From: jewell@MACE.CC.PURDUE.EDU (Larry Jewell)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: 'NamVet Newsletter Annual #2 6/7
Date: 26 Jul 92 01:31:51 GMT


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     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 78
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

                                HOMELESS
                                By: G. Joseph Peck
                                    NAM VETs Managing Editor
                                    VETLink #1  Pittsfield, MA
                                    (413) 443-6313
     
                      (Edited for 2nd Anniversary Issue)
     
     It sure seemed familiar.  Clothes that had seen much better days;
     a face that badly needed a shave;  shoes that should have been
     long ago thrown away.  I checked my wallet - all personal ID had
     been removed from it - to see how much money I had left.  $10.
     Not too bad.  I was only going to be gone for 24 hours.
     
     At a little after 5pm, I walked into the local drug store.  The
     clerk, a sweet young girl, smiled her brightest and went out of
     her way to find out for me when the next bus to Great Barrington,
     MA. was (about 25 miles away).  The druggist eyed me suspiciously,
     watched my every move.  I bought a small box of candy to tide me
     over and was soon on my way.  It would be a good 45 minutes
     before the bus came.
     
     I walked down the street - thinking, observing, feeling how it
     felt NOT to have a home, NOT to know where I'd be sleeping, NOT
     to know where I'd be eating later that night.
     
     About three miles down the road, shadows from the roadside trees
     beginning to lengthen, I decided to wait at a bus stop.  Walking
     was beginning to hurt.   The wait wasn't long and soon I was
     aboard Berkshire's finest, only not headed to the city I wanted
     to go to.
     
     "Last bus out of town tonight, sir.  We only go as far as Lee, MA
     (about 15 miles from my final destination)."  Paid the man his
     dollar - only $9 left.  No problem.  Enough for a hamburger and
     coffee in Lee then I'd start walking to Great Barrington.
     
     It was cold out.  I intentionally wore only very light clothing
     and carried no bedding.  Weather was predicted to be in the low
     30's with a little snow.  Burger King looked warm and inviting,
     and I savored my hamburger for nearly an hour, washing it down
     with about 4 cups of coffee.  Finally, noticing the darkening
     sky, I left and began the 5 mile walk to Stockbridge.  "A step at
     a time...  you can always call home collect if it gets too tough
     or your body gives out."
     
     Steps along the roadway.  Cars coming from behind me.  Soon some
     of the old "alert mechanisms" kick in - I carefully listen to the
     sound of the approaching vehicles, ready in an instant to jump
     into a nearby bush or take some other evasive action.  I remember
     the time I hid amongst the rocks while a group of four searched
     in vain to find me.  Never want to go through that again.  Dogs
     bark in the distance.  House lights come on and traffic thins
     out.  It is getting colder. "Hup-two-free-four...  Jody's got ur
     girl n' gone... sound off... one two    sound off... three four"
     ...   D*mn Jody anyway...
     
     Well, I finally made it to Stockbridge - home of Norman Rockwell.
     Town closes up at 5... everybody's gone.  It's 9:30pm.  Don't
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 79
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     even hear the dogs anymore.  My footsteps echo loudly.  The sign
     by the side of the road reads: "Great Barrington 9 miles".  My
     hips are startin' to bother me and the pain in my neck is
     beginning to bring tears to my eyes.  I'm beginning to shiver.
     It is getting even colder.
     
     The little convenience store is open.  I buy a cup of coffee.
     Beginning to shiver, I take it with me, cupping it close to
     capturing its warmth - hurrying towards Great Barrington.  I'm
     counting the cars that pass me by, looking for the cherry-top
     that'll be the policeman.  Maybe he'll stop and I'll get a ride.
     There's no more busses tonight.
     
     There isn't a cloud in the sky.  I can see stars where I thought
     there were none.  I take time to remember what this same kind of
     walk was like years ago.  I can still remember the pain.  I began
     callin' myself a fool for tryin' to be homeless.  My ultra-thin
     jacket soon felt as though it were a frosted A&W mug and I put my
     hands in my pocket, as much to keep making my legs work (push the
     right, push the left, keep movin') as to keep them warm.  It was
     a long, long walk.
     
     2-miles away and I don't think I'm going to make it into the
     city.  Can hardly move.  Still countin' cars.  Takin' steps that
     are no more than 5" in length.  I'm looking for an abandoned car
     or an old barn on the side of the road.  Not to be found.  "A
     step at a time... left... right...  push... push...  436 cars
     passed me and not a one of them with the bubble-gum machines on
     top..."
     
