and those sunglasses, don't forget those MIRROR sunglasses!

I was talking with Harry today and told him I had not found a place to live yet. He made some remark to the effect that I could not find my way round. In fact, Harry, Lil Cowboy and Tex are always making statements eluding to the fact that I can not find my way around, that I get lost and worse.
It dawned on me that if they were good troopers they would get me a Garmin for Christmas and I would not get lost any more.
Problem is, these guys just like to harrass me, it is there all time favorite pass time.
I love those guys.
I have been watching Band of Brothers and in between, I am reading Up Country, and the story takes place in Nam, a lot of flash backs.
Night Guys,
Rat

Ho Ho Ho all,
I know I have not been on here in awhile, but I have been super busy. I have to say that I am LOVING teaching here in Texas and especially in Highland Park. I have died and gone to teacher heaven. It is amazing here.
I am SUPER EXCITED about the reunion in September. It is going to be great seeing you alla gain and meeting some of the newly found guys. I am also excited about shopping in Gatlenberg, but the anticipation of seeing you all again is overwhelming. I am already counting down the days.
I hope you all had a great Turkey Day. Be safe this holiday season and talk to you all soon.

Love,
SWWOW and CS!

The reunion will be held on the weekend of September 18 & 19, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Make your plans for that weekend NOW! I'm Just Saying. More info to follow. I am working for Danny Briggs as his admin this reunion, so if there are any questions, call him. I am hoping for a really good turn out this next year, we will have a few newly found Brothers attending and we want to do them proud.

I spoke with Phil DuBois today, he is doing OK. He got home yesterday and got a good (Percocet) nights sleep. He is feeling a little sore but that is to be expected. He says the doctors said they got all the cancer, so that is really good news.

I hope each and every one of you has a very Happy Thanksgiving. I thank God for all of you. You are my Brothers.

Rat

Larry, see what I have to put up with. It is a never ending battle.

I spoke with Danny VanderMolen yesterday. I think he is related to Harry, he and his sons went deer hunting this weekend, ZILCH.

Lil Cowboy, we are not meeting next Wednesday, it is a week from next Wednesday.

Tex, you listen to him and you will get lonley real fast waiting for some one to show up.

Later,

Rat

See...I told you all that Larry Wallace has an excellent memory! His most vivid memory of the Rat was of him with the black leather gloves and pearl handled pistols! Must have been 5 guys at the last reunion who also remembered that. And I think he is standing by his memory of the Rat and the sleeping bag too. It seems that only the officers had them there and all the EM's were wondering WHY. I asked Larry if he had any idea. He said his best guess was that most of the officers used them for security blankets because they were so skeered at night....
Hey Tex!!! We meeting with the Rat next Wednesday night in Greenville? Bring those girls from the Cajun Cowboy with you! Harry...I ain't believing you even know what a mule deer is until you take me hunting with you sometime!

Your up Cowboy, but beware, he claims to have a big Stick.

[ more.. ]

You know, it is pretty sad when Larry Wallace, a guy who has just been found has more hits on the blog then most of ya'll. Larry, I think your thinking of General Patton. I did not carry a pearl handled pistol or wear black gloves. I did however carry a big "Stick", which I still have and bring to all the reunions. A few words of advice. Keith "Lil Cowboy" Kirkland has a vendetta against me and will LIE about me and tell untrue stories. Be very carefull of this man. I am so happy to have you and the other guys with us. You will find that I am still the great person and leader I was in Nam. I am still wise and benevolent. If you do not believe me ask Harry Harrington or Tex Dilday.
Still looking at houses and land. Do believe we have found one to put an offer on. Keep good thoughts for me.
Gotta go, boss wants to go grocery shopping. "Mans gotta do what a mans gotta do".
Later,
Rat

Amazed, lots of us still breathing good air, thanks to the web guys, great site. Rat, do you still have those black calf skin gloves, and the pearl handled sidearm? Can't remember whats real and what I've imagined. Older grayer, wiser I hope, I can't think of anything thats shaped my life more than my service in the Republic of Vietnam and LZ Sally.
Maybe those that we lost, and what be could have done better, if you've figured it out let us know.
Reunion, hell yes.

