More Words of Wisdom from George Drago

I called an old friend and asked what was he doing.

 

He replied that he is working on "Aqua-thermal treatment of ceramics, aluminum and steel under a constrained environment.

 

I was very impressed.

 

Upon further questioning, I learned that he was washing dishes with hot water under his wife's supervision.

Troops Forming Statue of Liberty

Larry Haglund, our friend from Minnesota, sent this...

This INCREDIBLE picture was taken in 1918.
I find it amazing that this photo, taken so many years ago, actually still exists!

It is 18,000 men preparing for war in a training camp at Camp Dodge , in Iowa .
EIGHTEEN THOUSAND MEN!!!!!

FACTS:  Base to Shoulder: 150 feet
               Right Arm: 340 feet
               Widest part of arm holding torch: 12 1/2 feet
               Right thumb: 35 feet
               Thickest part of body: 29 feet
               Left hand length: 30 feet
               Face: 60 feet
               Nose: 21 feet
               Longest spike of head piece: 70 feet
               Torch and flame combined: 980 feet
               Number of men in flame of torch: 12,000
               Number of men in torch: 2,800
               Number of men in right arm: 1,200
               Number of men in body, head and balance of figure only: 2,000
               Total men: 18,000

What a priceless gift from our grandfathers!

The 225th On Youtube

I got this note from John Pinkerton sometime ago, but forgot to post it like I told him I would.  Search on Youtube for Pinkerton Vietnam Movies and click on any of the 3 videos that should come up.

Hi Gordy, it's been a long time since we've talked.  Sorry I didn't see you in D.C.   I was there but I got messed up because I drove there in my motorhome and the only place I could stay was in College Park, Md.  The first day, Thursday, I drove to the Reunion and it took 40 minutes to get there, and 1 hour and 45 minutes to get back to Maryland . 

     Anyway, the reason for this email is that I finally got around to putting some Viet Nam movies on the internet.  (YouTube).  I think you'll like them.  Right now they are private but I will put your email address on them so you can check them out.  3 of them are at the 225th and 2 others are in Tuy Hoa but I was with the 18th Ave Co (otters) before the 225th.  Check them out and let me know what you think.     Later.

Vietnam Virtual Wall

A friend who I’ve known for nearly fifty years (he’s another Army vet but was in before the Vietnam War) sent me this link.  You may have already seen it, but it’s worth clicking on it again.  Here are some instructions...

Virtual Wall/Vietnam. First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city where you lived or went to school during that era and look at the names.  Click on the name and it will give details of the person's death, a picture or at least their bio and medals.

http://www.virtualwall.org/

This really is an amazing web site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort

to create it.

Blackhawk Piper

Our friend Robert “Butch” Cobb sent this note to me and we thought you would like to see his pictures and story.....

Gordy,

Since moving to Goodyear, AZ 5 years ago I've paid a special tribute to all veterans on Memorial day and Veterans day. I'm the "unofficial" Piper for Harley Davidson, Scottsdale. They run two great events every year that end at the AZ National Cemetery.  I generally play Going Home and Amazing Grace to end the memorial service. This year just as I finished the two tunes, a young Marine came out of the crowd and gave me a big hug, with tears in his eyes he quickly started to walk away. I called to him, "hey Marine", he turned to face me and I broke into the Marine Corp hymn on my pipes. He saluted me until I was done. The crowd of 200-300 Vet bikers and many visiting grave sites gave the Marine a huge ovation. As I walked off I noticed something I had not seen before..... many hugs between Vietnam vets and the young vets fighting for us today!

Robert "Butch" Cobb

Sp/5 225th Blackhawks

Phu Hiep, Vietnam

May 68-May 69