     12:25 a.m. I finally get to the center of town and find an open
     convenience store.  No bars open so's I could ask where the
     homeless stayed, maybe make friends with one or two.  Takes me
     nearly 5 minutes to stop the shivering.  Hands are blue.  I ask
     the store attendant whether there's any shelters for the homeless
     in town. "No. Afraid I can't help you."  He tells me where to
     find the police department.
     
     The sign in front of the bank says its 12:47; 32-degrees F, 0-
     degrees C.  I'm barely able to make my feet move.  I can't
     remember when I've hurt so bad.  If I can only make it to the
     police department.  Hate to admit it, but this is one disabled
     veteran that has failed in his stupid attempt to be homeless and
     now the police department will have to bring me home.  Not easy
     "givin' yourself up to the police."
     
     Just around the corner from the police department I saw the
     stairway leading to the apartment over the Main Street stores.
     "It's gotta be warm in there.  Lemme try."  The first door I
     tried was locked.  The second opened.
     
     Carefully, trying to be quiet, I climbed the stairs to the third
     floor.  Bare wooden floors.  A broken window at the end of the
     hall.  If I could just sit down for a bit, maybe I'd be better.
     
     Once down, I don't want to get back up.  The cold wind and
     snowflakes are blowing in through the window.  A piece of board
     covers the window nicely and stops the snow.  I half-sleep in a
     sitting position against the wall.  I wake up every 20 minutes to
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 80
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     see if anyone's coming out of the apartments along the hallway -
     Ready at a moments notice to get up and movin'.  De Ja vu...
     
     At 0615 I'm back on the road again.  Walk down to the local fast
     food franchise (another Burger King), tell the manager I'm
     homeless, ask him if he's got some work I can do for breakfast.
     "I'm really sorry," he said, "It's against the law to give you
     work to do to pay for your food.  Minimum wage laws won't let me
     do it."  He directs me back into town and to a local community
     action group.  I ask about veterans' groups.  None that can help.
     
     The town is awake now.  09:30.  I stop at the Vet Center.  Climb
     up the two floors and discover a sign:  CLOSED.  For service,
     please call (Pittsfield, MA) or 1-800- (Boston).
     
     Finally get help/breakfast at the community group.  The lady who
     helped me said "If you'd have gone to the police department they
     would have called me and I would have made arrangements for you
     to stay in a motel for at least the night."
     
     After having my breakfast, and observing that I was treated with
     nothing but total honesty and dignity, I told her who I was and
     what I was doing.  I paid for my breakfast - didn't want to take
     ANY monies away from the homeless.
     
     "How are you funded?" I asked.  "Mainly through contributions
     from the local churches," she said.
     
     "Do any of the veterans groups nearby donate ANYTHING to you?  Do
     they provide ANY help?"
     
     That was two weeks ago.  I've regained most of the use of my legs
     and my neck isn't as stiff now.  I know what to do if ever I'm
     homeless in a strange town:  turn myself in to a police
     department and they'll help - or refer me to someone who can.
     
     I still haven't gotten over the sad feeling I got when I learned
     that no veteran group gives anything to help the homeless -
     leastways not in Great Barrington, Pittsfield, Adams, North
     Adams, or Dalton, Massachusetts.  They're so d*mned busy runnin'
     their bars, sellin' their raffle tickets, yellin' at the
     government to start a new program that they don't see the need
     right under their feet.
     















     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 81
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989



     =================================================================
                   I n   T h e   S i l e n t   T i m e s
     =================================================================

                            THE SILENT WARRIOR
                            By: Karen A. Winnett
                                S.I.R.E.N. IS CALLING
                                Sacramento, CA
                                (916) 971-0589
     
     The fire fights have ended and the big guns no longer roar
     but the Silent Warrior's fighting like he's never fought before!
     No point man walks before him and no man takes the rear,
     no comrade stands beside him though death is always near!
      
     He humps no hills or valleys and he sweats no jungle heat.
     He stalks no Vils or cities, yet has no road to retreat.
     His field pack long abandoned and his rifle gone to rust,
     The Silent Warrior battles, because, he has no choice, he must!
     
