The term "Sparrow Hawk Standby" in Vietnam, made the hair on the necks of the bravest Marine helocopter pilots come to attention. The assignment meant you were ready to man your aircraft NOW and launch, night or day, to recover the recon team that was in trouble many times in the face of some really angry enemy fire. When I hear "Sparrow Hawk" today, it still triggers emotions and memories of the many experiences and brave guys I knew there and the missions we flew.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Dream #1

There's this rather frequent dream I have. Too frequent, I suspect. Probably not normal. I'm back in Vietnam. I'm checking into a new unit and there's something going on. We're being attacked. I immediately start looking for a weapon and ammunition. There's been no time to be issued my own. The weapons I find are all old and the rounds I find won't fit. Or, the rifles are M-16's or AK-47's but there's no ammo. Panic sets in. The enemy is inside the wire. I wake up.

It's been 40 years since I was in Vietnam.