My Favorite PX in Vietnam Essay Collections
Transcription
My Favorite PX in Vietnam Essay Collections
“MyFavoritePXMemoryinVietnam” WhenIarrivedinSouthVietnamonDecember1969,theleastIcouldimaginewasthatIwill haveaflyingPXservicecomingouttheretothejungleriskingtheirlives.Afterbeingassignedto aninfantryunitofthe1STCavalryDivision,IspendalmostayearmovingfromFireBasetoFire Baseeveryoneortwoweeks.TheflyingPXchopper(thatishowwecalledit)cameinatleast onceamonthduringpayday,timepermitting,todeliverbeers($2.40foracaseof24),who couldbeatthat.Theyalsoprovidedalltheblockiceweneededtocoolthem.Youhaveto provideyourownimprovisedcoolerbuildfromammoboxes.Nothingbetterthanenjoyinga coldbeerandleftoversfromtheMessHall(nowcallDiningFacility)withyourfellowsoldiers afterahardandhotworkingday.IalsoboughtmyfirstPolaroidinstantcameraandfilm.I boughtaSansuimusicsystemandanAKAIreelrecorderthruacatalogorderanditwasshipped tomyhomeinPuertoRico.Wecouldbuypersonalhygieneitemslikesoap,shavingcream, razors,andsmallelectronics.Theyhavecarsalesmenavailableincaseyouwanttobuya vehicleandshipithome.ItwasalwaysahappymomenttoseethePXchoppercarrying goodies,arriveattheFireBase.Suremadeourwartimegonealittlebiteasierforus.Thank Youfortheopportunitytoparticipateandtoreminiscethosespecialmoments. RamonL.AlamoHernandez,MSG,USA(Retired) ******** Wow!AcontestforVietnamVeterans!AfterseeingtheCampEnariExchangepicture,the memoriescamefloodingback.Icouldn’tbelieveit!IquicklygotamagnifyingglasstoseeifI couldseemyselfinline. TheEnariExchangewasmyfirstintroductiontotheExchangeSystem.UptothattimeIwas alwaysatrainee.BasicTrainingatFortOrd,California;AdvancedInfantryTrainingatFortPolk, Louisiana;PrimaryFlightTrainingatFortWolters,Texas;andAdvancedFlightTrainingatFort Rucker,Alabama.Duringthosetimes,Iwasnotallowedtovisitpostfacilities. IarrivedinVietnaminApril1969.Beinganewbie,Iwasnotaccustomedtothefineriesofthe Army’sfacilities.Onadayoff,ararity,Iwenttovisittheexchangewithseveralbuddies.Itwas likeafieldtrip.Iwasexcitedtodosomethingdifferentotherthanwagewar.Istoodinline, justasthepictureindicatedinthecontest.Onceinside,Iwasoverwhelmed.Therewereso manystatesidethingsIcouldbuy;clothes,stereogear,thingsforthehooch(Ieventuallywould buyasmallrefrigerator),toiletries,andboozeattheclass6store.Ireturnedtomyhoochwith socks,andabottleofscotch.Notanoverwhelmingshoppingspreebutonehastosetpriorities. Iwouldeventuallybuyareeltoreeltapeplayerwith8trackplayer,two4foottallspeakersand anamplifierthatwouldliterallylightuptheCompanyarea. IhavebeenanavidExchangepatronsincethosetimessomanyyearsago.My99yearold Motherhasanunbelievable“Hummel”collection,complimentsoftheExchangeinNuremberg, Germany.ThePXandcommissaryhavebeenawayoflifesincemyfirstintroductionatCamp Enari,Vietnam. CW4DaleEHouse,USArmyReserve(Retired) ******** IwasstationedatasmallradarsiteinCaMauProvincein1967-1968duringtheTet Offensive.Iworkedinsecurity,andwasalsothepaymasterformydetachment.Wheneverwe hadadayoraweek-endoff,mybuddiesandIwouldflyintoSaigononahelicopteroronan AustralianCaribou.IalsotraveledtoSaigonformydutiesaspaymaster.Militarypersonnel werepaidinscript,theonlycurrencyacceptedin-country. OneofthehighlightsofourvisitstoSaigonwaswhenwepatronizedtheTanSonNhut AirbaseExchange.Wewereabletopurchasesmallluxuriesnotavailableatourworksite.The mostcoveteditemsweretoiletriesandelectronics.Theguysallpitchedinandrentedahouse inSaigonwhichweallusedwhenwewereonleave,asafeandeconomicalarrangement.The exchangewasinvaluableinsupplyinguswiththehouseholditemsweneededtomaintainour lodgings. Aspaymaster,onceamonthIpickedupandbroughtbackwagesfortheAirForcepersonnel onoursite.Wheneverpossible,astopattheTanSonNhutExchangewasalsoontheagenda. Theguysinmydetachmentwouldgivemeliststofillandthenlookforwardtomyreturn.The TanSonNhutExchangewasourconnectiontohome. BruceJ.Habowski,Msgt.