     It's a long range operation, the objective long and hard,
     to the Valley of the Shadow, where only Angels are.
     The Silent Warrior battles, where no soul should have to go,
     and no heart can ever reach him, for his battlefield's unknown!
      
     Don't look to the north or south, don't look west or east, look to 
        home and know the truth, this is where the warrior bleeds!
     His campaigns rage in silence, and he battles here at home,
     his courage goes unnoticed and his valor, few have known!
     
     Behold the Silent Warrior, lost deep within his thoughts,
     his body frozen solid, never never to unlock!
     What enemy could do this, what hearts could be so cold,
     to do him such dishonor, a brother of our own!
      
     I look into unseeing eyes and I wonder where he is,
     and damn the souls who were taught to care, yet did a thing like 
                                   this!
     Behold this valiant warrior, who never more shall speak,
     curled up in a fetal ball on antiseptic sheets!
      
     His arms and legs contracted, his body old and frail
     his honor stripped away and lost where love should not have 
                                  failed!
     Look gently on this old one, who battles day and night,
     and let every warrior cry for him, until Valhalla's in his sights.
      
     For such are the forgotten, not dead yet not alive,
     doing battle on the Veterans wards beyond uncaring eyes!
     Behold the Silent Warrior, who's stillness screams with rage,
     who wars in fields of solitude, and there, til death, he stays!
      
     I have touched the Silent Warrior, and learned to know his pain,
     I have fed and I have bathed him, and cried when no one came!
     I have reached down to his anger and held his ruined hands,
     and I felt the battle raging, and I cursed, "God damn!"
      
     Behold the Silent Warrior, who battles until death,
     honor him and know his face, stand guard beside his bed.
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 82
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     For such are the forgotten, some lost and some abused,
     victims of a friendly fire we never can undo.
     
     Yes, the Fire fights have ended, and the big guns no longer roar,
     but the Silent Warriors fighting like he never fought before!
     Go to him, and  speak his name, and understand the truth,
     don't let him die behind the lines, the next warrior could be you!
     



















































     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 83
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

                     BROTHER RAT'S BOONIE GOURMET COOKING
                               by Mike Dacus
     
     This  column presents the most delectable  (deleteable?)  cuisine
     south  of  the  17th  parallel  and  west  of  the  international
     dateline.   By popular demand, after much online debate over  the
     delights  of  ham  and MF's (or MF's and  beans  as  one  brother
     insists)  and other delights of the palate.   Your  participation
     will  determine  the  longevity of the column.   If  we  get  any
     submissions,  the column will continue.  No new  recipes  cancels
     the column.
     
                       BOONIE BREAKFAST EXTRORDINARE
     
     INGREDIENTS:
          One packet of Vietnamese style Shrimp Ramien (with Red
          Peppers)
          One packet of C Ration Cocoa
          Three packets of C Ration Creamer
          One packet of C Ration Coffee
          Three packets of C Ration Sugar
          Veggies, onions, and stuff scrounged as available
          Nouc Mam
          One canteen of water (preferably without iodine tablets)
          Two canteen cups
          Two 1cm squares of Composition C4
     
     DIRECTIONS:
          Fill one canteen cup 2/3 full of water.  Dump in the  Ramien
     seasoning  mix and stir.  Add in any Veggies , onions, garlic  or
     other  additives  you  have found on the trail or  been  able  to
     bargain  for  at the last ville.  Add good quality  Nouc  Mam  to
     taste.  If you can spare it, you may want to drain and dice a can
     of C Ration Pork slices.  If you have recently gotten a goody box
     from home, you may want to splurge and put some canned shrimp  or
     tuna  in the mix.  After adding the other ingredients, break  the
     ramien noodles so that the liquid will cover them and add them to
     the  cup.   Use your K-Bar or bayonet to dig a two  inch  trench.
     Place one square of C4 in the trench and the canteen cup over the
     C4.   Light the C4 and allow the water to boil vigorously for  30
     seconds or until the C4 quits burning (which ever occurs  first).
     Set  aside  the  main  course to  steep  while  you  prepare  the
     beverage.   Fill the second canteen cup 2/3 full of  water.   Add
     the Cocoa, creamer, sugar, and coffee.  Stir. Place the cup  over
     the previously constructed trench and add the second cube of  C4.
     Ignite  and  allow  to  boil  vigorously  for  30  seconds.   The
     breakfast  stew  should  be consumed with  home  made  chopsticks
     slirpily  while in an oriental squat.  If you have not  yet  made
     your  chopsticks,  cut  some bamboo and split  out  a  few  pair.
     Traditionally,  the beverage is consumed either before  or  after
     the stew, but not with it.  Try it.  It'll make your whole day.
     
