CIB Badge

Of all the Medals Upon our Chest From the Battles and War we knew, The one admired as THE VERY BEST
Is the one of Infantry Blue. It is only a rifle upon a wreath,
So why should it mean so much?
It is WHAT IT TOOK TO EARN IT
That gives it that Magic Touch. To earn this special accolade
You faced the enemy's fire
Whether you survived or not
God dialed that one desired.
For those of us who served the cause
It is the
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN'S BADGE...
THAT REALLY TELLS THE STORY

CIB Badge

Posts Tagged ‘CIB’

39- Combat Infantrymen in Vietnam and the soldiers of today

Friday, December 25th, 2009

 
icon for podpress  39- Joe Galloway Article- Vietnam Grunts and soldiers of today [13:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Combat Infantrymen’s Association, H21 Southern Branch Austin, Texas, Chapter, we deliver to you an audio narration of the article published in the supplement called “Welcome Home” of The VVA Veteran publicatiion (from the Vietnam Veterans of America organization) in November/December, 2009.

The title of this article is:

“…What is the diffeence between the soldiers you knew in Vietnam and the soldiers of today?”

Joe Galloway after the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial Wall replica in Mineral Wells, Texas

The article starts on page 4 of the WELCOME HOME supplement publication and is delivered complete in its entirety and unabridged.

The article is delivered from the heart by Joe Galloway. In an earlier episode of this podcast series, we had the opportunity to meet Joe in person and interview him for 8 minutes with his thoughts about the value of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, especially as it relates to the Vietnam War Grunt.

As you will hear in this audio narration, what is exceptional in this article is that the Vietnam Veteran Combat Infantryman is the leader in providing the welcome-back, the thanks-for-your-service, and the honor to those who sacrificed from the conflicts today in the Middle East. And we feel similarly– as Joe mentioned–that as long as a Vietnam War grunt still exists, there will ALWAYS be this honor and gratitude rendered to those returning from sacrifice and service overseas from being in harm’s way.

As most Vietnam War veterans, Joe is in his late sixties (68, as of last May in 2009, if we remember from the in-person interview) as far as age goes. His experience and his sacrifice in valor speaks for itself:

Joseph L. Galloway is a military columnist for McClatchy. During the Vietnam War, Galloway served three tours in Vietnam for United Press International. Decorated for rescuing wounded American soldiers under heavy enemy fire during the battle at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, he was the only civialian awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. With Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore, Galloway co-authored a detailed account of these experiences in the bestselling book WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE…AND YOUNG.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved.

38- Veterans’ Day Events 2009

Monday, November 16th, 2009

 
icon for podpress  38- Veterans' Day 2009 Activities [06:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Southern Branch, Austin, Texas, chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we deliver the summary of the events in Austin, Texas, during the Veterans’ Day 2009 parade and ceremony.

As you will hear in this podcast episode, we had representation from Bobby Briscoe, Tony Martinez, Duane Williams, John Torres, Fred Castaneda and our newest member of the CIB, Don Bailey. They participated in the Veterans’ Day parade in downtown Austin, Texas, from the Congress Street bridge from Riverside Drive to the State Capitol.

Actually, there was an administrative error because the parade cadre did not have the CIB Association application on the list. Thus, the 82nd Airborne Division Association (represented by Fred Castaneda and Don Bailey) invited the group to march with them.

What was interesting was that the Army Band from the 36th Infantry Division at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, was marching right in front of the team. This gave us the best place to march to the cadence, and definitely, the group was STRAC and looked great and marched perfectly–to represent the rest of the members and to pay honor to those veterans in uniform–past or present.

Veterans' Day Parade 2009

After the march to the entrance of the State Capitol, we met several folks who were interested in joining the CIB Association (as well as other paratroopers who wanted to move their memberships to the local chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association).

At the State Capitol, at the 11th hour, there was the ceremony which highlighted Rosalinda Babin, the mother of Alan Babin, local hero and Grand Marshall for the Parade. His story is told in the blog of AlansAngels and In their Boots, and he was described as a wounded warrior in the memorial Day activities of 2007.

Program from Veterans' Day Program 2009

At the foot of the south steps of the capitol was a mock-up of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In front of this tomb were the wreaths placed to honor those who fell in combat during all military operations since the Civil War.

