Then & Now: Camp Stanley
Then:
Camp Stanley located to the southeast of Uijongbu in 1970.
Now:
Camp Stanley viewed from the top of Suraksan Mountain today.
Then:
Camp Stanley located to the southeast of Uijongbu in 1970.
Now:
Camp Stanley viewed from the top of Suraksan Mountain today.
I was stationed at the 239th Aviation Helicopter Assault Helicopter Company,
I was a Crew-Chief on Huey's under the command of Major Madison. During my tour we had a few run-ins from N. Korean infiltrators, and loads of propaganda leaflets. S. Korea was under Marshal Law– as the twenty year treaty was at its end during my tour, with negotiations being held at the borders/LZ-DMZ at that time. We came close to World War III while I was there in the summer of 1971– spawned by the Chinese influence in Cambodia and Laos with an invasion in a six hour countdown for World War III. In S. Korea we had prepared ahead of time by breaking down our Huey Helicopters into the Chinook Helicopter Transport. It came close to departure ETA.
During my stay I was 17 and 18 years old as a Crew-Chief, and I got to love the S. Korean Peoples and Military. They as a country helped us in Vietnam by going into the night to bring back our finest point-men. All to often we forget about the sacrifices made by war to insure our freedoms here at home and hosting countries. Not everyone is suited for war or the military, but the ones that joined had a special merit of honor in our freedom just by serving our National and International Defense in Peace Keeping. Even though we are a Democracy under a Republic domain, we are primarily supporting freedom to embrace the world around us, insured by us an our allies in kind.
On a special note: I have learned to forgive some gold-diggers of status who cost us lives by their foolish lack of ability and insight… I know now how power can effect the best of minds if not carefully weighed out by correct behavior in action.
On a second note: I had a three piece combo/ Band while off duty and we got to play the Battle of Bands in S. Korea at Camp Long– we placed 4th amongst 28 bands/ both USO and S. Korean Natives. Kris Kribs/Bass Guitar, John Anderson/ Drums and myself- Monte Blakely/ Guitar– we all sang.
I came back to the States and completed my tour and then joined a few Try-Ones making 7 years in all for active duty an National Guard service, along with 6 Inactive Reserve status– making a 13 year senority in all.
Now I am in school in Social and Criminal Justice/ Ashford University online, but I still tote my guitar around. I played for Natalie Merchant and Friends/ 2006-7 and you can hear our album on http://www.cdbaby.com/giveusyourpoor or visit: http://www.giveusyourpoor.org and look for us there. I S.A.L.U.T.E. every one of us on the Great Hello of Life– and I'll leave the rest up to prayer– something we need desperately these days.
I served as crew chief on Huey’s also. I arrived in January of 1972. South Korean people were fantastic people. I miss Kim Pak’s tailor shop, he was a good friend. I lost my yearbook from there some years ago. Those were good times for me. No trouble from the north, just DMZ patrol and courrier. Major James Merchant was our CO. He was a great CO, would like to see the place again one more time
It’s difficult recalling names 50 years later! My tour 6/ 1971, crew chief 002 and the replacement 458. I was known as Aggie. Fortune to have been on a flight crew, had to be best job for enlisted guy. Thanks to Mike Sage for showing me how he became a lifeguard. I was one in AZ., Lotsa sun! That was 2nd best job! Best to all, God Blesses…