visit udon again yourself

iam sure you would not regret it

maybe you could weed out some of the ones thats let.s say have over exagarated there involement in the past conflicts in south east asia

ps could you tell if its true that uk special forces where active in issan in the 60.s 70.s and that there are guys buried in singapore

regards john

[ray23]

there are guys around but to give any names i dont think thats such a good idea you should visit udon again yourself

iam sure you would not regret it

maybe you could weed out some of the ones thats let.s say have over exagarated there involement in the past conflicts in south east asia

ps could you tell if its true that uk special forces where active in issan in the 60.s 70.s and that there are guys buried in singapore

regards john

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many of the guys who served here were stationed right in Udon from this P.O.S.T. I noticed that your exposure was to a couple of guys who pretty much gave up the Ghost. Most of the guys lead productive retirements here, one friend takes care of about 200 widows in the area as the VFW service Officer. Other guys teach, most have famalies and such and this is thier home now. The VFW is involved in helping local schools and holds annual events for the communtiy. Many are involved in project crutch. So ther are a lots of storied here, not for me but for some of the other guys. They do a lot in the community but very few people know about it, it's not in thie nature to be looking for credit they do it beacause they want to help.

[kayo]

agreed about mentioning names hxjohn.

I wouldn´t appreciate being named were I one of them, on a public forum, widely read across the world.

[ray23]

agreed about mentioning names hxjohn.

I wouldn´t appreciate being named were I one of them, on a public forum, widely read across the world.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A little history here worth a look http://bobwertzcm.tripod.com/index.htm

[ray23]

agreed about mentioning names hxjohn.

I wouldn´t appreciate being named were I one of them, on a public forum, widely read across the world.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A little history here worth a look http://bobwertzcm.tripod.com/index.htm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For those who want to gain some history knowledege of the Vietnam era try a search on the web under VFW Post 10249 and yuo will find a ton of things to read much more then I have time for today.