I've mentioned it previously, about the son of a former squadron mate that I met here
in the local Denton area.
Bill Sullivan Jr, is the son of Bill Sullivan Sr, (Sully), who was the temporary CC on YH21
on the flight to Khe Sanh, the day Capt. J.T. Riley & 1st Lt CC Smith were killed.
He was standing on the ramp of YH21 when the rocket hit the pylon hinge, and got torn
up pretty bad with shrapnel. He was sent back to the states and did recover.
Sully died in the early 80s of a heart attack.
Bill Jr gave me a nice DVD that is a tribute to his dad.
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http://www.hmh-463-vietnam.com/kia463/kia22feb68.html
Bob Miller was the regular CC of YH21, but Sully gave him a day off on Feb 22, 1968.
Bob will be in town from Phoenix on business next week and Bill Jr hasn't seen him in 43 years.
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Bob & I in Laughlin in 2007.
Bob went over to Sully's house in 1967, at El Toro, before we deployed to Marble and met the kids.
I've arranged a reunion of sorts for the three of us next Saturday night.
Bill is excited about meeting Bob again.
Bill is a former Recon Marine and a member of our local MCL detachment.
GREAT dinner & gathering!
Bill took Bob and I to Bob's Steak & Chop House in Grapevine last night.
GREAT company and vittles! Bill had what they called "The Tomahawk",
a 28 oz, bone in, rib-eye! MEIN GOTT! WHAT A STEAK!
My 22 oz, bone-in, rib-eye rivaled any I've had at my favorite, all time,
Houston steak place: The Taste of Texas.
Bob had a fabulous 12 oz filet.
Bill hadn't seen Bob since he was 4 years old, 43 years ago in El Toro.
Bob is moving to the Dallas area with a new job, so we plan to do this
again. Next time with the wives included.
Some of you old 463 hands will see some of Sully in Bill.
It's a shame Sully couldn't have been there to complete the picture,
but he died of a heart attack in '83.
As it was, you see here two generations of Marines. Bob and I in the 60s
and Bill in the 80s. Bill has recently gotten in contact with some of his
former Recon partners, to continue the tradition of Marines remaining
in contact for life.
Shown in pic, l/r: Bob Miller, Bill Sullivan Jr. & Mike Amtower.
That is one powerful narrative on the HMH-463 site Mike.
".... powerful narrative .... "
Thanks Dale ...............
The man meant the world to me ........... he's the reason
I'm still here.
Hey Mike, I would have been able to recognize you anywhere even after all the years that have past by you Nam picture - You still need a haircut Marine:) How could you shoot with all that hair in your eyes;)
You're right Dale, time for that Marine to get a haircut!
Haircut!
Hey! Cut me some slack guys .........................
You haven't seen any pics of me in the 70s, during my "Prince Valiant" era.:D:D:D:D