by Mary/MI
I met Bernie when I was in grade school. He always had a crush on me, but to me he was just like a Brother. I will always remember his sweet smile. I often wonder how our lives would have been, had we ever connected. Here is the story of Bernie's last day on earth.
Bernie(baby face) Began his tour of duty May 23,1968. At the age of 20 yrs. Corp. Rosales was killed in action in the Province of Long An South Vietnam, while checking on a fallen Comrade. Before 25hrs passed, Bernie's body had been airlifted and repatriated to his family in Ithaca MI. Joe Rambo was there to see, feel, and cry for Bernie. Yes Bernie always had a smile on his face.
How Bernie died:
We were at close quarters around a "hooch". Charlie Co. was coming in on the other side. There was a VC/NVA, in a bunker we didn't see, and he shot & killed this guy from Charlie Co. After the VC was eliminated, Bernie walked up and leaned his rifle against the "hooch" & bent over to see if the guy was dead. There were two VC in the "spider hole", which was impossible to see. One of them shot Bernie....there were tears shed. We then eliminated those two VC . Later we captured 2 more.We had to stay the night in a defensive position until the next day. Bernie's body was airlifted that night along with 2 prisoners.The Co. Commander told the Battalion Commander if he didn't come to get the prisoners,they may not live through the night. I think he was probably right.We were not in the best of moods.....
Written by Joe RamboECHO,2ND BN 39th Infantry 9th Division US Army
Bernie was remembered with much love by his friends and family and classmates at Ithaca High Class of 1966. He is remembered with great pride and honor by his Comrades of Echo Co. 1st Recondos Bernie's name is etched in marble of the wall Panel 44w,line019.
PS
When anyone was KIA, the Co. Commander wrote a letter to the parents or wife. I remember Bernie's Mother wrote back and sent us all a box of cookies, goodies etc. From my recollection the letter was in Spanish. Unfortunately for us, none of us could read it.
93 comments:
1~
Cute blog, Mary~ Sweet Bernie~
Good Morning!
MARY: Thank you for sharing your friend Bernie with us today. I didn't know anyone that served in the Vietnam War..so it is always interesting and humbling to put a face and a story to a soldier that served there.
I'm sorry that you lost your childhood friend at such a young age. Thank you again..
TINA: Congrats on FIRST!
Good morning Tina, Hooters! Mary, it's great that you remember someone who has been gone for so long. It shows his life had meaning.
Tina, I wondered when Eunice would clean herself up. She looks particularly crisp today.
Sorry Zona, you came in whilst I was typing. Mornin' to you, too.
Hmmmm..That should have been 'a name and a story..'
It's gotta be the heat..
HI BONACCI!
Happy Wednesday!!
Good Morning...
Tina - congrats on FIRST..
Zona - waving howdy!!
bonacci - good morning..
I am not going to the dog park today - just got back from walking the dogs - and am on my way out for another round with the little one... (Bailey just can't walk as far as she used to)...
Mary - thank you for sharing Bernie with us today.
I hope everyone has an excellent day!!
:-)
9
10 just because
Tina..
Happy 1~
Dianne..
Thanks for your blog yesterday.. I could not think of anyone interesting from NJ other than actors/actress and that is just a bore.. Enjoyed reading your blog tho, I guess its the ole saying you just never know.. :O)
Morning..
Tina..Zona..Bonacci..Mek
Mary..
Sweet blog, Bernie sounds like a wonderful man.. I loved that he smiled always.. I love smiles.. Thanks for sharing with us..
Yesterday..
MJ memorial.. I watched it and could not help but heartache for his children.. So Sad..
My fav part, Jermaine singing "Smile" I love that song.. he did a fab job..
I have not been to the gym in several days.. each night this week, I have had other obligations.. I am going to try to get there 2nite.. I just hope I don't end up where I started.. it was getting easier..
Hmmm.. Tina what is Eunice today??? I can't figure it out..
I am off to start my day.. Hope all enjoys theirs
CAROL: Did you call Frank Sinatra a bore?? Well... ;)
I didn't swim for five days CAROL, and I didn't notice any difference when I started again...I think you'll be fine. :)
MEK: HOOOOWWWWDDYY!! :D
Mary....Your blog was very moving and made me remember someone I haven't thought of in quite a while. He had also served in the Vietnam War and had been wounded while serving. The shrapnel had permanently damaged his voice box so that he could only speak in a rather loud whisper. We dated for a little while and had the most fantastic dates a 16 year old (me)could ask for! We went to concerts, watched illegal drag races from his fantastic looking midnight blue Olds with orange flames painted on the hood...you get the idea....Strangely enough, my Father even approved of him, although he was 24 and definitely more worldly than the guys I usually hung out with. Unfortunately, when he kissed me nothing "happened". (believe me, I tried quite a few times). Finally, I had to tell him. We remained friends for a while and then he quietly drifted off. I always thought he would become a famous furniture builder or cabinet maker, but I never heard anything about him again.
