Gritty Western Casino Survives in 'Underbelly' of Las Vegas
Quote: WizardDid you ever meet Air Force Annie?
I met her about 11 or 12 years ago. She seemed like a ditzy blonde, but in her line of work being a ditzy blonde is probably an act.
Quote: onenickelmiracleLol nothing better than seeing an Elvis impersonator. They had one at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, PA who was grinding himself on the leg of a 75 year old lady during his show at the buffet lol. Can't beat that for humor. It was definitely a wtf moment.
Just saw another one at Ellis Island. Seems to me a running trend of impersonating "Fat Elvis" then "Hip Elvis"
the steak special is awesome by the way
Last time I ran into you you were living at the Gold Strike in Jean sponging room nights and comped food off the Aruze blackjack machine indefinitely. Did you move?Quote: sevencard2003wonder how many of these people would enjoy reading my world famous blog that talks about life being homeless and grinding low stakes poker, struggles with autism and how im still surviving today living in the spa at the commerce everyday, slowly rebuilding a tiny roll. the link is in my signature
Quote: sevencard2003wonder how many of these people would enjoy reading my world famous blog that talks about life being homeless and grinding low stakes poker, struggles with autism and how im still surviving today living in the spa at the commerce everyday, slowly rebuilding a tiny roll. the link is in my signature
I read your blog every so often sevencard. I really hope you monetize it in some way to create some revenue.
Quote: sevencard2003wonder how many of these people would enjoy reading my world famous blog that talks about life being homeless and grinding low stakes poker, struggles with autism and how im still surviving today living in the spa at the commerce everyday, slowly rebuilding a tiny roll. the link is in my signature
I read your blog, sevencard. To me it is awesome. You are definitely a man after my own heart. I spent 4 years (92 to 96) doing what you are doing. But I was in the mountain states. I had to hitchhike or ride a train around to the games. Places like Deadwood, Cripple Creek, Blackhawk, Albuquerque. I even jumped on a train back east and played in Tama, Iowa and Mount Pleasant, Michigan. I lived out of a sleeping bag and small backpack. I played the Stud Hi-Lo games. I was always playing on short bankroll. The biggest roll I had in the four years was $1500.
Don't pay attention to the nattering nabobs of negativism. I didn't listen to them when I was on the street. I kept doing what I wanted to do. Keep your eye on the prize. The one thing you are doing right is playing battle tough poker. You have to be battle tough to do what you are doing. The experience you are living through now will serve you well down the road. Someday you will be back on your feet. But when you get there don't forget to continue to play the battle tough poker you are playing now. Some tips:
1. A 3 lb. sleeping bag at Wal-Mart costs about $15. I could always find a place outside, somewhere around a poker room, to roll out and get some decent sleep. It's a drag playing poker when you are mentally tired.
2. If you are paying more than $30 a month for phone service then switch to Straight Talk. Also at Wal-Mart. Their cheapest phone is $20. When your 1000 minutes or 30 days is up and you don't have $30 then just wait until you do have it. It doesn't hurt to go a week or two without phone service.
3. Stay away from the 1-3 Stud Hi-Lo game with the 50 cent ante. There's to much gamble in that game....and the rake is too stiff for the limit. The 4-8 Omaha has a little to much variance for a $1000 roll. If you take a few hundred dollar losing streak you'll have to quit the game. Wait until you have about $2500. The $40 no-limit appears to be your best game, and has the cheapest blind structure, stick with it.
I know you are going to get there, sevencard. Just keep playing battle tough poker.
really wish i had a friend in the Commerce area who could bring me a pair of pants that fit. i use the phone mainly for email, not to talk, but sometimes i need to make phone calls, been more than one ive needed to make since i lost service about 3 weeks ago. and as far as the sleeping bag, i dont think that works because how would i be allowed to bring it in the casino? this isnt vegas where u can store it at the hotel desk also im really afraid of getting jumped in my sleep if i sleep outside since id had money on me, and a laptop.
i suppose in a place like them mountain towns in CO and deadwood its far safer camping outside? no gangbangers, thugs or any kind. But would the police bother u there if they found u asleep?
id like to know more about deadwood, is there any cheap longterm rooming house in the area? i never could find anywhere to stay while looking online but the overpriced casinos, nothing to live there a few months. but u are probably aware of a place im not since ive never been there.
