Author: SgtGrit

During my tour in Iraq 04'-05' my trusted driver, and friend was a former Marine.  Richard  "Dick" J. Forss was in the Wisconsin Air National Guard who volunteered to serve one last time for his Country.  In order for Dick to accomplish this tour he transferred from Personnel Section as an E-7 MSgt to the Security Forces Section as an E-6 Technical Sergeant.  Talkin about a patriot… Now Dick not only saved my life more than once, he had this sixth sense of incoming rounds and would either go to one knee or "flop" down on his belly.  I asked him how he knew how close these rounds would be… He simply said, "Kevin, I spent 13 1/2 months in the bush of Vietnam from a few days before "Tet" Jan 1968 until March 1969.  Whenever I would go over and get my hair cut at the barbershop by a TCN (Third County National), he would defer and have me cut his hair.  Curious as to why he wouldn't let them cut his hair I asked.  He said that during his tour in Vietnam his fire base was over ran and the Marines where pushed back to the Main Base on the hilltop.  All night long the battle was fought with the outcome in the balance.  The next morning the Marines had not only secured the Main Base but all overran fire bases.  He walked over his barber's body laying at the maingate, wearing a NVC badge.  His in country name was "Baby Huey" because of his size, easy going personality, and baby face complexion.  I was amazed, not only was Dick a retired Milwaukee PD of the famous Motorcycle patrol after 31 years, here he was after entering the USMC in late 1967 and was here serving his country again at he age of 55 years old and saving lives (especially mine), with the same training he had learned all those years ago in the bush of Vietnam.  Dick retired from the Wisconsin ANG in Nov 2009 at the age of 60 years old.  What a comrade in arms he has been to this "Space Cadet".  Dick I salute you and all those serving. read more