This page was last updated on: September 10, 2002

Reflections On an October Day The gun truck was a tough old road, at least that's what they say. But I guess we didn't know that then, we just did it every day. And even if you didn't want to, you did it anyway. The fellas that you rode with, they were brothers and much more. Because you shared what came your way in this forsaken war. You lived each day together, and you watched each others back. With out a doubt you trusted and found security in that. Then one day it happens, the thing that you fear the most, And there before your helpless eyes, your brothers all are lost. It happens in a moment that's the way it seems to be, It's terrible and tragic, at least that's the way it was for me. Each time I think about it, my heart just breaks in two. But I'll tell what I remember, that's as good as I can do. All the thoughts and all the memories are whirling in my brain, But I hope that in the telling I can lose some of this pain. It started with a food fight in the mess hall on that day. And we laughed and joked and tussled as we went off on our way. We played and teased each other on the way to the motor pool. And we just enjoyed our morning the way young boys will do. As we walked along together there, we didn't have a clue, That the hand of death would touch us all before the day was through. We lined up for a convoy that was headed for Ben Het. But they held us up there by Dak To because the roads weren't open yet. We pulled into a compound so some trucks could drop and hook. And a couple of us waited while the others went to look. So we looked for some excitement til the convoy got the word. Somebody came and told us we could have a chopper ride, But there was only room for 4 and that we should decide. Because you see there were 5 of us, not all of us could go. It sure sounded like a lot of fun, of course we didn't know. Gary Best said he'd like to go, and Neeley and Gamble too, So Torgy turned and said to me "That just leaves me and you". He said "Why don't you go ahead, we can't leave the truck alone". But I said "No, you go ahead, you'll soon be going home, And you may never get a chance to take another chopper ride". And so that's why he went along and that's also why he died. They all walked out and loaded on, so sure to have some fun. And then the chopper took off as if it were shot out of a gun. I stood around there waiting when I heard somebody say, "That cowboy chopper pilot's gonna hurt himself one day". "He's coming in here way too hot He's flying like a clown". And when I turned to check it out, the bird was coming down. The chopper crashed and burst to flames, right there before my eyes, And I will carry that with me until the day I die. We tried whatever we could do, the fire was way too hot. With rounds and rockets cooking off we all might have been shot. When they finally got the fire out, there was nothing we could do, That sad day in October when I lost the Minny Crew. Of all of us that went that day, I'm the only one that's left. Torgy, Gamble, Neeley, and my young friend Gary Best. I tried to put that pain away, that memory to hide, But that never really worked because the grief was still inside. I went for more than 30 years trying to forget that day, But it's haunted me just like a ghost, it wouldn't go away. Then a couple weeks ago, I got the memory back. And the pain is breaking me in two, like I've been put on the rack. Now I've told what I remember, and that's all that I can do. So I hope you all can understand what I've been going through. 'Cause when it comes to dealing with the pain we've all been through, I'm sure that you will understand, I know you've lost friends too. BMWFOG © 2002

GARY ALLEN BEST was born on December 25, 1950 and joined the Armed Forces while in DECATUR, IL. He served as a 64B20 in the Army.  In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of SP5/E5. On October 28, 1969, at the age of 18, GARY ALLEN BEST perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Kontum. You can find GARY ALLEN BEST honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 17W, Row 126. Last Name: BEST City: DECATUR State: IL Occupation Code: 64B20 Branch of Service: ARMY Rank / Pay Grade: SP5 / E5 Casualty Date: 10/28/1969 Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM Casualty Province: KONTUM

CHARLES F GAMBLE JR was born on November 16, 1948 and joined the Armed Forces while in JUNEAU, AK. He served as a 64B20 in the Army.  In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of SP4/E4. On October 28, 1969, at the age of 20, CHARLES F GAMBLE JR perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Kontum. You can find CHARLES F GAMBLE JR honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 17W, Row 127. Last Name: GAMBLE City: JUNEAU State: AK Occupation Code: 64B20 Branch of Service: ARMY Rank / Pay Grade: SP4 / E4 Casualty Date: 10/28/1969 Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM Casualty Province: KONTUM

DONALD LEE NEELEY was born on September 25, 1949 and joined the Armed Forces while in DENVER, CO. He served as a 64B20 in the Army.  In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of SP5/E5. On October 28, 1969, at the age of 20, DONALD LEE NEELEY perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Kontum. You can find DONALD LEE NEELEY honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 17W, Row 129. Last Name: NEELEY City: DENVER State: CO Occupation Code: 64B20 Branch of Service: ARMY Rank / Pay Grade: SP5 / E5 Casualty Date: 10/28/1969 Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM Casualty Province: KONTUM

BARRENT OTTO TORGERSON was born on February 10, 1948 and joined the Armed Forces while in TURTLE LAKE, WI. He served as a 64B20 in the Army.  In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of SP5/E5. Last Name: TORGERSON City: TURTLE LAKE State: WI Occupation Code: 64B20 Branch of Service: ARMY Rank / Pay Grade: SP5 / E5 Casualty Date: 10/28/1969 Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM Casualty Province: KONTUM On October 28, 1969, at the age of 21, BARRENT OTTO TORGERSON perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Kontum. You can find BARRENT OTTO TORGERSON honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 17W, Row 129.