Quote: sevencard2003new roll $1682, after 4 small hit and runs in the $40 NL, up close to $90 for the entire night. and ive not been feeling my best tonight, been nauseated, woke up with chills, cant wait for 10am to get here and the spa to open, dont want to pay a lot more for a room elsewhere and then have to commute back and forth to commerce. too bad i never bought a car.
really wish i had a friend in the Commerce area who could bring me a pair of pants that fit. i use the phone mainly for email, not to talk, but sometimes i need to make phone calls, been more than one ive needed to make since i lost service about 3 weeks ago. and as far as the sleeping bag, i dont think that works because how would i be allowed to bring it in the casino? this isnt vegas where u can store it at the hotel desk also im really afraid of getting jumped in my sleep if i sleep outside since id had money on me, and a laptop.
i suppose in a place like them mountain towns in CO and deadwood its far safer camping outside? no gangbangers, thugs or any kind. But would the police bother u there if they found u asleep?
id like to know more about deadwood, is there any cheap longterm rooming house in the area? i never could find anywhere to stay while looking online but the overpriced casinos, nothing to live there a few months. but u are probably aware of a place im not since ive never been there.
Re: Packing a sleeping bag. Go to a thrift store and find a backpack that's just big enough to carry a sleeping bag, a change of clothes, and toiletries. If the bag is in the backpack no one in the casino knows you are packing it. But I didn't walk around towns looking like a tramp. I stashed my sleeping bag in bushes or whatever. Sometimes the bag would get ripped off. That's why I only bought cheap sleeping bags from Wal-Mart.
Re: Camping spots. I always looked for dark areas with tree's and bushes. No one goes in them places at night. But watch out for green grass. You might get a shower you don't want when the sprinklers cut on in the middle of the night. If you get rousted by the cops, all they are going to do is tell you there is no camping and send you on your way. So just go find another camp spot.
Re: Deadwood. In the nineties there were cheap rooming houses in Sturgis about 10 miles away. They had shuttles back and forth to Deadwood too. But I don't know if either is still available. The hotels are too expensive. If you are sleeping in the weeds then there is a swimming pool to take showers. Deadwood is the home of 2-10 spread limit holdem. It's a hell of a lot better game for a good player than split limit. Only $3 a lap in blinds. If I make it $10 to go with a big pair and get a donkey call, guess what, he ain't gonna get a cheap turn card from me. He's gonna pay $10 for it. It knocks the hell out of his pot odds. And when a card chaser catches his gin card he can't lay double bets into you on the end. And you get to see a lot of $2 flops with suited connectors from around back. But....here's the problem if you head to the mountain states. The weather. The first really bad weather hits around Halloween. You don't want to be caught living in a sleeping bag in the winter in the mountain states. Late spring is the best time to head to the mountains states. It gives you your biggest window before bad weather.
If you head to the mountain states then look for $1 to $5 stud hi-lo. There's no ante and it's just a $1 forced opener. 30 hands an hour only costs you about $4 an hour to look at cards. You don't have to play anything but three premium low cards or a pair of aces. And don't card chase. Save your money for a better opportunity. Look to make the low by fifth street then backdoor the high. You'll nut the hell out of $100 and $150 pots. Jam with a pair of Aces. Do not slow play them. You'll find yourself in the trap calling down with two pair while some low draw nuts you off with a straight or a flush. Send all the other high pairs to the muck.
In Cripple Creek they have a campground. In the nineties I payed $10 a day but you have a shower. Tents are cheap at Wal-Mart. But I junked the idea and just paid $2 for the shower. There were no shade tree's in the campground. You need shade tree's. When the sun comes over the mountain in the morning it will run you out of the tent....so you can't sleep in. It get's too hot in the tent. There are day trip busses everyday between Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek.
