Forwarded for Gene Touchstone (who is having some trouble getting into this message board), to all of us:
"When i first started flying in 2nd flight i was assinged to ole 533. I think at the time she was the oldest rag in the company. When Eddie Sumpter got in country he was assinged to 533 as well. Was kinda normal new guys got the old rag cause no one wanted her. Eddie called her "the lame duck" because of the white stripes painted on her skid struts. Eddie and i were both from Arkansas and some where Eddie found a small Arkansas flag, so he pened it to the insulation on the bulkhead. While 533 was in maint. on Nov. 21, Eddie was flying with Billie Joe High Pockets, and Mr. Storey and we all know what happen that day. We lost 4 of the best men i have ever known. With almost 1000 hours on old 533 we finally stuck her tail rotor in a tree and the old girl was history from there. I took Eddies flag from there to 137 Paul Schmidt"s old ship i had inherited due to him being wounded and sent home. From there it went to 409 and then home with me after my first tour. I put Eddies flag on my bed room door and it hung there for 37 years. About 5 years ago my mother built a new house and moved and took Eddies flag and put it away. I decided around the same time i should return the flag to Eddies family. When i called my mom to ask her to send it to me she couldn"t find it. She said i know it"s here i put it where i wouldn"t forget. Please be advised my mom is only 92 years old. Well a couple of weeks ago my mom called me all excited and told me son i found Eddies flag. I said thats great mom where was it? She said well i was cleaning out my under wear drawer and there it was in the bottom. Good ole mom. She ironed it and sent it to me. With the help of an old friend Doc Kilpatrick i was able to find Eddies relatives and i am very proud to say after 42 years Eddies flag has finally gone home. The crew of 297 are my heros as well as every one of you. God bless you all. Touch "
(Mark, Touch will be after you shortly for some help getting squared away.)