VOICES OF HISTORY PRESENTS - PFC Ernie Stevens, U.S.M.C., Vietnam, 3rd BN., 3rd Marine Division
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- čas přidán 2. 12. 2023
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Lol, I'm always tempted to ask where you find these good Marines, but actually they don't surprise me, I know 'em , It's my tribe. L3/1, 1st MARDIV.
Thank you once again Larry for all that you do. I'm a long time watcher. I would love to purchase a stainless steel adjustable bracelet with the " Lest They Be Forgotten" phrase and would love it if the money could go to a donation. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Please keep up the good work and respect for myself and all of our veterans.
SEMPER FI my friend. Once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine!!
Thanks Tina. Please reach out to me regarding your idea. EMAIL: lcappetto@icloud.com WEBSITE: larrycappetto.com
I consider myself a tough guy,but this MARINE had me in tears!!!..Thank you MARINE
Ernie is a very unique man. As he said, he deals with any issues quietly with a very strong will. Great video, Larry.
April, good to see you here. Ernie's story is exceptional!! It's been in my archives from 17 years. These Voices of History are haunting me. Hope you are doing well.
Thank you sir
You guys are the best
You personally are very interesting and articulate
So nice of you.
Good man 👍
What a brave, patriotic ,decent and humble hero of a man.
A well balanced patriotic man. AMERICAN 🇺🇸 ❤
The support of a small town is unmeasured. I was young during the height of the Vietnam war and we wrote to our soldiers and made sure we showed respect upon their return. My father was WW2 and it was my sister's classmates that served. We watched Walter Cronkite every afternoon to get the report.
I have an odd story about that... Growing up in a small-ish town (7,000 people). We had parades for veteran's and memorial day, big firework show for 4th of July.
Very patriotic.
My father served in Vietnam and my uncle (mother's brother) was killed in Feb '68.
I joined the Army in 1999.. served until 2016 as an Airborne Infantryman (11B1P)
When I came home after multiple combat deployments, no one even knew I left. I was even scrutinized for applying to the VFW.
Lol.
Times have changed. We lost a Marine over there, (Kevin Preach), named a bridge after him... but no one cares.
Now that town's population is 28,000 and every farm field is condominiums and townhouses.
Urban sprawl is real and disappointing.
Obviously I've moved away to a smaller town, and the same thing is happening. Houses going up everywhere.
You can tell he is a good Man but a hard man.very strong person and patriotic marine.thank you for your service
This man has always had himself. together, he is a gem !!!!!
AGREED!!!
Ps. This is a man that deserves admiration. ❤
I'm thankful I met him 17 years ago in Louisiana. I'm happy his story finally made it to the surface.
This man is a true hero. Thank you for being a US Marine.
Great interview. My kind of man, straight shooter, no BS! Have to admire Sgt Steven’s.
Thanks Larrry
Brother Harry. You picked a great story. I'm a bit ashamed of myself for allowing his story to sit for almost 17 years. It's time his voice is heard. Such a humble man. A true WARRIOR in my eyes.
Very good one and I'm glad I listened to the entire interview. This patriot is amazingly well-adjusted. Louisiana is the "Sportsman's Paradise" so I wonder how much time Mr. Stevens spent handling firearms and hunting during his youth, which probably would have made it easier to handle what he had to do and see in combat. He mentions his Christian faith and accepting God's forgiveness. I think this has a lot to do with him being at peace with the world at least as much as being surrounded by a supportive family and community after returning home.
Great interview. Hope life has been good to you since Vietnam Ernie. You served our country well sir.
Thank you for your service, Ernie. You are a great man.
Larry, these stories are so important. Grateful for the work you are doing.
I appreciate that!!
Cool dude.
Excellent interview. Thank you, Ernie and Larry.
God bless you!!
Great story from a well disciplined, well centered Man, i would say his upbringing, local WWII vets, his small town send off and receiving him when he came home, play big roll in his life, but i also gathered, when he Talked to the Lord, and laid all his burdens on him, and the pastor helped reaffirm this to him, his life changed from that point on, Thank The Lord!! Great interview ❤️👌🏼👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great comment. Thank you for watching.
I have the very same thoughts.
Thanks for your service Mr. Stevens. Great interview Larry. Good job👍
Glad you enjoyed it.
Welcome Home Ernie. Thank you for your Service!
What remarkable man! Semper Fi Ernie, and listen to your wife.
What a Great man, God Bless❤
AMEN GRACIE!!
Thank you MarineGod Bless you!
Really proud to hear of Ruston,LA behavior toward Sgt Stevens during this time.
Larry: I would have to say that this one is one of your best interviews shown to date - very straightforward and honest about his experiences/time in Vietnam. He is right about everything he said about Ruston - a very patriotic/good place to live. I was raised in a smaller town 70 miles from Ruston. Thank you for sharing this great episode! Roy
Thank you so much for documenting these amazing stories. And this one was just so great. These are really priceless. I was fortunate enough to interview my grandfather at 96 years old before he died at 98. He jumped with the 101st ABN 502 Fox Co. He never talked about it and my parents didn't talk with him about it all that much either, but I was able to connect with him and document his stories in his old age. It changed me. Now my college-aged kids know. You don't look at the flag the same way after hearing all of these amazing stories.
