Reunions

Tennessee welcomed me to one of her finest rare treasures. On July 29th, 2015 I made my way, after many decades, to a ‘rendezvous with destiny.’ Members of the 101st Airborne Division Association  were making the same journey from all parts of our great land. I was filled with uncertainty. But now I pray, it was the first of many trips.

A major draw was Nashville’s proximity to Ft. Campbell, the home of the 101st. We were all making our way toward our old familiar airborne places.

Names are the first things to go. But we all remember a name or two. Doc Lovy and members of the medical team were  naturally on my ‘go to’ list. Upon arrival I met up with Doc Mark Jones. Jones reintroduced me to Gary Flint Purcell. I don’t know what this says about me, but Jones and Flint looked a lot older than what I remembered in the day! What I immediately  realized was an emotional return to my unit. I belonged. Lori Del Greco took what is now my theme picture, that very night.

Battalion Surgeon Dr Andrew Lovy met with me the next morning. He publicly claimed me as one of his medics…that settled my place with the entire unit. Medics were attached to the line units from Headquarters company. It was common for us to placed in three or four platoons, during the course of our tour in Vietnam. Rotation often made us less memorable to line units that also experienced the influx of several medics.

Stories were shared among a wider circle of 3/506th vets. We shared common experiences…that only the original Boat People would remember. It was during one of those meandering conversations that confirmation came that I served with A Company at some time after Tet.

What amazed me was the fact that Currahees still have each other’s back, just like those days in the fields of Vietnam. They are far more hard headed now…but the fierce loyalty remains.

I saw this from a Currahee who had never met me. Mike Krawczyk made sure that my first reunion would be a complete experience first time out. He made several extra effort attempts to include a returning Currahee.

Currahees…it’s no wonder that I am excited to return at every opportunity. But I hope to expand that connection to others who served with us. We truly Stand Alone…together.