Vietnamese mothers brought their babies for medicine
Hey, it’s only been 50 years. Just give me time, I’ll get over it!
In May, 1965, my unit left Okinawa and set up a camp east of Da Nang, Vietnam. I served with the Shore Party Battalion, 3rd Marine Division as a corpsman. Equipped with helmet, flack jacket, medical bag and a .45 pistol, I was the last man in a seven-man patrol going into nearby hamlets in search of suspicious activity and weapons.
I thank God I never came under direct fire.
One meaningful activity was going into nearby schools to provide medical assistance to the children. Our team of four corpsman and one doctor provided the care. Mothers brought their babies for needed attention and medicine. I enjoyed the people and respected their culture.
My overseas tour of duty ended in January. After arriving at the El Toro Marine Base in the middle of the night, I stepped out of the plane, laid prone, and kissed the ground.
The Marxist/communist system has proven to be detrimental to the freedom-loving, human spirit. Wherever it has been tried, it does not last.
It was honorable for our country to help the self-determination cause of the South Vietnamese government.
I am proud to have served my country.
Craig Meadors, Clovis
This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 6:16 AM with the headline "Vietnamese mothers brought their babies for medicine."