 Doesn't everyone
remember the term "SHORT" Ward 5 kept track. |
 Afternoon Volleyball at the Ville |
 Crystal Creek Ken Schwab has a Very pungent memory of Crystal Creek |
 Now that the statute of limitations has passed Clinton sends his extra copy of his Liberty pass. The one he was supposed to turn in. |
| It was customary to meet in the laboratory after hours
for a friendly game of poker, in fact sometimes there was two or three
games going all at once (the lab was air-conditioned, you know). This
particular evening was close to the end of the month and everyone was a
little short of cash, although someone came up with a bottle of Southern
Comfort whisky. The rules of the game were-- if you lost the hand you took
a swig from the bottle. I was having a bad night, so the bottle was
showing up in front of me exceedingly often. As we approached the bottom
of the bottle someone said 'Schwab I bet you $10.00 you can not jump
Crystal Creek'. I accepted the challenge provided I would have a practice
run. You see I grew up on a West Texas irrigated cotton farm, I had jumped
many a irrigation ditch and Crystal Creek was just another ditch to me.
Well the first jump went pretty well, I did kind of splat on the other
side, but I did get across. I felt that if I made a few adjustments it
would be a cinch. The one thing I failed to consider was all of that
running had pumped that booze into my brain. The second attempt ended in
me landing in the "Creek", in fact I caught my foot on a pipe in the
ditch. As I splashed around struggling to get myself out of ditch several
of my buddies leaned over the bridge in an attempt to pull me out. The
result was I pulled someone in head first. It was a dismal situation. When
I got to X-ray Sgt Garza wouldn't x-ray me till I took a shower." I woke up several hours later in severe pain. Dr. Liberace decided he was of no use to the laboratory with my arm and foot in casts so he sent me back to the States. "I was a very unpopular person because I was going home because of a ridiculous sequence of events." So there you have it my war story. I wish I could remember the names of the players, it has just been to long. I am sure several people will remember that event filled night in June 1968. |
| SUKI'S PETTING ZOO (the rest of the story)
With the large number of children in the hospital, Suki McArthy (our flower child) decided they needed some diversion. She set about to get animals so the children would have some pets. Magically Suki was able to find bunny rabbits, chickens and other creatures for the children. When she came back to work she found her petting zoo empty. She asked the children what happened to the animals and they all pointed to one of the mothers. It turns out that Mama san had cooked the petting zoo. Suki didn't try again. |
 The Gazebo |
 Dr. Ernie Santoni sent me a copy of the Cyrnos menu Onion Cheese Soup
Lobster ThermidorWhich he says we paid for with a bottle of Mateus Rosé . I thought we drank it. But time flies. |
I was there and got into a few poker
games in the hexagonal plywood (THE GAZEBO) officers club next to the
grand old hotel that housed 36th personnel. I was pleased it had AC. Never
won enough real money from 36th personnel to call home about. I was the
local Army leader of the US government's Phoenix effort and worked out an
agreement for medical care at Seminary Camp for our Province
Reconnaissance Units (PRU'S) hurt in our combat operations. I remember one
name, Vicky Phillips, 1LT. She was the head nurse on the ward I was on
during the moonwalk in July 1969. I retired in 1980. I salute everyone in
the 36th and hope you all understand how much you gave us back right there
in the place we were injured, physically and emotionally. Thanks for being
there. J. D. Whisenhunt gwhis@sprintmail.com |
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| Tony Otero sent these memories of Christmas and | Thanksgiving in 1967 |
 |
G'day Annie ..... it's wonderful to hear
from you. Yes I know what you mean both about technology and the grey
matter becoming old. When you hear a news item of an anniversary of some
major event being 10 years ago, you just can't believe it was so long ago.
I can assure you we had a lot of good times with you "Yanks" also. During
my time we frequented the "Beachcomber" quite regularly .... in fact I
think we kept the place going. We Australians know how to party and if we
walked into a place on your own we would instinctively head for a group
that looks like they were having a good time and invite ourselves in. The
Americans couldn't or wouldn't do that. I used to watch them at the
Beachcomber, they would edge closer to our table each time they went for a
beer. Eventually we would invite them to join us because we enjoyed their
company and they were paid more then us and liked to buy. We used to tell
them some terrible lies though and of course they would believe us. Would
like to keep in touch with your group if you don't mind. Rodger p.s. 19
beers is an awful lot of drinks to be behind if you drink with
Aussies vampire66@one.net.au
Rodger is referring to the remark I made to him that one time I was drinking with Aussies at the Beachcomber and found myself 19 beers behind.
|
 This ship was grounded off the coast of Vung Tau. The person who sent this photo said it had been there for many years. My recollection is that the ship was grounded while I was there in 67-68 |
 Getting ready to go to town |
 Someone ? dug up this palm tree and planted it near the A& D office. Was it Larry Kipp? |
 Vietnamese women being treated by native medicine. The sticks are pulling out the evil spirits. Sounds like the cure worse than the disease. |
 Bougainvillea |
 and burnouts |
36th Evacuation Hospital Hospital Personnel Found
Hospital Personnel Missing Hospital History The Hospital VungTau
1966-1967 1967-1968 1968-1969 POETRY PATIENT COMMENTS