(Retired) ********* Ineverknewifhalfthestoriesweretruebut,myfoursistersandIwouldlistentoeverywordas ifChestyPullerhimselfweretellingthem.Mydadwasararespeaker,sowhenhespokeofhis timeinVietnamwehastogatheraround.Hedidn'tliketospeakofhistimethereandtothis dayhehasadifficulttime.Inbetweencoughs...andlightinghisnextcigarettehewouldbegin. Mostwereheroic,somewhatunbelievablestoriesofgrabbingknifebladeswithhisbarehands andsewinghisfingersbackonhimselforcarryingtwowoundedmarinesunderhisarms3miles intherainandmud....allwhileunderheavygunfire. Eitherway,trueormadeup,weenjoyedthestories. Oneeveninghewokeupfromoneofhisstandardeveningnapsandcalledusallover.He turneddowntheStartrekepisodehewouldn'tletuschange,eventhoughhewassound asleep,litupacigaretteandsearchhisbrainforhisstory. "DidIevertellyouaboutthetimeIwasshotinthechest?"Youwouldthinkthatthisstory wouldbeonethatwewouldhaveknownaboutyearsago,butno...wehadnotheardthisone. HesaidthathewaslayingonthebeachinVietnamwhenhissunbathingtimewasinterrupted byaVietnamesesoldierpointingarifleathischest.Hegrabbedtherifleandclenchedhischest musclesjustasthesoldiershotit.Thebulletonlydentedhisskinbecausehischestmuscles weresostrongthatmetalandgunpowdercouldnotpenetrate.Heproceededtoshowusthe dentonhischest...mysistersandIlookedateachother,allofusknowingthatthedentwas reallycausedbythecrossnecklacethathegotattheExchangeinVietnampressedbycrossed armsashenapped.Weneversaidaword. HM1JenniferHeiselman ********** JustaftertheMoonLandingJuly20,1969IwrotemygirlTaraandaskedhertomarryme.Igot thereplybackon22Aug1969.IwenttotheFreedomHillPXwhilethereIrealizedasmuchas a19yeardoesthat...HeyIneedaring!Ihadayoungladysetdownwithmeandgooverbook afterbookofengagementrings...asanE-4costwasarealissue,yetIwantedthebestIcould afford.FinallyshegotmeadealwithTiffany'sthatwaswithinmysmallbudget.Wow.. sendingyourgalaringfromTiffany....Iwasreallyreallyexcited.Iorderedandabout5week's lateritarrived......itwassobeautifulandwhenTaragotitbackin"theworld"itwasthetalkof ourneighborhood.Theyoungladygotmeadealforlessthan$150IgothomeApril30,1970 whichwasmybirthday...nowthat'sabirthdaypresent.8dayslaterMay8th1970TaraandI weremarriedandcelebratedour44thAnniversarythisyear.Shestillwearsthatringanditis asbeautifulasthedayIgotit.IfnotforthePXIwouldnevergot"aclassyringforaclassygal". HMC(FMF)ThomasR.Mooningham,USN(Retired) ********** IarrivedinVNthesecondweekofFebruary1968toCoB,716MPBninSaigon.Thiswasjusta weekorsoaftertheTetoffensivestarted.WhenIarrivedattheInternationalBOQ,Iwasnot allowedtoleaveduetothefactIwasinexperienced,howeverIwasplacedonthealertforce. ThismeantthatifanattackwasimminentatanyUSfacilitywewouldbedispatcedtodefend it.Afteraboutthreedaysofbeingconfinedtoourquarters,Ibecameveryrestless.Iknewthere wasaUSmilitarybusroutethatwenttotheCholonPX.IdecidedIwouldtakeachanceand catchthebustothePX.IwasstillonthealertforceandconfinedtotheInternationalbutI sneakedoutanywayandcaughtthebus.Iarrivedanddidmyshopping.Ionlyboughtafew snacks,nothingimportantatall.WhenIgotbackIfoundeveryoneinabiguproar.TheUS embassywasbeingthreatenedandthealertforcehadbeencalledout.NooneknewwhereI was,IwasAWOL!OneMPtoldmetogetinhisjeep,hewasgoingtotheEmbassy.WhenI arrivedI,ascasuallyasIcould,blendedinwiththeothermembersoftheforce.Whenthe threatwasover,andwehadbeentransportedbacktotheInternational,Igotamessagethat Capt.Chester,ourCOwantedmeonhisoffice"rightnow".Iimmediatelywent,buthewasnot there.IwaitedawhileandhedidnotreturnsoIwentbacktomyroom.Henevercalledme backtohisofficeandyoucanbetthefarm,Inevermentionedittohimeither. JamesE.Taylor ****** Ihaveenjoyedmilitaryexchangeprivilegesallmylifesinceeithermyfather,myself,ormy husbandwastheservicemember.OnmywaytoVietnam,westoppedatYokotaAirBasein Japantorefuel.ThesmallexchangethereiswhereIboughtmy35mmcamerawhichIstillown. Onceatmydutystation,the95thEvacuationHospitalinDaNang,Iusedthatcamerato documentthememoriesofmyyearinVietnam.Onourcompoundwehadasmallone-roomPX whichwasouronlyplacetoshopfornecessitiesandrationeditemslikecigarettesandalcohol. MyfavoritepurchasewastheRitzcrackerswhichcameintins.Afterthecrackerswereeaten,I usedthetinsforstorage.Thisone-roomexchangeholdsspecialmemoriesforme. Aftersix-monthsinVietnam,IwasgrantedsevendaysofR&RinHawaiiwhereFt.DeRusseyhad asmallPXwhichsuppliedessentialsforastayinWaikiki. ThebestPXbenefitwasthePACEX(PacificExchange)catalogue.Aservicememberstationedin VietnamcouldorderfromthiscatalogueandwasIevertheirbestcustomer!IorderedNoritake china,aSonyreel-to-reeltapedeck,aSonystereo,Seikowatches,aYamahaguitar,andmany otheritemsformyselfandmyfamily. Themerchandisewasdeliveredtomyparents'homeintheStates.WhenIreturnedhome,I