Khe Sanh

[Guest]

I like this site. I also think it deserves a theme song. My vote would go to Khe Sanh (Cold Chisel...read the lyrics and see if you agree.)
It's because we are all veterans and 'it's only other vet's could understand'
I've been in organisations where the leadership was promoted from the the ranks and others where it came in from the outside. From the ranks is infinitely better.
We have a hell of a battle on our hands here, but give me an honest drunkard any day to someone who's never had a drink in their life but will moralise 'til doomsday in the hope of saving a soul. My only consolation in dealing with such people is that they need us more than we need them.

[Guest]

Khe Sanh

Here are the lyrics...save the search.

'I left my heart to the sappers round Khe Sanh
And my soul was sold with my cigarettes to the blackmarket man
I've had the Vietnam cold turkey
From the ocean to the Silver City
And it's only other vets could understand

About the long forgotten dockside guarantees
How there were no V-dayheroes in 1973
How we sailed into Sydney Harbour
Saw an old friend but couldn't kiss her
She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land

And she was like so many more from that time on
Their lives were all so empty, till they found their chosen one
And their legs were often open
But their minds were always closed
And their hearts were held in fast suburban chains
And the legal pads were yellow, hours long, paypacket lean
And the telex writers clattered where the gunships once had been
But the car parks made me jumpy
And I never stopped the dreams
Or the growing need for speed and novacaine

So I worked across the country end to end
Tried to find a place to settle down, where my mixed up life could mend
Held a job on an oil-rig
Flying choppers when I could
But the nightlife nearly drove me round the bend

And I've travelled round the world from year to year
And each one found me aimless, one more year the more for wear
And I've been back to South East Asia
But the answer sure ain't there
But I'm drifting north, to check things out again

You know the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Only seven flying hours, and I'll be landing in Hong Kong
There ain't nothing like the kisses
From a jaded Chinese princess
I'm gonna hit some Hong Kong mattress all night long

Well the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
Yeah the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone
And it's really got me worried
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm in a hurry
And the last plane out of Sydney's almost gone.'

[tawnyfrog]

Khe Sanh

G'day Bluey and welcome,

Are you a Vet?

[spedteach]

Khe Sanh

The question is a veteran of what. Good morning.

[Guest]

Khe Sanh

I'm an ex-soldier (Trooper 718260, Armoured Corps) but I wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking about being a veteran drinker. And I meant that we are all veteran drinkers here. The Army has nothing to do with it although there was quite a lot of drinking going on when I was there. The 'wet canteen' was well patronised.

[spedteach]

Khe Sanh

I'm sure as hell a veteran too then...a veteran of the drug/alcohol wars. Glad to have it in my past.

[Guest]

Khe Sanh

spedteach you have done well. Off the booze for that long is an achievement I would like to have. I just don't know if I can do it. I'm coming to terms with the idea but would still hope that I could moderate my intake so I could be an occasional drinker. Maybe some illusions need to go. Still glad I found this place.

[Hippy Chick]

Khe Sanh

Welcome Bluey.
Never thought about Khe Sanh like that but when I think about it you are right. ( One of my favourite songs). Almost better than the national anthem hey.
I had the same illusion about being able to drink moderately when I started in January. I have sober since then and am too scared to try and see if I can actually mod. It has taken me so much energy not to pick up that drink and I dont think I can stop if I do have "just one".
If you have a problem with stopping drinking you are in the right place. We are from all over the world and have lots to offer. so welcome once again and good luck with your journey.
Hippy chick

[Guest]

Khe Sanh

Thanks spam. Yep I'm new (here anyway, not too new otherwise)...I'm sure I won't mind the ladies, when we are all in the same boat it doesn't matter very much. Tonight I've been reasonably moderate. Ran out of smokes early and haven't drunk overly. Just bought the minimum. Mind you it's not easy when you are looking at each other and there's no booze left. I'll have to go to bed. Won't sleep of course, but you know that. Nevertheless I am heartened by what I have read here. To be aware that there are many others out there who have the same problem is somehow reassuring. I will try to improve.

[Guest]

Khe Sanh

Thanks Hippy Chick. I do feel that I will learn from here. Most of my life I've done things my own way. Never asked for help and carried my own can. Comes from being a Highlander I guess. We sit in our own gorse bushes where I come from and suffer the pain accordingly. I used to see looking for help as a weakness...not so sure any more. I think it is my generation and being brought up as a Scot that has made me that way.
Some things are hard to change.

[Hippy Chick]

Khe Sanh

I think maybe I have highlander blood in me too.... "HELP???" the hardest word in my vocabulary.
HC X

[GaryJ]

Khe Sanh

Blue Heeler;861532 wrote: I like this site. I also think it deserves a theme song. My vote would go to Khe Sanh (Cold Chisel...read the lyrics and see if you agree.)
It's because we are all veterans and 'it's only other vet's could understand'
I've been in organisations where the leadership was promoted from the the ranks and others where it came in from the outside. From the ranks is infinitely better.
We have a hell of a battle on our hands here, but give me an honest drunkard any day to someone who's never had a drink in their life but will moralise 'til doomsday in the hope of saving a soul. My only consolation in dealing with such people is that they need us more than we need them.

Ahem, another big hit Cold Chisel had was "Cheap Wine.........."

And the lead singer Jimmy Barnes has had his own battle with AL.:shocked: