- Joined
- Nov 2, 1999
- Messages
- 2,805
Among the most satisfying things that happen here at the office of the American Tomahawk Company, are the phone calls we receive from dozens and dozens of Vietnam Veterans who carried Peter LaGana's Tomahawk in country.
The most common reports of their experience include:
1) It never left their side on watch...
2) It was the preferred tool for sentry removal
3) It saved their @$$ more than once
4) They gave it away just before coming home due to the gear restrictions
5) They lost it
6) They sold it and regretted it ever since
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Well, recently, a true hero by the name of Joe Deer contacted me to order a Vietnam Tomahawk. He asked me to ask Peter LaGana if "Pete" remembered him, which he did. Mr. LaGana's mental sharpness is astonishing.
Joe was a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps, Charlie Co., 3rd Recon, serving two tours...he ordered a Tomahawk in 69' and gave it to another Marine when he left Vietnam. When ATC came back from the dead, he had to have a new one, and pleaded to have Peter sign the handle...which we proudly did for him.
In gratitude, Joe forwarded me a letter he sent to his Mom on May 5th...the year is not marked. He mentions the Tomahawk, among other things. I have copied it here with his permission.
This is going to mark the first letter in a series entitled Letters Home from Vietnam Veterans who carried our Tomahawk in the jungles of SouthEast Asia. It is our hope that you will find their courage and service to our country inspiring and humbling, as much as it has to us at ATC.
I will also type the text, for easy reading.
-----------------
May 5th
Dear Mom,
I got a package dated the 15th. It had a ham and potato sticks in it. I also got a a package from Aunt Helen. I also got a few papers and that Mets year book.
I passed pre-scuba. I will be going to the Phillippines this month. I've only got 7 months + 14 days left. I've been thinking and thinking about extending my tour over here. I sent home $240.00. I sure hope you got it. I think I told you I received that Tomahawk.
Vietnam is about the same except it gets hotter every day. Have you got any more news on Marty McInery? Well, I'll close for now.
Joe
----------------
The reference to Marty McInery is a Marine buddy who was wounded...
The most common reports of their experience include:
1) It never left their side on watch...
2) It was the preferred tool for sentry removal
3) It saved their @$$ more than once
4) They gave it away just before coming home due to the gear restrictions
5) They lost it
6) They sold it and regretted it ever since
---------
Well, recently, a true hero by the name of Joe Deer contacted me to order a Vietnam Tomahawk. He asked me to ask Peter LaGana if "Pete" remembered him, which he did. Mr. LaGana's mental sharpness is astonishing.
Joe was a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps, Charlie Co., 3rd Recon, serving two tours...he ordered a Tomahawk in 69' and gave it to another Marine when he left Vietnam. When ATC came back from the dead, he had to have a new one, and pleaded to have Peter sign the handle...which we proudly did for him.
In gratitude, Joe forwarded me a letter he sent to his Mom on May 5th...the year is not marked. He mentions the Tomahawk, among other things. I have copied it here with his permission.
This is going to mark the first letter in a series entitled Letters Home from Vietnam Veterans who carried our Tomahawk in the jungles of SouthEast Asia. It is our hope that you will find their courage and service to our country inspiring and humbling, as much as it has to us at ATC.
I will also type the text, for easy reading.
-----------------
May 5th
Dear Mom,
I got a package dated the 15th. It had a ham and potato sticks in it. I also got a a package from Aunt Helen. I also got a few papers and that Mets year book.
I passed pre-scuba. I will be going to the Phillippines this month. I've only got 7 months + 14 days left. I've been thinking and thinking about extending my tour over here. I sent home $240.00. I sure hope you got it. I think I told you I received that Tomahawk.
Vietnam is about the same except it gets hotter every day. Have you got any more news on Marty McInery? Well, I'll close for now.
Joe
----------------
The reference to Marty McInery is a Marine buddy who was wounded...
