I spent the last few days at my friend Jim (FW*) Northrup's house on the Fond Du Lac Reservation. The occasion was the annual Veterans Pow Wow where the Fond du Lac Tribe honors their own and all other veterans who attend, no matter what tribe, race, religion, or ethnic background.
The tribe gives out gifts of mahnomin (rice), t-shirts, hats, jackets, travel bags, wall clocks. The t-shirts, hats and jackets are embroidered, inked or silk-screened with the tribal member's name and branch of service and the word OGICHIDAA (Warrior) Fond du Lac.
Jim Northrup's family also sets up a sheltered lounge with free coffee. It is here where we greet old friends from years gone by and meet new ones. Two Marines we had met late last year in Winona drove six hours, camped overnight to be there. One of these Marines had the same job Jim had in 3rd Bn 9th Marines, India Co. In 1966, Jim had the job; in 1969 Lee had Jim's old job in Nam. Jim told Lee, “we were winning when I left”.
Another story Jim liked telling was, “Ray Earley was a rigger. His job was to rig cargo to get dropped from the plane, which meant he had to go to jump school. Each time he was going to jump from the plane, he would get scared, backing away from the door, saying 'I can't JUMP!' The Jumpmaster had enough, whispering in his ear, he said, 'I'm a homo, and you better jump the next time we cross the drop zone, or I will screw you!' Well did you jump?”
“A little at first!”
Actually, 30% of my disability is from breaking both my ankles at different times landing hard on frozen ground. I made 19 military jumps all under 1000 feet, and 40 jumps over 5000 feet and above. The Marines would disband Marine air delivery because of the helicopter. Realizing they made a wrong decision, Marine Air Delivery is back in business! Hurrah!!
A lot of stories, reminiscence, and laughter were heard in this shelter....
*(Famous Writer)
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