War Story!

[TJ900B]

This is story from a long time ago, a time now often forgotten. Its long but I think worth a read. I hope you enjoy it.

During the Vietnam War my duty station for a while was Ft. Polk Louisanna. Active military wasn't too well thought of in those days and neither were motorcylist and I was both.

Riding the backroads one day with my wife on the back, a car pulled out in front of me. I laid on the horn, hit the brakes in an emergency stop, and put the bike as far off the road on the berm as I could. I couldn't go too far for it was swamp on that side and a sheer drop down to the water.

The car came on. The car was moving slowly but to me time was almost standing still and everything was in slow motion. I know many of you have been there before. I knew I couldn't stop in time but prayed I had enough room to miss him on the berm. Luck wasn't with me as the cars front tire left the pavement onto the berm. I put the bike in the grass rim on the berm missing the car with the bike but its fender caught my wifes leg. She fell off the bike screaming in pain.

Now the car hits the gas like the devil is on his tail. Anger and worry rushed though my head and I lost it throwing my helmet into his back windshield shattering it as I jumped off the bike to my wife. I attended to my wife as her leg started swelling like an over inflated football. A resident of the area soon showed up saying he had seen the whole thing and had called the cops. This was before cellphones.

Soon a sherriffs deputy showed up lights and siren going. He takes my quick statement and the local is agreeing that was what happened. I give him the license number of the hit and run. The officer started walking to the car telling me he was calling an ambulance for my wife. Now a few yards away, he stops and then says, "Hey, you military!" "Yes." I said. "Hell with this. You got free medical. This ain't my problem." With that he got in his car and drove off leaving me with my wife in my arms.

The local took off running. I had no idea why and all I could think of was what was I going to do now. It was obvious to me I couldn't count on help so I lifted my wife onto the bike. I had her hang on as I romped on the Kawasaki for all it was worth. Forget the speedlimit. In my mood, I wouldn't have stopped for anybody till I was home again on the fort and around my own kind.

Sure enough on the long straight stetch just before the forts gate I picked up yet another local this time bent on givng me a ticket. I wasn't stopping. As I neared the gate I flashed my headlight (yes bikes could do that back then) signaling the guards I had a medical emergency. They apparently saw my wife slumped over my back with her leg stretched out and waved me through. They stopped the police cruiser at the gate.

The guys at the ER were waiting on us when we arrived. My wifes leg wasn't broken but a major blood vessel had ruptured and her leg had to be lacerated to relieve the pressure. My CO and the MPs showed up and I gave my statement. I could see the anger and dissappointment in their faces as I told my story.

I never heard another thing from any official from that day, one way or the other.



This was me during my military days.

I hope you enjoyed the story and maybe understand a bit more about the commradery those who served have as well as how we feel about those serving now as well as those that would give them a hard time over a war they didn't chose but chose to serve.

Tj

[Crystalship1]

Thanks to you for your service then and to all those who serve now!!!! There is honor in doing the right thing regardless of what a group of canidates want everyone to believe so that they can get in and "stop the madness"!!!!

[Aifwikir]

I went to Ft Polk for basic in '69. I can fully backup what TJ is saying. The locals (police & civilians) had it out for the military personel in a big way. This was somewhat true in the mid '80 when I was stationed there again. Anything they could do to get over on the GI. I avoid LA. to this day because of it. Things have changed since then but I have the feeling LA. is still the same. Hope your wife had a full recovery, TJ.
From a Vietnam & Desert Storm Vet, I thank you for your service. Thanks also to ALL service members, past and present!


Aif

[ROMAD]

Again I must have been lucky. My earliest days in uniform were in New England where I hail from (well, to the south, being from Maine, EVERYWHERE is the deep South!) the military was well supported except in Kennedychussetts. About half of my high school wound up enlisting, and I don't know as I ever knew a draftee in the 60's or 70's. Thank you all for your service, wherever it was! I am proud to have served with you, before you or after you. My 20+ was a pleasure. I still miss (almost) every minute of it.

[relli]

enjoyed the story?? hardly. teared up. im so ashamed of the way we have treated our veterans of the nam era. glad all worked out. Thank God i can be proud of the way we treat our present day veterans and active military-altho i think there is STILL MUCH more we could do for those serving.

[Aifwikir]

.........Thank God i can be proud of the way we treat our present day veterans and active military-altho i think there is STILL MUCH more we could do for those serving.

Your doing it now, Relli. Support is all they/we ask for. It's a "Spartan" life and we're not doing for the glory, or the pay, or the fringe benefits. We're doing it because we love this great country we live in. We only ask that you support us and remember us when we're gone. Thank you for your support.