Ok..I was just munching away on a caramel rice cake in my semi-dark office, and when I went into the kitchen to get some water I saw that the rice cake was full of bugs!!! Ewwwwww..patooie..patooie...at least they weren't grasshoppers! arrrrggg...patooie!!
SCIRISH: I think it's so neat when a blog brings back memories, especially the ones that leave you just kinda sighing.. :)
I'm back from my walks...
Zona - I was JUST taking a bite of my eggo when I read your comment!!
I would have thrown up!!! kinda like when I found that bag of worms in my potatoes!!!
eeewwwwwwwwwww
cpgem - I also watched the memorial..
I swore that I would NOT...
I felt that some people were just there to "be there" - i didn't feel anything from their speeches.
Brooke Shields touched me the most.
Wondered why jennifer hudson was there - but she blew all other singers out of the water with her song.
I wonder if Mariah Carey could sing if her hands were tied behind her back.
Magic Johnson - shocked that MJ ate KFC.....
and last but not least - his daughter - bless her heart...
when it is all said and done - he was a her father....
NOW - i wish the media would let it go..... everything has a tribute to the tribute - blah, blah....
ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
(okay - off my soapbox.)
good news - the diggers are back..
:-)
they should be done with my hole around 11a.m.!!
Scirish~ that was precious~ Have you ever tried to find him again? facebook?
Carol~ I have no idea what Eunice is today~ :D
Good morning hooters! I have to rush off. I am having lunch with my ex-coworkers today. Thanks for your sweet comments. I will bbl :):):)
Tina, dam you are looking good today!
but then anything is an improvement from before! LOL!!
Good morning!
Mary, what a touching story this morning. I'm sorry you lost him.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
Congrats to Eunice In The Sky With Diamonds for 1st this morning!
Def. "the girl with kaleidescope eyes"!
Zona, ewww.
MEK I thought the same as you about some of the participants in the memorial service yesterday.
Loved Berry Gordy and Brook Shields.
Allergies have kicked in so I must go find something to take for it.
Hope everyone has a nice day!
Zona, what are you complaining about? You got some free protein with your rice cake!
Tina Congrats on first! You've got that Andy Warhol look again.
Zona Eeeeewwww! Of course I'd be saying that about rice cakes even without the bugs.
Mary Thank you for sharing your story about Bernie. It really touched me that guys couldn't read Bernie's mother's letter. Somehow they knew what she said, though, I'm sure.
In 1964 I was a junior in high school and for a while my boyfriend was Craig Schoenbaum who was a year older and attended school in a different city. I went to his senior prom with him. He was the drummer in a rock band and also worked at a mortuary doing hair and makeup for the deceased. (I know!) Anyway, long after we broke up, he was drafted in Sept. '66 and was killed June '67 in a non-hostile air crash in South Vietnam. He was just 21.
Zona.....Double EWWWWWWWW
Tina...No, I haven't, but maybe I should....
Mek...how long will it take for the pool after the hole is done? It doesn't seem like it's ever going to get warm enough to swim up here.
Whabby...Easthampton, MA is having a Bear Fest and two of their bears have been "Bearnapped". I don't know why this made me think of you.....
BTW...Did you ever get your arm?? You know...The one Walgreen's had on sale for $9.99.
scirish LOL @ Whabby's $9.99 arm. Are you feeling mean from the lack of nicotine? LOL
Good Morning everyone. I enjoyed and appreciated your blog today MARY. I haven't kept up with the blogs lately. I can't seem to settle down at the computer. I think it started with spring fever and also being in a bit of a funk. I sure haven't forgotten all of you and I always hope life is good to you. HUGS to all of you.
Good afternoon everyone! I'm home from mum's for the day. I took her some strawberries, did her dishes, put her pills out in their daily containers and made her lunch. Well it was just a TV dinner but I did heat it up. It's a little chilly here today so I closed a couple windows for her.
Between going to mum's and dealing with the period from hell (10 and 1/2 weeks) that's my life. Trade anyone? I'm a cranky, can you tell?
Tina congrats on 1st!
Hello to Tina, Zona, Bonacci, Mek, Carol, Scirish, Mary, EBJ, Just Lin and Lani!