Of course, the CIB Association joined the 82nd Airborne Division Association to place the wreath appropriately and represent the organizations.

The Austin-American Statesman newspaper had a series of photos in their gallery which depicted pictures from the events (the URL is at

http://www.statesman.com/news/mediahub/media/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=200410).

And, yes, our own team was shown marching (however, the newspaper incorrectly stated that the group was the TAVV organization and not the CIB/82d Airborne combination).

The next meeting of the CIB Association Austin, Texas, chapter will be in the joint meeting with the 82nd Airborne Division Alamo Chapter in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, 12 December 2009, for the Christmas meeting and installation of the new officers for 2010. More will be delivered in the newsletters and email.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

36- Joint Meeting on 24 Oct 09 and POW-MIA ceremony in Austin

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

 
icon for podpress  36 - POW-MIA ceremony and details of 24Oct09 Joint meeting [12:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Southern Chapter, Austin, Texas location of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we deliver a summary of the ceremony that took place on 18 September 2009 at the Texas State Cemetery near downtown Austin, Texas. We also give you information and details of the upcoming joint meeting of the CIB Association Austin Chapter and the San Antonio-based Alamo Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association.

_____________________________________________________________________

Joint Meeting: 82nd Airborne and CIB Associations on 24 Oct 2009

We will be having a joint meeting with the members of the Alamo Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association at the Drop Zone Club and Restaurant on Saturday morning, 24 October 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central time.

This is the 3rd time we will have been together as 2 associations. The first time was August, 2008 in San Antonio (we honored D.G. Harris at that time for his CIB and 3 combat jumps in WWII). The second meeting was on 9 May 2009 in Austin at the VFW 8787 Post. And this will be the third meeting, hosted by the San Antonio chapter.

We will have community with our comrades, sharing of stories and good times with our brethren from all the conflicts, both Airborne and Infantry. Both chapters will have their monthly meetings during this time, as well.

Also, as you will hear in the audio episode, this will be a great RECRUITMENT event. The Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association and numerous other CIB-award winners frequent the Drop Zone Cafe. I have a feeling we will get new members for both organizations.

We hope to see you there for this meeting on 24 October, 2009.

______________________________________________________

POW-MIA ceremony in Austin on 18 September 2009

On Friday, 18 September 2009, members of the CIB chapter in Austin participated in the ceremony to give honor to those still who are POW-MIA (Prisoners of War / Missing in Action). Tony Martinez from the chapter was part of the honor guard and participated with the VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) in giving tribute to those fellow comrades.

Paying tribute to the POW-MIA by Veterans Groups in Austin

Also in attendance were John Torres, Bobby Briscoe and Duane Williams.

CIB Members at the POW-MIA ceremony

The specifics of the ceremony are given in detail in the audio episode.

The next event will be the Veterans’ Day Parades and Ceremonies that will take place in downtown Austin and the State Capitol, as well as in San Antonio in the upcoming weeks.

Copyright (c) Matrix Solutions Corporation and the Combat Infantrymen’s Association. All Rights Reserved.

35- Update- Upcoming Events and summary of 12Sept2009 meeting

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

 
icon for podpress  35- Meeting 12Sept2009 and upcoming events [22:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Austin, Texas, Southern Chapter Combat Infantrymen’s Association, podcast, we give you an update of the upcoming events for the rest of 2009, as well as a summary of the meeting held on 12 September 2009.

CIB Association

We wish to welcome our newest member, Kevin Scharmen, who is a SouthWest Asia CIB recipient and still in the Army. He is the liaison with the 82nd Airborne Division Association Wounded Warrior Program at Ft. Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Welcome, Kevin!

In this audio episode, we go at great lengths to detail each of the line items in the agenda of the meeting held on 12 September 2009 at the VFW Post 8787 meeting room in Austin, Texas.

For a look at the pdf file of the 1-page agenda, click here:  Agenda-meeting 12Sept 2009.

You can look at the items we discussed and then hear the details of the items in the podcast audio episode.

Paramount among the topics were:

1.  The POW/MIA ceremony participation on 18 September 2009 in downtown Austin. For details, contact Tony Martinez (cell number 512 228 7045).

