I live in Amarillo, TX. I used to work at one of the Lowe's hardware stores here as a cashier, years ago. He came in and gave one of his crosses to one of the cashiers who either forgot it or purposely left it at the register I was put on after them. I found it, read his story and have held on to it all this time. At that time, I was spiritually lost. Bouncing around from paganism to Buddhism, though I was raised Roman Catholic. I've probably had this cross in my possession for about 10 years or so. I love handmade things, and felt that there was a reason I found that cross. Last year, my husband and I started attending a local Bible believing church, and we were both baptized. Mr. Heeter's faith and gift of handmade crosses have no doubt touched many lives such as mine. Thank you sir for the beautiful cross, and for your service to our country.
hi Gary... im sure you dont know me. you was in Vietnam when i knrew your parents an sister Kay. Was Gaylen your only brother and didnt he pass away.. my then husband John work with your dad at B.F. Goodrich. They were good people. i was married to my husband 38 yrs, he passed away feb. 15th 2021. you take care now and God Bless. Sandy
Welcome home Gary…thank you for your service…I was in the same division as you…25th infantry division 68/69…2/14th infantry it seems like we ran into booby traps almost every day are area of operation was one very dangerous place I’m glad you made it home hope you are doing well….
Thank You Mr. Heeter for your Service and Dedication to our Country during a VERY difficult time !!..........You SIR are the reason I am PROUD to call myself an American !!..........God Bless ALL you Vietnam Combat Vets and WELCOME HOME SIR !!........JOB WELL DONE !!
Gary, I have listened to probably 50 or 60 interviews of Vietnam veterans now. They are all very moving and impressive, but yours has affected me more than any. I’m so impressed by your obvious kindness, your bravery, your faith. So much I would like to say, yet don’t really have the words to properly do so. I suppose I should just say keep making those crosses, and thank you for defending my freedom. Dan
This lady,not in just this interview..all of them,is a poor choice to interview these men. It's good to have these guys experiences on record,but have a good interviewer at least someone that knows something about the service and how it works to ask the right questions and the right questions at the right time.
I couldn't agree with you more. Erlich from the Billings Gazette and the Atlanta guy know what they're doing. You'd think that someone would at least give them a questions list i.e. how'd you g in, basic , ait etc.
There is an alternative, and very valid perspective to Vietnam. Those of us who resisted the Draft/Vietnam were serving our country...just as those who see this man doing it. Vietnam was an illegal war. It did not have anything to do with America or Americans. Yet, almost 60000 Americans lost their lives and there was a 10 year drain on the US economy. Many...many...veterans acknowledge a lot of BAD things happened in Vietnam. We who resisted did NOT enable our dysfunctional US Government in its erroneous foreign policy. We hastened the end of an American tragedy. Try thinking out of the box who you want to thank for their service and dedication. To resist the US Government could have serious consequences. Don't be mislead....a lot of Vietnam veterans chose to serve in Vietnam ONLY b/c it appeared to be the best option for them
So you want people to thank you? I guess that is the difference. Those of us who served don't go around asking people to thank us. The ones that do were probably never in combat. You served your own interests. Don't try and make it seem like you made some giant sacrifice for the country by saving your own rear end.
@@3-2bravo49 Yes, since you mentioned it, you can thank me and the hundreds of thousands of REAL men who didn't support their Government when it was wrong. Real men who stood up for themselves instead of drinking the Kool Aid of dysfunctional politics, family and military traditions. Your comment is so full of ****. I also get a huge laugh at your sacrificial nobility about not needing to be thanked. You clowns milk the sympathies of younger generations with your Honor Flights, special events to DC and the Wall, endless videos on RUclips and trips to Vietnam etc etc etc. Shame on you guys for being so incredibly pathetic and self-validating. That's why we continued to have more "Vietnams" after Vietnam. Plain and simple....You guys were losers in Vietnam....and even bigger failures after Vietnam. Losers x 2.
@@3-2bravo49 Funny how these "freedom" loving authors of these videos often delete my responses to cover for you guys and your insults. Proves my point. Let's see if this comment is too harsh for you and disappears.
That's my uncle he's the man
Your Uncle is a TRUE American HERO !!
He's your uncle too?
I'm Barry's grandson his brother side
I live in Amarillo, TX. I used to work at one of the Lowe's hardware stores here as a cashier, years ago. He came in and gave one of his crosses to one of the cashiers who either forgot it or purposely left it at the register I was put on after them. I found it, read his story and have held on to it all this time.
