The Freedom Bird
In 2008 Rich Raitano sent me an e-mail on the 40 year anniversary of his return trip from Vietnam. It was a short e-mail, reminiscing about his flight home. I responded to Rich with an even shorter e-mail saying that I had flipped the whole country off as the freedom bird left the ground. Over the course of the next several weeks, Rich, myself and several others began developing our stories and adding them to a collection we call, "The Freedom Bird". Your story is welcome also.
'Combat shifts the mind into the eternally present and eliminates the concept of memory'
~ Rod Slemmons, Director, Museum of contemporary photography, Chicago
'The one thing we all had in common is that each of us came home alone'
Carl Zarzyski (B 4/21)
My Trip Home From NamDavid Marino (A 4/3, 68-69)
Dance With the DevilDudley Farquhar (A trp. 1/1 Cav.)
Humpty Dumpty Goes to NamJames Dowmen (IAVA Vet)
Stella On My ShouldersJim Wambold (AKA, Arty)
A Major DinnerMarc Levy (1/7 Cav.)
Dong Tam, A Private AffairMike Christensen (C 2/39 9th Inf. Div.)
Dong TamRich Raitano (AKA, 'Doc')
Burgers and Southern BellesRod Linkous (B 4/3)
Another StorySGT Dave Krueger (B 4/3)
A Long Way HomeSlater Davis (B 4/21 & D 4/3, 70-71)
Parades of LoveSteve Newton (A 4/3)
A Psychopath's VacationTom Skeins (AKA, 'Foxtrot')
And a B-52 For YouTony Swindell (Combat Corresp., 31st PID, HHC 11th LIB)
Looking at Dead Guys
Submit Your Own Story
Your story is unique, and you all units or persons who served in Vietnam may submit stories
(via email) to have them published here for free.