hadaheadstartonfurnishinganapartment. Nowmorethan42yearslater,IamstillenjoyingmanyoftheitemsPACEXaffordedme.More importantly,thememoriesofmyPXexperienceswhilestationedinVietnamhelptosoften someofthenotsopleasantmemoriesofatimeofwar.Thankyoufortheopportunity! ConnieSmithGonzalez ******* MyfavoriteexchangestoryisaboutthefirsttimeIevervisitedanexchangeandanArmybase.I wasayounggirl,just13yearsold.Kay’solderbrotherRonwasaSergeantondeployment. IsuggestedtoKay’smomthatwesendtheyoungSgt.acarepackage.Shesaidthat’sagreat idea,let’sgovisitanexchangewe’llbeabletogeteverythingforagreatpriceanditwillhave patrioticitemstoliftRon’sspirits. WhenweenteredthePXKay&Ithoughtwowthisplaceisgreat.Anexchangeemployee greeteduswithawarmsmileandsaidHelloassoonaswecrossedthethreshold.Theexchange hadbrightnessaboutitandeverythingwassoclearlylabeled.Iquicklyrealizedtheexchanged offeredgreathighendproducts.Westartedwithsomethingsformorallikecologneandnice menswear’s.Thegentlemanworkinginthatsectionoftheexchangewasdressedprofessionally andwasveryknowledgeableaboutthingsthathethoughtayoungmanlikeRonwouldliketo haveondeployment.WeendedupbuyingaNauticaoutfit,ChromeAzzarrocologne,anda couplegadgets. WeracedtotheothersideoftheexchangetofindallofAmerica’sfavoritesnacks,the Exchangehadthemall.Wealsoboughtbottleddrinkingwater,asthatwasoneofRon’s complaints;hemissedthewayAmericanwatertasted.WeboughtRonacardthatathoughtful exchangeemployeehelpeduschoose,theemployeeshusbandwasdeployed.Herguidance helpedpicktheperfectcardsinceshewasinasimilarsituation. Almost10yearslaterIserveintheArmyandIstilllovetoshopattheExchange. LaurenNicoleHammaker ******** MyFavoriteExchangeMemoryinVietnamEssayContest: IarrivedfromthefieldviahelicoptertopickupmedicalsuppliesandconductaPXrun.Istarted toenterthePX,atDiAn,whentwoMPsstoppedme.TheytoldmeIhadtohavepolishedboots toenter.Ithoughtitwasajokebutitwasnot.Mybootswerejustwornleatherwithnoblack polishanywhere.OneMPsawmyCMB(CombatMedicalBadge)andsaid,“Docwhatisso importantaboutyougettingintothePXevenwithoutpolishedboots?”ItoldhimofthePXrun forthefieldguys.Hetoldmegoaheadandsaidheunderstood. IwasrunningshortontimelookingforitemsonmyPXrunlistwhenPXstaffnoticedIwasina hurry.ItoldthemwhyIwasinahurryandtheysaidgiveusthelistandtheyfoundallofthe itemsonit.Iwasabletomakethechopperridebacktothefieldwiththemedicalsuppliesand PXitems. WhenIarrivedbacktothefieldIgavealltheitemstothesoldiersonthelist.Iwaswalkingback tomytrackvehiclewhenIsawseveralofthesoldierssmilingandlaughing.Abigsmilecameto myfacewhenIsawoneofthesoldiershadtakenshavingcreamfromthePXrunandwrote MerryXmasonthesideofoneoftheAPCs(ArmoredPersonnelCarriers).Christmaswasstilla weekawaybutthankstothePXanditsstaffitwasaChristmasallofusinthefieldwouldnot soonforget. GustafC.Bernt, ******* “D’jahearme?”ChicagoJimmy,myradiooperator,whinedaboutthefishstewincessantlyand nowhedisplayedthetailofaMekongRivermudperchontheendofatwig.“Andthatchicken messisworse,Cap’n,Ifoundarooster’scombinityesterday!” Itwas1966andIwasa25year-oldU.S.ArmyCaptainadvisingSouthVietnameseinfantryinthe bowelsoftheMekongRiverDelta.Justme,myradiooperatorJimmyandahandfuloflocals whosometimestookpityonusduringopsandsharedfood. “Bequiet,Jimmy.Here’ssomeJuicyFruittochew.Nobody’smakingyoueatthatslop.”Ifa PXexistedweknewnothingofit. “Listen,Cap’n,Ihearachopper!”“Clamup,Jimmy.”Butwelistened.Andsoonthedistinctive “heartbeat”ofadescendingHueystirredupthedust.Jimmydroppedhisfish.Thechopper waslanding! Itseemedamiragebutindeedtherestoodanactual,now-totally-landedPXhelicopter--laden withcansofwarmGrapette,boxesofMandMs,cornedbeefhash,andsodacrackers.A.lot. Of.Stuff.They’dbegood,thosecrackers,maybeevenwiththatfishstew!Andwow,clean underwear!Andtoothpaste! JimmypromptlymadehimselfnauseousonanenormousMandMpattylumpedtogetherby theheat.