In Albuquerque I was making enough money to pay $30 a day for a hotel room. The casino had a shuttle with door to door service.
In Blackhawk I had a camp spot across the creek right on the highway across from the Gilpin. Shade tree's and everything. I never got rousted. In Blackhawk and Cripple Creek they played a lot of $1 to $5 stud hi. I think you would do well at the game. It may be $2 to $10 by now. There are day trip buses from all around the Denver area to Blackhawk.
I think you would do well in the mountain states but you might want to put that trip off until late next spring.
Quote: WizardDid you ever meet Air Force Annie?
Isn't it "Air Force Amy"? I'd be tempted to pick her just because it looks like she makes an effort. I would also probably need to pick a 20-year old too to see the difference...haha
Quote: sevencard2003guarantee u the stud would no longer exist, although i know they have $2-10 holdem. u sure that campground would allow someone to stay if they didnt have an RV or a vehicle of any kind? the real problem with stashing a sleeping bag is ud have to buy a new one constantly, once a week it will either get soaking wet or stolen. id like to have a way to find out about cheap rooming houses before id try to go
I stayed in the campground in Cripple Creek with nothing but a sleeping bag and a tent. They have an area that's just for tents. Sleeping bags come with waterproof jackets these days. But if you want to waterproof something then spray it with Scotchguard, also found at Wal-Mart. You can even Scotchguard the sleeping bag. When you stash a sleeping bag you have to camouflage it real well. You use the bushes to do that. No one goes looking through bushes for anything. But every once and awhile you will get it ripped off. I only lost a few bags over 4 years.
Cheap rooming houses are hardly in existence anymore. Weekly hotels are about the best you can do. I stayed some in the weeklies on the west side of Colorado Springs. That area is called Old Town. The bus terminal for the day trippers up to Cripple Creek was just a few blocks away. You can catch the bus up in the morning then have several time choices for taking the bus back at night. Back then the bus cost $7 but you got it all back with coupons.
You need to buy a pocket notebook and start tracking your play. Log in the game, the number of hours you played in the session, what you won or lost, and use running totals to monitor your hourly rate. About a 200 hour sample space will give you a good idea of what you are worth in the game. That will tell you how much you can afford for rent. But you need to get that bankroll up to around $3000 before you start thinking about a weekly hotel. You are at $1682 now. A couple of months ago you were at just $700. So you are making progress. Keep plugging away at the $40 NL until you get there. Even when you get in a hotel don't throw the sleeping bag away. You need a contingency plan if you start running rough.
From one old Buffalo to another, how are you Brother?
Yea I know, been a long time. Love to here from you.
You can reach me at elducatidude@gmail.com
Quote: yourfriendjimMickey;
From one old Buffalo to another, how are you Brother?
Yea I know, been a long time. Love to here from you.
You can reach me at elducatidude@gmail.com
Do I know you? I'm doing great.
I met you in Valley Court in Juneau 1974-75
Then again in Washington State in 1990
Okay, I'll say it. You write like EvenBob. The information you cite is easily available from a Google search on "mickeycrimm." You joined yesterday, the same day that EvenBob was invited to leave by the Wizard.Quote: yourfriendjimYep you do; Harv Hildre called us Buffalos
I met you in Valley Court in Juneau 1974-75
Then again in Washington State in 1990
Moderators? Can you check IPs? Mickey, can you verify?
Quote: teliotOkay, I'll say it. You write like EvenBob. The information you cite is easily available from a Google search on "mickeycrimm." You joined yesterday, the same day that EvenBob was invited to leave by the Wizard.
Moderators? Can you check IPs? Mickey, can you verify?
No IP match.
Quote: teliotOkay, I'll say it. You write like EvenBob. The information you cite is easily available from a Google search on "mickeycrimm." You joined yesterday, the same day that EvenBob was invited to leave by the Wizard.
Moderators? Can you check IPs? Mickey, can you verify?
aww did I miss drama somewhere?
Quote: GWAEaww did I miss drama somewhere?
