January '68 Chapter 2

It was January '68 Chapter 2 – Phan Rang - 1st TDY by Franklin Price 3/5/2019 Raking sand got old real soon Was not why I came to war My job was not for combat The reason why I thought was more Before the month was over Went to do a site survey Traveled down to Phan Rang town About 60 clicks away We drove down on the roadway I think highway number one Traveled in an open jeep Each of us had a gun Through Coconut groves and other things Had been warned to be concerned My M-16 at ready Tried to remember what I'd learned Training I got at Hamilton I hoped would do me well But we made it without incident Did not have to load a shell Spent a few days on the survey For an on base VOR Every night a drink or two At the non-commissioned bar Daily on the flight line Saw many fighters come to land Saw an F-100 lead-sled That was old but still was grand One day went out to Thap Cham The closest local town Went to a Budhist temple Had been a thousand years around Burned a little incense Beside the small front door No room to enter through it A shrine took up all the floor Was also a monkey dwelling We could hear them howl and call The locals left food gifts for them At night they came and ate it all There I first rode in a cyclo They were the three wheeled local hack Had a scooter on the front end And two bench seats in the back Seated four quite easily Entered from the rear of it When not used as a taxi Carried anything that fit Once I saw a full grown cow In the rear where I had been There was strap around its ass Don't know how they got it in That was much later in the year Not on this first time out When everything amazed me Gave me this trip to write about The returning trip to Cam Ranh When this TDY was done Came off without an incident Was a non-combatant run