Military Memories of our Runner-Ups Archives - Page 5 of 14

The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

CPT Leonard Crosby, U.S. Army (1964-1970)

VA Military Memories Competition, Vietnam War

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

The Song “We gotta get out of this place” by the Animals! We used to sing it all the time in the field in Vietnam. It also applies to the year I took stateside between deployments in Vietnam. I was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, as a training officer for reserve and national guard units sent to Vietnam while awaiting my orders to join the 101st. One of those units was a MASH hospital. They arrived without their contingent of doctors and nurses but with a Major in charge. We were told to take them out to the field and set themselves up under simulated combat conditions. I had a small group that I was to take out to secure the site from the “aggressor” troops before bringing the full outfit. As we were preparing to leave, and I was issuing weapons and blanks, the Major came down to the supply room and pulled out a crate of tear gas grenades that they had been given in the event that they were called out for crowd control. I told him we would not be needing those and suggested that he put them away. Once we left, he apparently grabbed two and hung them from his web gear.

TC1 Richard Muller, U.S. Coast Guard (1985-1995)

Gulf War, VA Military Memories Competition

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

Song Connection: “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. Why: There’s an evocative power to “Comfortably Numb” that deeply resonates with my decade of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. The song speaks of transitions, of changes, and of coming to terms with realities. For me, it mirrors the transformative journey from a young, high-spirited recruit fresh out of high school to a seasoned Coast Guard member and, later, an IT professional, attributing my skills and discipline to the robust training and values instilled during my service in the Military. Specific Memories: Every time David Gilmour’s soulful guitar solos waft through the air, I’m transported back to moments just after a mission. Amidst the adrenaline rush of success and the weight of responsibility, there was also an inexplicable sense of peace, almost a comforting ‘numbness,’ knowing we’d given our best — “You have to go out, you don’t have to come back.” The song, in its profound depth, takes me to countless nights sailing beneath the Caribbean stars on the USCGC Dependable, where the vastness of the ocean would often make us contemplate life and our role in the grand tapestry of the nation’s defense.

SSG James Walker, U.S. Army (1966-1991)

Revolutionary War, VA Military Memories Competition, Vietnam War

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

Detroit City (I Wanna Go Home) by Bobby Bare. After AIT in November of 1966, we all just knew we were headed to Vietnam. It was a great surprise when 32 of us came down on orders for Korea. Our first reaction was: “Where the hell is Korea?” Korea in 1966 is not like you see today. The 14 months I spent there turned a boy into a man, with increased responsibility coming as the months trudged by. I spent 3 months in the field giving communications support to the ROK army that were looking for North Korean infiltrators. The song “I Wanna Go Home” became our theme song played in every bar and club we went to.

Cpl Scott Baigrie, U.S. Marine Corps (1989-1993)

Gulf War, VA Military Memories Competition

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

As I reflect on that vivid memory from Operation Desert Storm, it’s as if I’m transported back in time to the harsh and unpredictable environment of the desert. It was a moment that showcased the camaraderie and unity that develops among soldiers during challenging times.
The rain came unexpectedly, a rare occurrence in the arid desert landscape. Droplets fell from the sky, refreshing and cooling the parched earth beneath our boots. We found ourselves seeking shelter under the massive shelter of a 5-ton truck, its sturdy frame providing a makeshift haven from the unexpected downpour.