Thread: Reflections on Wartime Shaves

Obie: I too was able to enjoy Tet 68 fron Hue area. I was able to obtain my first str8 while in Phu Bai- a numase. It was my first but not my last. Thanks for the serving!

My grandfather served proudly in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He tells a story similar to yours. He relayed his story to me a couple of Thanksgivings ago, and I'll never forget it (old soldiers don't really talk about war with those who never served: no common frame of reference). I also lost an uncle to Vietnam. My mother gets misty-eyed whenever she recalls Uncle William, and it makes me regret that I never knew him. He died ten years before I was born.

In no way do I envy you or the other real heroes who paid for my freedoms in blood. But you have my undying support and admiration. For what it's worth...

Thanks.

My uncle was in Vietnam, and he never talked to me about it until after I served in Desert Storm. The sights, smells and sounds of Iraq still have not faded. The stories he told me made me glad that my combat experience was so much tamer. Now he does his "latrine business" through a tube in his navel. However, war is hell and PTSD is worse. He still.....has problems.

Reading this post brought back some fond memories of showers and shaves that really did feel like time was standing still. Hot water was not a problem in the desert, however. Razor for me back then was a plastic disposable (aargh!!) and what was shaving cream? We shaved dry, or relatively. The sweat was pretty good at lubricating the face.

Not really sure why I posted this, except that it brings me some comfort, albeit minor, that there are people out there who suffered some terrible things and still have some common ground to feel halfway human. I felt like an animal for a very long time, and the only cure was a VERY hot shower and a nice shave. Now, of course, my razor is straight, the blood leaking from me is MY fault, and honing the new skill has caused me to slloooowwww wwaaayyy dooowwwwnnn and leave the sounds and sights in the background for a while.

Thank you for sharing and serving, especially since the people of that era weren't so forgiving and understanding of the men that were sent to kill & die for an ideal they didn't get. Much love.

Thank-you for sharing and your service. My father is also a Vietnam veteran and a career serviceman. To this day, he still does not talk about his tour of duty. I have some pictures of him and his buddies at some base camp, but no stories to go with them. I hope he has some good memories of what he endured there. Growing up, I thought I would follow in his footsteps and join the military, he told me if I choose the military as a career, go as an officer. I was in ROTC all 4 years of high school and wanted to continue in college. I spoke to recuiters after graduating high school and because of some medical conditions I would not be able to enlist. I was saddened that I could not do my part in protecting the freedoms our country enjoys. I have the utmost respect for all those who have and continue to serve in our military because I could not. Thank you.

Thanks for your service and the amazing story, Obie. I can see why you were a correspondent-you have the gift of using words. Until now, the only picture I had of a Vietnam-era combat correspondent was Joker in Full Metal Jacket. Thanks again, and I too look forward to more of your no-doubt fascinating stories (shaving or otherwise) when you feel like sharing more. Aaron

I was very fortunate to have served 4 years ('58 - '62) which was a period of relative calm. I did not experience combat and always felt that those who did and those who paid the ultimate price were in a league of their own. I always feel something special when I meet combat veterans and always thank them for their service. I cannot begin to imagine what they experienced but I'm thankful for these veterans.
I never had an opportunity to express my feelings for combat veterans until I saw this thread. Thank you to all those who served in harms way.

Obie,

God has truly gifted you in so many ways, not the least of which is your verbal dexterity and bringing you back from there safely. I cannot image how dull grey we would be here without the color you add with your writings.

I know many Vietnam vets that cannot talk about their time there because it is so painful. I thank you for sharing and your generous contribution to this wonderful country and this wonderful site.

Alembic

Beautifully written, Obie.

It brings to mind bits of stories I've heard over the years. Shaving with ice water in the Bulge, or an aviator trying for the closest shave possible to avoid irritation from the oxygen mask he was to wear for eight to ten hours on the flight to and from the target in Germany.

Thanks obie for that story and thanks for serving over in nam for us.I apperciate each and every person that risk it all in the line of duty for our country. I hope to one day be able to do my time abroad and be there when im needed by my country.

Sclick,

Yeah, very distinctive sound (motar shells tumble through the air). I don't know that I could accurately describe it, but even forty years does not dampen the memory.