Fireworks and Helicopters

I just watched “Blackhawk Down" again.  It's an absolutely incredibly authentic portrayal of WAR!

The credits at the end is a screen scroll of those killed in action during that event.  Two received posthumous Medals of Honor for their actions.  The first awarded since the Vietnam war.

Entertainment?  Or an ACTUAL "Horror Movie?!”  Does anyone else watch these movies and think about the consequences of service in war?

I've written about my experiences in Vietnam.  I was there during the TET Offensive in 1968.  But watching this movie took me back to some memories.

We didn't have "Blackhawks."  But helicopters are a constant part of my bad dreams.  Being a Corpsman, medivac flights were a never ending part of my days and nights then.

Working in the Receiving Unit in Danang, running to the helicopter pad to carry stretchers into our quonset hut where triage, emergency treatment and body bags were "normal” occurrences.

That takes a toll on the brain of a 20 year old.  Looking back, it felt like an "out of body” experience even though it was too real.

I don't know if other veterans felt like I did but to me it was like watching the well-trained machine of a young human being do his job from the “safety" of the mental escape from above.

Combat is HELL!  Those kids in Somalia who survived, will relive that battle in nightmares for the rest of their lives.  Nobody can convince me that they won't.

The Tangerine Traitor, a " Bone Spurs” COWARD, doesn't have to worry about those kinds of dreams.

He said:  "my Vietnam was avoiding VD during the 70s.”  WTF does that mean?!

I titled this post:  "Fireworks and Helicopters” because the sounds of those two things haunt me now.  They will as long as I breathe!

July 4th isn't fun for me.  When I worked at the flea market in Illinois, July was filled with kids and some adults getting a kick out of throwing those little round explosives on the sidewalk.  Every explosion made my guts rumble.  Not that “butterfly" rumble that love feels like, but that momentary grip of fear that veterans know.

Helicopter sounds are another thing that haunts me.  I'm hearing one as I write this because we have a nearby fire here in the California mountains.

There are different sounds that each kind of helicopter makes.  I know them ALL.

We received wounded from the Air Force Base in Danang during TET.  They were brought to us by a strange helicopter we called “The Tweety Bird," because of the whistling sound of the 45 degree  dual blades.

The one that we saw most was the HH-34 Marine helicopter which is pictured here:

I keep a piece of this one on my nightstand because it came close to ending my life.

On Veterans Day, when you see that old man with tears in his eyes, it's not because he's weak.  Try to relate to the memory which causes the tears.  

The reason I've spent so many years working on the PTSD book which will probably never see publication is to honor those 22 who commit suicide EVERY day.  

I think every day about what the veterans of "Blackhawk Down” and Afghanistan and Iraq veterans go through, silently and constantly.

As we watch the soulless Republicans in this administration take away veteran benefits, fire critical NOAH and Emergency Management personnel, and attempt to destroy our Democratic Republic, it breaks the heart of this Vietnam veteran.

I'll NEVER understand how ANY veteran can support these people who disrespect them at EVERY opportunity.  Cutting veteran healthcare facilities, taking away benefits, refusing to be at the Dover facility when KIA veterans return home are "normal” for the Mango Mussolini!

I want those who survived that “Blackhawk Down" battle and EVERY other event which should have EARNED them the respect and gratitude of EVERY american, that you have MY respect and admiration “as long as I breathe!" 

And to donnie “Two Dolls,"  I want to quote two comedic geniuses, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart:

GO FVCK YOURSELF!!