“Betterthanthefishstew,Jim?”Iasked.ButJimmywasalreadybusy,smearingcold cornedbeefontocrackers. WewonderedhowthePXguyslocatedus.Butthensometimeswealsowonderedwhatwe weredoinginavillageintheMekongDelta–seeminglyforgotteninthemistsofanunpopular war,oftenhungryandtired,andfrequentlyfeelingfrustrated. Tothisday,Idon’teatMandMs. FrederickC.Bosarge,COL(Ret),USA ***** MyfavoritememoryoftheVietNamExchangeisacartoon.DuringmysecondtourIwas stationedwiththe101stAirborneDivisionatCampEagle.DuringmytourCocaColacameup withanewsoftdrinkcalledFreshca.Theexchangehadtwopalletsofthestuff.Wellthefirst personstotheexchangeafteritarrivedwereabletopurchaseacaseathalfpriceasa promotion.Whenitwastriedduetothefactwehadnoiceandlittlerefrigerationittasted horrible.Sooninordertogetridofittheygaveyouacaseofitfreewhenyoupurchasedacase ofCoke.Wellthatdidn’tworksoitendedupthatyouhadtotakeacaseofFreshcafreeifyou purchasedacaseofCoke.Outsidetheexchangewerelargetrashcansandtheywerefilled withcasesofFreshcafreetothefewpersonsonthebasewhodidinfactlikethedrink.The exchangedidprovidemanyfineservices.Duringmyfirsttourin1965IpurchasedaRolex Watchfor$100.00Istillwearittoday. 1SGFrankSherman(Retired) ***** ItwasKadenaABOkinawa1968,I’llneverforgetthedayIstoodoutandlearnedaboutthe kindnessofothers.IsawadifferentwayoflifelivingontheAirForceBasethanwhatIsawon TV.Growingup,myfathertaughtmemanythings,butwhatIlearnedthemostfromhimwas toalwaysberespectfulandtobeateamplayer. IrememberwhenmyfatherhadtoleaveustogoofftoVietnamonatour;that’swhen everythingchangedforme.ItwasanightinAprilwhenmymotherwokemysiblingsandIup afterhearingafranticpoundingatourdoor.Ofcourse,weallwereassumingtheworstformy father–wethoughtsomeonehadcometotellusthatourDadisafallensoldier.Thatnightit wasourneighbortellingusthatDr.MartinLutherKingJr.wasassassinated.Thiswasthefirst timeIeversawmymothercryassheheldusalltightly. Asthedayswentby,weneededtopickupsomeessentialattheBX/PXandIcouldn’tbelieve allthepeoplelookingatusandtellingmymothersorryaboutDr.MartinLutherKingJr.Ididn’t understandwhatwasgoingon,butallthetoughtimesshewentthroughathome,shefound comfortattheBaseExchange.TothisdayeverytimeIgotheBX,Ithinkofmymotherand fatherandsmile.IdobelievetheMilitarybasesaroundtheworldhaveaplacewhereyoucan notonlyshop,buthavethecomfortoffriendship-SMSGTT.E.WilliamsandFannieWilliams, USAFKorea,Vietnam. Son,MelvinG.Williams **** Asasoldierwiththe173rdAirborneBrigadeworkinginandaroundQuiNhonasanintelligence courierIwasfortunatetohavehadtheopportunitytovisitthelocalPX/BXfrequently. Ialwayshadmyrationcardhandyforthepurchaseofqualityitemssuchascameras,watches, stereosandelectronicswithmyincountrymoneycalledMilitaryPaymentCertificates(MPC). USprintedGreenBacksaswecalledthemthenwerenotallowedincountrybyUSmilitary personnel. OnoneofmyvisitstothePX/BXIhadparkedmyM151Jeepandwaswalkingaroundthe cornerofabuildingasanothersoldierpassedmebygoingintheoppositedirection.Aswe passedwestaredindisbeliefandturnedaroundwalkingbackwardsstillnotbelievingthatwe hadstumbledacrosseachother. Itwasmybestbuddy,MikefromFt.McClellan,AL.Westoodtherestarringinamazementand thenrantoeachotherhuggingandlaughingwithsuchamazementthatwehadfoundeach otheragaininsuchafaroffland. FromthatdayforwardwhileservingintheRepublicofVietnamwewereabletogettogether periodicallytovisitevenitmeantsittingonaguardtowerwhilehewasondutycoveringhis perimeter. MikeandIarestillfriendsandbrothersofafarofflandofwarashelivesinGeorgiaandIin NorthCarolinabutwealwaysenjoyedthemusicweplayedonourstereosystemswe purchasedatthePX/BX.. SFCJohnW.Collins,Jr.USA(Retired) ******** MYFAVORITEPXMEMORYINVIETNAM InNovember1965IwasattachedtotheArmywiththe502ndBattalionofthe101stAirborne, asanAirForcepersoncarryingaradioforCharlieCompany.Eachdaywepatrolled,watching fortheVietCong.OneofthethingsIbroughtwithmewasentertainment!Ihadboughtalittle SanyoradioatthePXwhilegettingreadytoshipnorthfromSaigon.Eightdollarsforthatlittle Sanyoradiowasagoodprice;butitgotmeintoBIGtrouble!Ituckeditupunderneathmy helmetandtapeditwithducttape!We’dpatrolthroughthericepattiesandvegetation,and everyonewouldlistentotheArmedForcesRadioNetwork.They’dplayBeethoven,Mozartand someothermusicthatputustosleep!ItwasNovemberorDecemberwhenthisAFRN program,“DawnBusters,”withaguynamedCronauer,cameon.Wewerereturningfrom Dalat,toourcampnearPhanRang,aroundsixinthemorning.Ihadmylittleradioturnedupa bit.Notgettinggoodreception,Iturnedthevolumeknobuplouder!Mymistake!TheDJ, Cronauer,holleredintohismicrophone,“GoodMorningVietnam.”Weallheardhisvoice echoingthroughthejungleinourhelmets!Then,thejunglelitupwithtracersandbullets! Beinganairmaninthe101stAirbornewasnotagoodthingtobethen!Mylieutenant,grabbed me,pulledmedowntotheground!Hehaddefinitelyheardmyradioandreallygotupsetwith