Last year, I entered a military memory competition on TOGETHER WE SERVED; my contribution was selected as a Runner-Up. This is the question posed:
What do you miss most about your time in the service, and what made this especially significant to you?
Do you agree with my response, or did you have something different to share?
Remember when we were younger, we had lots of friends. Although we had our favorites and best friends, it was a crushing blow when our family had to move to another location. We lost that best friend, never to be seen again. However, we met new friends, and with some, a lasting relationship.
I was assigned to a squad of soldiers in one of the infantry platoons in Vietnam. Although the size should be a dozen or so soldiers, we generally ran with eight soldiers. We spent 24 hours a day with one another and got to know each other rather well. Oftentimes, we shared intricate secrets that we kept to ourselves for many years. Trust was never questioned. Was it possible to have eight besties?
As a tight-knit group, we all suffered the same maladies. We carried, sometimes, unbearable weight on our shoulders, fought the elements, insects, and enemies together, humped through the jungles, and wore ourselves out. Nobody was different. We took care of one another to ensure we all made it through the day.
We developed a strong bond. A camaraderie. I would do anything for any of them – as they would do for me. When we visited the firebases or rear areas for a short reprieve, we generally stayed together and kept to ourselves. Eight besties celebrating life.
When one of us was injured, killed, or left the group to go home, it was a sad day. Like a piece of our heart was ripped out. It hurt! The rest of us leaned on one another to make it through the next few days. The support was always there, and none of us could escape into ourselves and abandon the others. They would not let you!
When it came time for me to leave the group and return home, a new sadness crept into my subconscious. I was not only leaving my eight besties behind; many, I would never hear from or see again, but I was going to miss that togetherness. That camaraderie. I was alone, again.
Over the years, I developed new besties, but the feeling I experienced in Vietnam never returned. That is, until 1986 when I joined the Vietnam Veterans of America. I was part of the inaugural Color Guard and am now part of another “squad”. We shared past experiences and developed a close relationship with each other. However, we were all married and had families, so when we parted for the day, we had different responsibilities and priorities. That same level of togetherness and camaraderie with my new VVA squad members was never the same and never will be.
Here is the direct link to the page: https://blog.togetherweserved.com/sgt-john-podlaski-us-army-1970-1971/
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CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website 
Dear Mr. Podlaski, After reading the poem “Tired of the Rain and Pain”, I wanted to share a poem from one of my Vietnam veteran buddies. He and I spent our first 18 months together. We were at Fort Polk for basic and AIT; then Bravo Co., 196th LIB, 3rd/21. After 50 years, a group of vets from Bravo Co. got in touch with me. They had formed a group called “Bushmasters”, and were having yearly reunions, and I joined them. Ken Gilbert shared a poem he wrote, and it touched my heart the same as the “Tired of the Rain and Pain” poem in your Cherries Writer newsletter. I am attaching the poem and hope you will share with your readers. God Bless you BrotherRocky Moore(405) 574-6158
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There is nothing attached. Please send as an attachment to my email: john.podlaski@gmail.com
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Whether or not one served on Viet Nam during those years, others had similar experiences of new faces, new memories and never to be forgotten friends. It’s the unique camaraderie of the military service that so very few experience. Their loss I say.
I later devour combat and hostile fire tours. Now, I am an officer, a commander, staff leader, overseeing young soldiers much like I was mentored.
At random times, I think about places, events and the people involved in those scenarios so
long ago. I wonder how is that once young soldier doing? I likely will never see them again but that doesn’t end the connection that only Military service provides. I hope we are all better for it.
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It just about sums up what most Vietnam vets feel & think about the guys in their group felt about each other. I don’t think there’s a comparable relationship in civilian life. It’s something very special & only possible in war.
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Good article. You never will have closeness like that. Hardship and combat forge very close bonds with others.
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thanks for sharing your story, I spent 18 months with the same guy’s starting in late 1968, it’s something that people who didn’t serve can’t understand, I have to go to the Veterans Hospital a few times a month and I was telling my wife of 55 years the other day that when I go there I feel that connection again, everyone is supportive and always thankful for my service, I never just feel like a number like I do at civilian doctors.
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I cannot argue with the logic. When you’re in a life or death situation constantly with the same guys, day and night, weeks at a time, you develop a closeness that cannot be equaled. My high school friends have dissapeared along with my college friends. Remarkably, to me, after well over 40 years, I made contact with one and then more of my Army buddies, through FB, and now message almost daily to guys who I served with……we have not seen each other in over 55 years, but it’s like talking to current friends I see every day. When I call them “Brother” it is from the heart. Welcome Home.
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I’ve been lucky enough to find 6 of my original buddies from the military, we get together once a year now to play golf for a few days and just remember what we meant to each other.
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well done & true even among us that weren’t in direct combat. Had 2 guys especially close to.
First rotated home a few days before me. We’d been close from day one. Went on R&R together. Got drunk together. He was totally wasted when got news of his new baby. He committed suicide after got home.
Number 2 was from different company but our group was a mixed company of TDY. We worked on same equipment rain or shine for many months. Then they broke up the group. We were thick. When ETS ran into him @ Ft Lewis but only for few. Tried to run him down over the yrs but no luck.
Think of those 2 all the time. Never been thick with anyone like that since got out. My PTSD doesn’t help nor my diabetes nor my ishemic heart problems.
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Real ,very good
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