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1Bravo6 |
Ken's Dad
Dec 4 2007, 7:51 AM EST
G'Day everyone,Ken's the only one on here that knows me. He should, .... I'm his dad. I'm a Viet Nam Vet. I was in 1RAR when it was sent to Viet Nam in '65 and was attached to the American 173rd Airborne Brigade. I'm TPI and suffer from PTSD. A couple of days ago, while visiting Ken and his tribe, he asked me why I didn't turn to alcohol and beat my wife as some other PTSD sufferers have. I told him that part of the reason was a nine week stint in the military hospital at Ingleburn in '66 with a dose of Amoebic Disentary and upon discharge from the hospital, was told not to drink alcohol for six months as it would cause a relapse.. Now, ... at that time the mates and I used to go out on Monday nights to celebrate the coming of Tuesday, then Tuesday night to celebrate Wednesday and so on through the week. Convinced that I knew better than the Doctor, I headed straight for the nearest pub, managed to get one beer into me before experiencing the rather explosive consequence of alcohol on a barely healed bowel and haven't touched the stuff since. And as for beating up my wife, I'd have been crazy to try that. She could beat ME up back then. Seriously though, ... I reckon that I was better able to control my mood swings because I was NOT influenced by alcohol. If anyone has a question for me, I might even give you an answer. Depends on the question. Rick. 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
totallydi |
1. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 5 2007, 12:02 AM EST
That is a great story, thanks for sharing! It must have been hard to give up at the time, but I bet you’re grateful now! :)
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missemily1983 |
2. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 20 2007, 11:48 PM EST
No question about if you are a vet or not...that bent sense of humour is a give away!!!I'm a vets daughter, i'm a fairly lucky one i guess as my dad(TPI) has spent most of his returned life in the bush, gardening and making the world a much more pleasant place. Alcohol..destroy's the best people, community education and support for all Vet's and families is what's needed of course. Hopefully with research such as Ken's there will be more to offer and help us next generation and the next through before it's too late and there is none of us left. I have just returned from a holiday/personal research trip to Vietnam with my dad...the best therapy for every vet and family i reckon....And yeah that good old soldiers kid attitude...if i like your questions i might even reply!!! 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
Combat_Ken |
3. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 23 2007, 12:26 AM EST
Wow. What a fantastic opportunity to go to Vietnam... In the genetic sense, that's like....revisiting the primordeal soup. Well, maybe not really, but it is where our personalities, characters and even our physical abilities were forged or changed. Imagine being able to stand on the very plot of soil where your father's genetics were altered through a highly traumatic experience, and that was passed on to you... It could be like a test-tube kid holding the very tube they came from.....wow. (I guess we all do this when we give our mums a hug).Do you find this valuable? |
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1Bravo6 |
4. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 23 2007, 5:44 AM EST
"Wow. What a fantastic opportunity to go to Vietnam... In the genetic sense, that's like....revisiting the primordeal soup. Well, maybe not really, but it is where our personalities, characters and even our physical abilities were forged or changed. Imagine being able to stand on the very plot of soil where your father's genetics were altered through a highly traumatic experience, and that was passed on to you... It could be like a test-tube kid holding the very tube they came from.....wow. (I guess we all do this when we give our mums a hug).Hey Ken, I can remember EXACTLYwhere, when, how and why my genetics were altered mate. You see, ... there was this bar in TuDo street in Saigon and, ... um.... no, ... better not, .. your Mother might read this. Dad 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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missemily1983 |
5. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 23 2007, 8:19 PM EST
Well Merry Christmas to everyone i guess, sweating it up in North Queensland i wouldn't mind a white Christmas!!I am wondering if you guys have any leads or suggestions for me...I plan to go back to Saigon in early 2008 and would like very much to work with street kids, youth or orphans...this area of work anyway. I have applied to quite a few organisations but so far no luck as i need a paid position. This is my most important question at the moment Rick so i'll leave it up to you if you want to answer....Oh yeah if you want to do your research my dad's last name is Puckey........Cheers. Do you find this valuable? |
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1Bravo6 |
6. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 24 2007, 6:40 AM EST
G'Day everyone,Me again. I wouldn't be at all surprised if nobody has ever heard of Operation Hump, November 1965. "Hump" was a bad one. Well, ... I suppose they were all bad but "Hump" was worse than most. A song has been written about it by the Yanks. I go back to listen to it now and then, I just about know all the words. If you're interested, go to; http://gabbiash.com/november8.html While you're there, have a look around the site. Rick. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Combat_Ken |
7. RE: Ken's Dad
Mar 4 2008, 9:41 PM EST
"Hey Ken,Do tell Dad.... Do you find this valuable? |
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Combat_Ken |
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1Bravo6 |
9. RE: Ken's Dad
Mar 5 2008, 5:52 AM EST
What happened at "Hump" ??? Didn't you go to the website?. It's self explainatory. It happened to an American unit but we were close by and being visited by the men in black as well. Go to the website .... it's worth it.Rick. Do you find this valuable? |
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Combat_Ken |
10. RE: Ken's Dad
Mar 5 2008, 11:02 PM EST
Ahhh. Yes Heard it before, and will again and again. Moving stuff. Great song. 1200 against 30...? Sheesh. That wasn't a fight...it was a slaughter.