Because I know what it's like when we're hated by the people we protect, your support means a lot more to all of us. It makes the 21 years I spent inside a Tank worth very minute of it.

SFC G Nelson
US Army, Retired



Aif

PS: 5 weeks and counting til I can ride again.

[D-Day]

Great story. Very touching. I thought the cop was gonna be on your side for a second, but then he took off. What a prick.

I salute you, friend.

[daddo3]

I grew up an Army brat and loved every minute of it. Born in Heidleberg and lived in Italy, Alaska and all over the states. I watched my parents scrimp by and endure five long seperations with my father in Korea and Vietnam. I remember watching the evening news and listening for the daily body count during Vietnam, when my dad was there. All this while war protests were non stop.

I went into the Army in 79 for three years because it was expected of us and I never questioned it. I spent most of my time in Germany where I ran into some hostility from the locals, but the further we got from base, the friendlier the folks got. We went into a gasthaus in the middle of nowhere one night and could not buy a drink. The locals were older folk who had lived through the second world war and loved the american military.

I see a change in how the military is percieved and I believe some of the old issues are dying, as they should. We can still do a lot better for those who are putting their lives on the line for us. It always gets me how we glorify sports heros for playing a game, while soldiers, cops, firefighters, etc, are at the low end of the pay scale and overlooked. Insane.

[Cranky CJ]

enjoyed the story?? hardly. teared up. im so ashamed of the way we have treated our veterans of the nam era.

mega dittos.

as a youngster watching my uncle getting off the airplane coming home from Viet Nam I asked my mother why these people were yelling bad things at him. The only thing I knew is that he was off fighting in a war for our country.

Good post, thanks.

[plasma blue]

That cop needs what's coming to him, hopefully by now he has gotten it.
Here the motto on the cop cars is "to protect and serve"
Just doesn't say WHO...

[Tod]

Our U.S. service men and women do not get the support or credit they deserve by a long shot.

Your story shows us that this has been the case for a very long time.

I Salute or shake the hand of anyone who wears the Uniform regardless of Branch of Service, and encourage everyone to check out the Patriot Guard as their participation rate is suffering in the wake of all the negative media lately.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[MrClean]

Can't understand where the cop was coming from, wouldn't treat a dog with that little respect.


The sacrifices and dedication of our Military shames me that the only thing I've ever done is pay taxes to help pay for it. At the time when I had recruiting forms in my hands I listened to my then girlfriend and didn't join up not knowing what a little hippy too good she is. Now I love her and have been married to her for over 23 years, but there are just times when I wish she could understand the people that serve and die so she can believe she's better than they are.

I'd salute you sir if I had ever earned the right to do so. Thank you.

[SLAPSHOT]

That's a sad story TJ. I'm so thankful that the community of Abilene is quite the opposite. The Abilene community shows us the utmost respect and seems to be glad to have us here. Thank you all for your support.

[Cruz]

I hope that I got the correct sense that your wife mended from her wounds.
I have deep respect for that kind of commradery, it should be nation wide then and now! Thanks for serving.

[Ojisan]

O.K. enough cop bashing!!!!!!! I am a Viet Nam, Gulf of Tonkin yaht Club card carrying member USN 1965-1969 been there got the T-shirt, USNR retiree 1984 to 2007 Chief Master-at-Arms, mobilized reservist for operation desert shield/desert storm and a 32 year police officer and I think I have the right to say I have been there and can be correct on what is going on.............

I came back in 69 and the rest of the country was spitting on me as I walked off the plane. O.K I picked my self up and said I will fight for those again who have done this to me. I became a COP, yes, (a constable on patrol) a good one that respected the rights of those who gave me the authority to protect and serve to those whom I so dilligently served. I took that responsibility very serious and put my live on the line once again, was shot at and missed $hit at and hit. Do Not ever and I mean EVER put All Police Officers in the same pot as one bad apple! I took my job very serious and there are many, many more like me out there still performing their Job, With Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Yes there are a few bad apples out there and it is your job to weed them out of police service. Complain, call in a Citizens Complaint to the Supervisors Call the Chief of Police, Sheriff or who ever,but never take abuse from a police officer.

I have experienced the likes of what is out there, I went to a school in Glynco Ga. and was abused by a local Deputy,had his butt fired for his actions NOT ACCEPTABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

One piece of advice..........If you ever do get into a hassle with a police officer do everytning the nice man tells you to do, document the issue and in a clear and reasonable voice complain to the mans superior, perhaps this will be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Ride safe Ojisan

[pat0021]

Its too bad the country forgot that the only reason we don't speak german and japanese now is becuase of the Military!

Hopefully the civilians will never forget again. With out us they don't exist!