A few years back, while taking a video production course, I had to do a simple photo montage. As I had done many, many montages, I thought it would be cool to take an extra step in the project, and scan my father’s (also Tony Romeo) old Vietnam photos. I scanned them, set them to music, and that was that. I didn’t give it a second thought.
Then several years later, YOUTUBE became all the rage. So, for Father’s Day this year, I dug out the video of my father’s tour of Phu Kat, Vietnam and uploaded it to the site. I sent it to him because baby-boomers really get a kick out of seeing themselves on the web. Especially if it’s a 40 year old video of them at 20!!! What happened since has been pretty remarkable.
It’s been viewed almost 4,000 times. And in those times I have heard from vets that served in Vietnam, a few that served on the base, a few that knew my dad in those days, and even a few that were IN MY PHOTO MONTAGE!!?? Is that a remarkable age that we live in? That I could take 40 year old photos on the internet, tag them under “Vietnam, Phu Cat, Tony Romeo, 1968″ and within 9 months I had heard from three people that were pictured in the various photos of the base.
I have linked the youtube page to this blog, and vice versa. My goal from here is to re-edit the video, and place the names of as many of the vets as I can to help these guys exchange some emails and maybe some more photos past and present. When I turned a simple graphic art project into a Father’s day gift, I had no idea less then a year later that effort would reunite guys who served together years before. What a very cool way to give back to some vets and thank them for what they gave us. I also find it very interesting that perhaps the internet can be the place that these guys start to get some long overdue recognition… Below is the video…
To all you guys that have contacted me via YOUTUBE that appear in these photos, with your permission I’d like to add your names to the tags of this montage so that people that may be searching for you from those days may find the video as well. My goal is to redo the video this Father’s day. This time I’d like to add the names of the vets in the photos for the ones I can name based on the info I got and will get. I’d also like to offer high resolution copies of the images to any of the Phu Cat vets that would like them.
UPDATE: 2-2009. BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD HAS TAKEN DOWN THIS VIDEO MONTAGE BECAUSE OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT OF THE SONG I USED. I was not making any money off it, was only using it to salute the troops like my father and capture an era… And SO BEGINs my LIFE LONG BOYCOTT of Buffalo Springfield… I will use another song for the photo montage.
February 8th, 2008 - 3:03 pm
Hi all, I was a Special Purpose Vechile Mech, 37th Combat Supp Grp, worked on the refueling units from Nov 67 to Nov 68, always trying to find guys I was with at Phu Cat only found one, Roy Auther Olsen (Ollly). This is a cool thing you have done, memories come back instantly when you see these pictures, Thanks, Little Stevie flexmcgoo@aol.com
February 8th, 2008 - 3:51 pm
It was a “cool thing” you guys did, steve. Thanks to guys like you and my Dad (Tony J. Romeo) for your service! If you have any pictures of those days and would like to share them that would be great.
Tony M. Romeo
February 14th, 2008 - 10:58 pm
I was in Phu Cat most of 1968. I left in Dec. and went to Germany.I was in C.E.S. and was an equipment operator. I was mostly on a front end loader building bunkers around the barracks but went off base alot to do earth work for the army. We built roads and repaired the runway after motar attacks.40 yrs. ago ,its hard to remember. When I ran a bulldozer I had my Texas flag flying behind my seat. Ive got tons of photos but they are all on slides except for a few. I’m not a geek so I don’t know how to put them on line to share with every one. Thanks for your service, sincerely, Earl Seago
April 24th, 2008 - 8:57 pm
Cool!
April 26th, 2008 - 6:30 am
Hi:
I was on Phu Cat during tet and remember a Romaro coming on base still believe I have a picture of him with Foxworthy and Peake. Enjoyed the memories
December 23rd, 2008 - 2:43 pm
I was at Phu Cat from 12/13/67 - 12/13/68 in 37th CSG. Worked in Acctg & Finance - I remember a guy named Romeo….is this the guy i rememeber?
December 23rd, 2008 - 4:30 pm
I was at Phu Cat in the 37th SCG. Worked in Acctg & Finance from 12/13/67 thru 12/13/68 - I remember a guy named Romeo that also worked in Finance & am pretty sure it was your dad. Had lots of photos & 35mm slides but all was lost in Hurricane Katrina in Aug 05……Ask your dad if he remembers me.
January 1st, 2009 - 7:25 am
Hi Guys …
I was there in ‘67-’68 (extended tour) with the 903rd Aeromedical Evac Flight. We seemed to use PhuCat as our “rear” area, while deployed otherwise in support of the Marines up at DongHa (DMZ) and the Army 173rd ABN in DakTo. While passing back through PhuCat, I/we would help out the ROK troops stationed along a river on base. I recall the red dirt, having to help build our barracks, and the hanging water bags where we got drinks from. I still have my NCO Open Mess ID (card #37) and the Cow Palace Lounge ID from 1967. I would truly like to go back to these areas. I know it would help in the healing process, and allow me to move on at this juncture in my life. God bless all who served & sacrificed. God bless the troops from other nations who helped us. And I know that if permitted to “take care of business” as we should have, and as history has shown American’s always have in the past, we could have left the Campaign as Victors. (IMHO)
April 21st, 2009 - 8:22 am
Was Bee Bee stacker in Phu Cat Bomb Dump Mar67- Mar68. Nice to see the ol’ place. Google Earth shows it fairly well now too. Looking for old collegues from 421 MMS. Thanks for doing this video..lots of us really appreciate it. Bryce Davis Breezo1@msn.com
May 10th, 2009 - 9:38 am
I was at Phu Cat the same time as your father with the 174th TFS. My friend George Olson appears in a couple of the photos and I would like to have copies of the photos. George passed away this month and Photos of him in 1968 would be well appreciated. If you can do that I would apprciate it.
Bob Brower
May 10th, 2009 - 10:36 am
I was at Phu Cat from May 1968 thru Jan 1969, assigned to CES, Electric Shop, we kept the electric on! Hadqa great time and many good memories.
December 20th, 2009 - 8:20 pm
I was at Phu Cat 66-68. 819th Red Horse. Super photo collection. We built what your dad lived in,ate at and delivered the water. Also went to Pleiku in Nov 68-Nov 69.
March 1st, 2010 - 3:17 pm
My Father was at Phu Cat in during the TET offensive it is nice to see that all you guys are trying to get in touch. He has passed but I am very proud of him as I am of all of you. Thank you for serving our country. I am also a Desert storm Veteran, My son is a vetreran of both Iraq and afganistan, Both Marines.