     
            HONOR THY CO VAN MY (AMERICAN ADVISOR) CHICKEN STEW
     INGREDIENTS:
          One whole (completely) chicken
          250 grams of oriental rice
          Vegetables of the season
          Plenty of Water
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 84
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

          One large cooking pot
          Salt, Pepper, MSG, garlic, Nouc Mam
     
     DIRECTIONS:
          This  dish  is  usually served at a  festive  occasion  with
     appropriate ceremony an decorum.  The Co Van is always the  guest
     of honor.  First, catch and kill the chicken.  Pluck most of  the
     feathers  off the bird.  Cut the head and neck and the  feet  off
     and  set  these delicacies aside till later.  Gut and  clean  the
     chicken at your option.  Next, take a machete or some other blunt
     cutting  instrument and hack up the chicken into  uniform  pieces
     (bones  and  all) appropriate size for  eating  with  chopsticks.
     Now,  cut all the other ingredients into chopstick  size  pieces.
     Place  them in the cooking pot along with the raw rice and  cover
     with  water.   Add Nouc Mam, and all other seasonings.   Now,  to
     prepare  the garnish and decoration that makes the dish  suitable
     for formal eating.  Take the feet you set aside earlier and place
     them  on  top of the contents of the pot claws  up  and  crossed.
     Next,  place the head (with eyes) and neck in the center  of  the
     crossed  feet.   Once you have garnished the dish, place  over  a
     fire until the rice is done and the meat cooked.  Bring the  dish
     to  the  table with a flourish and place it before the  guest  of
     honor.  The guest of honor is always served first, and given  the
     choicest  parts  (head  and feet).  The  advisor  should  observe
     proper  protocol by diving into this feast head  first  (eyeballs
     are  especially  considered a delicacy), and not  loosing  lunch.
     This can truly be described as the lunch of champions.
     
     From:    Todd Looney
     Orig:    Vietnam Veteran's  (143/27) San Jose CA
     You  won't need a mess sergeant's steam tables to dish  up  these
     meals   on a minutes notice; all the ingredients (except  TABASCO
     brand pepper  sauce) are included in your MRE packs.  If you  can
     get hold of your  own personal supply of Tabasco, secure it  with
     your gear for quick  draw protection against chowline boredom!
     
                        PARATROOPER PORK AND BEANS
     Don't  take  a  dive on your next meal!  Jump in  with  a  hearty
     appetite   to enjoy an old familiar favorite and let  the  others
     take a flying  leap.  Use plenty of Tabasco without reserve -  it
     will lift you right  off your feet!
     
     1  pork patty 1 pouch beans in tomato sauce (from menu's 3,6,  or
     8)  1 envelope dehydrated catsup, optional TABASCO  pepper  sauce
     Rehydrate  pork  patty  in hot water; crumble  (grin)  into  warm
     beans.   Sprinkle on catsup, if desired, and 2 to 3 spoons  water
     from  soaking   pork patty.  Add several dashes Tabasco  and  mix
     well. With Tabasco,  the sky's the limit!
     
                              COMBAT CANAPES
     Jazz  up the chow line in the front lines!  Try this  simple  but
     satisfying  before-dinner treat.  It'll give you a charge!   Many
     flavors mix great with peanut butter.  So, try it with bacon,  if
     you  can get it, or with pickle slices or chopped onions.  If you
     find a  few carrots around, boil 'em up, mash 'em, and mix 'em up
     with  the  peanut butter, adding a few drops of Tabasco for  zest
     and you'll have  a delicious side dish that will leave the others
     up in arms!
     
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 85
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

           EVER WONDER WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE HARD TACK CRACKERS?
     4 spoons pineapple or applesauce. 1 envelope peanut butter  (from
     menu  2,4,5,or 12) 1 envelope apple jelly (from menu 6,7, or  10)
     Crackers
     Combine  pineapple  or applesauce, peanut butter and  jelly;  mix
     well and  spread on crackers for even more military might!
     
     Next  Month,  (if  there is a next month) look  forward  to  such
     delights  as  the all goat party menu.  Maybe, we'll  work  up  a
     special  edition of the column for Tet.  Send in  those  recipes.
     We need more contributors.
     
