Voices From the Past...

It had been 43 years since they last saw each other...it is hard to imagine what it was like for them so long ago. Both in their early 20's, fresh out of Army Aviation School and wearing new silver wings that indicated they were qualified to fly a helicopter. Sent far away from family and home, they encountered heat, humidity, monsoons and an enemy that remained invisible a good part of the time. Villages and coastal areas with names like Ninh Hoa, Tuy Hoa,  & Nha Trang and meeting people who spoke a different language than English...such a different world compared to where and how they had both grown up in. Both men returned home safely. One served a 2nd tour with different names...Da Nang, Camp Evans, DMZ. One returned to settle in the South where he had been born and the other eventually moved to the Upper Mid-West. Careers continued on, families were raised, retirement and health issues became a way of life.

It is now the Summer of 2011 and silver wings, mementoes and old photographs are displayed and stored on shelves. Instead of flight suits, blue jeans and t-shirts are the dress of the day.  Time has taken on a different meaning from those youthful days. Packing up an RV and heading out on the road becomes a reality instead of "someday." Travel can now be in which ever direction the wind blows - whereever old friends reside and have room to park a motorhome. 
And that is how we spent this past week - welcoming Bill and Susan to our neck of the woods. Once again, the names of villages were spoken of, old buddies recalled and missions flown. It seemed like many sentences started with..."were you there when..." or "do you remember when..." or "whatever happened to..." echoing across the years. 

When they weren't comparing notes on the last 4 decades, we spent some time showing them Northern Wisconsin and being holiday tourists. After viewing the beautiful glass works and other art exhibitions at Leigh-Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, we strolled around the peaceful grounds outside. 

Susan, relaxing in the shade back at the house

A day spent in Minocqua served up tempting little stores...
We passed up most of the trinket shops but couldn't resist the lure of handmade candies...seems like all four of us have a sweet tooth.

Bill - trying to decide!!!

And there were quiet little corners with summer plantings...

Time together went quickly and points West awaited our friends. Bill has taken a welcomed break from extensive chemo (he states he is a Life Member of the Agent Orange Club)  and this summer they want to just enjoy life. 

 They hope to make it to Glacier National Park...and said we should go along! Maybe next year as it is on my Bucket List. Hugs and promises to not wait another 43 years...and those voices from our past have become a very nice part of our friendship circle. 


Pat

Happy Birthday, America!