The Things They Carried (Author unknown)
They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches and dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, two or three canteens of water, LRRP-rations, and C-rations stuffed in socks.
They carried standard fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots, and they carried the M-16 assault rifle.
They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, the M-79 grenade launcher, M-14s, CAR-15s, Stoners, Swedish Ks, 66mm Laws shotguns, .45 pistols, silencers, the sounds of bullets, rockets, and chippers, and sometimes the sound of silence.
They carried C-4 plastic explosives, an assortment of hand grenades, PRC-77 radios, knives, and machetes. Some carried napalm, CBUs and large bombs. Some risked their lives to rescue others. Some escaped the fear, but dealt with death and damage, Some made very hard decisions, but most just tried to survive.
CONTACT US FOR YOUR FREE MEETING PLANNERS GUIDE 1-866-223-5961 • www
historicstcharles.com
They also carried malaria, dysentery, ringworms, and leeches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones, both real and imagined.
They carried love for people in the real world and love for one anther; and sometimes they disguised that love: “Don’t mean nothin’!”
Honor & Wonder
America's largest inland naval park Not enough for you? Try adding:
» More than 1600 new or renovated downtown hotel rooms
25 minutes from Niagara Falls » 8th least expensive U.S. airport
» World class dining, nightlife, entertainment and architecture
CALL 888.228.3369 OR GO TO
visitbuffaloniagara.com Page 56
They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, and too afraid to show it. They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at any moment.
They carried the weight of the world. They CARRIED EACH OTHER.
R E U N I O N F R I E N D L Y N E W S • S umme r , 2 0 1 1
They carried memories, and for the most part carried themselves with poise and dignity. Sometimes panic set in, and people squealed or wanted to and could not; when they twitched and moaned, and covered their heads, prayed, and hugged the earth; then fired their weapons blindly, then cringed, begged for the noise to stop, went wild, made stupid promises to themselves, God, and their parents, hoping not to die.
They carried the traditions of the United States military, with a memory and images of those who went before them. They carried grief, terror, longing, and their reputations. They carried the soldier’s greatest fear: the embarrassment of dishonor.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64