18 Comments

  1. George A. Bontya said:

    Thank you Lou for your Service and Welcome Home!

    May 27, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Thank you so much, George. It was an honor to serve.

      May 31, 2017
      Reply
  2. Paul Bowen said:

    I was privileged to pilot one of the “Santa Bou” aircraft during Christmas 1970. There was not a better way to spend the holiday in Vietnam. In most cases, the troops did not know that we were coming. Their expressions were priceless when we opened up the plane and they saw all of the food and presents and the Donut Dollies and nurses serving them.

    May 27, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, Paul. Those happy memories of giving will never fade. Thank you for your service.

      May 31, 2017
      Reply
  3. Jim Sanford said:

    Awesome Lou! I never knew about this part of your life. Thanks for your service.

    May 30, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Yes, Jim, I had just returned when I started teaching in 1972 in Yerington! People didn’t want to hear about Vietnam, so I didn’t talk about it much. 45 years ago . . . Wow! We miss you!

      May 31, 2017
      Reply
  4. Diane Long said:

    Wow, you are an amazing lady, Lou!

    May 31, 2017
    Reply
  5. Lou said:

    Thank you, Diane. I will be in your classroom Friday! I can’t believe school is almost out.

    May 31, 2017
    Reply
  6. Sandy Burt said:

    That was a great story. I would have loved to had done that. I can just imagine the happiness you spread to them. Your the sweetest happiest people I know. I love you

    May 31, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Thank you Sandy. It was a very rewarding tour.
      We hear you celebrated a BIG birthday! Wish we could have made it up there to celebrate with you. We’ll have to do that in September.
      Love you MORE!!!!

      June 1, 2017
      Reply
  7. Lorrie Rundle said:

    Wow, what a great story Lou. Such a courageous and rewarding experience for you and something so very special for the soldiers. So nice that you were recognized for such a honorable act of kindness.

    June 1, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Thank you Lorrie and Randy, you are too kind. Yes, it’s nice to be recognized, but it was such a fun tour and I am so honored that I was chosen.

      June 1, 2017
      Reply
  8. Rochelle Reed said:

    So proud of you Lou! Love you.
    Rochelle

    June 1, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Awwww, thanks so much, Rochelle!
      Love you MORE
      Lou

      June 2, 2017
      Reply
  9. John Evanoff said:

    Lou, I’ve known you since I was two or three years old, I think, and always remember that big happy smile all the while we grew up. I can’t imagine a better sight for sore eyes than you and your girls visiting to lift our soldier’s spirits. You can’t imagine how hard it was sometimes to just lift your head after a long hard day or days and days of troubling times. Your joyful attitude and life giving cheerfulness gave our troops courage to tackle another day. I’m truly proud to call you my friend and childhood buddy. When we visited you and Rod last year, I really felt happy to see that smile again. We need a lot more of your kind of smiles in the world. Thank you for your service.

    June 3, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Oh, Kit, my old buddy, you are too kind. I really enjoyed what we did and it was easy to smile and wave. I got so used to doing it, that I seem to still do it today — when I’m on walks in the neighborhood, helping at school, etc. It makes me feel good too. I just wish that you and lots of other guys over there who never saw us, could have had the opportunity. We would have LOVED it.
      Thank YOU for your service, buddy!
      Miss you.
      Love,
      Lou

      June 3, 2017
      Reply
  10. Nancy wraver said:

    Awww Lou. You are so awesome. You were in danger too. These men must have loved seeing you cute face smiling!!!!! You have really done a lot in your life. I am so proud to call you my good buddy. Love you more!!!!!!! Nancy K

    June 4, 2017
    Reply
    • Lou said:

      Oooooh, Nancy, you’re such a sweetie. Yep, we’ve been buddies for a long, long time. I’m sure glad we stayed friends through it all!
      Love YOU more,
      Lou

      June 4, 2017
      Reply

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