Good evening everyone,

[MarineCombatEngineer]

as may have been noticed, I haven't been around for a while for 2 reasons,
#1. We've been really, really busy trucking down on the highways, and
#2. Myself and 3 of my grandchildren have been invited to visit Vietnam in Oct.. and it's been hectic getting our passports and all the other things involved with this, for me, returning to Vietnam, this time as a tourist and not a combatant is the crown jewel.
I'm really looking forward to returning to some of the places where I fought and my grandchildren are excited to see where Grandpa served.

I'll take plenty of pictures and video of our trip and will post them here when we return to the States.
Thank you all for understanding why I haven't been posting and I won't be posting much for the foreseeable future as I and my other driver are slammed with deliveries.
Peace out everyone.
Daniel.

[Deuxcents]

1. Safe journeys for you and your family. Hope you will tell us all about the invite and your trip on return

[MarineCombatEngineer]

2. Thank you.

I do plan to post pics and video after we get back.

[Permanut]

3. Thanks for the update, MCE..

I look forward to your posts anytime.

Navy vet here, Vietnam era, but through the luck of the draw, never went there. Ended up on a tin can out of Norfolk, VA.

I have two friends on the wall, 1Lt.Bill Liddycoat and 1Lt. Curtis Onchi. A high school classmare is there, Roger Okamoto. Knew him in school, nice guy.

My best friend should be there too, Michael Close, Air Force, EOD. Came home in one piece, but was never the same. Took his own life in 1998.

I think about these guys often, and how fortunate I was to be assigned elsewhere. I know things have changed a lot there. I would be very interested to hear yor experience with going back, and any comparisons you able to share about your time there before.

Thanks for posting this.

[70sEraVet]

29. I'm a grateful Vietnam Era tin-can sailer as well.

I have only deepest respect for those who went there, and pay honors to those who didn't return.

[niyad]

4. Safe travels for both your job, and the coming trip. We expect a full report

as soon as possible.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Peace be with You and Your Family Teammate

Have a rewarding adventure.

[electric_blue68]

6. Safe driving, and safe vacationing. Have a great adventure!

[cachukis]

7. Peace.

[UTUSN]

8. And actually have missed ur not being around, thanks.

[hlthe2b]

9. I look forward to your trip stories. I'm sure it will be both exciting-- and poignant at times.

Be safe! Enjoy!

[canetoad]

10. As soon as I saw this post

Realised you hadn't been around for a while. Glad the reasons are all good. Looking forward to pix from Vietnam.

[Bev54]

11. Have fun, visited Vietnam back in 2002

It was a fun trip

[HeartsCanHope]

12. Safe journeys, MarineCombat Emgineer!

Take care.

[sheshe2]

13. Have a wonderful trip, Daniel.

Have missed you, but considering what tsf is doing to this country, it is great to hear you have been busy with deliveries.

Safe journey to you and yours .

[AverageOldGuy]

14. Before you go, try this

Collect the names of some places you served. Write them down.

Get on Google Earth and add Google Earth to your desktop.

Then, open Google Earth and in the search box, enter the name of one of the places you served. Get ready for a surprise.

For example, I was in and out of the Bu Dop Special Forces camp near the Cambodian border. Had a small airstrip that would handle a C123. It was exciting for a 123 to land, turn around, drop the ramp, gun the engines, and race back down the strip for take-off with pallets rolling out of the rear and mortar rounds following the 123 down the strip!!! I operated in and out of Bu Dop for a few months, mostly toward the border.

My battalion's base camp was in Phu Loi, NW of Saigon.

I searched for Bu Dop on Google Earth. In 1969-70, it was surrounded by single canopy jungle, some small agriculture, and at least an NVA regiment. Now, there's an interstate highway with huge what appears to be warehouses and industrial installation. No jungle in sight.

Phu Loi airstrip would handle C130s. There were several companies of Hueys, Chinooks, and Cobras there. Today, there's an 18-hole golf course and another interstate highway.

[Cha]

15. Peace to you, Daneil, and Safe Travels

For you and your Grandkids.

Going to back Vietnam.. wow, Full Circle!

Mahalo for sharing your news with us.

[mountain grammy]

16. Wonderful to see this

My husband has talked about going back but pretty sure he never will.

Have a good trip. Looking forward to those pictures. Might give my husband some incentive.

[OldSWODog]

17. safe travels, Marine

may the journey bring a degree of happiness, joy with family and some form of closure for you...I look forward to hearing of your return stateside and your thoughts about your return to VietNam...fair winds from a former FMF HM...cheers, OSD

[oasis]

18. Have great trip.

[BidenRocks]

19. Safe travels!

Don't forget your burner phone.

VMA-214

[calimary]

20. Hey Daniel, thanks for the update!

Yeah, your absence was noticed.

Sounds like you’re gonna have a FABULOUS time with your grandchildren! What an adventure you’re gonna have!!!

IF you have time, IF and only IF:
Take a notebook with you, or your laptop, or something on which you can make a few notes. About your trip and all the sights and locations and shrines and other points of interest you visit. And what thoughts and memories it brings up, PLUS their reactions and responses to it.

But ALSO: honor how you feel about it. Might you visit some spots where you and your buddies hung out? Or where you all suffered and shared your fears. Or maybe thoughts of comrades you’ve all cared about and who you’ve lost. And be gentle with yourself if some difficult memories filter in.

This trip is gonna take you places you may really want to make a diary out of. And you’ll share your wisdom and perspective with your grandkids, which is a gift it’ll be hard to measure OR match. They’ll treasure it all, more by the day, and for the rest of their lives. They’ll be enriched beyond all imagining.

Might just turn out to be the most revolutionary and mind-bending trip you’ve ever been on. If you happen to want to share some (or all) of it with us here, we’ll be GREATLY honored, and we will hang on every syllable.

Hugs!!!

[Maru Kitteh]

21. Happy for you! Trip of a lifetime, for sure.

Stay safe and soak it up. Enjoy!

[CTyankee]

22. Wow! Please let us know how it went. What a great opportunity. I look forward to your report!

[Cherokee100]

23. Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis, 'Jar Head'.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

24. Safe travels MCE. 😎

[mdbl]

25. Have a safe journey and a great time!

We'll be here when you get back.

[democrank]

26. Safe travels....what a meaningful trip

~Peace~

[FakeNoose]

27. Wow that sounds like an awesome trip ... and something your grands will never forget

[soldierant]

28. I'm particularly concerned about your return.

I hope you and grandchildren and anyone else going with you get allowed back in smoothly. Please let us know.