Scott Pringle
A soldier who, will never forget.
That Day, Honor and Tribute, to Ronald Monte Fraser
That Day. September 14, 1968. Quang Tri, Province. Our Unit, Co., B, 1st, BN., 11th, Infantry, 5th, Division, was choppered, from Con Thien, Fire Base, to a LZ., very close, to the DMZ., Line, for a search and destroy mission. It has been, so many years, now. And it was just, a moment ago, forever. I can't say, I knew Ron extremely well, but I knew him. He was our radioman. As I remember, he was always friendly, somewhat quiet, but always there, as part of the group and squad, a person of trust and a soldier, doing the job, he had to do. Perhaps my sense, of him being, a quieter kind of individual, made me think of him, as more mature than others. That is how, I remember him. I was the last person, Ron Fraser saw that day, when he and I, alone were ambushed. Over the years, now, I have been, to 'The Wall,' several times to reconnect, with and pay tribute, to Ron in the way, that visiting this sacred place, can only do. But also, it has been a way, to release and cleanse, the feelings of guilt, I hold within, regarding, that day with Ron. You see, Fraser was killed, in that ambush, from the bullet that was, I know intended, for me. That day. September 14, 1968. Walking 'point' that day, Ron was directly behind me, radio, on his back. We moved slowly, up the hill together. The air was, still and all was, so very quiet. Nearing the top, of the hill, there was a rustling, in the brush, directly in front, of me. I turned my head, back towards Ron, to grab the radio receiver. That same moment, in the turning, of my head, the wind of a single bullet, creased, across my brow. All in the same instant, looking at Ron, my hand still held out, for the receiver, I watched him collapse, to the ground, as that bullet, hit his head. He died instantly and I'm quite sure, never, knew any pain. The next moment, brought lots of automatic fire. Running for cover, I dove into, a shallow, bomb crater. Over the next minutes, or hours, I was hit and wounded, several times. Eventually, I did manage, to escape my position and crawl back, down the hill, to safety and the rest, of the men. Later that day, I and others, were medi-vaced out, while under small arms fire. Thirty-fou,r years later, now and always, 'just a moment ago,' I continue to think, of Ron Fraser and our ambush, most everyday. It is just there, all the time. I feel the air, of that bullet, across my brow, knowing, had I not turned, my head at that moment, Ron would likely be with his family, today. I would have been the body, that collapsed. When I stand, in front of Ron's name, on The Wall, I have visualized, my name there, in place of his. Some how, this visualizing has felt, ok and has provided, some kind of healing and inner closure. As time has passed, from that day, my connection to Ron, has increasingly grown. My bond to him is, so very strong. Permanent. He will truly, travel with me, through my entire life. I don't think, the guilt I carry over, that day will, ever really cease, but I can balance, that out, with lasting Honor and Tribute, to Ron Fraser. He will be, with me, forever. Scott E. Pringle, Veteran's Day
Monday, November 11, 2002 |