Not really. Bob feigned confusion about the new rules for the 1000th time. The Wiz suggested that an easy solution would be to leave.
Quote: teliotOkay, I'll say it. You write like EvenBob. The information you cite is easily available from a Google search on "mickeycrimm." You joined yesterday, the same day that EvenBob was invited to leave by the Wizard.
Moderators? Can you check IPs? Mickey, can you verify?
Jim left a phone number on another thread so I googled it. It led me to the Blue Ghost web site. The Blue Ghosts are Vietnam vets from F troop 8th Cav. The same phone number that Jim posted here is on that site along with his full name.
Quote: teliotOkay, I'll say it. You write like EvenBob. The information you cite is easily available from a Google search on "mickeycrimm." You joined yesterday, the same day that EvenBob was invited to leave by the Wizard. Moderators? Can you check IPs? Mickey, can you verify?
Teliot, thanks for the concern, but everything is cool. yourfriendjim is legitimate. He's an old friend. We hadn't seen or heard from each other in 23 years. It was by accident that he found me. He googled video poker and was shocked to see my name in some of the links. He kept clicking on links until he wound up on WOV.
40 years ago Jim and I were longhair dope smoking kids in Juneau, Alaska. The old guys in Juneau called us long hairs buffalo's. Now Jim and I are the old farts calling the long hairs buffalo's. He doesn't live far away, Nampa, Idaho. We talked for a couple of hours on the phone last night. We already have plans to meet up
Quote: 1BBJim left a phone number on another thread so I googled it. It led me to the Blue Ghost web site. The Blue Ghosts are Vietnam vets from F troop 8th Cav. The same phone number that Jim posted here is on that site along with his full name.
Jim was a door gunner on a helicopter. After 40 years he's back in touch with those he served with. They just had a reunion in Orlando, Florida.
Quote: 1BBJim left a phone number on another thread so I googled it. It led me to the Blue Ghost web site. The Blue Ghosts are Vietnam vets from F troop 8th Cav. The same phone number that Jim posted here is on that site along with his full name.
One more note. In a lengthy conversation last night, Jim told me he started developing health issues about 10 years ago. I won't go into details but his health issues have been attributed to Agent Orange.
Quote: mickeycrimmOne more note. In a lengthy conversation last night, Jim told me he started developing health issues about 10 years ago. I won't go into details but his health issues have been attributed to Agent Orange.
I hope he's being taken care of. It's a little easier to file a claim nowadays.
Did you know Rick Iannolino when you were in Juneau by any chance with a strong interest in Native American stuff? A candle maker? Early 1970's I think.Quote: mickeycrimm40 years ago Jim and I were longhair dope smoking kids in Juneau, Alaska.
Quote: teliotDid you know Rick Iannolino when you were in Juneau by any chance with a strong interest in Native American stuff? A candle maker? Early 1970's I think.
I knew some Rick's but not by that last name. If he were making Native American stuff I imagine it would be Klinget Indians of Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon. They have a fascinating history.
Quote: 1BBI hope he's being taken care of. It's a little easier to file a claim nowadays.
He's being taken care of by the VA.
Quote: mickeycrimmJim was a door gunner on a helicopter. After 40 years he's back in touch with those he served with. They just had a reunion in Orlando, Florida.
My ex-husband was a door gunner on a helicopter. And he left Vietnam 40 years ago exactly. I'm wondering if there's a relationship there. Was Jim 7th Cav? My understanding was all my husband's unit is on the Wall except him, but I could easily have misunderstood.
Quote: beachbumbabsMy ex-husband was a door gunner on a helicopter. And he left Vietnam 40 years ago exactly. I'm wondering if there's a relationship there. Was Jim 7th Cav? My understanding was all my husband's unit is on the Wall except him, but I could easily have misunderstood.
Jim was 8th Cav. He was just out of the Army when I met him in 1974.
