Thomas Brown:  

OK, for those who are curious here goes: (Lord knowing I've always been long-winded)- While I was in school my Sr. yr there were several underlying issues going on at home which is actually no-one's business but family, I'm sure most of you-all understand...I was always outspoken, but that was just me, some of the females who've emailed said I was always a Gentleman: again raised by 2 Great Parents, "teach your children well" (CSNY)- I've always believed in The Lord, whether people knew it or not, just not into "Holly Rolling"- they say alot of boomers are Spiritual, not necessarilly Religious- How Do You Feel In Your Heart?? Your body is a Temple- You Dig? That's Me. Anyways, I got away from Warren 2nd Sem. my Sr. Year, probably wouldn't have Graduated w/ the class so I and several friends went off to Tech night school- actually got a Diploma from Tech (where my Mom & Dad grad in 39 & 40)-had my Dad's track coach for Boy's Gym (Reuben Belmer?sp?)-when I was in Boot Camp at Ft Campbell, Ky. I found out Warren sent Tech a ltr saying I was 1 credit short, & Tech sent a ltr to my house & Dad was mad as Hell & sent it back..b4 I got out of Boot I took ,my GED...later used the GI Bill at Mt View Jr College- Dallas, Tx. After FT Campbel I went to AIT at Ft. Eustis, Va. (by the way I lived at 860N. Eustis Dr.)-I trained to be a mechanic on The Iroquois Helicopter known to most as a Huey- while in Va. I took leave and my Mom passed in Nov of 68, that really sucked alot of the life out of Me, but from then on it was living the best I could in Her Rememberance...I decided not to take an offer from The Army & volunteered for the levy to VietNam...was gonna go anyway. While there, I was on the coast S. of DaNang, where I found out Tommy Gray & I believe Mike Hunt were at one time at the same time, 1969- one Hell of A Year in Nam, just look at the stats. I was supposed to meet one of the two, but it never worked out & only seen either 1 or 2 times since, kinda Sad as we were pretty close during our "best year" when were Teens: Hell we WERE Indestructible, What are You Talking About?? I got this Crazy Idea I wanted to fly, being in Base Camp & being a mechanic was boring, so I volunteered to get into the Flight Platoon & It was a Blast- met some of theMost Incredible human beings- a Real Brotherhood (ex- Band of Brothers- WWII)- then one bad Monday (later reffered to as "Black Monday)- we went off to DaNang on a Supply mission, late in the Afternoon we received a call to P/U some Grunts from the 196th Light Infantry near LZ Center in the Que Son Valley (Death Valley)- my gut told me something wasn't right, and Damned if we didn't land right in the middle of a Division of NVA/vc- what a Day will never Forget-( I ask you-all not to forget those who gave all, the POW's & MIA's also- we must never forget! Just saw an article on Kent State- what a shame...)-I was a Helicopter Crewchief- there were two pilots- ...Expand for more