GROUP COMMANDER RIDES WITH YELLOW BIRD
LONG BINH (104th
Engineer Company- Dump Truck)
A military policeman on duty at the check point Bravo, Camp Frenzell Jones
recently executed the classic double take when he stepped up to check a 20 ton
dump truck's trip ticket. Riding in the passenger seat of the truck was a full
bull colonel. Everything was in perfect order and the truck moved out for its
daily mission leaving a baffled MP at the gate.
The episode started early that morning when Colonel Amos L. Wright, 79th
Engineer Group Commander and CSM Cosme M Cadena arrived at the 104th Engineer
Company (Dump Truck) motor pool at 0715 hours. Colonel Wright climbed into the
cab of a 20 ton dump truck with SP-5 Charles A. Emmert, and CSM Cadena rode
with SGT John Warkentin. At the motor pool gate 1LT Hammond, LOC platoon
leader, halted the trucks for his morning inspection. After insuring that the
drivers and their VIP passengers had secured their seat belts and that they
had all their tactical gear with them, Lt Hammond told the drivers to move
out. The Yellow Birds proceeded to University Quarry where they loaded with 1
1/2" base rock and from there to the 554th Engineer Battalion stock pile at
Lai Khe. During the trip Colonel Wright and CSM Cadena observed the driver's
daily routine. At Lai Khe Colonel Wright was met by representatives of the
554th Engineer Battalion for an on the spot inspection of construction on
QL-13. Before his departure, SP-5 Emmert invited his Group Commander back for
another ride "Any day of the week".
By SP-4 M. Scott Stovall