The nomenclature can get a bit confusing here along with some crossover. Blue Ghosts were F Troop 8th Cavalry assigned to the Americal Division up around Chu Lai. There were 7th (à la "We were Soldiers Once, and Young") and 8th Cavalry Regiments in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Completely separate deals. I can't think of an instance where "all.. [of a] unit less one is on the Wall" but maybe it just isn't coming to mind.Quote: beachbumbabsMy ex-husband was a door gunner on a helicopter. And he left Vietnam 40 years ago exactly. I'm wondering if there's a relationship there. Was Jim 7th Cav? My understanding was all my husband's unit is on the Wall except him, but I could easily have misunderstood.
Quote: chickenmanThe nomenclature can get a bit confusing here along with some crossover. Blue Ghosts were F Troop 8th Cavalry assigned to the Americal Division up around Chu Lai. There were 7th (à la "We were Soldiers Once, and Young") and 8th Cavalry Regiments in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Completely separate deals. I can't think of an instance where "all.. [of a] unit less one is on the Wall" but maybe it just isn't coming to mind.
I'll see if I can get Jim to tell us about the Blue Ghosts.
Quote: chickenmanThe nomenclature can get a bit confusing here along with some crossover. Blue Ghosts were F Troop 8th Cavalry assigned to the Americal Division up around Chu Lai. There were 7th (à la "We were Soldiers Once, and Young") and 8th Cavalry Regiments in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Completely separate deals. I can't think of an instance where "all.. [of a] unit less one is on the Wall" but maybe it just isn't coming to mind.
Chickenman,
Yeah, 7th Cav is correct, with the horsehead on yellow and the diagonal stripe behind. That movie was about the same guys but before his service dates. The nomenclature I'm likely messing up is what constitutes a unit/company/platoon/division/etc. According to wiki, unit is too big. This is somewhere between squadron and cavalry troop, if I'm picking out the right terms from the list. He was referring to his group of more than 20, less than 100, if I understood him correctly. Thanks for the clarification; I used the word "unit" generically and should not have. They were what he called a "blue team" trying to grab pinned-down infantry (squads?) under fire and pull them out. Again, I know the numbers from his DD-214 (I built a shadowbox for him) but not the significance: he was awarded 16 air combat medals (can't remember if he had a V on those), 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with oak leaf clusters, 3 Purple Hearts, and the Order of Vietnam. He was shot down 3 times but never taken prisoner.
Quote: beachbumbabsQuote: chickenmanThe nomenclature can get a bit confusing here along with some crossover. Blue Ghosts were F Troop 8th Cavalry assigned to the Americal Division up around Chu Lai. There were 7th (à la "We were Soldiers Once, and Young") and 8th Cavalry Regiments in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Completely separate deals. I can't think of an instance where "all.. [of a] unit less one is on the Wall" but maybe it just isn't coming to mind.
Chickenman,
Yeah, 7th Cav is correct, with the horsehead on yellow and the diagonal stripe behind. That movie was about the same guys but before his service dates. The nomenclature I'm likely messing up is what constitutes a unit/company/platoon/division/etc. According to wiki, unit is too big. This is somewhere between squadron and cavalry troop, if I'm picking out the right terms from the list. He was referring to his group of more than 20, less than 100, if I understood him correctly. Thanks for the clarification; I used the word "unit" generically and should not have. They were what he called a "blue team" trying to grab pinned-down infantry (squads?) under fire and pull them out. Again, I know the numbers from his DD-214 (I built a shadowbox for him) but not the significance: he was awarded 16 air combat medals (can't remember if he had a V on those), 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with oak leaf clusters, 3 Purple Hearts, and the Order of Vietnam. He was shot down 3 times but never taken prisoner.
From the looks of it he was in a lot heavier action than Jim was, although I can't say for sure at this point.
Quote: beachbumbabsMy ex-husband was a door gunner on a helicopter. And he left Vietnam 40 years ago exactly.
What does your husband think of that scene in the film "Full Metal Jacket" where the gunner gratuitously shoots a farmer in a rice paddy while flying over it?
