Vietnam Portfolio / Military — E. Kenneth Hoffman
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Comments left at the original Vietnam Interactive Portfolio blog 1995-2004
End of the World
Be you so unlucky as to be sent by your friends and neighbors to such a desolate place at a time so young in your life.
Cherished Memories
The question is why (look at the pictures)? The answer is simple, I cherish the memories of fallen comrades and those who survived. Check out the backpack, ammo, and weapon; I once carried a home like that on my back. I once protected my life and those of my friends with that little black firestick. Friend, I grew old in 18-months in Vietnam. A part of my heart and soul remains there, to this day. I have no apology for my actions or service in wartime; I simply chose to do the job. The soldiers who served had no part in the fall of the Republic of Vietnam. We were young, we were scared, we were lonely, we were dirty, leech-infested, crying, bleeding, dying and, yes, killing. It was war and that’s not a pretty sight, but we remain defiant and PROUD. I refuse to bow my head to the politicians who betrayed us and the Vietnamese people. We have walked the hard road; I CHOOSE to REMEMBER! Those who served deserve that reflection. Those who took the other fork in the road will never understand.
When I arrived in Vietnam
On Dec 23,1968 it was warm but not humid as my prior duty station of Okinawa. My former unit, the 3rd Special Forces Group turned out to be a party compared to what I was about to experience during the next 14 months. Young and kinda crazy I extended but much to my chagrin I hand-carried home a few purple hearts. So the 18 months turned into just a bakers dozen plus one. The 5th Special Forces Grp guys turned out to be crazy like us all when we were young but all too soon reality scared us into shape when we inserted outside a well pocked DZ in Kontum. Hey what happened to my E Pluribus Unum patch and my “To Free The Oppressed” shield on my green beret? Wow! I volunteered for this! My markings now read Company K, 75th Rangers (LRRP) Airborne along with four other Americans plus a great guy we call Yard. We had 4 great Yards who couldn’t wait for a new mission so they could collect $24 in MPC. Company K lost a few good men during my 14 months. I was fortunate.
How can you possibly know what went on in the Nam?
Did you leave good buddies behind in black bags? I doubt it.
It’s been 30 years
And there isn’t a day since, that I don’t think about it.