Very hot and humid Sunday morning here in Northern Illinois, which got me to thinking (as it often does) about the weather in that land so far away so long ago. I remember that nothing tasted really good because of the heat, except for the care packages my mom and dad sent from home. If I had to choose a favorite C-ration entree, it would probably be the cinnamon nut roll. I remember having them quite frequently in the morning, especially at Con Thien. (I accomplished that by volunteering to get the C-rations for our squad, which gave me first choice of all those culinary delights.) I'd make several perforations in the top of the can with my P38 and ever so carefully add a drop or two of water. I'd then heat the can with a small piece of C4. The result was a warm, steamed cinnamon nut roll that tasted heavenly with a cup of C-ration coffee.
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Apricots and Fruit Cake -- 'cuz like it or not that's all I ever got. Oh well, it sure beat Ham and Limas.
Beans and Weenies weren't bad. Felt about right considering we were kind of on a camping trip. That's what it was, right?
Everybody complained about Ham and Lima Beans, but I thought they were OK, sort of what you'd expect when you open a can marked "Ham and Lima Beans".
The only meal that really disappointed me was Spaghetti. You open a can with that name and you expect a meaty sauce, some good pasta and a touch of Mediterranean spices.
Instead no matter which end of the can you hack open with your P-38, you get a layer of congealed nastiness covering some limp noodles and a taste that only the lowest-bidder on the canned-spaghetti government contract can give you...
Pound Cake though, that was nice. It actually tasted pretty good and had a lot of heft. And, as Steve pointed out, it's good to start your day with a pastry that pairs well with warm C-ration coffee heated in an old fruit can over a bit of C4.
Alan says; ". . . no matter which end of the can you hack open with your P-38, you get a layer of congealed nastiness . . ." that was exactly my experience with Ham and Limas. When we had the time, we took to heating it in water--if we had water--in our helmet. That melted the grease and then we could open the can. Then some hot sauce worked pretty good. The trick was in having the time to heat it, which we didn't have when on patrol.
I reflect back on those times and sometimes it’s difficult for me to imagine that was pretty much our day-to-day routine. Eating food out of cans, no bathrooms or showers, sweltering heat, bugs and rats, etc., etc. I guess that’s what bonds us together. The only thing we really had was each other. I certainly couldn’t do it now, but I’m glad I experienced all those things.
Young guys tolerate that kind of abuse better than us older folks Steve.
It's really amazing what we endured physically in malaria-ridden jungles on poor diets and steady exertion, without even considering that people were trying their best to kill us.
But I know you agree that older guys who went through that adventure when young can outlast older guys that didn't. "Outlast" not just physically but especially when mental toughness is needed. You only learn that the hard way but the lessons are good ones.
And you're right about bonding. Nobody gets us but us.
I don't have the stamina nor the desire to live through those circumstances again, but I'm so glad that I got to experience them. I can't imagine my life without those "bumps in the road." It's difficult for me to be bitter or angry about hardships that have turned out to be blessings. I know I say that frequently, but it's true. That, combined with the amazing people I've shared my life with, are all truly blessings from God. Life is good!
"It's difficult for me to be bitter or angry about hardships that have turned out to be blessings. I know I say that frequently, but it's true. That, combined with the amazing people I've shared my life with, are all truly blessings from God. Life is good!"
Wish I could be so gracious with regard to the first sentence copied above Bro. The rest of the statement I can connect with, but I still am dealing with bitterness and anger, though not with the hardships I endured. Those I 'expected' and have 'processed' if those are the right words. No the bitterness and anger I still deal with is with the betrayal of those who I trusted. Not of the events itself, I've come to learn that those kinds of things happen. But events after the fact. Well after the fact. Later, sometimes many years later, when I was treated like a pariah by the very country I served. I would experience extreme rejection and wonder why I had survived all that devastation in 1968, only to be treated worse than a common criminal. I deal with it though; Eric 'Batman' Smith was a great help--my God do I miss him. Sometimes I deal with it better than other times. My thanks to all those who have hung with me all these years. God Bless you all. You exemplify the true meaning of Semper Fidelis.
I let my experiences in Vietnam control my life for over 40 years. It had an impact on our marriage, and my relationship with my son and daughter. Not only does bitterness and anger control everything you do, but it will slowly destroy you. I reached a point in my life where I got tired of being controlled by something I control, if that makes sense. When I get up in the morning I have two choices. I can be happy or sad. That decision pretty much determines how my day goes. We can "what if" so many things that have happened in our lives. All that did for me was make me more miserable. A very wise person, our son, once said something very profound when we were talking about my struggles. He said that those we left behind wouldn't want me to be living life the way I was, and that they'd want me to live my life to the fullest. He was right. I was spared for a reason, and it certainly wasn't for something that happened so long ago to rule my life. Every day is a precious gift from God and we owe it to those brave men who sacrificed their lives to live it to the fullest. There are many things in my life I wish I could go back and change, but I can't. The only thing we have is this moment in time. There is no promise of tomorrow for any of us. I will not let fear, anger or bitterness control my life anymore. My wife, children, grandchildren, and friends deserve better than that from me. Semper Fi
Peaches were the treat for me. When we were at Con Thien, I developed a taste for ham and limas. I would dress it up with crushed up crackers, that small can of "cheese," and hot sauce. I must admit that I will on occasion whip up a version today.
I won’t say that it sounds delicious, but it doesn’t too bad either. I’m like a goat. I’ll eat just about anything.