Regarding atrocities in war, of course we all know they happen, and all armies will have guilty parties. But it always bothered me that they included that one in that movie, as to throw such a thing in there and just move on with the regular story, not ever referring back to it, and it having nothing to do with the regular storyline... well, clearly, the intent was to defame American troops as being guilty of constantly committing such atrocities as a regular routine and laughing about it.
I suppose some Vietnam vets would shrug it off, but ...
Quote: odiousgambitWhat does your husband think of that scene in the film "Full Metal Jacket" where the gunner gratuitously shoots a farmer in a rice paddy while flying over it?
Regarding atrocities in war, of course we all know they happen, and all armies will have guilty parties. But it always bothered me that they included that one in that movie, as to throw such a thing in there and just move on with the regular story, not ever referring back to it, and it having nothing to do with the regular storyline... well, clearly, the intent was to defame American troops as being guilty of constantly committing such atrocities as a regular routine and laughing about it.
I suppose some Vietnam vets would shrug it off, but ...
I'll ask him. I think that may have had something to do with it being a Stanley Kubrick movie, myself; he always had multiple agendas.
Quote: beachbumbabsQuote: chickenmanThe nomenclature can get a bit confusing here along with some crossover. Blue Ghosts were F Troop 8th Cavalry assigned to the Americal Division up around Chu Lai. There were 7th (à la "We were Soldiers Once, and Young") and 8th Cavalry Regiments in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Completely separate deals. I can't think of an instance where "all.. [of a] unit less one is on the Wall" but maybe it just isn't coming to mind.
Chickenman,
Yeah, 7th Cav is correct, with the horsehead on yellow and the diagonal stripe behind. That movie was about the same guys but before his service dates. The nomenclature I'm likely messing up is what constitutes a unit/company/platoon/division/etc. According to wiki, unit is too big. This is somewhere between squadron and cavalry troop, if I'm picking out the right terms from the list. He was referring to his group of more than 20, less than 100, if I understood him correctly. Thanks for the clarification; I used the word "unit" generically and should not have. They were what he called a "blue team" trying to grab pinned-down infantry (squads?) under fire and pull them out. Again, I know the numbers from his DD-214 (I built a shadowbox for him) but not the significance: he was awarded 16 air combat medals (can't remember if he had a V on those), 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with oak leaf clusters, 3 Purple Hearts, and the Order of Vietnam. He was shot down 3 times but never taken prisoner.
BBB,
In The Cav, the Blue Teams were normally with the 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry and were typically 6-man reconnaissance teams. The 7th Cav was an infantry regiment so his sub-unit might have been a platoon - around 40 men. Not to put too fine a point on it but the door gunners were assigned to the aviation units, not the "line" units like the 7th Cav. Messy. My thinking he may have done both, door gunner and grunt given the breadth of the medals. But no Combat Infantryman's Badge listed so more likely not the infantry.
Quote: chickenmanQuote: beachbumbabsQuote: chickenmanThe nomenclature can get a bit confusing here along with some crossover. Blue Ghosts were F Troop 8th Cavalry assigned to the Americal Division up around Chu Lai. There were 7th (à la "We were Soldiers Once, and Young") and 8th Cavalry Regiments in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Completely separate deals. I can't think of an instance where "all.. [of a] unit less one is on the Wall" but maybe it just isn't coming to mind.
Chickenman,
Yeah, 7th Cav is correct, with the horsehead on yellow and the diagonal stripe behind. That movie was about the same guys but before his service dates. The nomenclature I'm likely messing up is what constitutes a unit/company/platoon/division/etc. According to wiki, unit is too big. This is somewhere between squadron and cavalry troop, if I'm picking out the right terms from the list. He was referring to his group of more than 20, less than 100, if I understood him correctly. Thanks for the clarification; I used the word "unit" generically and should not have. They were what he called a "blue team" trying to grab pinned-down infantry (squads?) under fire and pull them out. Again, I know the numbers from his DD-214 (I built a shadowbox for him) but not the significance: he was awarded 16 air combat medals (can't remember if he had a V on those), 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with oak leaf clusters, 3 Purple Hearts, and the Order of Vietnam. He was shot down 3 times but never taken prisoner.