me.Hetoldmeto“…turnthatthingoff…”withexpletives“…andtoneverturnitbackon again!”Ittookabouttenminutesforallthebulletstostopflying!SoI’llneverforgetthatlittle radioIgotatthePXinCholon,Saigon! WilliamC.Kelch,MSgt(Ret/USAF) ******* At19yearsofageIwasdraftedintotheUSArmy.AfterbasictrainingandAITIwassentto Vietnam.IwasassignedtoHQ196thLIB,stationedonLZBaldy,halfwaybetweenChulaiand Danang.Aboutonceevery60daysIgottogotoChulaitodosomeshoppingatthePXthere.I enjoythisverymuch.Iwouldcatchamedivacchoppergoingtohehospitalandagaincoming totheLZ.ThePXwasprettylargeandhadalotofmerchandize.Ihadtoshopfortheguysinmy squadandformyselfsoIhadtolimitmyshopping.Iusedtobuywatchesandjewelryformy familybackhome.ThisIusedtomailoutrightfromthePX.Saltinecrackersandcannedvienna sausagewereastandardstapleinmydiet.IneverwentonR&R,sothiswastheclosestIcame toRestandRecoup.Ialmostboughtacaronce,butthenchangedmymindandtookbackmy deposit.IneededthemoneytogetmarriedassoonasIgotbacktotheworld.Igotluckyin Dec1968.ItwasmyturntogotothePXandIgottoseeTheBobHopeChristmasshow.Istill havethepictureoftheGoldDiggerssignedbyeachoneofthem.Vietnamwasveryhardonme. Ilost25poundsandcamehomewithPTSDand7.10/PPTdioxinpoisoningfromAgentOrange. IremembershoppingatthePXasoneofthebestrewardsoftheVietnamwar. MarcialSantiago ******* IservedasaFieldArtilleryman“GunBunny”inVietnam1970–1971inthe1stBn39thField Artillery,VCorps.ImovedwiththeFieldArtilleryunitsbetweenFireBaseNancy(locatedsouth ofQuangTri),FireBaseSally(locatednorthofPhuBai)situatedsouthofDongHaalongRoute1 aswellasMaiLoc,FireBasesVandergriftandFullerlocatedwestofDongHaalongRoute9.We supportedthe101st,elementsofthe1stCavalryDivision,MechanizedunitsaswellastheArmy oftheRepublicofVietnam. IrememberseveraltimesduringroadmovementseitherfollowingormeetingmobilePXtrucks alongRoutes1and9.SometimestheMobilePXwouldcometotheFireBases.Ianticipatedand alwayslookedforwardtotheMobilePXbecauseithadavailablemagazines,candy,sundries whichprovidedcomfortandbroughtabitofrelieftothelongdaysinVietNam. MyfavoritePXmemoryinVietNamisthetimewhenIpurchaseditemsfromaMobilePX employee,anoldermanprobablyinhisearly50s.I’mwayolderthanthatnow.Hetoldmehe wasaKoreanWarandWWIIVeteran.IaskedhimwhyhewasworkingontheMobilePXtrucks inVietNam.Hedidn’tsayanything,hiseyesbecamemoist,heshedafewtearsandafterafew momentsheturnedtohelpthenextguyinline. Reflecting,after44years,IthinknowIunderstandwhybebecamesoemotionalseeinga nineteenyearoldboyservinginawarinafarawayland,farfromhome.Thosefewseconds remainwithmetothisday. ThomasJohnBednar **** InDecemberof1972,IwasshoppingforChristmaspresentsatthePX/BXatTanSonNhutAB, Vietnam.Asayoungserviceman,Ididn’tmakemuchmoneysoItriedtobethrifty.Ihad collectedsomepresentstosendhomeforChristmasandapproachedthecheckout.Thelady whoservedmewasverypoliteandgreetedmewithabigsmileasIpulleditemsfrommycart. IknewIwascloseonmoneybutfeltIhadenough.Whenthetotalpoppedup,IknewIwas shortonmoney.Whentheladycheckedthetotalsforme,oneitemwasmorethanIthought.I apologizedtoherandtoldIwouldhavetoreturnit.Thatkindladyofferedtopaythe difference.AtthatpointanAfricanAmericanUSArmySergeantMajorwhowasbehindme steppedupclosetousandinaveryquietvoicetoldthecheckoutladyhewouldpaythe difference.Ilookedathimandsaid“SergeantMajor,youdon’thavetodothat”.Withasmile hetoldmehewantedto,thatIshouldconsideritaChristmaspresent.Ipolitelythankedthem bothandtoldhimhewashelpingmakeChristmasspecialformyfamilybackhome.Thelady behindthecounterwasallmistyeyedandI’lladmitIwasprettyemotional.Tothisdaythe generosityandkindnessIwasshownthatdaypriortoChristmasbytheclerkandtheSergeant Majorremainsavividmemory.Amanwhodidn’tknowthestrangerinfrontofhiminvolved himselfinakindandunobtrusiveway,helpingmaketheholidayseasonabrighterbecauseof hisactofkindness.Now,43yearslater,thememoryfrom1971remainsveryspecial. LarryW.Stegall ***** ThisisbeingwrittenbyaspouseregardingmyfavoritememoryfromthePxExchangein Vietnam.MyboyfriendattheofdeploymentwaspartofCo.B4Bn39thInfantry9thInfantry DivisiondestinationtheMekongDeltaregionofVietnam.WehaddatedinourSeniorYearof HighSchoolandcontinueddatingaftergraduationthruthesummerintothefalltillIwentto NursingSchoolandhetotheArmy.Wekeptintouchoffandonduringthistimeandgotback