She Could Be My Daughter

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
It doesn't happen every day, that someone you connect with returns for a second visit. Duane and Sandy from MI from yesterday's story returned, and as we were speaking Diana Long came in. As we talked, Sandy turned to Diana and said: "You look like the daughter I never had." Wow, you decide.
It doesn’t happen every day, that someone you connect to returns for a second visit. Duane and Sandy from MI from yesterday’s story returned, and as we were speaking Diana Long came in. As we talked, Sandy turned to Diana and said: “You look like the daughter I never had.” Wow, you decide.
Shortly thereafter, Sandy left the gallery soon and returned with a gift for Diana, a huge silver cuff. They had just met minutes before in my gallery and I am speechless. Neither of these women will forget this for the rest of their lives, and neither will I.
Shortly thereafter, Sandy left the gallery soon and returned with a gift for Diana, a huge silver cuff. They had just met minutes before in my gallery and I am speechless. Neither of these women will forget this for the rest of their lives, and neither will I.
I'll also never forget these folks. Duane is made of solid granite, which you can feel if you pat him on the back. He needs the cane, but I'll be his cane any time. His combat incident resulted in 3 fatalities, but he survived. He's a 25% Chippowa American Indian, whose tribe has a reservation at Red Lake MN.
I’ll also never forget these folks. Duane is made of solid granite, which you can feel if you pat him on the back. He needs the cane, but I’ll be his cane any time.
His combat incident resulted in 3 fatalities, but he survived. He’s a 25% Chippowa American Indian, whose tribe has a reservation at Red Lake MN.
So just to wrap this up, here is Duane in basic training in '69 at Fort Knox, TN. He's standing next to a 114 amphibious personnel carrier. His Chippawa name is " Wind in His Tail." I wish Duane and Sandy a fair wind, and smooth sailing. After being here for one day, they said to me: "I think we could live here." I sincerely hope so.
So just to wrap this up, here is Duane in basic training in ’69 at Fort Knox, TN. He’s standing next to a 114 amphibious personnel carrier. His Chippawa name is ” Wind in His Tail.” I wish Duane and Sandy a fair wind, and smooth sailing. After being here for one day, they said to me: “I think we could live here.” I sincerely hope so.
Unknown's avatar

Published by Fredrik Bodin

Fred Bodin is a photographer who owns a gallery on Main Street in downtown Gloucester, MA. The gallery features Fred's land and seascapes, as well as historic images printed from the old negatives.

17 thoughts on “She Could Be My Daughter”

    1. As Sandy and Duane say: “It’s God’s will.” Yeah, one could poo poo that, and I could say that. But not now. God Bless. I want to bigger than that and more accepting of people and their beliefs. It’s not going to kill me.

      Like

      Reply

  2. Thank you, Duane, for your service. And thank you to all who serve in our military.

    That photo of Duane by the M114 recon vehicle certainly brought back memories! Coincidentally, I, too, was at Fort Knox for basic training and AIT (Recon), from 4/69 – 9/69. (At some point Duane and I probably passed each other marching out to the rifle range or grenade practice!) Hot as hell! Walked everywhere! My platoon was B-10-5, “Best by Performance”…. I happened to be chosen as a “Platoon Guide” in AIT so it was a great “life experience” but one I don’t think I’d be in a big hurry to relive….. but I’m certainly glad I did it and I’m proud to have had an opportunity to serve this great country. I have nothing but the highest respect for those that served our country in Viet Nam. Some friends of mine did not come back.

    There actually were some moments of levity during basic/AIT that I’m sure Duane remembers well… many times we all had to sit in a hot classroom listening to lectures on military protocol or some other stimulating subject… inevitably someone would fall asleep… the DI’s were, of course, on high alert for those poor souls that nodded off…so as everyone else watched, one of the DI’s would walk quietly over to the sleeping recruit and scream in his ear. The startled recruit would jump about 4 feet out of his chair!!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Great story Jim! Duane and Sandy don’t have email, so I’ll send it to their son, who lives nearby. Duane, even thought a warrior trained to kill in the most efficient manner at the time, is the most gentle person you’ll ever meet. He has worked all NAM shit out in his head, and has helped many vets he has met. I admire him.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you Kim. Debbie Clark from Bananas told me today that when Duane and Sandy came in yesterday, they discovered that they are all Chippowah and Cherokee. I’m Cherokee at heart, and my handmade wrist cuff will prove it. Made by an Oklahoma artist, who appeared on Good Morning America, and weighs in as enough silver to get you out of any jail in Mexico, is the closest I can get to the Native American Nation. Thank you good friend Commander Tom for the gift. On it is a walrus tusk engraved with a North Atlantic Cod. On the outsides of the cuff are the Cherokee words for “In Cod We Trust,” written in the Cherokee syllabary. I think we need a photo of this.