     This column is episode two in "As the Stomach Turns".  When last
     we met, we considered the finer points of gourmet trail cooking
     and the intricacies of Boonie Rat and Co Van My eating habits.
     Today's episode finds us rising bright eyed and bushy tailed
     from our NDP, scratching and pondering our first repast of the
     day.  Hang in there, campers and we will get it all done.
     
                      BOONIE BREAKFAST a la FRANCONIA
                               (AND JUAREZ)
     
     INGREDIENTS:
         One can of C Ration Ham(chopped) and Eggs(scrambled?)
         One can of B-2 unit rubber cheese, any flavor (plain is
            best)
         Tabasco
         Jalapenos (if you can get them, otherwise Vietnamese Red
            peppers)
         Nouc Mam
         One can B-2 nut roll
         One packet of C Ration Cocoa
         Three packets of C Ration Creamer
         One packet of C Ration Coffee
         Three packets of C Ration Sugar
         One canteen of water (preferably without iodine tablets)
         One canteen cup
         Two 1cm squares of Composition C4
     
     DIRECTIONS:
          See the recipe in last month's column for Trail Mocha and
     combine the ingredients for this gourmet treat.  Next, open the
     can of ham and eggs.  Carefully add about 1 to 2 teaspoons
     (C-rat spoons) of water down the sides of the ham and egg lump
     so that it will sink to the bottom of the can.  This water is to
     prevent scorching when the can is heated.  Next, open the can of
     rubberized cheese.  Cut the congealed ham and eggs in a cross
     about half way through the chunk.  Spread the cuts and insert
     wedges of the cheese.  Dash the omelet liberally with tabasco.
     Now, insert jalapino or red pepper slices beside the cheese
     wedges.  Dig the trench for your C-4 and set the can over the
     C-4 and close the opened lid of the can.  Light and allow to
     burn out.  Allow the can to sit for a few minutes to warm all
     the way through from the steam generated by the C-4 heating the
     water in the can.  Open the canned nut roll.  Eat your omelet
     with the Trail Mocha and dunk the nut roll in the Mocha (it's
     the only way to get down this dry but good tasting roll).  You
     will note that we have used several cans and several auxiliary C
     ration items in this meal.  This is a breakfast to eat early on
     
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     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     an operation to get rid of all the weight of the cans and other
     bulky stuff (it's better than carrying it or leaving it for
     Charlie).
     
              OLE LIFERS NEVER DIE (THEY JUST SMELL THAT WAY)
                           BASE  CAMP BREAKFAST
     
     INGREDIENTS:
          One pound of ground beef (lean if you can get it)
          1/4 cup of flour
          1/4 cup of oil
          1 cup of milk
          one medium potato
          one onion
          salt, pepper, MSG, garlic powder, tabasco
     
     
     DIRECTIONS:
          Grate the potato and enough of the onion to add flavor to
     your hash browns.  Fry the mixture of potato and onion in a skillet
     or on a grill.  Use just enough oil to keep from sticking.  Cook
     until golden brown on the outside.  Drain the hashbrowns and put
     on a plate.  Now, brown the hamburger breaking it into small
     pieces until each small piece is between gray and brown in
     color.  Push the meat to one side of the skillet and drain the
     grease from the skillet.  To the empty half of the skillet add
     the 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of flour.  Brown the flour by
     stirring with the oil.  When you have the flour browned, stir
     the oil/flower paste in with the hamburger.  When you have these
     ingredients mixed together, add salt, pepper, MSG, garlic (lots
     of garlic so no-one can stand to be down wind of us) and tabasco
     to taste.  After seasoning, add the cup of milk and stir until a
     white sauce forms in the browned meat.  You may want to add more
     or less than a cup of milk to achieve the consistency of SOS you
     prefer.  Spoon the SOS over the hashbrowns and chow down.  SGT
     Bilko never had it so good.
     
                            THE ALL-GOAT PARTY
     
     INGREDIENTS
          One goat with all standard equipment
          Various assorted vegies, condiments, and potables
          Other stuff
     
     DIRECTIONS
          It's party time down in Co Van ville again.  Time for the
     advisor to go build rapport and prove his manhood.  This time,
     kiddies, we're going to a goat party.  Since we didn't really
     prepare the dishes, we will have to speculate on the technique
     and the contents in some cases.  First, take the goat out in the
     back yard and kill him, saving all the good parts.  Now, we have
     the wherewithal to prepare an interesting party.
     