2. If anyone wants to go to the Branson, Missouri, National Convention and reunion, the chapter will reimburse $75 for the attendance fee. Please contact Tony Martinez, Financial Officer of the chapter. More details about the National Convention and Reunion in Branson are on page 1 and pages 14-17 of the Blue Badge quarterly newsletter from National.

Blue Badge about Branson

3. Upcoming meetings:

- October 24, 2009- scheduled joint meeting, hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division Association in San Antonio. More information on this in the next podcast episode, as well as the mailing of the newsletter.

- November 11, 2009- Meet at 7:30 a.m. on the Congress Ave. bridge between 1st Street and Riverside Drive, for participation in the Austin Veterans’ Day Parade and ceremony. Members should be in CIB Association uniform.

- Dec. 5 or 12, 2009- Austin chapter will host a family holiday social event and pot-luck gathering. More details to be provided later.

- 9 January 2010- The chapter will have its monthly meeting in San Antonio, Texas. More details on this later.

- 6 February 2010- The chapter will have its monthly meeting in the Fort Hood, Texas, area (e.g., Killeen or Harker Heights or Copperas Cove, etc.). More details on this later.

- The March and April meetings will resume in Austin, Texas. One of these months will have the chapter host the joint meeting with the 82nd Airborne Division Association at VFW Post 8787.

For more details on other items, please feel free to listen to the 22-minute audio podcast.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation and the Combat Infantrymen’s Association. All Rights Reserved.

33- Seeking ways to help Combat Veterans with Experiential Treatment

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

 
icon for podpress  33- Seeking ways to help combat veteran with treatment- Interview with Gayle Temkin [19:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Southern Branch, H21, Austin Chapter, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we bring you an excerpt from an interview that we had with Gayle Temkin, who has over 30 years experience in treatment of physical and cognitive issues.

In this informal discussion, Gayle seeks for ways to help the Combat Veteran with experiential treatment–either by trying to get a funding grant that would support the combat veteran audience, or by recommending to organizations (such as the VA) the type of treatments needed for veterans still suffering from the aftermath of combat.

From this audio episode, it is interesting to note that many people — even the professionals who provide healing treatment for others — have a difficult time in trying to understand the plight, the suffering, the symptoms and the actual episodes that the veterans suffer. The textbook-type treatments have proven somewhat ineffective when dealing with actual Vietnam Combat Veterans.

How true is that addage: “if you haven’t been in combat, then you can’t be expected to really understand.”

Gayle’s practice has given her a wealth of experience from which to draw, and her recommendations are such that the VA should note.

In addition to her therapy practice for over 30 years, she is also trying to advance her Coalition for Emotional Literacy.

Coalition for Emotional Literacy web site

However, unless the formal organizations receive either grant funding from this administration; or unless the VA seeks to really help the Vietnam Veterans (and not just “set them aside” because they have to make room for those returning from SouthWest Asia during this present conflict), then these types of treatment alteranatives that can really help veterans may fall on deaf ears.

However, it is great to realize that there are those individuals who really do care about the appropriate treatment that should be given to the veterans who are suffering from PTSD and other symptoms, so that they can have a chance to improve their constant adjustment to the “World” upon their return from their tours of combat or improve their quality of life after suffering for over 30 to 40 years.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

30- Author Joe Galloway and the CIB at the Vietnam War Museum

Monday, June 1st, 2009

 
icon for podpress  30- Replica of Vietnam Veterans Wall memorial- interview with Joe Galloway [8:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Over 58,260 names are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. However, they are NOT just in Washington, D.C. or in the Moving and travelling WALLS that go from location-to-location in the US. Those names rest PERMANENTLY in an exact replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial WALL found in Washington, D.C.

This replica is located in Mineral Wells, Texas, at the National Vietnam War Musuem gardens. And on Saturday, 30 May 2009, the dedication ceremony and the unveiling of the Memorial Wall took place.

Program cover for Unveiling event

The highlights of the event saw the following:

- A real, live UH-1 Huey Vietnam-era (“slick”) helicopter arrived, landed, and then took off with several passengers from the audience. It made several take-offs and landings after the ceremony–one of which you will hear during the interview in this audio episode.

