I remember, I was sent to Viet Nam in '68 and stayed 'til '70. I was attached to the Armed Forces Police, 3^rd MP Battalion, 3^rd Marines. A very strange place for a Diesel Boat Sailor. I went to Nam with the great ideal of helping a Nation in need. I was "ate up" with patriotism. I was doing the right thing. I remember.

I remember, we worked for the Navy (could be an Admiral or a Marine General). The unit was made with a representative of every unit in the "I-Corp" area. We had jurisdiction over everyone within the area. (Military and Civilian) We lived at a Hotel in "downtown" DaNang. The Hotel was more fortified than the "I-Corp" Headquarters (the White Elephant, named because it was a very large white building). I remember.

I remember, One evening about 1030, we got a call from the "White Elephant" requesting us for a detail. The AFP's were to provide security for a "Conference" of American Officials and high-ranking Vietnamese Civilians. I was the senior "NCO" of the detail. The detail consisted of 8 highly trained military professionals. The perimeter was set, troops in place, and guest were present. After dinner around 2200 hrs., a duce and a half truck arrived and had the proper credentials. The truck pulled to the back door and stopped. Shortly, several "ladies of the evening" climbed out of the back of the truck and entered the building. At 0230, the Ladies left, with fat purses and smiles on their faces. A Marine Major appeared and dismissed us just in time to start our daytime patrols. I remember.

I remember, I went to the "White Elephant" to request 3 days of "in-country" R&R. I noticed that there were two South Vietnamese APC's (Armored Personnel Carriers) in front of the building and close to the river. Just as I arrived, two very young children (between 9-11) stepped up from the river with a B-40 rocket launcher. (Similar to our "bazooka") one held it at the back and one at the front. They fire at one of the APC's at very close range. The APC exploded. The second APC quickly turned and fired a 50-caliber machine into the two children.  I remember.

I remember, While on three days of "in-country" R&R, I met a Marine Platoon who had just rotated from the "bush." We sat on the beach talking about everything except Viet Nam. After what seem like barrels of beer, the talk did turn to the "Nam" The Marines were strongly complaining of how difficult it was to be supplied. I told my new friends that I knew of a place that is the supermarket of weaponry. We "saddled-up" with 4 "Rat-Patrol" jeeps (all with M-60 machine guns) and two 6x6 trucks. I lead the gaggle to the "Black Market" alley of DaNang. This place was like a swap meet. You could buy anything. Uniforms, weapons of all types, ammunition, explosives, etc. We blocked off the area, the trucks and the marines entered the alley and procured all the needed supplies to outfit an entire battalion. The shit hit the fan the next day. (Even then, we weren't political correct.)  I remember.

I remember, I went to China Beach to forget the "Nam". I met some of my unit and got drunk. I got drunk a lot. We tried to "surf" using the Army's surfboards setup for their R&R's. The MACV personnel called the AFP's to retrieve their surfboards. They were very surprised when their call came to our radios. They left, we got drunker.  I remember.

I remember, Raymond from Columbus, Ohio. Ray and I arrived "in-country" about the same time. Ray was a Marine, I was a Submarine Sailor. He would always say that I was not quite a Marine. Ray and I chase the "bad guys" and sometimes the "good guys'" together. One night we chase the wind and Ray died. I mailed his personal effects home.  I remember.

I remember, I left Viet Nam in the middle of the night, the same as I arrived. The aircraft was an American Airlines jet. Kinda fitting. There wasn't a sound during the takeoff. I was asleep for most of the flight to Kadena. From Kadena, we flew to HICKAM. We stayed on base. We were not permitted to leave the barracks. I slept the night away. First thing the next morning, we left for Los Angles. We landed and again the plane was dead silent. We boarded buses for different places. Many others and I boarded a bus for Long Beach. As the bus was leaving the LA airport, our bus was pelted with rocks, tomatoes, and eggs. There were many "protestors" at the gate.  I remember.

My name is Gary Lee Walker and I earned the right to remember.