What a touching story Mary. Sorry you lost Bernie so young and under such circumstances. He seened like a very nice man. ((HUGS))
Carol if you find you don't have the time for the gym at night maybe you could get up a little earlier and go in the morning. That way you will be able to do what you need to do at night and still get your exercise in. Just a thought.
Lani I'm sorry you are in a funk. Maybe the upcoming weekend will bring you out of it. ((HUGS))
Zona step carefully away from the rice cakes. EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!
Scirish how's the not smoking going? You can do it, I know you can. ((HUGS))
ok well I don't mind losing to Shirley~ Gratz
Thanks,sorry K-girl.
Shirley: Please read the comments more carefully before you post. MEK already said they were almost done with her hole, and Mr MEK couldn't be happier. LOL!
Meanwhile, didn't I already say that Scrishy is a bitch? LOL again!
Zona: I'm speechless.
And now for something completely serious:
Mary: I'm NOT speechless about your blog! The thing that struck me about Rambo's testimony was the matter-a-fact, cavalier, dismissive language he used to describe murdering the two Vietnamese guys.
I use that language deliberately to make a point. The two "VC" were in reality just fellow human beings, with mothers and fathers who gave birth to them and nurtured them and held hopes for them, and with siblings who cared about them and loved them.
Wow! I just described BOTH Bernie and the two men who shot him! What a savage, tragic thing that Vietnam war was! Just as with all wars, it forced the combatants to push away the reality of each others' humanity because the situation was either (again, as with all wars) kill or be killed.
Just Lin...ME?? mean??? Naw...I'm not testy at alllllll. Do not listen to my Mother...My name is NOT "Little Miss Cranky Pants" I don't care What she says.
Shirley, I nearly spit out my chocolate covered pretzel (I'm out of Reese's) when I read your "pool" description!!!!
Whabby...Well said!!
Finally I have a minute to myself lol!
Justlin~ Knowing someone from any war dos make it more real & sad. My brother Joel was drafted. He was a photographer and would fly over amo dumps and take pictures.
Lani, I was in a "funk a few weeks ago. I stayed away too. I think we all have those moments. I am sure it is quite normal. We all need to step back and regroup.
Shirley, "I-am feeling-cranky" , girl 10 1/2 wks would make anyone cranky,bitchy & ornery! I have been free of "Aunt Flo" for over 15 years and love it!!
Whabbear, that comment from the soldier did not go unnoticed by me.
I still think of that when I hear how we have killed currant enemies.They also have families. I wonder if you think of the Arabs/Muslims family the same way. I am just curious, but I am sure I know the answer. MUAH!!
Wow....I thought for a moment that MARY said that having the period from hell for 10 weeks would make her "horny". I was thinking what the hell is MARY talking about and then read it again!!!
MARY: Interesting blog. There were so many of the boys that went to Viet Nam after my graduation. I only know of one that didn't come back but then you don't hear of everyone later. I remember watching all the POW"S come home from that war on TV. It was such a sad time.
TINA: Eunice looks like a girl I went to school with in about 5th grade.
ZONA: Now I wonder if you were going to WW how many points they would count that rice cake with the bugs?
Not much new today around here. My husband went up the mtns for a work meeting so I am alone today. I met a friend for lunch and then came home to do laundry. Have any of you gone to those car washes where you have to line your tires up just right in the little rack? Well, I did that or tried to do that today. I'm not kidding, I had to drive in there back and forth about ten times. Finally a girl came over and directed me in. How embarrassing and I probably won't go back there as I will need a new left tire if I do that very often.
Scirish after rereading my pool description I thought it was a bit much so I deleted it. I didn't want to offend anyone. I am still interested in how long it takes to dig the hole and fill it.
And now only Mary gets to know your description....not fair!!!
Shirley, I don't think you could offend anyone here. They all seem a solid bunch.
Shirley, are you serious! We hold the world record for porn here in the nest lol!
Zona,did you give any of "those" cakes to your last two owl visitors??
I think owls eat little mice!
Diane, I'm cracking up about your car wash experience. You can't just aim the car and go?
Zona, you shouldn't worry about eating the bugs. I was at my dad's yesterday and noticed some "particles" on his counter. I called him over to have a peek and he wondered whether it was pepper he had used earlier or termite poop. Never having seen termite poop, I shook some pepper into my hand and compared it. It looked the same, so I stuck my finger in the particles, then in my mouth. I told him I didn't think it was pepper. Anyway, I am still alive. Is termite poop vegetarian?
Bonacci~ It depends on what the termite ate~ :D
AND.....I'm easily offended~ :)~
Di~ ur my favorite dork EVER!!!~
Tina, they're termites. They eat houses. I am a vegetarian, but if someone or something ate me, I would count as meat, yes?