togetherbeforeheleftforVietnam-heleftwithaSaintChristopherMedalIgavehimaround hisneck.WewrotesteadilyandbecameengagedwhilehewasstillinVietnam.My EngagementringandWeddingBandcamefromtheVietnamRegionalExchangeDongTam Vietnam9thInfantryBaseCamp.Ihavekeptthepackagingwithalltheportsofentrytothe UnitedStatesalongwiththeguaranteeandregistrationonmyrings.Mydadputthe engagementringonmyfingerMay28,1969andRogerputtheWeddingBandonmyfinger May9,1970.HewasstillwarringtheSaintChristopherMedalwithagrenadepinholdingit togetherwhenhecamehome. Wehavebeenmarried44years.WestillusetheExchangeaspartofourlives. Thankyoufortakingthetimetoreadthis. MaryA.Hubbell ******* Iwasoneof1500enlistedAirForcewomenwhoservedin-countryVietnam.WhenIreceived ordersforTanSonNhutAirBase,oneofthethingsincludedinmywelcomepackagewasalist of"female"productsIwouldhavetohavemailedtomefromhomeandhopethepackages madeit.AfterarrivingatTanSonNhut,Ivisitedtheexchangeandwasreallythrilledtowalk downtheislesandseesomeofthefamiliarproductnamesfromhome.Eventhoughwewere inaminority,theexchangeworkedhardtomeetourneedsandrequestsforbothnecessities andafew"luxury"items.Theyevenhadabeautyshopforus.Insucharemoteplace,itwas suchaluxurytohaveaplacetogoforpampering. DonnaR.Spaller,MSgt,USAF(Retired) ***** IwasinVietnamfrommarch1968untilMarch1969.Iwasassignedtothe40thOrdnance CompanyoutfromDaNangVietnamonthe1stMarineDivisionCompound.Ihavetwo(2) favoritePXMemorieswhileinVietnam.MyfirstexperiencewasaftertheTETOffensivewas overandwegotonaDuceandaHalf(21/2tontruck)andwenttotheFreedomHillPX.While wewerewaitinginthelonglineforhamburgers/cheeseburgersInoticedthatoneofmyhome boyswasinthelineaheadofme.Itwasajovialmoment!Wehugged,orderedourburgersand talkedaboutgoingbackhomewhenourtourwasoverandwentbacktoourunits.Wenever sawoneanotheragainuntilwewerebackhome.MysecondPXMemorywasDecemberof 1968whenIwentbacktotheFreedomHillPXtotheBobHopeChristmasShowwhichwas televisedatalaterdatebacktotheworld.Iwrotemyparentsandmygirlfriend(WhoI marriedwhenIreturnedhome)tolookformeinthecrowdonFreedomHillonDecember1968 duringtheshow. CW5(Ret)DavidWells ******* April1970,SocTrang,Vietnam–IremembergoingintothePXonpostshortlyafterarrivingincountrytobuyabottleofMateuswineformeandthesquadtoenjoy,forsomeunknown reasondrinkingMateuswasthethingtodo,itprobablyhadsomethingtodowithits inexpensivepriceatthetime.Anyway,Iapproachedthecashierwithmybottleofwine,hewas aVietnamesemanwhodoubledastheassistantPXmanagersinceourPXwassosmall.He lookedatmybluepaperrationcardandsawthattheareaonitthatauthorizedthepurchaseof beer,wineandliquorhadbeen“X’d”outwhichindicatedthatitwasNOTVALID;thishadbeen doneatCamRahnBaywhereIfirstarrivedin-countryandbeenin-processed;seeIwasonly nineteenyearsoldandthedrinkingageintheDoDwastwenty-onethereforeIwasunableto purchaseanyformofalcohol,aruletheUSArmyMilitaryPoliceandrationcontrolattheinprocessingstationstronglyenforced,atleastonusnewbees.Thecashierlookatme,lookedat therationcardandbackatmeandsaid“youcomehereVietnamtohelpus,fightforus,you buywine,nosweat”.Hewentontoringupthepurchaseandpunchmyrationcard.Attached arephotosofthatrationcard,themassiveamountsofpunchesontheleftandrightofthecard arefortobaccoandalcohol.Photosaren’tthebestthelittleKodakBrowniecamerawasallI had. WayneF.Rich ***** “MyFavoritePXMemoryinVietnam” Oneofthephotosinthecontestannouncementreallygotmyattention.Itwastheoneofthe QuiNhonExchange.Ilivedandworkedatthe58thFieldDepotwhichwasa10to15minute walkfromthePX.IcertainlyremembertheparkinglotbecauseIpulledguarddutythereonany numberofnightswhileIwasstationedinthearea.Inthebackgroundyoucanseethebaseof VungChuaMountain,themostnotablenearbylandmark. Ialsorememberbuyingmyfirst35mmcamerathere.ItwasaPetriFTwitha50mm1.8lensfor $88.00.Ilikeditalotanddevelopedaninterestinphotographywithit.LateronIboughta 35mmandthen135mmlensesforit.Ialsospecialorderedseveralaccessoriesforitfromthe CustomerServicecounter.Iremembergettingabellowsforextremeclose-upsbutInolonger recallwhattheotherswere. Thatwashardlytheendofmyphotographicinterests.LateronIbecameafairlyadvanced photographerbutIneverturnedprofessional.Iboughtprofessionalequipmentandtook coursestoincreasemyskills.I'vehadanumberofphotospublishedinmagazines(Ioncewona weeklycontestinaBritishphotographymagazine),booksandonline.Ialsolearnedtodevelop