nicksiders
1129 posts
Jan 01, 2007
1:50 PM
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Ccouc is the name of someone I left behind in Viet Nam who without knowing it gave me comfort by her loyalty to me. Everyday she would clean my living quarters and always leave me with a gift on my table of things simple and sometimes delicious things that I knew she made herself. She was 19 years old, but looked 10. Never complained; always smiling. I was 24 years old and a captian in the Army serving in Vietnam.
I had a large picture of my wife hanging on my wall and one day I decided to also adorn my wall with a centerfold from a Playboy magazine. Upon returning from a laison flight I was greated by Ccouc who was showing signs of anger as she walked with me into my quarters. She abruptly walked over the the centerfold and exclaimed that that was a "number 10 mommasone" and then pointing to my wife's photo exclaimed that was "number one mommasone" and then commenced to tear the centerfold off the wall and hastly wadded it up and threw it into the trash recepticle setting nearby. This was a part of her watch over me which over the years I have gained a desire to thank her for. The years have allowed me to become wiser and to value this kind of devotion and loyalty.
Everyday she took extreme care of me and left a small gift as well, everyday.....everyday. There came a day when I was transfered to another firebase camp about 18 miles from the current base camp and I packed my belongings and gear for the trip. I left my little helper; my protector; my giver of care and proceeded to my new assignment as the artillery laison to the brigade commander. Upon leaving she asked:"where you go?" and not knowing how to explain where I was going I just gave her a hug and said nothing and departed that morning in the jeep thinking of her only a few seconds as I left the area.
Upon arriving at my new assigned quarters I unpacked and introduced myself to the brigade commander. I ate lunch with him and he told me to spend the rest of the day familiarizing myself with the people in the fire base camp and the surroundings. I then had dinner amoungst all of the people of the new assignment area and after the meal concluded I soundered back to the command center and it was becoming dusk. It was noted by our base security personnel that there was an indigionist personnel walking on the road coming up towards the fire base.
It was close to curfew time and that figure started to get some attention because of it. It was noted by myself and those observing that the figure approaching was female. That female had loaded herself down with baskets being carried on a stick; one basket on each end. It became concerning to the security people who where thinking about the possibility of explosives being carried within the two baskets.
The small female figure kept coming walking as if in a hurry. Maybe trying to beat curfew. The small female figure came closer and closer. We all got more and more concerned and our curiousity sharpened.
In an instant I recognized it was Ccouc! I ran quickly towards her in wonderment and removed her burden from her and gave her tiny little body a huge, lifting her plum off of her feet as I did so. Then setting her back down I noticed the tears streaming down her child like tiny face matching the tears by that time was streaming down mine as well.
It was New Years Day in 1965. I often wonder what happened to her over all these years especially on New Years Day. I hope she has a good life; maybe babes of her own. I wonder if she ever thinks of me
She had walked the 18 miles carrying her own body weight across her tiny little shoulders to be with this sorry piece of shit she called her "number one capiton" and to this day it makes me cry a little thinking about this little soul who gave me this huge gift of love and loyalty that I really did not earn or deserve. She gave so much and recieved so little in return, but I think she knew how much I appreciated her and all that she did.
She was my daughter, even though there was only 5 years difference in our age. She stayed with me until the end of my tour; kept my quarters tidy and each day left me with a little gift on the table. Never complained and she smiled at me each day. Such a tiny little soul that meant so much to me; more than I she will ever know. Over the years I think of her more and more often. Two days before I was to rotate out of country I never saw her again She lived in the nearby village, but stopped her daly treck to watch over me; to take care of me; to give me a gift.
I have tried to locate her, but I only knew her first name and I am not even sure of the spelling and nobody really cares enough to help. I have never shared this story with anyone except my family and I do not know why I decided to share it with this forum. It may be that at 65 I am finally talking about my experiences in combat......I don't know.
Happy New Year.........Happy New Year Ccouc
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Snicker Rollers
Last Edited by on Jul 16, 2008 9:29 AM
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W@yne
149 posts
Jan 01, 2007
2:04 PM
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A really moving story that was nicksiders somtimes its good to share events that has happened in peoples lifes.Goes to show we all take people for granted and we are very lucky.Had a tear in my eye reading it myself think im getting kinda soft in my old age Lol
Thanks for sharing that story.
regards
W@yne
Last Edited by on Jan 01, 2007 2:45 PM
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jammerlofts
66 posts
Jan 01, 2007
2:05 PM
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nick
have you tried calling montel or mory povich or any one like that to see if they can help reunite the 2 of you im not being a smart a** i see that alot on those shows try it out nothing to loose i wish you the best in finding her
jc
jammerlofts
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Electric-man
102 posts
Jan 01, 2007
2:40 PM
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Thanks Nick, Amazing story, I was kind of getting in a bad mood this afternoon, that kinda put things back in perspective!I look back and feel guilty for not serving my country! I can't even imagine the sacrifices some have had to make! I'm going out to fly my birds now, thanks to guys like you, I still have the freedom to do these things!
Last Edited by on Jan 01, 2007 7:43 PM
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luis
82 posts
Jan 01, 2007
2:52 PM
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Great story and hopefully a learning experience my friend. That's what life is all about you learn and you grow as a human being.I'm sure she also thinks fondly of you and those years gone by.I hope you can reunite someday.
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fhtfire
757 posts
Jan 01, 2007
5:11 PM
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Nick,
Truly touching. It is amazing the little things you remember when all hell is breaking loose around you. YOu should really try and look for her.
rock and ROLL
Paul
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J_Star
732 posts
Jan 01, 2007
6:51 PM
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Nick, Those sweet memories are priceless!!! Memories are all what we got and what we will become my friend!! Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Jay
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