BBB,
In The Cav, the Blue Teams were normally with the 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry and were typically 6-man reconnaissance teams. The 7th Cav was an infantry regiment so his sub-unit might have been a platoon - around 40 men. Not to put too fine a point on it but the door gunners were assigned to the aviation units, not the "line" units like the 7th Cav. Messy. My thinking he may have done both, door gunner and grunt given the breadth of the medals. But no Combat Infantryman's Badge listed so more likely not the infantry.
Chickenman,
I'm proving in discussing this that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing...lol. This is not my area of expertise, and it's been over 10 years since I saw his paperwork. I should also mention it's not a subject where he just tells all of this; it was years of comments putting things together. He doesn't talk about Vietnam much.
I went and looked up the Combat Infantry Badge, and he definitely had that as well; I don't know how many, if they award them repeatedly, or if it's one-and-done. His Silver Star was for a ground-based action, not airborne. He had an expert marksman designation; I don't know if that's a sub-category of the CIB or something else. The Air Combat Medals were either per number of flights each or per weeks on that duty; my impression was that each one was 8 weeks of door-gunner duty, but wiki says they were usually for 5 flights each, so I'm not sure which is correct.
He said he pissed somebody off to get sent over there in the first place, and got assigned where he did (all over the place) so he'd get killled, but they didn't quite manage it. He was in-country for 2 1/2 tours, and came out with the withdrawal, got moved to Germany.
Quote: beachbumbabs
He was in-country for 2 1/2 tours
Bingo. Most likely 7th Cav initially as a grunt then moved to door gunner subsequent tour(s). This was very common. Albeit you'd have to be "crazy" to do either one of these...;-)
Only one CIB per customer, per war. A star is added for each war.
The movie "We were Soldiers once..." was extremely poor IMNSHO. Didn't do justice to the book by Hal Moore, and that was one of the best depictions of combat since "The Naked and the Dead" Read it if you have interest, well worth your time. Another suggested book, and this one does a very credible job on the 1st Cav helicopter action is "Chickenhawk" by Bob Mason.
My name is Jim Lawrence and Mickey and I became good friends after I moved to Juneau in 1974.
I had Just returned home after getting out of the service. At the time I wasn't doing very well with the effects of my tour in Vietnam. One of my uncle's had invited me to come to Alaska try to get on as a labourer at the Little Delta Jct. Pump station, well it didn't work out as planed and I ended up in Juneau. That's where I met Mickey Crimm and we became friends.
Regarding Vietnam; I was a doorgunner on a UH-1helicopter and a member of an Air Calvary Troop, F/8 or F Troop 8th Air Cav when C7/17th Cav stepped down F/8 was reenacted and the men that were with C7/17th Cav became F/8 and to this day we are the only troop welcome at their reunions and they are the only troop welcome at our reunions we were called the Blue Ghost F/8 was stationed at Marble Mountain in Military region 1 in the most northern part of South Vietnam. I was assigned to the Troop on July 18, 1972. We later moved to Da Nang then we took over the Marine base on the beach at Chu Lai and were then moved down to Bien Hoa. The events of my tour are documented very well. Not only by me but in the after action reports of the troop, also after action reports of 11th combat aviation group, as well as the honorable mention of our efforts in the support of General Truong's troops and he wrote about F/8 in his book " about the Easter Offensive of 1972. It was the first of many missions my troop would be involved in. It was said to me by my Commander Colonel John P. Kennedy that the Easter Offensive of 1972 was the longest and bloodiest battle of the entire Vietnam war. Col. John P. Kennedy US Army Ret. It started in March of 1972 and went until the end of May beginning of June at which time both sides were worn out and there was period of a few weeks which both sides used to resupply and rearm the battle began again on the 20th of June and lasted 81 straight days into October. During this offensive there were said to be approximently 40,000 NVA killed I do not know how many Americans lost their lives. I do know that F/8 lost 27 helicopters and 9 men, 1 captured and was a prisoner of war for 5 months and was released as part of a prisoner exchange after the day of ceasefire January 28, 1973. I do not remember how many were wounded however I am sure there is a record. There are many stories I could tell after returning home from Vietnam, I did not speak of these things for 22yrs because I could not prove any of it. Well after having 65 jobs and 14 businesses I was forced to sort it all out.
