Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
Norm (ND) Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: ANKA
Was just parrusing the pictures, good stuff, but in the Sam Moss pics, the first one refers to Cpt. Berry as just pilot...many of you, I'm sure, remember he was also our XO...well hell let me get to it...this was just an ice breaker, what I really wanted to do is post an apology!...a while back a special forces Major posted a guest book entry about how he was seriously wounded and how, because of a 71st Rattler crew, he made it back to Chu-Lai...He wanted to recomend that crew for a DFC and SS, for their brave rescue of him. I commented back to him in a kinda flip way, talking about how I did'nt care about no medals and did'nt need any to know what I did over there...truth is I was probably only involved in a handfull of "Hot LZ" CA's and mild ones, compared to what we went through when the unit flew out of Quang Tri (I did'nt start flying till' we got back to Chu-Lai). I should not have said what I said and Major..if you read this, I respectivly apologize, to you, your rank and the crew that got you home safe...I guess I tend to only get on here after having a few in the evening and can sometimes be pretty stupid as some of you can tell from my previous postings...well in the future, if you guy's catch me sayin' somthin' dumb (beer talk) please...just yell back - "Put a cork in it Pruett!" and I'll understand...Once again, sorry Major I hope you do find the crew, if there's anybody derserving of such high honors, it's a 71st Rattler crew!Thanks for puttin' up with me guys...Sign'n off,Norm "ND" PruettCC 1st plt Widow Makers, 71st AHCRVN 70-71"clear up left"
June 6, 2002 - Escalon, Ca. USA
Cherie Paxton (daughter of Terry) [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler
My dad was in Viet Nam with many of you. If you have any photos or stories about him, please e-mail. He passed away about 8 months ago and he never got a chance to tell us of his days in Viet Nam. I'm told he was in the Widow Maker group. Thanks. I honestly don't even know what a crew chief is.
June 5, 2002 - Longview, WA USA
Greg Arndt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
Gary the new site is great.Maybe we can get some more photos and sounds.I crank em up for the young air force dudes inthe lab here. They've read my copies of Anton'sand Carlock's books and gone thru my photoalbums. Ron-another great job at the re-union.Your wife,family,Carlock and others deserve allthe thanks in the world.
May 30, 2002 - Huntsville, Al USA
Norm (ND) Pruett [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: ANKA
Rendevois in St Louis(or The Wellcome Home We Never Got)What a rush! I was totally blown away, C&B baby! St.Louis 2002 was my first renunion and let me tell yall' when I got home, for some reason I just sat down and cried like a little kid! Seein'ol Ron Taylor, Dee, Mike, WO Mcgraw and especially my old AC Cpt. James Arno was like some kinda flash-back, yes and even ol' "fast Eddie". The intense emotion built up in me all the way home and when I walked in the house and sat down, started blubbering, my wife figured I'd gone bonkers or somthin'...Let me tell ya' it was just pure joy and something else...the love of brotherhood I felt for you guys, back then and (thanks to the Association)again now...you can bet I'll be there in DC...and to other lost, but not forgoten, brothers of th 71st, if you're seein' this for the first time, GO to the next renunion, I don't know how many more these guy's (Ron Seabolt & co.) can manage to put together but even if DC is the last there's no way we can ever repay them for what they've given us. It's not as intense a memory as Viet-Nam, it's more like...what was needed to finish or close that memory...and believe me, it'll certainly be as long lasting!...To all you guys that were there and esp. the 70-71 alums' Thanks for (finaly) giving me the wellcome home I never got... Signin off - Norm ND Pruett, CC 1st plt. Widow Makers,71st AHC RVN 70'-71' "clear up left"
May 30, 2002 - Escalon, Ca. USA
Ron Seabolt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
RATTLERS and FIREBIRDS....Regret to inform you of the passing away of Arnold Potter (EM 71) on 9 March, 2002 from complications caused by multiple sclerosis. Rest In Peace Brother
May 29, 2002 - Terrell, TX USA
J.T. Johnson [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Maintenance with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: NULL
Gary,Thanks for including my story and thanks for all the work you, Ron, and all the others do to keep this working. I enjoy checking in here off and on and always find it interesting.
May 29, 2002 - Plano, IL USA
Randy Billings Sr. [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 17
It was a great reunion ... Ron ... you Kay and Sandy and Wilkie and et all ... Keep this ball rolling and keep friends meeting friends after all these years ... How you going to outdo what you pulled off in St. Louis ... It was nice to see everybody and the highlight of my year ...God Bless America and All of you ...Randy "Rattler 17" Billings
May 29, 2002 - Eddington, Me USA
Marlin Johnson [E-mail]
Former: Officer Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
Great job on the site Gary, Ron and all your help the reunion was great.
May 29, 2002 - ontario, or USA
Whiz Broome [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 12
I have been in email contact with Tom Eden, WO 69-70, and I saw Len Ecker, WO 69-70, at Rolling Thunder this weekend. We shared a few tears and a few laughs and felt the bond of a long time friendship renewed. I have not seen or heard from Len since Nam. I plan to have both Tom and Len at the next reunion!! Thanks again for all you guys do to keep this sight and the association going stong! Blessings, Whiz
May 28, 2002 - Alexandria, VA USA
Hal Bowen [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 16 & 3
Gary, a really great website. Thanks a million for all of your efforts. The reunion in St Louis was grat as they all have been.
May 27, 2002 - Gasburg, VA USA