Phobius--thanks so much. And, you are right, I flew Dustoff, or in plain language, medical evacuation choppers during Viet Nam, and on through 1990. After that the Army decided I was too old and took my chopper and gave me an "LMD" or large metal desk. Not good!!
I like to think there are folks around today who know/knew their grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousin, etc due to my efforts, but it wasn't my efforts alone--there were 4 of us in the chopper with one thing on our minds--get the wounded/injured soldier to the right hospital in the quickest time.
The tradition is still alive, and I'm going to Ft. Hood, Tx tomorrow to welcome home one of our units that just returned from an overseas combat zone. Our organization (Dustoff Association) does that for each returning unit--to recognize their service and carrying on the tradition. Not the same welcome as I got in '71 when I came back, so we are not going to let that repeat.
Thanks again,
Allen (Dustoff 707)