This has been a busy week or some amount of days, what ever. We have made contact with three more Brothers, John Watterson, Larry Wallace and Dany VanderMolen. I have contacted a few guys from their platoons and hope to get some contact going here. Hell guys, don't wait for me, get off your lazy asses and contact them and welcome them home.
OH!!!!! BIG NEWS, DANNY MABE HAS LOGGED ON TO THE SITE. I WASN'T SURE HE KNEW HOW TO WRITE, BUT I GUESS THE EXTENSION COURSES WORKED. ON A SERIOUS NOTE, DANNY'S WIFE EVELYN HAD A HEART ATTACK. SHE IS GOING TO BE OK, BUT HOW ABOUT SENDING A GET WELL EMAIL.
Phil DuBois is going into the hospital on Monday for prostate surgery. Send him a note. He will call me Monday night or Tuesday with a report and i will post info on the blog.
As best I can determine, the following guys are on the blog, but only about 4 or 5 of them post any info.
Tex Dilday
Harry Harrington
Tex Caufield
Rick Snedden
Danny Briggs
Danny Mabe
Larry Wallace
Fred Pirmann
Keith Kirkland
John Martin
I think Larry DeBuhr
Phil DuBois

If I missed you let me know so I can jump on you.

To all my Brothers,
Good Night
Rat

Oh if Danny Briggs gets busy he may chose a date for the reunion in September. Maybe if some of you jumped his ass he would get busy.

Good Moring Alpha Company!!!!!

Another Alpha Company Trooper has found his way home. Dan VanderMolen, 3rd Plt. from Michigan. He is in the book, but we could never figure out his first name or where he was from. Not a problem now. I am hoping we will join us on the blog and come to Gatlinburg. I have not yet spoken to him and do not know what he has been doing all these years.

You see gentlemen, there is a reason you should read the blog.

"Brothers Forever"

Rat

I SAW HARRY WITH HIS SHOTGUN ONCE KILL A DEFENCELES TREE RAT, BUT WE PUT IT IN A STEEL POT AND IT SURE WAS GOOD. OTHER THAN THE TIME HE CAME TO OMAHA AND KILLED THE PIG WE HAD PINNED UP FOR HIM THATS ALL I HAVE EVER SEEN THE HUNTER DO. I DID SEE HIM GO FISHING ONE TIME AND I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. DID HE USE BAIT AND A HOOK? HELL NO HE JUST JUMPED IN THE LAKE WITH THEM. WHAT A SPORTSMAN!

LIL COWBOY, AND RAT, KEEP THE BEER COLD I AM BACK IN THE REPUBLIC BUT I DO HAVE SOME STUFF TO TAKE CARE OF BEFORE I GO LOOKING FOR THE RAT. THE GIRLS AT THE CAJUN ASK ABOUT YOU BOTH ALL THE TIME. " WHERE ARE THOUSE GUY'S THAT WE MET ON THE SIDEWALK?" ETC. I KEEP TELLING THEM YOUR BOTH MARRIED BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE.

FROM THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS,

1SG

TEX

OVERTON GOT YOUR MESSAGE 26
RAT YOUR ON
04/15/1865

I am glad to see that the Cowboy is back on line with us. Now if some one can tell me what the hell he was talking about, I will be in good shape? Any one ever notice how he goes off in all directions with out making any sense? I'm just glad to have him back. I am not sure why he would attack a true professional hunter like my Redneck Leader, some one who I admire and aspire to be like.
DANNY BRIGGS you old rattle snake, good to fianally have you on board again and again and again and again. Try not to screw it up this time. The Web Master said he is going to start charging us for your passwords.
When I see this picture I will believe it. Just a thought Cowboy, we did not use sleeping bags in Nam. I go your package here in Terrell. We are going over towards Coveington on Monday to look at a few more properties.
Tex you better get here pretty soon, the beer is dwindling away. You can go and see those old scaggs later.
Larry Wallace, John Watterson, we would like to see you on the blog. Hell even Fred comes on now.
Now that Danny is on the blog, I would expect to see some Reunion updates now and then.