andprintblackandwhitefilmanddevelopandmountcolorslidefilm. MylifetimehobbystartedattheQuiNhonExchangein1968.Iwasjust18backthen.I'm65 nowandI'vesoldmostofmyheavyprofessionalgeartomakemycamerabaglighterand easiertocarry.ThesedaysIuselighterandolderequipmentthatstillmakesniceimages.Ialso continuetouseslidefilmforcertainsubjects. JoeRichards,MSgt,USAF(Retired) ********* ThePXcomestoLZDolly IwasatfiresupportbaseDolly,A.k.a.LZDolly.TheBattalionheadquartersandsupport elementswereatthatforwardlocation.WewerelocatedontheNorthendofarazorback ridgeofhill284.DauTiengwasthirteenkilometersSSW,andweweretwenty-fivekilometers fromNuiBaDen,theBlackVirginMountain.Therewerenoroadsinorout. Onehotspringdayin1969wewerealertedthattheBaseExchangewasgoingtoflyasmall contingentofitsstoretoourlocation.Isolatedaswewere,wewereofcourseexcitedtosee whatkindofgoodiesweregoingtobebroughtout.ThePXwouldarriveearly,alongwiththe regularre-supplybirdsthatdidthatonadailybasis.ThemainBaseExchangewaslocatedin TayNinhWest. AtaroundteninthemorningthePXbirdarrives.ACH47Chinookfullofcorrugatedcardboard boxeslanded.Several“mules”M274¼tonplatformsweredispatchedtocarrythewaresto thetopandcenteroftheLZ.Assoonasthebirdwasoffloadeditleft. Oncetheboxeswereuponthehill,theywerelinedupandopenforbusiness.Themenwere linedupononeendoftheboxesandlookedattheitemsandwalkedtowherethecashwas beingcollectedattheotherend.Theboxescontained:cannedfoods,snacks,chips,magazines, smallelectronics,andafewpiecesofjewelry.Attheendoftheday,aHueyreturnedtocarrya fewboxesofitemsthathadnotsold.ItwasagooddayforanoutdoorPXsale,andagoodday forus. CW3PedroC.GarzaRetiredUSArmy,1/5Cav,1stAirCavalryDivision ******* MyFavoritePXMemoryinVietnam AstheVietnamWarwaswindingdownfrom1969to1973,myfamilyandIlivedoverseason GuamandTaiwan.WhilewelivedonGuam,myfather,aNavypilotwithVAP-61,flewtheA-3 inphotographicmissionsoverVietnam.WelivedonRadioBarrigada,Guam,andtherewasa smallexchangerightonthebase.Irememberridingmybikedownthehilltospendmyweekly allowanceattheexchange. From1971to1973,welivedonTaiwan,wheremyfatherwasstationedwiththeMilitaryAir AdvisoryGroup(MAAG)Taipei,Taiwan.WelivedoffbaseinahousingareacalledOKVillage,in atowncalledTienMou.Tome,theExchangerepresentedapartofhome,especiallybecause inTaiwanwedidn’tspeakthelocallanguageandshoppingonthelocaleconomywasvery foreign(andsometimesalittlescary). Asafourteen-year-oldgirl,Iwasatthatawkwardstageandlackedacertainconfidence.Itwas duringthistimeIappliedandwasacceptedfortheNavyExchangeTeenBoard.Mrs.Kathleen Duffy,theHeadquartersSupportActivityNavyExchange,TaiwanPublicRelationsDirector,was theTeenBoardAdvisor. The18-memberTeenBoardworkedintheNavyExchangefromSeptember1972toMay1973 forthegrandsumof$1.00perhour.TheExchangealsoprovidedmodelingandmakeupclinics, andwedidstillmodelinginthestoreandparticipatedinaspringfashionshow.Thisexperience helpedtoraisemyconfidence,taughtmeaboutsales,andgavemeafeelingofnormalcyasthe wararounduswasending. CherylL.Spohnholtz ***** ThreeemotionscometomindwhenIreflectonmyexperienceswiththePXinVietnam: surprise,joy,andsorrow.Iwillelaborateonallthree. Surprise:WhenIwenttogetmyfirsthaircutatthePXbarbershop,Iexpectedanormal haircut.Itappearedtobegoingthatwayuntilthebarberwasjustaboutfinished.He proceededtogivemeaseriesofkarate-likechopsonmyneckandback.Ithoughthewas attackingmeandreachedformypistol.Therestofthepatronsjustcalmlysatthereand watched.Itturnsoutthatthe“massage”wastheacceptedprocedure.Nevertheless,Iwas totallysurprised,andwealllaughedaboutitlateron. Joy:Allofthehelicopterpilotswantedbigexpensivewatches,andthePXonlygotinafewata time.Whenashipmentarrived,thewordquicklyspreadsoIwaselatedwhenIfinallygotmy bigwatch. Sorrow:OnedayIwanderedintoourPXandwentbacktothemagazinerack.Isawayoung Captainhelicopterpilotlookingatamagazineandrealizedhewasafraternitybrotherfrom collegethatIhadnotseensincegraduation.Iharassedhimaboutreadingmagazineswithout purchasingthem,andhewasashappyasIwastorenewacquaintances.Twoweekslaterthis youngCaptainwaskilledinaction.ThemeetinginthePXwasthelasttimeIeversawhim. Myemotionalexperiencesnotwithstanding,thePXinVietnamwaslikeasmalltouchofhome. Itwasaplacewhereonecouldescapethetrialsandtribulationsofwarandrelaxamong