     BARBEQUED GOAT
          Select portions of the roast and hams of the goat to prepare.
     Slice the meat into very thin slices just large enough to handle
     well with chopsticks when cooked.  Make a marinade of Nouc Mam,
     soy sauce, sesame seed, garlic, MSG, oriental red peppers, and
     oil.  Soak the goat meat for several hours before cooking.  Cook
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 87
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     the meat over a brazier basting with the marinade until done.
     Serve with garnish and oriental rice.
     
     GOAT GUT STEW
          Select and clean the choicest inner parts of the goat.  Chop
     into bite-size pieces.  Select vegetables and cut into
     chop-stick size pieces.  Season with nouc mam, peppers, salt and
     pepper, and oriental spices.  Place the ingredients into a large
     pot, cover with water and cook over a low to medium fire for
     several hours until the meat is done.  Garnish with local tree
     leaves and serve in rice bowls with china spoons.
     
     GOAT HEAD CHEESE SALAD
          This dish deserves no further introduction to an audience of
     tender young (?) ex-GI's.  Here is the golden opportunity to
     make a confession to your host and counterpart.  Simply explain
     that it is against your religion to partake of such dishes.  If
     he should happen to ask your denomination you can explain that
     you are an orthodox gastronomic coward.
     
     POTABLES - GOAT BLOOD COCKTAIL
          You knew you were saving all the goat for some purpose.
     Take the blood you have collected and mix it with equal parts of
     vodka, gin, or what-ever other potable the advisor was able to
     get on his last trip to the Class VI store.  Serve at ambient
     temperature.  I understand that this drink has some part as a Co
     Van puberty rite.  This drink is better after several shots of
     straight booze.  Don't forget.  Don't ever let them see you
     cringe.
     
          Next Month, (if there is a next month) we will feature any
     recipes we receive from you, the readers.  Roam through those
     long term synapses in the gray matter and come forth with your
     best rendition of meals prepared with C's, LRRP's, USofA food,
     or Vietnamese ( or Cham or Ra De, or Bru, Camir, or Chinese).
     Send them to me, or Todd, but get them in early.
     
     Editors note: I know I for one have thoroughly enjoyed reading
     this article each issue. I will admit that I haven't tried out all
     the scruptious recipes Mike has collected.  Somehow, just
     *remembering* them some of them is enough!
     
          =================================================================
      















     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 88
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

                       The Boonie Rat Song
     
                        WHO Submitted It???
     Through the International Vietnam Veterans EchoConference
     
     To James and all Brother Vets:
     I have seen the messages concerning the "Boonie Rat" song,
     and knew I had it somewhere in my footlocker.  Finally went
     digging and found it, so I will post it up for all to read.
     
     AIRBORNE!!
     -----------------------------------------------------------
     
     I landed in this country:
     One year of life to give,
     My only friend a weapon,
     My only prayer to LIVE.
     I walked away from freedom
     and the life that I had known,
     I passed the weary faces
     of the others going home.
     Boonie Rats, Boonie Rats,
     Scared but not alone,
     300 days more or less,
     then I'm going home.
     The first few days were hectic
     as they psyched my mind for war,
     I often got the feeling
     They're trying to tie the score.
     The first day with my unit
     We climbed a two klick hill,
     to find an enemy soldier,
     To capture, wound or kill.
     Boonie Rats, Boonie Rats,
     Scared but not alone,
     200 days more or less,
     Then I'm going home.
     The air was hot and humid
     the ground was hard and dry.
     Ten times I cursed my rucksack
     and wished that I could die.
     I learned to look for danger
     In the trees and on the ground,
     I learned to shake with terror
     When I hear an A-K round.
     Boonie Rats, Boonie Rats
     Scared but not alone,
     100 days more or less
     then I'm going home.
     Boonie Rats a legend
     For now and times to come,
     Wherever there are soldiers
     They"ll talk of what we've done.
     Boonie Rats, Boonie Rats,
     
     Scared but not alone,
     50 days  more or less
     Then I'm going home.
     They say there'll always be a war,
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 89
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     I hope they're very wrong,
     To the Boonie Rats of VietNam
     I dedicate this song.
     Boonie Rats, Boonie Rats,
     Scared but not alone,
     Today I see my Freedom Bird,
     Today I'm going home.
     -----------------------------------
     There it is guys, hope it brings back the good memories. I
     sure rushed after reading it, its been too many years.
     AIRBORNE!
     















