      Like

      Reply

  6. There are great things about getting old. And that is we don’t have to deal with some things that we used to. I didn’t go to war, although I would, I’ve lived an interesting and creative life, met many wonderful people, love “Men’s, Women’s, and All God’s Creatures,” from Alabama 3 (A3). They did the intro song to the Sopranos. “Woke up this morning, suitcase in my hand…” The whole album is great.

    Like

    Reply

    1. All pictures should speak for themselves. But they have to be good. Thanks Dave and I look forward to meeting you some time,

      Like

      Reply

  8. Fred,
    Many Vietnam era vehicles were still being used when I came active in 1978. M151 Jeeps, M-715’s, Deuces M35, M36 I was in combat communications for almost 6 years lot’s of field living when deployed or not in garrison base, tents, Bare base was always fun 😦 (C-rations at first (Green Egg’s and ham)..before transition to MRE…Some of the communications gear was even from 1948 new versions like an SB-86, TA-312 field phones ring downs…Memory lane for sure I have to see if I can find some pictures to send you…:-)

    Like

    Reply

    1. Dave Moore seems like an interesting guy to me. Never met him. So let’s see what his pictures and commentaries say. I’m now the editor of my own posts on GMG, so I’ll take the responsibility for it. If, when I eventually meet with him, I will distill his experiences in NAM into a story we’ll all enjoy and totally understand. Dave Moore wants to share his experiences with us, and I think we should all listen because it’s therapy for all. After Dave, we will be listening to men and women soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq. I am so tired wars and very glad I’m old. I don’t want to be, never asked for it, but maybe I’m the WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq reporter. I’ve had family and close friends in 4 of these 6 wars. You know me. And I neglected to mention my Great Great Grandfather, who rode for the South in our Civil War. He was 16, and the proof that he survived is because I’m here, as is my sister, Painter Barb.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Fred…Thank You!

        Sorry long winded- some background go! – You must have sensed this in me and responded bless you for that and so many other’s on GMG–those pictures – blogs make me happy – life it not a sob story either as other’s have had it so much worse (many of our veterans and Police. A young lady mother out west lost her life if front of her two sons they were about the same age when I saw the domestic issues 5-6 and older one was 12. This brought back some pain for sure! I did not understand why dad was so brutal but the answer lies on Pork Chop Hill, punch bowl DMZ area south Korea and like that Gary Puckett – song home…friends lost – and families forever changed by the loss “Winning Mindset” – (We Learn, what we live). “Honoring our Warriors” – “The blood our warriors shed, and have left upon the ground over the years of time, is the foundation upon which we stand, we walk, we build our homes and we raise our children. Never forget them, never take them for granted.” “Red Thunder” – David Matheson.

        I’ll be honest here I grew up in some serious domestic issues household and some come back from WAR never to be the same I know I saw it first hand in my biological father who lived it in the Korean War and never was the same. He was brutal when drinking. I still carry the scar inside but have great friends and mentors who helped me deal with it and another reason I love music it was an escape for me (Sacred Heart Church) was also there, along with the Gloucester Police, and help of many others I will never forget. My dad lost himself in Korean WAR – like many of the old time veterans the help was not there called it shell shock then (official title the forgotten war). Poor mom took the brunt one too many times and on that cold autumn night I believe in 1963 – we left him for survival reasons walked to bay view…Gloucester Police took him into custody they see far too much domestic violence…

        This is why I love the GMG so much it returns me to a place of fond memories and yes some very difficult ones also…But that’s what molds us we can either stay down or get back up and move on – I choose to get back up with the help of so many who took the time here and be there for those who needed them. Thank Fred you’re a very wise man and you understand what I speak of. Mom – 3 boys and a daughter so yes it was hard in those days did not have the support systems of today. Fred you’re a spirit Keeper like many on this – GMG homepage and messages they pass on…My dad died the day I returned to South Korea as a Federal contractor August 1998 last time I saw him was 1998- I tried for many years to find him but he left without a trace did not even keep up with his family took many years for me to let go of hate for his actions – hate is a strong word dislike would be better but I did …WAR does this to some…I truly wanted to closure then but will never find that so I turn to the below and my family, faith, friends that’s what it’s all about when needed.

        Here is one I also go to when I need it given to me by my Native friends:

        (SPIRIT HELPER – Many Crows Woman)
        Let her be your friend. She has no eyes, so she cannot judge you. Her feet leave no tracks, so you are the only one to know she is there. She has no hands to meddle in things not about her. Tell her you’re hopes, your dreams, and your fears – those things that make you happy, things that make you sad. All these thoughts she will guard very carefully, so when you need them the most for strength, this little Spirit Helper will give them back to you. Take her wherever you go and know that you have a friend always!
        P.S. The Paul and Isabel Manship of Lanesville when I did handy work for them had an old Union civil war uniform also…
        Stay safe can contact me at the email posted under…

        Like

        Reply

Leaving a comment rewards the author of this post- add to the discussion here-