Keep Your SPs Dry,
Rat

Tex Overton said to make the trip.
Harry stay there.
Cowboy 6739/90

Missed being able to read what all you guys have been doing. I've been busier than hell. I'm not old and retired like all of you. I DID find time to email Larry Wallace. He wrote right back and told me of a picture or two he has of my brother Larry. But its what else he told me that makes him a MUST to get to the next reunion. He mentioned something about having a picture of a gook with a big shit-eating grin on his face poking the Rat in the ass with a bayonet as the Rat is trying to haul ass out of a sleeping bag. Does anyone know what the hell he is talking about? The thought did occur to me to ask him why he was shooting the gook with a camera instead of his M-16. But then it ALSO occured to me that it was the Rat's ass that was being poked so I guess Larry was thinking at the time who gives a Rat's ass! I bet Danny Briggs can identify with that!
So Harry shot a poor little doe? Hell, I THOUGHT you guys said he was a "hunter"? A doe doesen't even have antlers to fight back with. I think that is some story Harry made up anyway. We need to send Wallace with him to take pictures of Harry's next hunt. According to the Rat, Harry can't shoot well enough to hit anything even if he was able to find it.
Hey Tex! The beer IS cold! When you going to hook up with us? The Rat is STILL circling Dallas. He gets lost again everytime someone trys to show him some property thats not on LBJ Freeway. But I think I know the best spot on the road to flag him down on his next round trip. Get on down here and we can have the beer iced down and make a tail-gate party out of it if we can get the Rat to stop.
Hope Everybody Had A Great Veterans's Day! You deserved it!
Lil Cowboy...rides again.

Does anyone remember all those unexploded RPG's the next day on the donut. There was an apc that someone wanted security to accompany them into the base camp. I rode on one side and someone else on the other. I got a shower at the camp and some "new" threads. I also confiscated an unopened box of sp's, or at least the tootsie rolls out of the box. Those remps with sp's, to hell with that. Near the donut, does anyone remember a small bulldozer sitting there with "OLE MISS REBELS" written on it?

Well, hopefully I am finally on. And I know Rat is jumping up and down

After 40 years, Moses DeBuhr finally gave up the location of Larry Wallace who we some how failed to include on our roster. I have had a couple of email contacts with Larry and he asked me to post hi email. However, because anyone has access to this site, I will email it to everyone for security sake.
In any case welcome Home Larry, glad to have you back and we hope to see you in Gatlinburg in September.

I am asking everyone to check your duffle bags and foot lockers for copies of orders. I need them to try and locate other company members. I know some of you guys have them tucked away.

Good Night my Brothers,
Rat

I took Applebee's up on their steak dinner today. It made up for the one I didn't get at Ft Lewis because our plane was so late. The place was overflowing with Vets old and new as well as several active duty soldiers. It became a "Welcome Home" party for some. I hope you all had as good a day as I had. Fred

I started ouit going down my phone list calling you great honorable men. Then I realized that I had to use the blog to thank each and every one of you for your dedicated service.
When you came home, you did not receive the heros welcome that you deserve. You were looked down upon and disrespected.
If you ever chance to look at statistics, you will see that the Viet Nam Vet has done quite well compared to his civilian counterpart. Never, NEVER think of your selves as less. You are a unique "Band of Brothers". You fought the good fight.
As the days and years go by, we find more Company members. In the last two days we have found John Waterson and Larry Wallace, both of the 2nd Platoon. Just so every one knows, John Waterson is my hero. He is the epitome of what you as a whole were and are. Too all of the troops who served in other locations of the world we thank you for your service and know tghat if the balloon went up you would have given your all.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY.
For those who did not come back, we think of you often for you gave the ultimate.

"Brothers Forever,
Rat

P.S. Do not forget, free meals at Golden Corral and Applebees

HOPE ALL YOU OLD GTUNTS ARE HAVEING AN HAPPY VETRANS DAY!!!

JUST WANTED ALL MY BROTHERS/HEROS TO KNOW I AM THINKING OF ALL OF YOU GUY'S TODAY, AND HOPE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE WELL AND HAVEING A WONDERFUL DAY!