At that time, I was spiritually lost. Bouncing around from paganism to Buddhism, though I was raised Roman Catholic.
I've probably had this cross in my possession for about 10 years or so. I love handmade things, and felt that there was a reason I found that cross. Last year, my husband and I started attending a local Bible believing church, and we were both baptized.
Mr. Heeter's faith and gift of handmade crosses have no doubt touched many lives such as mine.
Thank you sir for the beautiful cross, and for your service to our country.
Wait. What? This man had three days left in VN when he was blown up. He should have been in the rear, DAMMIT.
Right, they took us out of the field, when we had about two weeks left on our tour.
👍
hi Gary... im sure you dont know me. you was in Vietnam when i knrew your parents an sister Kay. Was Gaylen your only brother and didnt he pass away.. my then husband John work with your dad at B.F. Goodrich. They were good people. i was married to my husband 38 yrs, he passed away feb. 15th 2021. you take care now and God Bless. Sandy
What part of Pa. . He left shortly before me. I was 18.
Welcome home Gary…thank you for your service…I was in the same division as you…25th infantry division 68/69…2/14th infantry it seems like we ran into booby traps almost every day are area of operation was one very dangerous place I’m glad you made it home hope you are doing well….
Thank You Mr. Heeter for your Service and Dedication to our Country during a VERY difficult time !!..........You SIR are the reason I am PROUD to call myself an American !!..........God Bless ALL you Vietnam Combat Vets and WELCOME HOME SIR !!........JOB WELL DONE !!
Amazing veteran. I give him so much respect. I spent two tours there. I was lucky
Welcome home sir and may God bless you. USARV Special Troops 68/69 as a draftee
GOD BLESS YOU
All you guys from the panhandle to the 25th?
Thank you, Soldier!!!
God bless this man.
Gary, I have listened to probably 50 or 60 interviews of Vietnam veterans now. They are all very moving and impressive, but yours has affected me more than any. I’m so impressed by your obvious kindness, your bravery, your faith. So much I would like to say, yet don’t really have the words to properly do so. I suppose I should just say keep making those crosses, and thank you for defending my freedom. Dan
This lady,not in just this interview..all of them,is a poor choice to interview these men.
It's good to have these guys experiences on record,but have a good interviewer at least someone that knows something about the service and how it works to ask the right questions and the right questions at the right time.
I couldn't agree with you more. Erlich from the Billings Gazette and the Atlanta guy know what they're doing. You'd think that someone would at least give them a questions list i.e. how'd you g in, basic , ait etc.
You are right she’s horrible
There is an alternative, and very valid perspective to Vietnam. Those of us who resisted the Draft/Vietnam were serving our country...just as those who see this man doing it. Vietnam was an illegal war. It did not have anything to do with America or Americans. Yet, almost 60000 Americans lost their lives and there was a 10 year drain on the US economy. Many...many...veterans acknowledge a lot of BAD things happened in Vietnam. We who resisted did NOT enable our dysfunctional US Government in its erroneous foreign policy. We hastened the end of an American tragedy.
Try thinking out of the box who you want to thank for their service and dedication. To resist the US Government could have serious consequences. Don't be mislead....a lot of Vietnam veterans chose to serve in Vietnam ONLY b/c it appeared to be the best option for them
OMG are you ever a jackass for that comment. You need therapy and meds.
So you want people to thank you? I guess that is the difference. Those of us who served don't go around asking people to thank us. The ones that do were probably never in combat. You served your own interests. Don't try and make it seem like you made some giant sacrifice for the country by saving your own rear end.
@@3-2bravo49 Yes, since you mentioned it, you can thank me and the hundreds of thousands of REAL men who didn't support their Government when it was wrong. Real men who stood up for themselves instead of drinking the Kool Aid of dysfunctional politics, family and military traditions. Your comment is so full of ****. I also get a huge laugh at your sacrificial nobility about not needing to be thanked. You clowns milk the sympathies of younger generations with your Honor Flights, special events to DC and the Wall, endless videos on RUclips and trips to Vietnam etc etc etc. Shame on you guys for being so incredibly pathetic and self-validating. That's why we continued to have more "Vietnams" after Vietnam.
Plain and simple....You guys were losers in Vietnam....and even bigger failures after Vietnam. Losers x 2.
@@3-2bravo49 Funny how these "freedom" loving authors of these videos often delete my responses to cover for you guys and your insults. Proves my point. Let's see if this comment is too harsh for you and disappears.