Hiya, Halpin, I was with RT KENTUCKY (11 and 10), and then RT MAINE (10) through July '69; then went over to Co A as a platoon sergeant when they got all shot up during a company operation. I even got to take LTC Abt in on a _very_ short operation (inserting a prototype radar transponder in Laos) when he literally pleaded with me (odd experience) to take him in on the ground just once, please just once? Heh, we did, it went well (maybe 15 minutes on the ground?), got shot at on the way out so the Adjutant and I wrote him up for his second CIB (first from Korea). Heh, Saigon had an absolute fit when they heard about THAT! They obviously didn't like the idea of Commander CCC being on the ground, even if just for 15 minutes, all perfectly safe, etc. etc. On extraction I traded my nylon strap recon belt for his issue black belt, noticed it had his name and serial number properly painted on the inside; so much for anonymity and deniability, eh? I had that belt for years, donno what happened to it, alas. Looking forward to the "virtual" SOAR reunion, although it won't be the same without being able to sit around and have a beer while listening to war stories. I've only been to SOAR once (a few years ago), but did get to meet Gravette (my RT KY 11) and many others. And I still hear from Mike Buckland (my RT MAINE 12) every now and then. Take care, hope to hear more from you at the reunion.
