On 31 Aug 2008 18:55:41 GMT, Nick Cramer pacbell.net> wrote:

Ah, I see I missed two very worthy plonkees, Jim and Nick.

And, btw, if you're referring to me above: my Dad went into Omaha Beach on D-Day
+1, and fought through the Bulge. My mother spent her seven years in the British
army. My wife's Dad wore two stars, and died in Italy. Her oldest brother died a
Special Forces captain in 'Nam. Her next oldest brother spent a tour in 'Nam.
Her third brother just retired after 30 years, an army colonel. Unfortunately,
in his new job, he's still spending too much time in Baghdad.

Me? I spent 26 months in 'Nam (II Corps -- An Khe, Pleiku, Cha Rang), was a
22-yr. old captain commanding a 325-man company. Came out of it with a BS with
several other little bits hanging off it (little knots and a V) and two ACMs. Of
course, I doubt if you know what any of that means.

There's not a lot you can tell me about war.

We had some fine Aussies in 'Nam. They partied hard, and were second in
viciousness only to the Korean Tiger Division in our region. Good men. Also lots
of good Aussie touring bands (invariably with beautiful female lead singers)in
cities near the coast. But I doubt if any of those fine people sired any of the
snot-nosed punks infesting USEnet these days