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Letters
From the Editor
W ell, we're
drifting into the middle of May. Getting closer to reunion time.
I'm getting anxious to see all my brothers again.
Just heard that big Bubba is going to show up again. It will be good
to see him.
If the San Diego reunion was any indication, we'll have to set up a
special room for him to hold court in. Talk about your sea
stories....
If you haven't signed up yet to go to Kansas City....do it now!
We're not getting any younger. It won't be too many years before the
Spinax reunion will consist of two ninety year olds meeting in a
Starbucks.
In another area, I went on another motorcycle run yesterday. This
was a memorial run for Cpl. Michael D. Anderson, Jr. who was KIA in
Fallujah, Iraq, Dec. '04.
http://www.cplandersonjr.org
Four of five hundred bikers, a lot of them vets, gathered together
in Modesto, CA and rode up to Jamestown for a BBQ and tribute.
His friend, who tried to save him, was there to give a little
tribute to Michael. He was a smallish, shy kind of guy, but a
genuine Marine hero. While he was speaking an occasional "Hoooaah!"
came from the Marines in the audience. When he was through, a lot of
big, ugly, tattooed bikers surrounded him to shake his hand (me
included). He even got a few hugs.
I try to think about us as heroes. I cannot speak for the WWII vets
or the vets from the Korean war. I was in during Vietnam. |
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 I
do know that the WWII guys went through the worst of times. I listen
to the tales of these sub heroes and try to imagine myself in their
place. Running around trading blows with the entire Japanese Fleet.
I know it's dangerous enough just being on an old fleet boat, let
alone having depth charges dropped on your head. All this after
firing a faulty torpedo at a fat freighter. But these guys did the
job, I'm pretty sure all of you have heard the figures... I don't
have them in front of me, but I think it was 2% of the American
fleet (subs) sank around 60% of the Japanese fleet. They also had
the highest casualty rate of any other branch of the
service...Marines included.
My
hat is off and over my heart to these warriors.
There was not a lot of
submarine action during Korea (the forgotten war), but I do know
that there was deck gun fire on coastal towns, downed pilot rescue and some sabotage
from guys going ashore in rubber rafts.
My thanks go to these submariners (and all branches), and my
apologies for you not getting the credit you richly deserve.
I was in during the early to mid sixties. Vietnam was getting
started, and we did some popping around in the gulf of Tonkin doing
various (classified) chores, and practicing on the 50 calibers.
We as servicemen were not getting spit upon by the
hippies and draft dodgers yet. I didn't notice any bad feelings
until I got out and went back to college. After being called a baby
killer by the ugly, hairy arm-pitted women of the times, and called
upon repeatedly by my professors to defend my positions, I caved in
and didn't discuss my service time anymore. I just wanted to get
through college with the least amount of hassle.
The years pass, and I wear my Submarine Veteran hat with
pride. I am constantly being thanked for serving my country by the
younger generation, and I feel good.
I was even told, by a battle scarred old Vietnam vet, who spent 3
tours in Nam slogging through the muck and dodging bullets, that
there was just no way that he
could serve on subs, it was just too scary. :)
Peace brothers.
Pecos
C'mon guys, send in and share
your memories and stories. It's fun...really!
By
the way...we now have a "guestbook" on the Spinax home page. If
anyone wants to leave a message, feel free. Gripes also welcome!
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