 23Sept2007: I was somewhat apprehensive as I was driving the 350 miles south to Camp Pendleton, Ca. for the commemoration of Operation Swift, 40 years ago, Sep. 4, 1967. Of course, the action on the 4th was the most discussed, but other events also happened during the rest of the operation. I wasn't too sure how things would go, but when I arrived and met my long-time friend, John Lobur and his lovely wife Jan, my fears quickly disappeared. John and I had spent many a day surviving in Vietnam, and it had been 31 years since we had last seen each other. It was as if we had just been separated for a short time! We went to Chuck Goebel's mom's home in Lake Forrest for a back yard barbecue. During the barbecue, I was interested to discover what had happened to several of my fellow Marines. I will give one example: After being on a LP (listening post) all night during Swift as radio operator, the unit I was with (I believe 6 men) was fired upon by an AC47 gunship. At least one was KIA on one side of me and one WIA on the other, each being about 3-4 feet from me. I never knew what happened to the wounded Marine until Larry Nunes spoke of his being wounded during Swift by friendly fire. I spoke with Larry and we agreed that it was the AC47 gunship incident! Finally, after 40 years, I knew who it was that had been wounded and what had happened to him after he was medi-vaced. Of course, those who did not survive Swift were the ones most honored, but we also celebrated the survivors and were grateful to learn of their lives since, even though at least some of us have suffered greatly either physically, mentally,or both, we were able to embrace each other and give thanks. Chuck, his mom, and wife Christy, Capt. J.D. Murray, Jack Swan, and others, not to mention USMC personnel at Camp Pendleton, went beyond the call to organize and manage this reunion. A big thanks to all!
On 4 Sept 2007, 1200 hours, we met at the 3rd BN 5th Marine location at Camp Pendleton which is at the northern end of the base. After the 3/5 Chaplain spoke we heard from: Capt. JD Murray our skipper, Ed Blecksmith (2nd platoon commander), Jack Swan, Craig Sullivan, Ron Pizano, and myself. Forgive me if I forgot anyone. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Bill Vandegriff conducted an Indian To sum up,I believe most, if not all of us that were there at the reunion, realize how important we are to each other. We were in battle(s) and now, since we have shared experiences, a bond is created that those who have not gone through this, will ever know. Whether we have told others over the years or not, I think getting together allows us to realize that we will always be in each other's prayers and thoughts. I also discovered that by talking with each other, we can piece together memories of actions that may have not been complete. Consequently, we owe each other debts of gratitude for what we did in Vietnam and appreciation for each other now. I guess what this all adds up to is that we all are heroes to each other, and I do not mean to make light of the word "hero"!
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Pipe Ceremony. Bill is a member of an Indian Tribe from Michigan (I do not recall which one). I spoke specifically about Father Capodanno since my actions that day were based entirely on the fact that Father Capodanno had rescued me from sure death. At the end of my comments, I quoted a high school history paper written by my son Jeremy in 1991 about Vietnam., specifically concerning Operation Swift .Among other things, Jeremy stated that; "If Father Capodanno had not been there my dad would have died and my sister and I would not have been born!" I might add that my three grandsons would not exit either! We then proceeded to a beach on Camp Pendleton (San Onofre) to enjoy a catered lunch. During that time several Marines spoke in a more casual way, some with much more emotion then earlier in the day. The next day there was a lunch at the officers club at Mainside. Unfortunately,I was not able to attend the lunch. John Lobur mentioned that "a good time was had by all"