MARY: No, she ZONA didn't give her last two owls anything to eat much less rice cakes with bugs!! Oh yea, she gave us m&m's and milk duds. Besides, do you think TINA AND I would have eaten anything healthy like rice cakes?
Ok you guys, you have to aim your tire between two like poles or pipes on the ground. You have to get you tire right in the middle. I can't believe you are all so "experienced" in this task. I never can get them in and usually pick a car wash that you can just drive into. TINA, I am glad that I am your favorite dork but I think some of you need to go and try this and just notice how many times it takes. If that girl hadn't come along (she probably heard all the noise) I would have just driven out and lost my money. Sometimes it is even worse that you have to aim BOTH tires into the space...I know.....you all can do that too!!
BONACCI: yes, you would count as meat unless something ate you while you were swimming...that something would think you were a fish so there is the answer to that question. Hey, I* may not be able to aim a friggin' tire but I know my food groups!
Good Evening Everyone. Hope everyone had a great day. I have been busy all day.
Bonacci:
If someone ate me? Oh my.....
Mary - Great blog. Thanks for sharing.
Di~ I took my car last Sunday~ Didn't have a problem~
Bonacci~ u may be meat....but I know I'm flab~
that could just be conscrewed all wrong.... ijs
lol kgrl~
98
lol again~
100
My MacBook is slow today. It is frustrating me.
totally got foaded~ :(
woot woot~
Diane...have you been out in the desert sun?
I am bummed that my girlfriend is in Arizona without me! I decided to stay and help my Sister run Karaoke/DJ for her class reunion this week end.
Oh well looks like MEK'S hole isn't filled yet! I wanted to dive in! ;-)
Where's the naughty mat? I will put myself on it! lol!!
<<<<<-------- is thinking Mary's name is stitched into the corner of the naughty mat.
in big letters lol!!
oh, that reminds me I have to go out and put new numbers on my mailbox! I keep forgetting. We have been here 30 some years, our # has always been 1949, they are changing it to 1948. It has always been wrong, we just ignored it, but for safety sakes (emergency units) we will now comply geesh! In rural Mich all one side of the road is supposed to be even #s while the other is odd. I will no longer be odd lol!! bbl
wanna bet?~ :)~
Kgrl, you are so decadent! I'm lovin' it!
Holey mother of pearl I was almost eaten up by 'skeeters!! They sucked the blood right out of my ankles! Dracula would be proud!! I knew I would have to pay for not donating my blood this week!
I am off to sing a little karaoke.
Bonacci
Are you sayin that I am deteriating or that my morals are in the process of declination?
Or that I am scrumptious like a cupcake with buttercream frosting and sprinkles?
eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww~
k'Girl - I vote for the cupcake!!
:-)
Kgrl, I never accused you of having any morals at all. That's what I adore about you!
OMG I come here and I read about big holes and getting eaten. Yowza!
Where's Carol with all the porn talk?
EBJ, we are doing our best to fill the void until Carol can join us. Yes, it is a large undertaking, but we will all pull together.
Tina, I read about you getting foaded earlier today and youtube went down a short time ago. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the DDoS attack?
EBJ:
Thank You~ That made me laugh my ass off....
Oh and Bonacci I do have morals, just ask Tina (and tell the truth Tina)
Can't wait to see what Tina has to say 'bout that!
Congrats on 1st Tina!
HI Everybody! I hope everyone's Wednesday was super fab. Mine was good and I feel good. I had a good hour of yoga, 2 hours of walking and 22K+ steps!
Going to read comments.
Mary: I always am amazed at ppl who give their lives for this great country..amazed and in awe. Great blog!
Carol: I agree, my fave too, "smile". I had no idea that it was MJ's favorite song. It is definitely one of mine and always has been. I hope you made it back to the gym today.
Lot's of porn going on today. LOL
My brother is dozing on the couch. He drove up from SoCal this morning and only had about 1 1/2 hrs of sleep. He'll be spending time at a lake for a week then return here to visit with me for a bit before I leave on my cruise. I gave up on going to the lake years ago as I am not a "water" person and it gets too freakin hot there for me.
Area 51: Tina: I was wondering if was a bunch of googlin' owls yesterday.
Bon'o: Osmosis my eye.
Bebbi Good job on getting physical and staying physical.
Bebbi, a 2nd on the congrats for doing something healthy for yourself!
Kgrl, as soon as I realized you rode a bike, I had instant respect for you. I started out on a little 50 cc when I was 9. I rode bitch to Sturgis one year and I swear my butt was vibrating for a month.
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