Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
The USA [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
Dear Vietnam Veteran,I know I should have written much sooner.I can’t say why I did not. Out of fear of admitting to myself you were there fighting a war. Or maybe ashamed; ashamed that I never accepted the things you felt you had to do.Whatever it is, I know it must hurt.Believe me when I say it hurts me more. I have the burden of your hurt plus that of my own; the pain of not being able to show my true feeling toward you.I am not writing this for the months you served in Vietnam, but for the many years, you were left alone with only your brother Veterans. You served proudly and it went unmentioned.For a long time, I’ve wanted to express the words. The words an honorable Veteran needs to hear.For a long time, I’ve wanted to hold you during your times of pain.God knows I wanted to.And only He knows why I never found the courage. I do not remember what I used to say; maybe I do not want to remember.All I know is I hope that it is not too late to give you those things now.For years, you tried to be part of my world. Doing everything to please me, just to be noticed and given a little time and understanding…I look back and see the demands I placed on your shoulders when you were young. “Fight your weakness, and always show strength to others around you.”Who was I to make such a demand?I sit here with tears in my heart, finally admitting to myself the one weakness you must have seen in me and never questioned.My inability to say the words that I know would have meant so much to you.“Welcome Home.”You served your country honorably.Please hear these words now, from my heart. Please give me a chance to be part of your world now. The world I should have been part of long ago.Love,America
September 10, 2002 - Washington, DC USA
Dale Engel [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler18/Firebird18
Gary,Number one, classy, impressive, top shelf, tits, outtasight, helluva job on the web site. Appreciate your hard work as I'm sure all the Rattlers/Firebirds do. Congratulations on a job well done. I'll have a cold one waiting for you in DC.
August 29, 2002 - Overland Park, KS USA
Sean McCarrigan [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
I have just been doing a search on the net for family tree purposes. I am interested to find out more from your Vol IV No.2 1998 newsletter. You have an article by Charley Sparks (EM 69-70) called "My first ever ear story". In the story he makes reference to a plane called McCarrigan (629). Could you please give me some information on the significance of the word McCarrigan as that is my family name. Regards,Sean McCarrigan
August 19, 2002 - Dunedin, Otago New Zealand
Phil Wood [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: 1st Plt 685 and 546
Gary, You are to be commended! This web site is LOOKING GREAT! And getting better every time I check it!! To those of you that I promised copies of some of my photos, I hav'nt forgotten! I loaned out the prints to a fellow Rattler for a special project right after the reunion and will be getting them back shortly, so don't dispair! Hoping to hear from other unit members. Phil Wood("Woody")1st.plt.68-69
August 19, 2002 - Lancaster, Ohio USA
Joe Schenke [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: ??
I sent Gary White a bunch of slides form the original group of '66-65. Gary was able to clean them up and enhance them with his software. Gary was able to get 106 images scanned and posted on the web. I received all of the slides back and Gary was kind enought to make me a disc with all the pictures for my own use. What a great Web Master. I would hope that everyone that has pictures or slides from their tour would make them available for Gary to scan for the website so we may all enjoy them.Joe
August 9, 2002 - Chicago, IL NULL
ND Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: ANKA
Re; Whiz got virus email...got same email from rattler 16, it locked up on my email service when I clicked on it so I deleted it right away...Rattler 16, Let us know if this was you that unknowingly sent this or was it a fake trying to bomb us, it's important to be able to trust emails from Rattler addresse's.Best regards, Norm ND Pruett, Widow-Makers, 70-71, 'clear up left'
July 31, 2002 - Escalon, Ca. NULL
Whiz Broome [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 12
I got an email from a Rattler 16 that contained a virus so my server, at the Pentagon, deleted the message and who sent it. Could who ever sent the message please resend a clean message? Thanks, Whiz
July 31, 2002 - Alexandria, VA USA
Jose(AKA)Joe Garcia [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
I was a crewchief in 1st plt widowmakers69-70 I started as a gunner T.Paxton andPalmer(m.s.)were c/e when I was a newbeMy last few mos. I crewed for 14 CABLtc.Kesler. SEE YA J.Garcia Ret.U.S.Army
July 28, 2002 - Harrisonburg, Va. USA
wayne carlton [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
GREAT SITE! I thank all you guys for your service and I hope you can join the 196th reunion in branson missouri next year.A lot of us have been able to grow old because you guys came to help. (I'll not mention the one's of you who dropped us into hot lz's and flew off into the wild blue).Seriously, I appreciate each and everyone of you and welcome home. I wish chuck success on his upcoming books and I also wish Frank would go ahead with his book about garwood. best to all, wayne Carlton D/2/1 196th lib 7/67-7/68
July 27, 2002 - bartlett, tn usa
Neil A. Ashbaugh [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
Proud son-in-law of Dennis Cornibe, door gunner in your group for a couple of years. 67-69? Thanks to all of you for doing such brave things while still refering to them as "just a days work". Read Chuck's book and appreciated the details, and compared to Dennis' recollections. No words can describe it! If anyone wants to get a hold of Dennis, feel free to e-mail me anytime and I'd be glad to forward your replies on to him!!!
July 26, 2002 - Butler, PA USA