07/04/2025
In 1966, I was touring the Far East with my band, The Pathfinders. We played for U.S. troops on bases in Okinawa, Guam, the Philippines, and then Vietnam. It was in ‘Nam that everything changed. I came down with something I’d never heard of—Dengue Fever, some insect-borne illness the Army doctor said nearly crippled our forces in the Philippines during World War II.
They rushed me to the 93rd EVAC field hospital at F*k Bin. My fever hit 106. I remember lying there, barely hanging on, hearing the doctors talking nearby. One of them said my bed would be empty by morning. That shook me. I wasn’t ready to go. I told myself I had to fight. Somehow, I did.
Next thing I knew, I was sitting up, and a few young soldiers were gathered around my bed. They looked surprised to see me awake. One of them asked, “What prison camp did you escape from?” I laughed a little—guess with my long hair, sun-darkened skin, and civilian clothes, I didn’t exactly look like a regular GI.
It took a long time to recover from that. In some ways, I’m still recovering.
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"My admiration for Dick flood grew with every page I turned in his book. I think yours will too." ~ Bill Anderson ~ Grand Ole' Opry ~ Country Music Hall of Fame. Told in 250 pages this book is the true story of one man's nineteen years of adventures as a Nashville based singer/song writer/entertaine...