Casey, many thanks for your kind words and comment. I'm happy to have you here. I hope you've had a chance to watch more of my stories and share them with your family. God bless you!!
Thank you, Ernie for your two tours to Vietnam.
Welcome home then and now.
🇺🇲🙏
Minha continência e respeito 💪👏🙌🙏
Welcome home Marine, you done good...72 yo Navy Veteran
They will never be forgotten, as long as I'm alive. My father served in Vietnam as an Army Combat Engineer, after his training at Fort Belvoir, near Washington DC, where he successfully impregnated my mother! My father's fire base was attacked and he saw some terrible things, but survived jumping under the only cover he could find: an Army jeep! He saw friends and his brothers literally blown up. It left him mentally affected for the rest of his life, but he was patriotic.
I cant donate man but I can view this and thumb it up. I watch your videos all the time and love everyone of them.
I hear you friend , my luck has changed recently , I'll buy Larry lunch from us both in the days to come.
God bless you Jordan. Good to have you with us here.
That would be awesome. Look forward to hearing from you.
Great job Larry. Love what you do. Semper Fi
Much appreciated Mark. God bless you!!
I am profoundly grateful for both of you.
Thank you William, God bless you!!
This guys philosophy is inspiring
Ernie is a straight up guy. True to his word an claims blame on what he has done an doesnt blame the war for his mistakes that he made. Honorable. PFC Ernie Sanders has definitely earned a big salute from me. Thank you Larry this again proves why you are the number 1 for our Veteran interviews.. Cheers my friend an God Bless
Many thanks Ken for your kind words. God bless you!!
I’m not an American but I admire their respect for the flag this gentleman must be very proud of his daughter
Thank you for your comment Brian.
Welcome home Marine, I salute you sir😊
Blessings Kenneth!!
Another great interview Larry. He has a fairly unique/successful way of dealing with issues. A very humble & decent bloke!
Thank you kindly.
Larry, you are a great man, keep sharing this history.
I appreciate that. Thank you for your kind words. God bless you!!
Semper Fi
K 3/4 was another super performing unit, especially in I Corps, Mutters Ridge area. SALUTE 4th Marines!!!!!
Outstanding series of videos 👍
Thank you for watching. I hope you're subscribed.
@@VoicesofHistory I was born subscribed to your channel 👍
Mr. Stevens seems to be the most centered person I've had the privledge to listen to. I'd guess that has a lot to do with where's he from, and where he returned to after Vietnam. We have a lot to learn from small towns like Ruston.
Great comment Chet. He is very centered. I actually called his number today and left him a message. I hope to hear back from him. He was blessed to come home to a community that supported him. I'm a bit ashamed of myself for allowing his story to sit for almost 17 years. Thankfully it's out now.
Thanks for your service!! I really like the way you think !!
Thanks for sharing Larry and Hats off/respect for Ernie...you were right on this story.
Thanks for listening Chris.
Great Video much respect for the man..🇺🇸The hardest part was coming back into the World..I drank till I was Black out drunk 7 days a week until finally stopping in 1989..My friend Micky he would drink all the time I don't think he realized how bad his PTSD was..He got a brand new 1970 Camaro flipped it and rolled it landed on the roof climbed out of it covered in blood & glass walked all the way home and crashed out..Wow how did I get home where is my new car at he would start screaming, his eyes with bulge out of his head he would hold his ears and start screaming so loud stop the bombing stop the bombing his parents were scared to death of him, I drove him to the VA Hospital I lost count how many times..I was waiting for him to pull out a knife and slice my throat while I was driving he was very unstable at times.😢..Sad to see a normal guy before the Vietnam War started and came home a wild man eventually in time came Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Klonopin, anxiety disorder's now with help ( CBT ) therapy stress Inoculation..Psychiatrist,or a psychologist..Veterans finally started getting the help they needed without hard core drugs or alcohol..Micky passed at 55 years old my other good friend Dennis and John passed away from Agent Orange by the time they were 60-62 years old..RIP Brother's 🙏🙏🙏✊✊✊✌✌
3rd Batt 7th Marines ChuLai,RVN 10/65-11/66
Welcome home,thank you for your service.👊🏻🇺🇸
Thank you for the video and Thank you Mr.Stevens for your service and story. GOD bless you two 🇺🇸
Our pleasure!
How can 44k view and only 900+ give thumbs up? It shows you can’t live in the past this Marine always keeps moving forward.
👏. . 👏. . 💪 . .👍 🎯
My first impressions of Ernie in this video is the pain in his eyes as he recalls his service. All the “hero’s” are dead. Only the survivors remember them!
🙏🏻🙏🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🎖🎖🎖🎖
Heros of a bad war.
Really great thanks fo the history major respect for our warriors although I am fairly young my good friend is a veteran around the same age as this gentleman Green Bret long-range recon in Vietnam 68 )69 in combat wild stories they inspired more younger folks then they'll ever know I believe 🇺🇲
Hi Larry, another great intrvu. I knw of sevral Marines who were at the Tet Offensive and they are quiet about it. I'm glad you 2 got togethr as you know. My son is a Marine in California desert. Evry time I see bumps sticker, license plate brakes etc I try to meet the owner and say HOORAA...it opens an opportunity to talk most cant GET..