- Dana Bowman, parachute onto the grounds after skydiving from his jump from a helicopter. What is amazing is that Dana–a prior Special Forces Soldier and a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as member of the U.S. Army’s elite GOLDEN KNIGHTS parachute team–lost both of his legs in a mid-air collision in 1994. However, with the artificial limbs, he still hit the target drop zone near the audience to begin the ceremony.

- The guest speaker was Joe Galloway, the author of the book, We Were Soldiers Once…and Young. Ia Drang–the Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam. This book later became a motion picture of the same title, starring Mel Gibson in 2002:

We Were Soldiers-book and movie

As you will hear in this audio podcast, we did get a chance to interview Joe Galloway after the ceremony.

- The ringing of the travelling and mobile Liberty Bell replica–a fitting mobile memorial dedicated to all those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that have fallen in the line of duty.

- And finally, the unveiling of the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, with all 58,260 names engraved.  This Wall is in the location of what is called the “Museum Gardens,” as the landscaping will add to the honor and respect for this solemn memorial.

Image of the memorial WALL now complete

After the ceremony, we had a chance to speak with Joe Galloway and get his perspectives of the dedication of this monument. Amidst the background sounds of the “chop-chop” turning of the Huey’s rotor blades (a sound you will NEVER forget), Joe explains to us in this audio interview how much he honors the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and what an honor it is to have earned it.

Now, although Joe was a civilian and correspondent during the Vietnam War, he is the ONLY civilian to have been awarded the Bronze Star, with “V” for VALOR, for what he did during the battle of Ia Drang in saving a soldier’s life. But you will hear him, as he states that the medal he most wishes that he could have is the CIB.

Joe Galloway after the ceremony

Joe is a noted author, now with the follow-on book, We Were Soldiers Still: A Journey Back to the Battlefields of Vietnam. He is also a public speaker at major events, as well as a supporter of the troops. His support and fervor agrees with the motto portrayed by the association of the Vietnam Veterans of America: “Never again shall one generation of Veterans abandon another.”

Our tribute to Mr. Galloway is to proclaim Joe’s mantra: “Hate War…but love the warrior.”

Thank you, Joe, for your service and for your support of the combat infantrymen–especially to those who have fallen.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

28- CIB Association and 82nd Airborne Div Association host meeting

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

 
icon for podpress  28- Joint Meeting of 82nd Abn Div and CIB Assoc, Austin [18:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On 9 May 2009, the two associations gathered in Austin for a joint meeting of the 82nd Airborne Division Association (Alamo Chapter, San Antonio, Texas) and the Combat Infantrymen’s Association (H21 Southern Chapter, Austin, Texas).

Members assemble for joint meeting on 9 May 2009

The meeting was special because it centered around the annual memorial service usually celebrated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum, around the monument with the bronzed jungle boots, rifle and helmet to honor those 82nd Airborne paratroopers who died in the Vietnam War, as they were part of the “Golden Brigade.” Ordinarily, this ceremony would take place during what is called “All-American Week” at Fort Bragg. But, because of the deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division in the Middle East, the veterans’ participation during All-American Week was cancelled.

Thus, we took it upon ourselves to perform this ceremony (called the “82nd Airborne Division All American Memorial Ceremony”) at the joint meeting. The crux of the ceremony is to remember each conflict in which the 82nd Airborne Division participated.

Since its activation in 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia, the 82nd Airborne participated in the following campaigns, and we had the following attendees at the meeting carry the photo of the campaign and render the memorial salute to those who gave their lives in the campaign:

- World War IGabe Garcia honored Alvin C. York, the hero of WWI, a member of the 82nd Infantry Division, for the heroic day of October 18, 1918, in the Muesse-Argonne offensive. A photo of Sergeant York was placed next to the 82nd Airborne Division wreath.

- Word War II - Matt Rayson was in the World War II D-Day airborne combat jump uniform and equipment, to honor General James Gavin, the WWII Division Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as the vets of World War II. He was accompanied by Darrell G. Harris, the WWII combat veteran of the European campaign (and author of the book Casablanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper’s Memoirs), and Howard from the CIB Association, the WWII combat veteran of the Pacific Campaign in the Philippines with the 25th Infantry Division. The photo was a modern re-enactor boarding the C-47 for the D-Day parachute drop.

