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"WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN?": "WE WERE USED!"
These are a collection of stories about LT George "Greek" Kalergis from his year in combat as a Forward Observer with a company of the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam. (1967) His was the same unit the movie, “We Were Soldiers Once & Young”, was filmed about. The Greek had his doubts about the War in the first place, but figured those older and wiser than himself had determined it was necessary and so he would go and do his patriotic duty. Also, he wanted his father, a One Star General in the Army, soon to join him in Nam, to be proud of him. Tragically, shortly after arriving, he soon had grave doubts about all that.
He had fired three Artillery Practice Missions from a camp stool on the range at Ft Sill Oklahoma. His fourth "Fire Mission" would be the start of his “On The Job Training” in combat with the “enemy” shooting at him, and his comrades. Most Officer, and Enlisted soldiers, had no previous experience in Combat. They had to get pretty damn good at it real fast however, as those who didn’t might soon be lined up with their feet protruding from under the Pochos, laid over their still, cold bodies waiting to be sent home in “Body bags”! Greek soon learned that he was not fighting for anyone's freedom, much less the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese people. His job quickly became just staying alive, and keeping his comrades alive, for one year to get them all back to the “World” In one piece.
Unfortunately, the enemy had been fighting one war, or another for decades. They were not going home in a year! They had been fighting a long time, and had become very good at it! They were "Patriots" protecting their homeland by drivng oiut the round eyed invaders, and insuring freedom for themselves, and their loved ones.
These stories describe the reality, and uselessness of young men on both sides killing each other for the ego, and agendas of white haired old men directing the carnage from the security, and safety of their offices far to the rear. My greatest hope is that readers might learn from the experiences of those of us who fought, and to be leaders in efforts to find a better way in the future.
He had fired three Artillery Practice Missions from a camp stool on the range at Ft Sill Oklahoma. His fourth "Fire Mission" would be the start of his “On The Job Training” in combat with the “enemy” shooting at him, and his comrades. Most Officer, and Enlisted soldiers, had no previous experience in Combat. They had to get pretty damn good at it real fast however, as those who didn’t might soon be lined up with their feet protruding from under the Pochos, laid over their still, cold bodies waiting to be sent home in “Body bags”! Greek soon learned that he was not fighting for anyone's freedom, much less the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese people. His job quickly became just staying alive, and keeping his comrades alive, for one year to get them all back to the “World” In one piece.
Unfortunately, the enemy had been fighting one war, or another for decades. They were not going home in a year! They had been fighting a long time, and had become very good at it! They were "Patriots" protecting their homeland by drivng oiut the round eyed invaders, and insuring freedom for themselves, and their loved ones.
These stories describe the reality, and uselessness of young men on both sides killing each other for the ego, and agendas of white haired old men directing the carnage from the security, and safety of their offices far to the rear. My greatest hope is that readers might learn from the experiences of those of us who fought, and to be leaders in efforts to find a better way in the future.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2024
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