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totallydi |
11. RE: Ken's Dad
Mar 6 2008, 3:31 AM EST
Thanks for the link, it was interesting and helpful. Great song too.
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1Bravo6 |
12. RE: Ken's Dad
Apr 12 2008, 5:23 AM EDT
G'Day everyone.I just want to mention that, (believe it or not), there actually IS something worth going to Victoria for.It's the National Viet Nam Veterans Museum, situated on Phillip Island. The museum is unique as all exhibits are from the Viet Nam era. My wife, (Ken's Mum), and I intended on spending about an hour or so there and wound up staying for the entire morning. You can visit their website by going to; www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org Rick. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
Bajau |
13. RE: Ken's Dad
Jul 23 2008, 7:43 AM EDT
"Hey Ken,This sounds like one of those stories that Rusty may have been involved in..he was always starting off a stories with similar phrases "There was this bar..." Funniest night I recall was sitting very quietly in the background listening to Dad, Scotty Alcorn, Peter Fleming and Des (?) shoot bullsh!t for 7 or 8 hours (over more and more empties). Always joked later with him that I could've extorted millions if I'd had a tape recorder that night. Wish I did now...miss him like hell. B. Do you find this valuable? |
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1Bravo6 |
14. RE: Ken's Dad
Aug 22 2008, 6:12 AM EDT
Yair, it's me again, .. Ken's Dad.I just want to say that I've filled out the questionaire for the Health Study and sent it in. I'd also like to remind everyone that if you haven't registered. DO IT!!!!! . The more participants the better. Rick. Do you find this valuable? |
Leenatouise |
15. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 9 2008, 3:03 AM EST
Hi Ken's Dad!I have a little question for you. Did you know my Dad, Carey McQuillan? Regards, Teena :) Do you find this valuable? |
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1Bravo6 |
16. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 9 2008, 6:38 AM EST
G'Dat Teena,I met him a couple of times but can't say that I "KNEW" him if you know what I mean. I had a heck of a lot of RESPECT for the man though. As you may have worked out, 1 Bravo 6 stands for; 1 Batallion, B Company, 6 Platoon, (I've always been backward, Ken's the brains of the family, ... takes after his mum), while I think Cary was in Charlie Company. (I'm probably wrong about that as well). Also, he was with the NSW chapter of the 173rd while I'm with the Qld. mob. Rick. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
bimbyjo |
17. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 9 2008, 1:01 PM EST
"G'Day everyone.hey thanks for the website Do you find this valuable? |
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Leenatouise |
18. RE: Ken's Dad
Dec 9 2008, 5:55 PM EST
Cool,I just thought I'd ask, I knew there would defintiely be a connection there somewhere. Thanks for the reply. Regards, Teena :) Do you find this valuable? |
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comm65 |
19. RE: Ken's Dad
Jan 10 2009, 1:36 AM EST
just want to welcome you and your brother's home
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