re: Pictures from days gone by....

That one is still standing but has a different name.

Well maybe not.

Absolutely not. Nope. Never.

Trey Prather was the QB from Woodlawn Shreveport -- his backup was a fellow named Terry Bradshaw -- who played for LSU but left in 1967 to join the Marines.

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In early January, 1968, the North Vietnamese Army were massing their troops in advance of the Tet Offensive. At this time, PFC Prather served with Echo Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Marines (2/5) in Quang Nam Province, helping secure the infamous Liberty Bridge. The bridge was on a major and vital resupply route for Marine and Army convoys to supply other outposts out of Da Nang. The 2/5 has an illustrious history going back to the Great War and is the most decorated unit in the entire Marine Corps.

At night the enemy would plant mines and bobby traps along the convoy roads to disrupt the resupply missions. It was a common requirement for the 2/5 Marines to patrol the roads at sun-up in advance of the daily convoys to clear the roads of mines and booby traps set the night before.

In early January, having only been in country for a little over two months, PFC Prather triggered a box mine intended for a large vehicle a few kilometers south of the Liberty Bridge. Although medevaced, he died a couple days later on January 10th, in a Da Nang Hospital.

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I thought the picture (lunch on the iron) was taken of the Empire State while under construction.

Also, what building would that be? Chrysler was already finished.

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Wikipedia says it was taken during the construction of Rockefeller Center.

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In early January, having only been in country for a little over two months, PFC Prather triggered a box mine intended for a large vehicle a few kilometers south of the Liberty Bridge. Although medevaced, he died a couple days later on January 10th, in a Da Nang Hospital.

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My dad was there at the same time. 1/5 Delta (0311). He was shot up not long after Prather was killed. Yet another example of a wasted life (Prather). All the potential in the world and his life was cut short for nothing...absolutely nothing. Politicians wanted a war to build their wealth and kids like Prather paid the price. And the wheel in the sky keeps on turning...

New Orleans viewed from atop the Ponchartrain Hotel, 1949

1929

George Harrison