OT..but something to think about!

Ed Freeman = Class act. When I was in Nam in 1968 I was an observer in birds that often flew cover for the 229th when they did missions. That was after Major Freeman's tour But those guys did some great flying into some rough places.

 

True American Hero! To all that have served, are serving, and who will serve honorably, I salute you. Thanks to all of you.

Semper Fi.

 

Too many times it happens and no one remembers.

RIP


jerry

 

Thank you for posting this. So many were, and are, true heros. Remember those who have given their all.
They do it so we can live in freedom. Too bad a lot of the great ones are gone.
R.I.P.

 

Salute!

 

A true American hero that made up the backbone of this country, a lot of grit in a man that is missing a lot in todays society.

God Speed.....ride the wind

 

Since we are on this subject, I hope no one minds if I share this. I attended a WW2 vet friend of mine's (E.P. McLain, Sand Hill, MS) funeral several days ago and took this shot and only this shot. That flag is the last temporal contact she has from her hero and I wanted to preserve the moment forever.

 

I flew all over Ft Benning, the Carolinas, and the Central Highlands of Viet Nam in UH1s flown by Ed Freeman. But all I ever saw was the back of his head. Years later, at a reunion in Washington DC I finally had the opportunity to meet him and thank him for his service. I owe my life to him, his commander Bruce Crandall (MOH) and the aviators and crews that flew with them. I was a soldier once, and young.

 

As the proud son of an American WWII bomber pilot I'm chocked up every time I read one of these stories. They are part of the America I like to remember. It saddens me to realize that unless we get some of the same type of men and women to rescue this country from it's declining ways our grandchildren will never know the America that was forged by men like Ed. If you meet a vet thank him for his service. I wish I could have met Ed and thanked him personally. God Speed brave warrior.

Frank

 

RIP Ed, you were the best of us!

 

RIP Ed Freeman...a true hero

 

A true American hero. Damn Bib Overalls, what a story!? (BTW, just remembered that you had that pitman)

 

Amen brother!

 

I wasn't 19. I was 22. And a buck sergeant. I came in on the third lift with A Company, 1/7 Cav. The shooting started a couple of minutes after I got there. Made it through without a scratch. Those of us (Ia Drang vets) that are still around are a pretty tight group. Ed Freeman, Bruce Crandall, and the rest of the aviators and crews that sustained us are our heroes.

 

I just returned from dinner with my buddy Alan Martinez "The hero up front" who is headed out on his 3rd deployment to the middle east. 16 months and he can't wait. He think's something bad is going to happen to him. I tried my best to tell him how much he means to me , but I can se in his eyes his uncertainty. Very sobering thought to think I might not see him again.

All gave some, Some gave all.

We have enjoyed some amazing times together and I am a better person having him in my life!

Get this , he loves to listen to Little Anthony and the Imperials while on Patrol with his platoon.

 

Here is a link to a great story on MSNBC on Ed Freeman:

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/07/11/265756.aspx

Read all the comments from his friends and relatives following the stories. He really enjoyed life to its fullest and had fun doing it.

There is an entry on Wikipedia on him too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Freeman

Here is another great story about him. It turns out Ed was nuts about Volkswagons and owned a bunch of them through the years.

http://www.military.com/news/article/moh-recipient-ed-freeman-dies.html

Here is a Utube video of Ed telling the story of what happened that day many years later (the video is poor quality but the sound comes through OK):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyIu7hA5Ra8

A friend of mine, Jimmy Clark of Garretson, SD survived severe head injuries he received at the battle of la Drang Valley and was medi-vaced out, saving his life. He recalled he survived because other dead were stacked all around him by the medics, preventing further injury from incoming fire.

I don't blame the media either, because they are a reflection of us and our society. How many of us observe Veterans Day and honor those like my friend Jim? And teach our younger generations that sacrifice for others is above all pursuits in life? Our individual freedom we enjoy often enables us to think only of ourselves before others.

 

And don't say that there aren't people in this country like that any more because they are still out there in Iraq and Afghanistan and all around the world every day for us. And a lot of them didn't and won't come back in one piece.

 

We have a living Metal of Honor vet. in our small town. He had a glass T bucket a few years back (not a H.A.M.B. ride). http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3326/keller-leonard-b.php He just wants to live his life, and be left alone. He's one of 98 still running. Kind of rare.

 

A truly great man, yes I know his story well Valor like that is only recorded once in many many years. The sort of man that even the Medal of Honor is too small of a tribute.
Major Freeman.
May his soul rest among the company of our fallen comrades.

Doc.

I'm am glad you posted this, otherwise I probably would not have learned about it for some time. It is a sad indictment of society when something like this can come to pass and not be well known.
An Aussy (I am VERY proud to know) recently won the Victoria Cross, it didn't even make headline news, was just relegated to the 'Interesting tidbits' near the end of the news.
Sad indeed.

 

Bump

 

AMEN!!!!! A true hero!!

 

Heros all, All who have served.

All gave some, Some gave all.



Godspeed and Thank you!
I stand humbled in your shadow.

Dave
USAF

 

Yes, a true American Hero, RIP

I couldn't agree more and was thinking the exact same thing as I was reading the other responses. How many parents actually sit down with their children and explain the differences between true American hero's such as Ed and others in their community, and those the children seem to idol nowdays. It's parents responsibilities to educate their children on what is really important in life, not the media.

I work for the cable so they are my bread and butter but I'm a strong supporter in limiting children and teens access to most tv programing and putting emphasis back on reading and interacting in the community.

My hats off to all the true American hero's of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

 

the first major battle between US and NVA regulars in the war... one hell of a firefight, one hell of a bunch of troopers.

many thanks from a peacetime vet to all who served and fought

 

Thank you to all you Veterans out there! Prayers to Ed Freeman's family.

 

He was a legend in the 1st Cav...he flew skids troop carriers..i was on his ship several times...2/5 Infantry ..1/77 ARTILLERY Recon RTO.1965/1966

 

Bless him!!! My Dad did 4 tours yes 4 in Nam!

 

Very fond memories of all those chopper pilots............................... Balls bigger than an elephant

 

Thank You for that Post...........

 

R.I.P. Freeman