Farragut Lions club 08/07/09, Ford, Mustang

Walter Calbaugh and his Crazy Fun 40th Anniversary Mustang

As interesting as Walt’s Mustang is I think Walter’s war story is much more interesting and important than his car so let’s cover that first. Walter is a Vietnam Vet. I think Vietnam Vets talk with other Vietnam Vets about their time and duties in Vietnam quite candidly and proudly and can be therapeutic. To a civilian, like me, the Vietnam Vets become cautious and vague about their Vietnam experience because they know civilians just can’t understand the hell they went through and the hell they sometimes had to inflict to survive and do their duty

I asked Walter about his Vietnam experience and this is what he told me. ‘’I get that question a lot because of my backseat and (license) tag.  Some folks ask how long were you there and I always say a year and three days you would have to had been there to understand the meaning of the answer (three days longer than I wanted to be there).   The next question asked is what did you do?  I could go on for day about what I did but the bottom line is I was part of unit that rained down death and destruction to our enemy.  We were very precise and deliberate and received an Outstanding Unit Metal and three Presidential Citations metals for our work.  It is hard for me to bring up this subject because it is hard on my heart and head to recall the things we did and saw.  On the other side I helped save the lives of some of my brothers and that gives me some peace.’’

Thanks goodness America has warriors like Walter!