- VietnamFred Castaneda was dressed in his original Vietnam jungle fatigues, with weapons and LBE,  flanked by Bobby Briscoe and Tony Martinez of the CIB Association. All 3 were veterans of the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) and served in Vietnam in combat. They honored the 82nd Airborne Division Golden Brigade with the photo of the Huey helicopter air-mobility of the war.

- Grenada – We had an Air Force veteran, Airborne-qualified with nearly 100 parachute jumps, place the photo of the first 2 KIAs in Grenada, from B Company, 2nd Bn, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. The photo was of the Kevlar helmets placed on  the rifle butts which were staked in the ground with their bayonets along the Grenada coastline. This was the reminder of Operation Urgent Fury.

- Panama – We had Duane Williams place the photo of the 82nd Armour support in Panama. Duane was dressed in the woodland BDUs, with equipment and weapon–for Duane actually participated and made the combat parachute jump at night into Panama in Operation Just Cause.

- Desert Storm – We had Joe Franco of the 82nd Airborne Division Association place a photo of a combat infantryman of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment in Kuwait/Iraq next to the wreath of the “double-A.”

- Afghanistan and Iraq – We had John Trevino and Fred Castaneda stand in for our local hero, Alan Babin, and place a photo of an airborne officer saluting those who have fallen in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

- ‘WHEN YOU JUMP, IT’S JUST YOU…’ was the motto of the poster that signified the recruitment for the 82nd Airborne Division yesterday and today. This 1972 poster was carried by John Peed, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Alamo Chapter, to signify that our traditions of never forgetting those who have fallen will be carried on by our future recruits and members of the associations.

Matt Rayson and Duane Williams in uniform

After the ceremony, the group listened to the presentation from Fred Castaneda (filling in for Clint Riddell of the Austin Texas Veterans’ Commission) as he handed out literature and details about veterans’ rights, claims, benefits for education and employment, etc., for the State of Texas. Predominant in the conversation was the Hazlewood Act, which provides free college tuition for veterans who enlisted in the State of Texas.

Then the meeting wrapped up as each association conducted its monthly old business and new business –including events– with the update from the officers.

CIB Officers at Joint meeting

With the food having been provided by the 82nd Airborne Division Association, the meeting was a great success. And look forward to the next joint meeting during the final week of October to be hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division Association chapter on a Saturday in a favorable location in San Antonio. More details will be given at a later date.

The final round of camaraderie had everyone look forward to our next gathering — both in San Antonio and Austin — to honor those who have fallen at the Memorial Day Ceremonies on 25 May 2009.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

22- Combat Camaraderie- what it means to a Combat Infantryman

Thursday, January 8th, 2009
 
icon for podpress  22- Combat and Camaraderie [24:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this audio podcast episode of the Southern Chapter in Austin, Texas- H21, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we deliver some thoughts on the theme of Combat Camaraderie.

Combat Camaraderie

We also try to address these common questions that are being asked now by some of the combat infantrymen who are returning from their tours of duty in the Middle East:

- what is this type of enduring and internal bond between comrades who are combat infantrymen?

- how is this bond created, and how does it last during combat–and even afterwards–for the combat infantryman?

- why is this something that the school-trained counselors at the VA cannot totally comprehend nor understand?

- what are some of the examples of this type of camaraderie that has existed in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm and the current conflicts in the Middle East?

Take it from one individual’s experiences in how this type of camaraderie saved his life and kept him going–solely to go above self and put the lives of his men before his own during the combat. Also, you will see in this audio podcast how this type of bond still endures to help those Vietnam Veterans that are being treated for mental health issues (like PTSD) because their trust, understanding and non-judgmental empathy is the real treatment that provides the healing and possible closure.

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

17- CIB Austin meets 82nd Airborne Paratrooopers

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

 
icon for podpress  17- CIB Austin meets 82nd Airborne Paratroopers [17:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Southern Branch H21, Austin Chapter, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association podcast series, we focus on several events for the CIB Austin chapter.

(1) The chapter meeting on 2 August 2008:

In this meeting, we had a full Agenda. You can get to view what it was by clicking here: PDF- Agenda

(and how the items discussed are described in the audio mp3 file of this episode).

(2) During the meeting, it was approved by a vote of the members to schedule a trip to San Antonio to attend a meeting of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Alamo Chapter: 82nd Abn Div Association patch

We wanted to present both a certificate of appreciation, but also a complementary membership, to Darrell G Harris, author of the book Casablanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper’s Memoirs.

