I was 14 at the time, and images like this became ingrained in my mind. They are impactful, to put it mildly. Thanks, Dan, for taking us back to an era that we baby boomers remember well for a range of emotions.
grebe wrote:
This is an excellent photograph. It is raw, emotive, sad, and frightening.
Tom
That is most kind of you to say! I have very few photos from my 2 years in Vietnam. The heat and humidity and the length of time a Long Range Recon Team was on a mission made film way to delicate. "Mail call" was about every 3 days and there were no "Mailboxes" on the corner.
Thanks!
Dan
douter wrote:
A poignant capture of the past, Dan'l!
Douglas
I appreciate your remark Douglas. I am hesitant to post what few, if any, scanned film from 1967-1969. As stated above, my "area of operations" was the jungle. Instamatic no less!
Dan
cth55 wrote:
I was 14 at the time, and images like this became ingrained in my mind. They are impactful, to put it mildly. Thanks, Dan, for taking us back to an era that we baby boomers remember well for a range of emotions.
--Chris
Again I appreciate your comments Chris. All this happened so fast it is still a blur! I was drafted right out of college.(RA5--a draftee who enlists for specialized training).....Uncle Sam allowed me to finish my Fall 66 semester..then I was gone...this was "thee" height of the manpower in SE Asia. Local draft boards could not supply enough men, fast enough, for the Army.
The military did NOT prepare returning combat soldiers for what awaited them in the "World"..... as we called it, when we returned "home".
"It Dont Mean Nothin but........."..."
Dan
This is a powerful and evocative photograph Dan, great composition and the toning and contrast between light and shadow creates a gritty, realistic atmosphere that fits the wartime theme.
Very emotional capture, the gritty texture and high contrast emphasize the harsh environment, dust, dirt, and fatigue feel almost tangible.
And so many of today's people take our Freedom for granted sadly.
I have a ton of respect for all who have defended our Freedom, thanks Dan for sharing the reality of what was really going on then, I was 12 then and remember watching the news on TV telling how many of our soldiers were reported killed each day, still haunts me buddy I'm glad you made it back
Karl Witt wrote:
And so many of today's people take our Freedom for granted sadly.
I have a ton of respect for all who have defended our Freedom, thanks Dan for sharing the reality of what was really going on then, I was 12 then and remember watching the news on TV telling how many of our soldiers were reported killed each day, still haunts me buddy I'm glad you made it back
Karl
Appreciate your remarks Karl. I was lucky! God had a different plan for me I guess.
I would have GLADLY traded places with anyone who did not make it home.
Dan
Dan, thanks for your service and sacrifice. Nothing but respect for you and all who served. This is a very personal photo and I appreciate you sharing it. It's like getting an inside view for anyone who wasn't there. Many thanks.
zdscanond5 wrote:
Dan, thanks for your service and sacrifice. Nothing but respect for you and all who served. This is a very personal photo and I appreciate you sharing it. It's like getting an inside view for anyone who wasn't there. Many thanks.
D
It was the last shot on the roll of Kodak Instamatic(?) film and "my ride" to my next mission was my "mailbox" to get what few pics that survived 2 years in a jungle environment, to the mailroom 50miles away.
I thank you and I know the members here on FM , both who served at ANY time in ANY conflict, any duty station, thank you also.
"We were soldiers once....and young....."
Dan
