QRQ 30
07-22-2004, 09:58
The meaning of those words hit me in Vietnam. Two incidents occured which made me swear off the combination of booze and guns.
There was a little bar just outside of the FOB compound. CRS the whole name but it was " The***** Door". On the same evening that Martin, my 1-0, was killed I was at this bar winding down with other Recon Team personnel. I had had a rough day to say the least. The mission we had was for the 4th ID. The CG requested us since his LRRPs weren't ready (capable). A few B-24 people visited the bar but for the most part it was exclusively SOG recon personnel.
We were having a raucous good time when of all things, in walks four 4ID LRRPS. They were sure purty in their fresh jungle fatigues, shined boots and those pretty Aussi hats with the brim pinned up on one side and a blue band with "LRRP" written in white letters.
Of all dumb things to do, especially in a bar occupied mostly with SOG personnel, one of them started bad-mouthing SF and saying how they were much superior. I was in no mood for such shit and pulled out my .45, jacked a round in the chamber and told the asshole to disappear.. Apparently everyone in the bar knew I was dead serious and hustled that fool out pronto. Actually some of the recon people were fighting over who was going to shoot the sucker.
The second time was just plain stupid. I was in downtown Kontum one night and I saw an MP jeep going down the road.. Just for fun, and with no evil intentions, I fired a round into the air their direction. I immediately new I had upgefucht. I immediately ducked into the bar and handed the gun to the first person I saw, a black recon man named Bragg. He asked what that was for and I said don't ask questions, just split.
The MPs came in and for some reason came right to me. They asked to see my pistol and I explained that we weren't allowed to carry weapons downtown while off duty. They thought they had me when they saw my empty holster.I explained that I always wore my web-gear and it was too much trouble to take the empty holster off. I don't think they bought it but they left.
I saw Bragg back at the FOB and when he returned the .45 he asked: "Why me?"
After that I never carried a weapon if drinking. My indig followed me everywhere and were my personal bodyguards. As obnoxious as I could get they never let anyone screw with me.
Disclaimer: Don't attempt these stunts in civilized surroundings.
There was a little bar just outside of the FOB compound. CRS the whole name but it was " The***** Door". On the same evening that Martin, my 1-0, was killed I was at this bar winding down with other Recon Team personnel. I had had a rough day to say the least. The mission we had was for the 4th ID. The CG requested us since his LRRPs weren't ready (capable). A few B-24 people visited the bar but for the most part it was exclusively SOG recon personnel.
We were having a raucous good time when of all things, in walks four 4ID LRRPS. They were sure purty in their fresh jungle fatigues, shined boots and those pretty Aussi hats with the brim pinned up on one side and a blue band with "LRRP" written in white letters.
Of all dumb things to do, especially in a bar occupied mostly with SOG personnel, one of them started bad-mouthing SF and saying how they were much superior. I was in no mood for such shit and pulled out my .45, jacked a round in the chamber and told the asshole to disappear.. Apparently everyone in the bar knew I was dead serious and hustled that fool out pronto. Actually some of the recon people were fighting over who was going to shoot the sucker.
The second time was just plain stupid. I was in downtown Kontum one night and I saw an MP jeep going down the road.. Just for fun, and with no evil intentions, I fired a round into the air their direction. I immediately new I had upgefucht. I immediately ducked into the bar and handed the gun to the first person I saw, a black recon man named Bragg. He asked what that was for and I said don't ask questions, just split.
The MPs came in and for some reason came right to me. They asked to see my pistol and I explained that we weren't allowed to carry weapons downtown while off duty. They thought they had me when they saw my empty holster.I explained that I always wore my web-gear and it was too much trouble to take the empty holster off. I don't think they bought it but they left.
I saw Bragg back at the FOB and when he returned the .45 he asked: "Why me?"
After that I never carried a weapon if drinking. My indig followed me everywhere and were my personal bodyguards. As obnoxious as I could get they never let anyone screw with me.
Disclaimer: Don't attempt these stunts in civilized surroundings.