[Note: you can get a full interview of this paratrooper's history in episode 12 of this podcast series]

(3) The 82nd Airborne Division Association Meeting on 27 August 2008:

- We presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Darell G. Harris – click here to view the certificate: PDF for certificate;

- Bobby Briscoe presented a free membership to D. G. Harris to the Combat Infantrymen’s Association;

- Bobby Briscoe then presented a signed copy of his book, Jungle Warriors, to D. G. Harris (my apologies for not having a steady hand while taking the photo);

Bobby Briscoe presents DG Harris with a copy of Jungle Warriors

- D. G. Harris also presented signed copies of his own book, Casablanca to VE-Day, to the members of the CIB Association, Austin Chapter.

- Attending the meeting were: Bobby Briscoe, Tony Martinez, John Torres and Fred Castaneda;

- The members talked to those paratroopers with CIBs and encouraged them to join our association. Below, Fred Castaneda and DG Harris (note- Fred is a member of BOTH the CIB Austin and 82nd Airborne Association, since Fred served 2 tours with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) and the 505th PIR, and like Darrell, has both jump wings and a CIB badge);

DG Harris and Fred Castaneda at the 82nd Abn Div Assoc meeting

- We met Don W. Bailey, a future interviewee, as he received his CIB for the combat that he saw in Grenada in 1983; and

- We agreed to have a joint meeting for both the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Alamo Chapter, and the CIB Association in Austin in the first half of 2009 at the VFW 8787 location, so that the camaraderie between these 2 groups can continue and grow.

(4) If you are interested in acquiring the audio version of the books described in this podcast, here are the links for the audio version (note: the hardcopy versions are almost depleted):

- Casablanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper’s Memoirs by Darell G. Harris;

Casablanca to VE-Day- A Paratrooper's Memoirs

- Jungle Warriors by Bobby Briscoe.

Jungle Warriors

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Combat Infantrymen’s Association. All Rights Reserved.

15- Tony Martinez- Vietnam CIB Vet who avoided near tragedy

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

 
icon for podpress  15- Tony Martinez-Vietnam CIB Veteran [27:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Austin, Texas, Chapter – H21 Southern Branch of the Combat Infantryment’s Association podcast series, we continue the interviews with CIB veterans from all the wars and campaigns since World War II. Here, we interview a combat infantryman during the Vietnam War who served as a member of a six-man SRRP (Short-Range Reconnaissance Patrol)  team with the 11th Light Infantry Brigade of  23rd Infantry Division-Americal.

Tony Martinez was only 19 years old when he was in Vietnam. In a candid moment, he was captured in a photo by his buddy as Tony was ready to guide in the resupply helicopter during a mission, and he was ready to “pop-smoke.”

Tony Martinez on the LZ in Vietnam

As you will hear in this podcast audio episode, Tony returned to an ungrateful American public that rejected the Vietnam Combat Infantryman.

After withdrawing from everyone and everything and being what he called a “vagabond,” Tony was saved from near tragedy by the patience, understanding and dedication of his beloved wife (to whom he is still married after 35 years). It is important to note that she did not harass Tony with the same expressions as most wives did to returning Vietnam vets suffering from PTSD and other disorders:  “Get over it” or “the war’s over” or “what’s wrong with you?” or “you’re crazy,” etc. Instead, she helped him through his adversities and helped to guide Tony to set his foot on a road to success — after 38 years of struggling with the post-Vietnam “demons.”

Tony reached a milestone recently by attending a reunion of his combat outfit and seeing his company after all these years at this event.

Tony Martinez today at his combat unit's Reunion

What is interesting is Tony’s perspective of the wonderful help offered to him by the Mental Health clinic of the VA today–but also, the overburdened system that does not offer the right treatment in other departments.

Tony now sees his direction as a “giving back” to the returning CIB veterans from their Middle East tours-of-duty, so he can (in his own way) ensure that they do not suffer for 35 years the plight of the “Vietnam Veteran Syndrome” of anguish, suffering and misery due to the neglect and rejection of the American public.

As Tony says in his departing words, “Welcome Home, guys. . .We love you, and we’re here for you.”

Copyright (c) 2008, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.