A Warrior's Story
My Uncle Denny's story from Vietnam...
My Uncle Denny was always an important figure in my life. Growing up we always referred to him as our Crazy Uncle Denny! He had grown his hair out long and looked similar to Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees (which is also his favorite band) and he ALWAYS had an OD Boonie Hat on. He was disabled (physically and mentally) from his injuries sustained during the Vietnam war but he embraced them as just being a part of his life.
My Uncle Denny was an expert when it came to old cars and military firearms. At one point he had a vast collection of classic rifles ranging from M1 Garands, AK’s (name a country that produced one and chances are he had it), SKS’s, Mausers, AR’s, Galil’s, HK’s, and so many more. We spent a lot of time with him at the local gun shows buying, selling, trading, or just hanging out. Man what times those were. I remember the day he met my wife (who was my girlfriend at the time) and there he was on the family room steps wearing that old Boonie Hat cleaning a field stripped AK while sipping on a beer. That was just who my Uncle Denny was.
As the years went by he would tell story after story of his war experience, many times just repeating the same tales over and over again. But we always just listened and let him tell those stories. I think it was good for him to have folks willing to listen.
Anyways, the last decade has taken its toll on him physically and mentally and he spends his days in a nursing home with other veterans where his daily needs are taken care of. My Aunt gave me a copy of his Vietnam experience to share (he had written it in 1989) and I hope you read through it and that it helps you understand the Vietnam Veterans story.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Uncle Denny’s story.
Thanks for posting that Jay. I’m going to share with my Dad who was there at the time.