There was a time when we went in harm's way in the South China S

Sea Isle City - There was a time when we went in harm's way in the South China Sea along the coast of Vietnam. Mine Flot One from Guam, gunboats of aluminium, and minesweepers of wood, we chased gunrunners to the Viet Cong in the delta. 1970 to 1972, we faced a threat and maybe did no harm. The monsoon and the pounding of its swells did not deter us. Nothing held us back, neither being rich nor having bone spurs. Our love of this country was enough reward, even to today. "Thank you for your service" rings hollow to us. Better to say, "Thank you for doing what I confess daily for what I failed to do."