Check out the details about the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)
As an American expat, who has lived in the Philippines since 2007, it is comforting to know that the Philippines and the USA will be working together to protect all residents. As a Viet vet, who lived and worked in Vietnam for almost a year, I know that most combat is usually outside of areas where most civilians live. I was stationed in the coastal city of Nha Trang. We were permitted to frequent the beautiful beach at select times when we were off duty. We also were allowed to go downtown and visit establishments. We visited historic sites like the 2,000-year-old Ming Dynasty temple near the bridge and the huge Buddha which overlooks Nha Trang.
2,000-year-old Ming Dynasty temple
Buddha overlooking Nha Trang, Vietnam
I now have Filipina wife and three Phil Am children. We live in a house about 2.5 hours SW of Manila. We are all Vegans now. See how we live as Vegans.
So, what am I getting at? If you are residing in the Philippines, let's all stay put and encourage Filipinos to stay strong, live long and prosper.
I got my draft notice and immediately went and interviewed recruiting offices in my town. I talked first to the Army. Then the Marines. The Marine recruiter explained that the Army always prepares a plan of escape, but the Marines never do. The Marines always try to develop a plan when it is needed. Well, it seemed the best way to survive would be to have a plan of escape (or retreat.) A no brainer to me.
If you allowed yourself to be drafted, you would only need to serve for three years. But if you joined you would be required to serve four years. So, to make a long story short, I went and joined the Army. If one joined one could choose an MOS (job.) I was told there were openings in Infantry, Gunnery and Finance. I chose Finance (another no brainer to me.) I would wear the diamond shaped lapel pins of a Finance specialist.
Finance Pins, MOS 73C
Finance Specialist
It was not too long, and I was on my way to processing in Miami. We got some shots there and I watched as some of the biggest and "toughest" guys were kneeling and sitting on the floor, holding their foreheads, propped up by the wall looking like they were about to pass out.
Well, I made it through that with flying colors. No sweat.
During basic training I qualified for officer candidate school and turned it down. I had no thoughts of making the military a career.
When I was about to board the plane to Vietnam, I remember thinking "maybe I will discover what this is all about." Well after almost a year there I still had not figured it out.
After many years I met a Filipina online and flew to Manila to meet her in person. We met at a shopping mall and hit it off very well. In a short time, against the advice of her friends and family, we were on a plane headed to Mindanao. I was seeking some adventure and she was happy to travel along. The U.S. State Department advised "use extreme caution" while on Mindanao.
We married and had three children. My wife and children are now U.S. citizens and we have flown back and forth between the Philippines and the U.S.A. several times.
Jet lag is always a problem. But we overcome it by sleeping at weird hours until it is gone.
The guy in this video will shed some light on the situation in the Nam. In the city where I was the people were friendlier. Probably because it was known as The French Riviera of the Far East, a rest area for us and the "enemy."
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This post will be expanded upon. Check back for more information about read about a former Vietnam veteran in the Philippines. Updated July 31, 2022.
