I've been working toward arranging a get together with a group of us that worked together in the Army as a tight knit group. I'll save the details of the group for another time. In the course of contacting folks I learned that one of them has stage four cancer.

I finally got him on the phone and his cancer involves many organs. His outlook is unbelievably good, but I think he is holding back because I offered to come see him while in the DFW area this weekend and he said to call first. I think he doesn't know how he will feel on any given day.

When we served together, he had much more Army experience than the rest of is. He had more guts than Dick Tracy. He was among the group, I think they were called the 11th Air Assault that trained as part of a project to develop tactics with helicopters. He was among the very first to drop off of a helicopter into the jungles of Vietnam.

I knew him for a few months before ever seeing him in anything besides civvies or fatigues. We had an inspection or something that required we dress in Class A's. I was surprised when I saw fruit salad to his shoulder blade. He had two Purple Hearts and numerous medals of valor. He talked about his combat experiences occasionally, but it seemed to be triggered by something when he did.

The guy had a drug problem that kept him from advancing in the Army and I think he was in about eight years. After the Army I was in the student union while in college and spotted him in a crowd. He didn't stay in school long. I ran into him a few times in the seventies and haven't seen him since.

When I talked to him on the phone, his voice sounded like a four pack a day for fifty years smoker, but he never smoked cigarettes. He admitted that he still "tokes the pipe" sometimes, which I expect means most all the time.

The guy was EXTREMELY smart, but had a tough youth. I hope I get to visit him today and I hope it will help in some way. He is one of our countries hero's.

We were planning on having our get together in October, but I am going to talk to the guys about coming here sooner, before it's too late.

A year or two ago, I thought I was going to see my cousin who was dying, but as it turned out he was so far along that he didn't want visitors. I posted here about it and got lots of good advice about how to handle it, so I hope to use those thoughts to be prepared to help him in some way.

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Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Thanks for sharing with us. It is actually kindof awe inspiring to talk with someone who has experienced the rigor of combat for someone like myself who never served.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Was he exposed to Agent Orange and similar nasty junk while in Vietnam? I'd say that exposure to those things (contaminated with dioxins) would be more of a concern than occasionally "toking the pipe."

A Viet-Nam Vet friend of mine was recently told he had a year to live. So we went on a road trip to find old Mercedes parts for the Fintail and the Ponton.

It took a lot of travel and a lot of time in nice hotels, but if you hit enough small wrecking yards in the middle of nowhere the old Mercedes are out there.

He just spent $5,000 on a suit. I asked him where he was planning on wearing it and he said to his funeral.

Always leave 'em laughing.

He was in the jungle too early for agent orange. I have no idea what led to his cancer.

He is dealing with it unbelievably well. I think that he took on the attitude a long time ago that every day is one more day that he never thought he would get.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

An interesting story. In spite of my problems with the war in Vietnam, I have met numerous vets from that who I respected.

Forgive me, but I couldn't help but notice, Larry, that you have a lot of respect for this guy in spite of, I gather, regular pot use on his part. The drug by itself doesn't turn people bad in my observation.

I recently had a scare myself, a cold and sore throat, apparently, that went away after a week but a cough lingered for 3 weeks. I googled 'lung cancer symptoms' and chronic cough was the main one. Turns out it's bronchitis but the shocker was that I have a small bit of emphysema and possible COPD.

I've been smoking cigars for two years (did it for a couple of years in my 20s also) and that's over. Pot smoking, not that much in the last two years but that's out as well. I done had the fear o' God put in me.

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Apparently you have mischaracterized my view on marijuana use. I believe that is a BAD thing to submit your body and mind too. I also think that it's acceptance is a terrible thing for society in many ways. I do not brand someone as a gone to hell lunatic for it.

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2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I met with my friend and was really great to see him. To begin with I misunderstood him when he said he still tokes his pipe. He smokes tobacco in it. He met and married his second wife 30 years ago and she put a stop to the hooch.

He is changed drastically for the better in numerous ways. One thing that thankfully hasn't changed is willingness to fight at the drop of a hat. This spunk is helping him fight the cancer. They gave him eight months to live last august. From my math he's beating their prediction and has found a treatment thAt is giving him hope.

We visited in his office with framed commendations on the walls. He said that all of them except one were awarded before his eighteenth birthday. If you have seen the true story movie "We Were Soldiers" his unit was on the other side of the hill in '65 when that was taking place and caught plenty of hell themselves. The NVA were concentrating on the 7th (Custers unit) which was the outfit whose story was covered in the movie.

I'm going to put together a full dress uniform that will fit me. I pray that I don't have to wear it for the occasion that I am putting it together for. People have beat this sort of thing before.

Edit: I forgot to mention that he wants an airplane ride. A soon as I can get the right weather I will do that for him.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Thanks for your sharing of the story of your fellow soldier and friend of over 40 years, Larry. I'm glad you two were able to re-connect.

X2
You are one of the good guys Larry. Showing support to your fellow soldier ~ 40 years later is an example of a truly decent person. I hope your friend continues to improve.

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1987 250td 160k miles English import
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