Today, here in DaNang, Thong took me via motorbike to a jewelry store to exchange U. S. dollars for Vietnamese Dong. The Vietnamese owner of the store served in Co D 3/21 196th Light Infantry 1969-1970! I only had two 196th hats left and brought both on this trip...one for me and one for Katie. Well, now we're down to just one hat and I'm hanging onto that one! Katie had to cough hers up, I'm afraid.
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Mr. Man & Neil |
The veteran's name is Man and he spent much time in and around LZ Ross. He recalls a Lt. Black and a medic Dad (sp?) from LZ Ross. Now, listen up Spencer Baba, Man mentioned knowing Thua, who I will visit tomorrow! This is big news and Thong, aka Damn Guide, must be credited for leading me to Mr. Man.
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Man- Co D 3/21 196th LIB |
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Thua-196th Light Infantry Brigade |
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Man & Damn Guide |
Items have been secured this AM for tomorrow's visit to Thua, Duong, and Lady The. Must rush back over to Thong's place now.
Neil
Neil,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy how you keep running into people who served in your 196th!
I've learned that Mr. Man actually attended a 196th Infantry reunion in the U. S.!
Deleteooohh! that had to be hard to give up Katie's hat but SO worth it to make a connection to another fellow soldier.
ReplyDeleteWell, Mr. Man agreed to return the hat to Katie with the stipulation that I provide another for him. A sizable hat/shirt order, produced by my A 3/21 brother Gary Bonar, arrived one day late for the trip. Katie's hat is inscribed "daughter" and Kira's "granddaughter".
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