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DrEntropy

DrEntropy

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The opening ceremonies for "The Wall That Heals" memorial arriving here. Found two guys' names I knew and served with. Watery eyes and nape hairs at attention. Worked with this guy. He went down on a Jolly Green rescue attempt to drag Hambleton's (BAT Two-One) butt outta th' woods. He was on the first Jolly shot down in the effort, erroneously listed as a "passenger" in some documentation. In reality he was a USAF "Aerial Combat Documentation Photographer" and one-each durn'd good Photojournalist. Volunteered to go TDY to DaNang from Ubon, volunteered for that mission. Wasn't found, I.D.'d and repatriated until just a few years ago. Sad set of circumstances.

Navy SEAL Tom Norris got a CMH for finally saving Hambleton's bacon.

EDIT: The other guy has yet to be found. OV-10 jock (NAIL FAC) out of NKP. Leaving the details off out of respect and personal connections to his family.
 
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well done Doc. thanks for sharing
 
Indeed, yes. Well done.
And respect to those who did not return.
 
Thanks for sharing Doc! I've seen the wall two times and it tears me up every time. Every American should make an effort to see it, touch it and visualize all those heros who gave it all in the performance of duty. You will walk away feeling very humble and will never forget the experience, ever.
 
This thread made me read up on the tomb on the unknown. I always thought it was a mausoleum that had enough room for all of the unknowns. It really bugs me those folks were "selected" to be in that area. What about the other guys?! Why did we dig up our guys overseas who we knew were unknown and not send them home with the "chosen"?
I don't understand this at all.
 
Can't really answer your question, Billy, but I've always taken the monument to be representative of all the unknowns in each of the wars. "Selection" was totally random, I think by a service member. The reality is that there were many whose remains were never recovered (and probably never will be).

Maybe someone with more knowledge about this will post.
 
That's what I read too. Mick, I understand the MIA and random selection but that's my point. The thing is; these are "known" unknowns with actual remains that are being left out. I get the fact there may be more than a few but expansion and cremation are always an option. Why have guard over only a few and leave others out; that just doesn't make sense. If it's a big deal...then it's a big deal. Leavin' unknown guys outback under the azaleas while a "select" few are being honored is an insult and insincere IMO.

They all deserve to be there no matter what that entails.
 
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