47th year anniversary of my dear Brother's death in Vietnam, tragically also the 69th year of his life. He died on the day of his birth tragically with only two weeks left of his "duty" over there. These were supposedly "safe" weeks, and he was not supposed to be flying combat missions then. Barry was a gregarious loving person and his death left a big void in many people's life, At this time of year, I still feel a lot of grief, as do many others. Rest in peace Brother! "WHAT WAS THIS VIETNAM WAR GOOD FOR - NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!"
Sad Anniversary
Vietnam Memorial --- Panel 18W - - Line 124 [8]
Vietnam Memorial --- Panel 18W - - Line 124 [8]
42 years ago today, 9/22/1969, Barry Kenneth Alexander died in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. He was born on 9/11/1947 in Clemson, South Carolina and had just celebrated his 22nd birthday. Barry served our nation as a helicopter pilot and died by hostile fire. A few weeks later his body was returned for burial. Seeing his coffin, draped with the United States flag, was forever etched into my memory as I started my senior year in high school.
Thanks Cuz, yes Barry was a terrific guy. He was killed in his Medivac helicopter with only 2 weeks left. The Medivacs were the most dangerous, and he volunteered to pilot them as very few percentage wanted to pilot them. He was training another pilot to take his place that day, who was the only survivor, and lived to tell the story of the booby-trapped injured soldiers, they were trying to save. I was in the army at the same time, and suffered for many years with grief and survival guilt.
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