Have you ever met in person a friend you had made on the Internet?

Veterans

RallyPoint is an online forum for the military. Its  members are scattered all over America. More than a few it seems are scattered over other parts of the world. I've made friends with a few of them. Some are even contacts. But I had never met one in person before yesterday. I had posted a notice about the 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War at Fort Irwin, California, and Ken Ellis contacted me to find out if we could go together. We could and did.

We rallied at the Main Place Mall in Santa Ana, California, about midway between our homes. A car club of Shelby Cobras happened to be meeting there and provided a welcome diversion before setting off. Another Vietnam Veteran, John Gleason, a member of my VFW post, met there too and we took off for Fort Irwin about midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Actually, this Army post, affectionately known as the nation's cul-de-sac, lies 30 miles off Highway 15 in the middle of the desert.

I well-remember soldiers sitting on the barrack steps at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, gripping that they had nothing to do while Waikiki Beach and a steady stream of love lorn girls waited for them. Just imagine how much worse it is to be stationed at Fort Irwin.

Commemorative Coin award to each Veteran (click to enlarge)

The trip was well worth the effort. We were treated to an amazingly well done (and free) meal of barbecue beef brisket that might pass muster in Texas, together with all the trimmings. There were speeches but the usual assortment of military brass and public officials, of course, but a presentation by Joseph Galloway, co-author of We Were Soldiers Once and the only civilian ever awarded a Bronze Star for Valor, highlighted the afternoon. Then we were entertained by Gary Sinise and The Lieutenant Dan Band.
However, it was the road trip there and back, shared by three Vietnam Vets that made the day most remarkable. We traded war stories and commiserated over the plight of veterans everywhere. All three are involved in one way or another with veterans organizations and volunteering time helping each other. There is no question that this friendship will continue. It may have begun on RallyPoint but it's going to continue here in California. Even more importantly, it inspires me to reach out and make contact with others.