Was good hearing from you Marshall.
Uura, thanks for all the men who faced hard and became real men.
Thank you for a sober account of your service, Jesus Christ is my all in all and I see Him in your life .
God Bless you
Bad ass Marine
They were all.
I have a gut feeling that with more men like Ernie, the South could have won the Civil War.
Go away. You are not welcomed here!!
I agree 💯. Thank you sir
Thank you Larry
Thank you for watching.
My wife says the same kinds of things about me. I don't mean any harm by it though. Its just that sometimes it's necessary. Being born & raised in Southern Appalachia one learns over time to be hard hearted on the world or they'll be destroyed by it.
Hell of a Marine! My mentors were Marines like Ernie Stevens. Excellent interview...with one hell of a Marine. Semper Fi Sgt Stevens. USMC 1978-1998/0311.
Thank you earnie stevens for sharing youre stories. You are a very strong marine.
Thank you Todd!!
His story is most of ours who entered service in a time of war .
Hay Marine, looks like we not only were in Nam at the same time but were in the same Regiment, 4th Marines. I was with Golf 2/4, machine gunner. I too was a replacement for KIA, WIAs, for operation Starlite. Arrived in country January 7 1966 after six weeks in Okinawa. My unit was in Chuli.we eventually move north to Danang and then Dong Ha. Semper Fi
So cool Bill. I will try to share this with Ernie. God bless you!!
24:22
*Douglas AC-47 Spooky*
The Douglas AC-47 ("Puff, the Magic Dragon") was the first in a series of fixed-wing gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. It was designed to provide more firepower than light and medium ground-attack aircraft in certain situations when ground forces called for close air support.
Thanks so much Ernie and Larry....
Good hearing from you Paul. God bless you!!
hugs from Florida Larry.....Paul@@VoicesofHistory
Awesome interview,thank you Larry and thank you Ernie ! 🙏🏼🇺🇸🇨🇱👍
Thank you Tom!!
Fantastic interview!!! Thank you.
Thanks for listening.
3 marriages . You Can not convince me that the war has changed his attitude.
I think the biggest thing missing from these videos is asking them what they think about the destiny of their own soul and what God means to them and what they think about the name for a reality today and why we are here
Just like my father in law. "went there did that came home". God bless them all.
God bless you for watching.
0351 MOS, My first day in country was 01-01-19 and was handed a Flame Thr. and did have to use it in the jungle.
69 not 19 sorry
SI ROBERTSON PLEASE
Do si Robertson
In the book Hill 488 by Ray Hildreth he said "you went where you were told, did what you were told and tried in the process to keep your butt from getting shot off"
Wise words!!
🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲❤❤❤❤❤❤ 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Ernie, I dare say, is a Marine's Marine.
I agree, Chris.
Man. I don’t even know where to start with this man. Calling vets who have trauma and issues with war LOSERS. Just makes me shake
My head in disgust. I have a great uncle who was a marine just like this egomaniac. He fought in Iwo Jima and a couple other of the Pacific islands. Saw tons of death and destruction. He finally just broke when he saw his best buddies head blown off his shoulders at Iwo Jima. He lived with this the rest of his life. I remember Uncle Carl when I was a little boy in the 70s. At a couple family gatherings outside he would hit the ground In fear when a plane passed over head. The only person who could calm him was his sister my great aunt Marie. To ME he was and continues to be a hero. And for THIS MAN to call such people losers burns me up. Pompous jack ass. And to say PHONIES go to the Vietnam war. I took my dad to the Vietnam war years ago when he was alive. My dad and his brother were both marines. His brother was killed there. We went and were both emotional. We CRIED sir. That is what you do in remembrance of hero’s. What a jerk this guy is. I usually thoroughly enjoy your interviews. This is the first one I consider disgusting. Anyway. That’s my two cents
No offense to U.S Army draftees,and the boys who had to chose between JAIL and MILITARY service, The U.S MARINES seem to be a HIGHER QUALITY of man..The Army guys just seem like liberal,screw ups who doing the BARE MINIMUM was ok...The MARINES looked to give 110% and cared about their BROTHERMARINES!!! SEMPER FI to ALL U.S MARINES!!!
Sempre Fi
3RD MARINES.......enough said , drop the mic !
I WAS ARMY IN THE 3RD MARINES KHE SANH .
my brother was in 3/2 at Khe Sahn. Came down 881 on a stretcher. Radio operator.
3rd Battalion (WHICH REGIMENT???)
I read a place in the Bible where Men of war are not judged the same as regular men.. same for law men ... Etc etc..
Not everyone has money Larry, but good work.
Marines are better Semper Fi
Thanks for your service but man your judgmental about people you don't even know who went threw war like you did. Pretty sad you think like that :(
Mr. Stevens. Thank you for your service. I hope you feel welcome home.
I'm proud of our vets of any war. But most of all ,vietnam combat vets.