     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 90
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989



     =================================================================
                      O n   T h e   L i t e   S i d e
     =================================================================

         An Incomplete List of Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations
     
                    By: Lt. Col Jack Finch, USA (Ret.)
       Published in the VVA Chapter 111 Springfield, MA Newsletter
     
     1.  Military intelligence can be contridiction in terms.
     2.  Recoilless rifles - aren't
     3.  A sucking chest wound is nature's way of telling you to slow 
          down.
     4.  The enemy diversion you are ignoring is the main attack.
     5.  If the enemy is within range, then so are you.
     6.  Friendly fire - isn't.
     7.  If it is stupid and works, then it ain't stupid.
     8.  When you have secured an area, don't forget to tell the enemy
     9.  If you're short of everything, except the enemy, then you are 
          in the combat zone.
     10. Try to look unimportant.  They may be low on ammo.
     11. The easy way is always mined.
     12. Tracers work both ways.
     13. Sh*t happens.
     14. Incoming fire has the right of way.
     15. Teamwork is essential. It gives them other people to shoot at
     16. Never draw fire - it irritates everyone around you.
     17. No combat ready unit has ever passed an inspection.
     18. No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.
     19. Make it too tough for the enemy to get in and you can't 
          get out
     20. Both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're both 
          right.
     21. Professionals are predictable, but the world is full of 
          dangerous amateurs.
     22. Fortify your front and you'll get your rear shot up.
     23. When in doubt, empty your magazine.
     24. In war, important things are very simple and all simple 
          things are hard.
     25. Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire.
     26. Communications will fail as soon as you need fire support 
          desperately.
     27. Weather ain't neutral.
     28. Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you.
     29. Remember, your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
     30. If you can't remember, the claymore is pointed towards you
     31. All five second grenade fuses are three seconds
     32. The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is 
          incoming friendly.
     33. If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.
     34. No OPLAN survives first contact intact.
     35. If it flies, it dies.
     36. When you are forward of your position, the artillery will 
          always be short.
     37. Suppressive fire - won't.
     38. You are not Superman.
     39. Cavalry doesn't always come to the rescue.
     40. B-52's are the ultimate in close air support.
     41. Sniper's motto: Reach out and touch someone.
     
     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 91
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

     42. Peace is our profession - mass murder's just a hobby
     43. Killing for peace is like whoring for virginity
     44. There's always a way
     45. Murphy was a grunt
     46. It's not the one with your name on it - it's the round 
          addressed "to whom it may concern" ya gotta think about
     47. Remember napalm is an area weapon
     48. Mines are equal opportunity weapons.
     50. There is no such thing as the perfect plan.
     
     The original authors are unknown, probably military instructors 
     like myself, who have generated these lists for their students' 
     amusement.
     













































     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 92
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989

                          SERMON FROM MOUNT DONG QUANG
                          (as re-told by Mike Dealey)
     
     MATTHEW five-five:
     
          "Blessed are the meek, for they shall not be selected
                           for night patrol."
     
     MATTHEW five-six:
     
          "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after
            righteousness, for they shall fly B-52s."
     
     MATTHEW five-seven:
     
          "Blessed are the merciful, for it gives you time to
                       grease the suckers."
     
     MATTHEW five-eight:
     
          "Blessed are the pure in heart, for it shall be they who
                    clean the sh_tters every day."
     
     MATTHEW five-niner:
     
          "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
                children of God and score beaucoup acid."
     
     
          [This was neatly handwritten on what appeared to be a
           mimeographed copy.  Circa 1969, I'd judge.  Author(s)
           unknown.]
     


























     NAM VET Second Anniversary Edition                        Page 93
     Volume  2, Number  1                            November 11, 1989



     =================================================================
               G u i d e   T o   I V V E C   A r t i c l e s
     =================================================================

     
     
     
     
     On the following pages you will find an index to all of the
     articles that have appeared in our NAM VET.
     
     NOT LISTED are the near-regular features (i.e. the IVVEC
     nodelist, subscription form, and graphics.)
     
     Due to a hard disk crash 1/20/89, we lost the name of that
     very important person who contributed "The Boony Rat Song"
     Was it someone YOU know???