Some wars never end....
I posted this today on Facebook:
44 years ago today, in the early morning hours, B co. 1st 506th was attacked in it's night lager position near Firebase Ripcord, Thua Thien, South Vietnam. The main thrust of the attack was focused on the sector of the perimeter protected by the 2nd platoon, which was overrun. When the attack ended 4 men were dead-23 year old SSgt Vic Cambas of New Orleans, 20 year old SSgt Halqua Cliburn married and out of Tennessee, 20 year old Cpl John Angel Garza from California, and 19 year old Cpl Rodney Lee Koerner of Le Mars Iowa. There were at least 9 other WIA from the platoon including 41 year old SFC Grady Norris who would die of wounds the next day. 2nd platoon was declared combat ineffective and the survivors sent to other units until B co. could reorganize. Say a prayer for the young men who died that day and maybe one for my brother Brian, who was there.
For the real combat vets Memorial Day comes on many dates, not just in May.