familiarthings.IhavefondmemoriesofgoingtothePXinVietnamandwillcherishthem forever. MichaelBrokovich ***** MybestmemoriesofthePXwhenIwasinVietnam.Iwastrainedasahelicoptermechanicat Ft.RuckerAla.IwassenttoVietnaminJan67andarrivedatBienHoaandwassenttoCanRanh Bay.IwasassignedtoanEngineering(87EBC)outfitwithnohelicoptersandnoneedformy skills.OnthefirstdayinthisunittheSGMinquiredtomyjobdesire.IrespondedthatIwas interestedinbeingacrewchiefonachopper.Sincehecouldnotfulfillthatrequesthesaidthat hehadadifferentneedformyskills.Thenextdaywe(DaveColvin)wereassignedtoworkin thePX.ThereasonbeingthatthePXwasnewandeveryunithadtosupplyanindividualto workinthePX.SowetookoffinthedirectiongiventofindthePX.Itwasprobablyaboutamile pluswalk.OnthewaythereDaveandItalkedaboutwhatwethoughtweweregoingtodo.We bothagreed,thatstockingshelveswithitemswasalittleboringandthatworkinginthestock roomfitourskillsbetter.SowhenwearrivedatthePSitwasjustabigmetalbarnlike structure.WhenwewentinsidetherewasonlyonemilitarypersonaStaffSergeantandabout 30plusVietnameseworkingtherestockingshelvesandworkinginthestockroom.Mostofthe Vietnameseworkingtherewereyoungandspokesomeenglishtoverygoodenglish.Itwaslike walkingintoacandystore.MostoftheVietnamesewereyounggirls.Wewereinitiallyassigned toworkwithSunshineandJanebehindacountersellingelectronicsandlateroncamerasand thenwatchesbutalwaysworkingwithVietnam’spersonnel.Ispentthreegreatmonthsthere. EventuallyreassignedtoanAviationunitinBienHoa.Butthose3monthsallowedmetogetto knowtheVietnameseandwhatagreatpeopletheywere.AlsothePXthereofferedeverything theGIneededandthensome.Itallowedustogetthingsthatremindedusofatouchofhome. Theonlybadthingwastherationcards.ButthePXoverlookedthebayandprovideda picturesqueviewandwasaniceandpleasantplacetowork.Willneverforgetthatexperience. RichardBenner ***** Irealizethatthepurposeofthecontestwastocapturememoriesofthosewhowereservedby AAFESduringtheVietnamWar.AsayoungLt.intheAirForce,Iwasassignedtothe6005th SupportSq.OL6H,whichinnon-AirForceterms,meantPXofficeratPleikuAirBase,Republic ofVietnam.IranthestoreatPleikufornearlysixmonths—butmyfondestmemorywastwoor threedaysafterChristmaswhenIwasatCampSchmidt,theArmypostatwhichouraccounting andmainofficeswerelocated.SomehowtheRedCrosslocatedmeandIgotthetelephonecall whichannouncedthearrivalofJamesMichaelCraig,bornDecember27,1968.Asyoucan imagine,Iwalkedonairforseveraldays. GeorgeH.Craig,Lt.Col.,UFAFRes(Eetired) ****** IarrivedatTanSonNhutAB,Saigon,RepublicofVietNamFebruary8,1962.Myfirst introductiontotheDiningHalldepressedme.Notbecauseofthefood,butbecauseIwasnota CoffeeorTeadrinker.IpreferredmilkwhichIsoondiscoveredwasofthepowderedvarietyand notverywellmixed.Itriedit,but,itjustwasn'tthesameaswhatIwasusedtodrinking. BackStateside,IhadenjoyedmixingNestleQuick(orQuik)powderedchocolatemixwithmy Milk.IwonderedifIhadsomeavailabletomixwiththePowderedMilk,woulditmakeitmore Palatabletomytaste.IsoonvisitedtheBaseExchangeanddiscoveredthatthelocalfacilitydid notcarryit.IaskedtheExchangeStoreManagertoordermesome,andthenwrotemywife, usingthe“FREEMail”stampingprivilege,andaskedhertobuy,packageandshipmeacarton ofchocolatemix.Shedid,andIreceivedmyfirstpackagefromherwithinthenextmonth.The BaseExchangeManagerhadalsoprocuredsomeofthemixanditarrivedataboutthesame time.Iwasin“HogHeaven”foralongtime.ThepowderedMilktastedgreatwiththeChocolate Mix,andIfinishedoutthatyearveryhappywiththeBaseExchangeandmywife. WhenIstartedmysecondtourofdutyinMay1969,atBienHoaAB,RVNIencounteredthe samepowderedmilkandnoChocolateMixattheBaseExchange.Mywifehadforeseensucha disasterandpackedsomemixinmyduffelbag.IcontactedtheBaseExchangeManagerandhe orderedsomeforme.ItsoonarrivedandIwasagainHappy!Madetwolongtours,seemmuch shorter. ELBERTE.(SONNY)CLAYTON,CMSgt,USAF(Retired) **** IwasstationedatTSNatSaigon1962-1963andlivinginTentVillage.Mytenthadthenormal HouseGirl"thatdidthelaundrybutIwasgettingverylowonundershorts,sowenttotheBX, noshorts,wenttotheClothingSalesstoreinSaigon,noshortsofanykind.Intheprocessof changingbusestogetbacktoTSNsawastreetvendor,sittingonthesidewalk,andguesswhat? HewassellingJockyshorts!!Alsohadtobuy4diffeentrazorswhilethere,theBXwouldrun outofmytypebladesohadtobuyadifferentone. RaymondI.Gubser,MSGT,USAF(RET)
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