He Chose to Serve

I occasionally float adrift from Bad Golf Guy’s simplistic charter, which is defined as self-deprecating, experiential, golfing nonsense.  Today’s post exemplifies such adrift.  I ask your indulgence as I share a story about my father-in-law, Paul W Cramer (there is no period after the W).

Paul was born in April of 1948, growing up on a ten acre farm in the southern end of Lancaster County in Pennsylvania.  Paul graduated from High School in 1966 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Army.   At the age of eighteen, there was little doubt where he was headed after graduating from Officer Candidate School.

Note:  In 1966, Lyndon Johnson expanded the number of troops being sent to Vietnam to 385,000.  In 1968, American troop presence in Vietnam peaked at 536,100.

Paul, a decorated veteran, served his country proudly in Vietnam (6^th Battalion 32d Artillery) as a Second Lieutenant between 1968 and 1969, later receiving his Captain’s bar in the Army Reserves.  He was deployed as a Forward Field Artillery Observer, routinely sitting in the rear mid-jump seat of a Bell HU-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter, scouting, calculating and directing artillery fire against the enemy.  

Note:  In March of 1960, the U.S. Army awarded Bell Helicopter a production contract for 100 aircraft, which was designated “HU-1” and officially named Iroquois after the Native American nation, later nicknamed “Huey”. 

Approximately 7,000 HU-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopters were deployed during the Vietnam War. The helicopter was used for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), command and control, transport and air assault. Vietnam Veterans describe the Huey as the “sound of our war.”

During his time in Vietnam, Paul and countless others, were exposed to a powerful, deadly herbicide (dioxin), utilized by U.S Military forces, designed to eliminate forest cover and crops for North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops (aka Agent Orange).  Over 20 million gallons of various herbides were sprayed over Vietnam, later proven to cause serious health issues, including cancer, birth defects, rashes and severe psychological and neurological problems. 

Paul’s exposure to the toxin, later in life, manifested itself as Multiple Myeloma, a cancer that forms in a white blood cell called a plasma cell.  The same plasma cells that help fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.  Multiple Myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out healthy blood cells.

On October 5^th at approximately 11:30 pm, Paul W Cramer passed away at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida after a courageous battle against an incurable disease, days after celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary, with his wife Jean and daughter Erin.  Paul’s final resting place will be at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Due to his maladies, Paul, who thoroughly enjoyed golf, played sparingly over the past seven to eight years.  We were fortunate to play nine holes together, roughly nine months ago, followed by lunch and a few beers…a fun day!  Paul also appeared to enjoy listening to my golfing adventures, occasionally laughing at my various experiences and frequently marveling at the bizarre goings on.

I know he was just dying to be able to get out and play on a regular basis.

My best day with Paul occurred when were both back in Pennsylvania.  I gave him a call late one Saturday morning, telling him I would be by in thirty minutes, suggesting he don his Vietnam Veteran baseball style hat.  Shorty thereafter, we were pulling into the parking lot of a small hanger at Lancaster Airport.  As we entered the hanger, I stepped back and allowed things to take their natural course.  Inside the hanger was a Bell HU-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter #823 (Bikini Blue), in the throes of a complete restoration.  A team of mostly Vietnam Veterans, known as the “Liberty Warbird Association” were crawling all over the magnificent machine.  Paul was warmly greeted at the door by one of his Vietnam compatriots.  After a brief introduction, conversation and tour, Paul, struggling physically, hopped up into the helicopter like a teenager, to take a closer look and to reminisce.  The kindness of his colleagues was palpable.  Paul spent well over an hour visiting with each of the Warbirds, as they swapped stories about their time in Vietnam. 

This was an incredibly emotional day for Paul as the Bell HU-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter and the Warbirds brought back many repressed memories.  He was in awe of the project as well as the dedication and commitment of the Warbird Team.  

Paul loved his family (with special mention to his granddaughter Olivia), NASCAR (in particular Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr,), his three cats (Aubry, Chester and Jasper), his 1974 robin-egg blue Volkswagen Beetle, Arnold Palmer, Michelle Wie, cheesy puffs and a good steak!

I would like to think that Paul and I were on solid footing since our introduction.  I would also like to think my perceived status had more to do with how I treat his daughter than my magnetic personality. 

Paul was a very good man who served his country and took care of his family.  I am proud to be his son-in-law.

Note:  The Liberty Warbird Association is an amazing organization who accomplished their initial goal of restoring a vintage Huey helicopter.  Their mission is to offer members an opportunity to go back in time and experience the sights and sounds of a famous war bird, allowing any Vietnam Vet the chance to fly one more mission in a Huey.  Unfortunately, Paul did not get “his” chance to fly one more mission in a Huey.

The Liberty Warbird Association was one of two charitable organizations designated by the family for contributions in memory of Paul W Cramer.

Thank you for your indulgence!

*Information on troop deployment, the Bell HU-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter, Agent Orange and Multiple Myeloma was gathered via Wikipedia.

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