I am now a member of the Blue Ghost Assn. And know the men I served with including my commander and even if no one else understands or believes it they all know the truth.
Tom Shanaman. Great guy to have on evening shift. Could never put his mind in neutral. After things cooled down around 8 pm, we would let Tom work on an incoming or open tickets. If he got caught up, he would open up a crossword puzzle book. His was only of 3 men in his platoon to come back from Vietnam.
He had 17 years in, 3 to go till retirement. Then we lost evening shift, and moved to another testing center in Denver.
Last time I spoke to him in a hallway, he said he had 153 days to go. He put a bullet in his brain before he made it to double digits. I am a Vietnam era vet and remember all that bullshit that if Saigon fell, Trenton, NJ would soon fall per the domino theory.
Sorta like the parades US troops would receive in Iraq and how the oil revenues would repay us. On Sunday mornings, I watch Meet the Press and other news shows. But change the channel, when they start to scroll the pix and info about the brave young men that died the current week.
End of rant. Tom had chosen this song for his funeral.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NybY4V4bK0
Quote: yourfriendjimI did not speak of these things for 22yrs
Thank you for your service, Jim.
I hope it helps to speak of it now. This is totally normal for combat veterans. I can understand it; it's not just having to re-live something like that, it's the feeling that people couldn't possibly understand what you went through too.
My Dad wouldn't talk about what he went through. He served in France in WW2. At one point he was connected to medical services. He never told me this, but told my Mother [who told me] that he dealt alright with the wounded, dead, and dying soldiers to some degree, but what really got to him was the children [civilians] who got brought in.
Just an example. Later he would talk about some things, but never stuff like that.
Bingo underneath also lit up.
I like that. Played BJ there back in the day.
Quote: terapinedNoticed tonight the big Western sign still lit up at night.
Bingo underneath also lit up.
I like that. Played BJ there back in the day.
Siegel Slots and Suites casino, formerly the Barcelona, is currently the biggest dive in the greater Vegas area. Worse than Wild Wild West and Jerry's Nugget put together. When it was known as the Barcalona they had a sign on their front door that included: "No Du-Rags."
The Western was pretty bad. But in a mailer they did give me a dinner comp for two, free t-shirt and a $5 match play (which I won). This was a couple of years ago. I didn't enjoy the Mexican dinner because I was wondering if it might make me sick. It didn't though. As I'm eating a guy was saying in a loud, hostile voice from the coffee shop entrance how he wants his order prepared--directing his comments back to the kitchen. For some reason I have a memory of him not wearing a shirt. That just couldn't be true. The table and chairs in the coffee shop looked like something you'd pick up at a garage sale--forty years ago. Metal stack chairs covered in vinyl for easy cleaning. The walk from the casino to your car was filled with hope and optimism. At night, multiply the negatives by 2. The motel was already closed. Staying in one of those rooms would have been depressing with a chair propped against the door. Guy disappeared one night on his way to the ice machine. Didn't really happen, but I can imagine the headline.
Probably the only this place ever had "VIP's" in it.
By the way this is always a good fest with opportunities to sample beers from over 50 breweries including most of the LV locals and top breweries from the west. If your new to craft beer and want to spend a Saturday afternoon downtown, this is a good choice.
I stayed at the Orbit Inn in this vicinity back in 1983 while on a weekend vacation. The area wasn't bad back then.
Quote: BozThose who purchase the VIP tickets get special tastings and private restrooms in the old Western.
So... A year and a half late, but does anybody else find the prospect of a private restroom at a beer event to be disturbingly alluring?
Also, does anybody know if that story about there being a wall of starlets who got their start working in the rooms of the Western is true or not? Tis a wee bit before my time.
I gambled there on one of my 1st ever visits to Vegas
I have fond memories of the place
