Strong feelings here; and I agree with Bob and Tom. I once had a 4ID 1Lt step on the skid in a rainstorm at Blackhawk and say to me "Thank God for the 'Gators and Crocs!" That meant more to me than all the tea in China, or anything else.

To see the wild eyes and fearful faces of grunts as they run to the chopper, to hear Chris yell "Clear Left" and hear the 60's talking and the clacking of AK's in the background, and come out hot, and be one of only two guys on board not shooting; and then, 5 minutes later, at 3000 and 80, to look back and see all those relaxed and smiling faces --- you just know you have snatched life from the jaws of death. For me, there just was no more satisfying feeling. For 30 years, my greatest regret and deepest sense of guilt, lay in not going back or extending to use my hard-earned skills as God intended. But while I was there, the guys on the line had everything I was capapble of giving, no questions asked.

And I was very ordinary, just one typical airman of the 119th. I was proud to be part of such a wonderful unit, proud of the reputation built by those of you who preceeded us, and committed to carrying on that good work, right up to the Last Day, Oct. 31, 1970.

Pickett
Gator 25
11/69 - 11/70