1SG
TEX

No it is not that Tex is coming home. JON WATERSON HAS BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!! Actually he found us. I received an email from Gary Joyner, the guy who runs the Geronimo web site. He tells me Jon loged on to his site last night. He gave me his email address and I contacted him this afternoon. Well he called me tonight. He is still living in Utah, he is working for the USDA and is a year from retirement. He has been married for 30 yrs., has four girls and four grand kids. Not bad for a 2nd platoon guy. All you 2nd platoon guys better get on the stick and get a hold of him.

Here is his email address and phone number. wattersonjhn@netscape.net (435)258-5143

I can not tell you guys how happy I am to have been reunited with Jon watterson. Jon is one of my heros.

Tex, what kind of beer? I will need a little notice so I can get Lil Cowboy here. Danny was on the guest book complaining that he still can not get on the blog. Is it me or is Danny slow? He is the only member that can not log on. I personally hooked him up with the web master so he could be schooled. If he would not spend so much time on vacation he might get something done.

Tex, I like talking to my deaf dog, hell I like talking to you.

From the great Republic of Texas,
Good Night my Brothers,
"Rat"

Tex, I spoke with Overton and he confirms 11/11/11

WELL THEM DAMN YANKEES WON AND MADE THE RAT A HAPPY MAN. I TALKED WITH HIM A FEW DAY'S AGO AND HE SOUNDED GOOD. HE WAS HOME ALONE WAITING ON HIS BOSS TO RETURN FROM FLORIDA. IT WAS JUST HIM AND HIS DEAF DOG, YES HE IS STILL YELLING AT HIS DEAF DOG WHO KNOWS WHY BUT HE IS.

I HOPE TO BE BACK IN THE REPUBLIC BY THE END OF THE WEEK, AND THAT WILL NOT BE ANY TIME TO SOON. LOOKS LIKE HURRICANE IDA WILL PETTER OUT BEFORE IT MAKES LAND FALL, AT LEAST I HOPE SO. IF IT DOESN'T THAT COULD DELAY MY RETURN TO THE REPUBLIC, AND I KNOW ALL THE LADY'S AT THE CAJUN ARE ON PINS AND NEEDLES WAITING FOR MY RETURN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MANY OF THEM ARE DRAWING STRAWS TO SEE WHO WILL BE FIRST TO GO OUT WITH ME. IT'S A HELL OF A JOB BUT SOMEBODY GOTA DO IT.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH MY BROTHERS? NO ONE IS POSTING ON THIS SITE, AND I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYONE BUT I ALWAYS LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUY'S ABOUT WHATS GOING ON AND WHAT YOUR ALL UP TO. I DO KNOW DANNY BRIGGS IS HAVEING A HARD TIME WITH THE BLOG, WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE CALL HIM AND WALK HIM THRU IT SO HE CAN GET ON HERE. I GUESS THERE ARE NO 4TH GRADERS AROUND HIS AO TO SHOW HIM.

RAT I WILL SEE YOU IN ABOUT A WEEK. GET THE BEER COLD.

FROM ATLANTA GEORGIA,

1SG
TEX

***11/11/11***
ALL OVERTON OP'S

FROM THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS

WELL THE RAT IS A HAPPY CAMPER! THEM DAMN YANKEES WON, THEY DID HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE PITCHER NAMED LEE, BUT DAMN YANKEES HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE WITH ANYONE NAMED LEE.

I THINK I HEARD THE RAT YELL FROM TEXAS TO GEORGIA. BET HE EVEN WOKE UP HIS DEAF DOG.

LOOK'S LIKE I WILL BE BACK IN THE REPUBLIC NEXT WEEK. GOTA GO TO THE CAJUN COWBOY AND MAKE ALL THE LADY'S HAPPY. LIL COWBOY WHEN ARE WE GOING TO TAKE SWWOW TO THE CAJUN AND LINE UP THE COWBOYS FOR HER TO PICK FROM?

1sgt
TEX

**************OVERTON ALERT**************

ALL OP'S
4/15/1865
GO***GO***