I'll remember Fred Pruden. He and I served together for almost two years on Okinawa. At the time, he was an E-7 and I was an E-5. We were both ASA. If you know anything about ASA, you know that there were no officers. Our officers were all Military Intelligence. Only the guys who did the real work were ASA.
In 1970, my four year enlistment was up. Fred wanted me to reenlist. It would have meant a $10,000 reenlistment bonus (no small amount of change in 1970) and another stripe. It was tempting.
Reenlisting would probably have included a tour in 'Nam. Like the current wars, we had no idea when they would end. I had done my time. I volunteered rather than be drafted. I had fulfilled my obligation to my country.
It's funny now when you look at the current crop of politicians how many have not served in the military.
I think it should be a prerequisite for any elected office. That would sure thin the herd of candidates.
But anyway, this Memorial Day, I will remember SFC Frederick William Pruden. You can find him on the Vietnam Memorial Wall....Panel 06W...Line 035
No thanks to me.Thank the men and women who served with us, who made the extreme sacrifice, and those who served in the past and present. God bless all of them and God bless this great nation.
Memorial Day - Military.com(click on this site)
I'm surprised that I hadn't run across your post before now.
I, too (very proud to say), was in The Agency from 1966 through 1970. SFC Frederick William Patrick Pruden (crooked little pipe, and all) was my "Field First" while I was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, USASATR, from December 1966 through June 1967, while I was an 05K student. Fred and I got to be pretty good friends while I was at Devens. In fact, we once went woodchuck hunting near his home over in Stamford, New York. He had several guns at his mother's house, including a Colt Model 1917 .45 revolver, which he sold to me. First handgun I ever owned!
I'll always remember Fred as being a Hell of a good man, and one of the best soldiers I ever knew.
Time again to thank the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can continue to enjoy our freedoms.
Never argue with drunks or crazy people.
I will remember my Uncle Bob, was an aircraft gunner. He fought over France and Italy in WWII. I aquired some of his medals through my father.
My Dad, a Pearl Harbor vet, D-Day vet, Korean War Vet and Viet Nam Vet (1962), Retired after 22 years as a major He passed away 3 years ago at age 86.
My cousin, SSG Eric Duckworth. Eric T. Duckworth, Staff Sergeant, United States Army