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FNG Story – Dick Getchell

Name: Dick Getchell “AKA- RAG’s” IC1(SS) USN 68-76
E-Mail: meggndick@charter.net
Phone: 817-300-9240
City: Fort Worth
State: Texas
FNG Story:

All I can say is WOW and Welcome Home! The Mission of a life time is available to all who answer the call, to carry on the Pledge to Never Forget! RFTW was a real healing time for me personally and I pray that others who read this, will allow healing to begin for them as well. In November 2008 I stumbled on to the RFTW web site while looking for information on POW/MIA flags for my bike. I showed the RFTW web site to my wife and her response was, “so when do you leave”? She knows my so well! From that point on, I was consumed by getting ready and telling everyone I knew about the ride, especially my good friend, fellow Vets and fellow servants at our local body of believers, “The Hospital Church”- Celebration Fellowship, in Fort Worth, Texas. My good friend and fellow Jim, helped me make the final decision to ride by helping me through an issue that I had carried for a long time.

You see I have a dad who spent 30 years in the Navy and served in WWII, Korea and during Vietnam. He is a real live hero. I had many friends go in to the service of this great nation and serve during Vietnam (some who paid the supreme sacrifice and are listed on the Wall) but, I had been on Submarines and aided along the coast line of Vietnam and was not in country like my buddies. Yes, I was patriotic like them and served my country in a time of need, but! This “but” led to feeling that theirs was a higher service than mine and I felt some how I had let them down by not being in country. My brother in Christ and fellow Vietnam Veteran (in country, 1st Bat 14th Inf 3rd Brig 4thInf Div. [7-4-68—7-3-69]) was very specific with me, that I was as much there as anyone and I needed to let that false truth go. That fully convinced me to make the RFTW ride. As I made the ride with humility and pride as a patriot and fellow Vet, I had others on the ride tell me the same thing Jim had shared with me, when I spoke of my previous fears and regrets.

The truly humbling thing for me, was that in each case these were men who served boldly and heroically in country. I had carried that burden around for almost 40 years and am fully restored because of the kindness of fellow Vietnam Veterans, the RFTW ride leadership and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With that said, I hope and pray that I will be able to make the full ride in 2010 and that my fellow Vietnam Veteran, Jim, will make the trip with me. One final statement, thank you everyone on the run, but I want to mention just a few, who made it even more memorable.

The RFTW SR leadership, super great job! Mustang for your humble leadership of the 5th Platoon and your soft voice of encouragement, I know, I know, you are a Marine through and through, but really just a big softy. I pray that your health is good and you will be leading again in 2010. To all my new friends of which are numerous, Chicken Joe, Wrong Way-Green, PGR Pat, Firecracker, Flame, Chrome, Two-Stars (chiefy whiefy), Duct Tape, Cutter, Bug, Shiny Red Bike-Green, all the Sea Wolves, a Dirty Water – Gunners Mate Master Chief (whose name I can’t remember, but who made a life long impression on me) and all the others I can’t remember at this time. God Bless and may the wind be sweet in your face and Gods hand protect you at all times. Finally, thank you to all who showed so much kindness to our group of riders across this great country, from the sole persons in the middle of nowhere at attention and saluting, to those with a thank you on their lips and a bottle of water in their other hand, thank you! Progress Not Perfection RAG’s