Me in Tiger land Fort Polk June of '71

When I arrived in country (January '72) the last of the IPSD companies had already stood down. (EDIT: July 25/2020: You've perhaps read or heard about my head knocks. So you'll maybe understand my forgetfulness. I was actually assigned to the 34th IPSD-P, as part of a small Patrol Dog unit housed separately from the rest of 34th IPSD.  Later, after I was medevac'd out, our platoon moved in with the rest of the crew at the Dog Training Detachment on Bien Hoa.(EDIT 12/14/14: I've read now that there were still some IPSD's active after January '72.  My apologies for saying otherwise. This is what we were told at 90th replacement Co, Long Bihn.) After a short stay at 90th Replacement Company on Long Binh, I was sent to Bien Hoa to retrain for Patrol dogs.  After graduating I was assigned to the 34th IPSD - Patrol company (Provisional), 3rd Bde (separate), 1st Cav Div right there on Bien Hoa where I met my new and very experienced partner, Prince (16x5).  Our platoon was a small unit, about 12 handlers and 20 K9s. Our mission was primarily sentry work with the occasional Sapper Sweep outside the wire. I had guard duty on the 299th Aviation Battalion heliport one balmy evening when we heard the PRC25 chirp up with those dreaded words, "Incoming...everyone take cover...incoming."  I stayed Prince who was on a long leash and was looking for the closest bunker.  I found it behind us and yelled "break".  Prince was pointed north and I was pointed south.  Prince weighed in at a healthy 128 lbs,  I weighed in at 123. So, guess what happened when the slack came out of the leash?  Yeah, I dislocated the left shoulder and landed hard enough on my squash to get concussed.  So I got to come home early due to a basic newby FUBAR.  It was my 3rd concussion in 3 weeks, the Docs said "you're done son".  I miss my partner more than anything. I can't even describe how I felt about leaving him behind knowing how we were treating them back then. I've struggled with life since then but by the grace of God and the unyielding love of my family, I've made it to this point. I joined VDHA because I wouldn't join any of the other Vet Org's.  I was that pissed off at everyone back then.  I still only belong to the VDHA but I'm beginning to see some of our younger brothers and sisters coming home now and needing help finding their ways.  This has caused me to seek other avenues of help for myself and also to look into volunteer works helping this new generation of heroes.  So maybe It's time for me to bury the hatchet and lend a hand...Welcome home brothers...