As some of you know, I was wounded in Vietnam. I was an infantryman and my primarily responsibility was to hump ammunition for the M-60 machine gunner. Not a great job because I carried about 75 pounds of M-60 ammo in addition to my normal load of ammo for my M-16, hand grenades, canteens of water, C-rations, etc.
The night I was wounded, my squad of ten grunts was on our way to set up a night ambush. Every night a squad from our company was sent out to do this. To make a long story short, a bad guy set off a homemade claymore mine on our way to the ambush site. It was quite effective, because it wounded 7 out of the 10 of us. I was in the middle of the group, so I bared the brunt and received 35 multiple fragment wounds, literally from head to toe.
It took something like 600 stitches to close all my wounds. I spent over 2 months in multiple hospitals recovering and have numerous scars all over my body. Hey, but the bright side was it got me out of Vietnam after only 1 month and two days? In addition, almost none of the scars show when I’m clothed and I didn’t die. See there is a bright side to this story.
Well, today I am going to show you one of the least disgusting of my scars. This one I call “Bug”. I know it’s weird that I’ve named some of my scars, but live with it.
Since you may not have been able to make out Bug in the first picture so I have outlined it in this one.
As a side note, where did all those freckles come from? I swear, I didn't have that many before I took this picture. I think I'd better get my glasses checked.
34 comments:
Great story, man. If my body parts have names... your scars should too! The other bright side of this is that now Bug is an internet star! Cheers and happy hnt!
interesting story--- and that is a LOT of stitches!! glad you make it through ok. great post.
A very interesting story and background on this week's HNT. I'm still trying to figure out what to do for HNT...I'll be debating right up until the last minute tonight I think!!!!
Happy HNT BTE!
-Mike
happy hnt...love the bug...so original...i have zillions of freckles too, what ya gonna do? btw i'm sitting on my bed...on a duvet.
Nice bug scar! hehe. I love the diagram you drew! LOL. Happy HNT! :)
The diagram makes it dude! Too cute! And thanks for serving in the military - I appreciate you! :) Happy HNT!
that is freakin be-a-utiful! i've seen freckle constilations... but w/ the scar? you are a genius!
YOu always have the stories! I hope you and wife are doing well, lots of love and kisses!
Great Pic! Love the bug! Happy HNT!!
hahahah! I love the fact that you did a second photo 'outlining' the bug! Great job :)
too cool... :)
peace...
The outline makes it. I think you should get the bug outline tattooed on.
Great story and love the way you outlined the scar!
Ohh, thats one nasty scar! I think the true story is probably more interesting than anything you could make up - calling your scars names is kind of cool too!
As a young(ish) Brit, the Vietnam War doesn't really have much meaning to me, but I did have an Uncle (sadly no longer with us) who served there and he was an awesome and funny guy!
Happy HNT!
lol.. you nut....
Ouch. It's cool that you have a sense of humour about your scar.
So cool. Good for you - I'm glad you got out early. Those who didn't.....
I love that you named that scar. I have a tiny one from a mole removal that I think looks like a butterfly.
um...ouch? very creative though :) happy HNT!
love bug!! happy hnt!!
OMG!!! I have a scar I call my bug too!! Maybe I'll show it some week - its right under my left breast so I'll have to be careful with the camera!! Happy HNT!!
That's hillarious!!! Thank you for illustrating it for us. That's very cool. I have never gotten around to naming my scars...though, I'm sure some would look like something, if I looked hard enough!
Great HNT!
Happy HNT!
sdk
Great pic and interesting story. I couldn't see the bug at first, but then after seeing the outline, it seems so obvious!
Happy HNT!
From a Vet to a Vet ~ I salute you.
Happy HNT & thank you for serving...
M~
thats a good idea naming your scars. im going to do that now!
lets see, this one ill call michelle...and this one i'll name becky (thats a deep scar, still hurts)... you im going to call leah...
the beauty lies in the story.
Very cute bug! Happy HNT!
600 stitches? OMG...
I like that you name your scars. That's so CUTE!
Happy HNT!
like a cute little dragonfly or lightning bug! very cool.
Hi BTE, I came to your blog b/cuz you commented on my blonde jokes. At first i was unsure, then I kept reading more and more and made my way back to your 1st post. I feel your pain, Ihave tears in my eyes just from reading it. Sounds silly from someone you do not know, but I am a very emotional person, have been since I lost my dad at age 6. I like your blog and will be back. Good luck with the Latin Hottie.
I see the bug now...I really do...cool scar & cute freckles.
BTE..."where did all those freckles come from?"
Well...at least they're not age spots...sorry...;-)
Happy HNT!!
LibbY!
Mitzzee, what were you doing? BTW, I have one too. Aren't they comfortable to lay on?
Femi-mommy: Genius? Well, okay, if you say so. ;)
Julie: How did you know I liked hugs and kisses?
Osbasso, no! Tats are out for me.
Gabby, all my stories are real.
Aughra, can I see it?
Roximoon: I was far from our base camp so a medic came pretty quick.
Mimi: The Latin hottie is so cute and giggles a lot. She only speaks in one word answers because English isn't really too close to being her second language yet.
Snavylyn: Oh wow, our scars have the same name! Cool! I'd like to see a picture of yours, but you don't really have to be all that careful, I can take it. ;)
sdk: I'll help you name them if you want. ;)
Gusgreeper: If you saw me naked, you'd be in your glory with all the scars I have.
Thanks ~M
Bricotrout, your scars must have some very interesting shapes.
Thanks Spinning Girl :)
Robin, it may have been 700, the doctor just guessed and said a minimum of 600.
Ago-go: Now that you mention it, I think a dragon fly.
Jodes, that is sweet. Thanks. I'm glad you kept reading, I'm really a nice guy once you get to know me. I'm sorry about your dad. I lost mine about 10 years ago. I still miss him very much.
Libby, AGE SPOTS! ;)
I always LOVE your stories.
Aren't you sweet. :-D
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