My sweet Marine MSGT was in Viet Nam. One of the most memorable dinners I ever spent took place about 3 years ago. Three couple, all dear friends, spent an after dinner evening sitting around a table sharing memories. We wives spoke not a word but the men talked; an Army Colonel, a Marine MSGT and an Army SGT.

All the men spent time in Nam, one came out after spending months in a Viet Cong POW camp......and had a chest full of medals (2 silver stars and 4 purple hearts) in a drawer. Pete took 17 men with him out of the POW camp, fighting every inch of the way, killing and being killed. His best friend died in his arms and he had to leave that friend's body behind. Pete said it was his "killing field."

George spent the time being ordered here and there finally landing in Russia for several years and then on to an assignment at the White House.

My Stephen told of watching the "incomings," how frightening it was, how there were no door knobs, and of the deadly night patrols.

We women simply sat....tears, laughter and pride, rivers of emotion. George is dead now, passing from ALS. He will be buried at Arlington this spring. My Stephen spoke at his funeral which was filled with men from all over the world. Pete has cancer and Agent Orange. We keep in touch with them. Sweet, sweet man.

My man doesn't talk much of Nam. It's always there yet has faded gently.

Sherrie Paty Barber