My father, 1 SGT Ret James Thomas Quick (E-8) served in the Army, September 1949 to April 1, 1971 with a tour in Korea at 19 years of age, and two tours in Viet Nam 1962 and again around 1966.
He volunteered to go over the second time. I remember that day with my parents in the kitchen and Mom saying, “Quick, don’t go!” and Daddy said while pointing to his chest, ” I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING! THOSE ARE JUST KIDS OVER THERE!” My father was very parental towards his troops. He treated us kids like we’re of the same age of his troops. But we were just kids. When I was 5 years old, my father came home in a rage about a Sgt. He came home to get a gun and my mother pleaded for him to stop. Nothing happened but my father got dropped a rank in 1962 for that incident. I even raised cain with my mother, so I could got to kindergarten just to get away from the confusion of family life. I knew there was disfunction, even at age 5. Dad would speak some about the war. But I think that got him to thinking more, hence the resurgence in his drinking. I always watched Rifle Man to remember my father face, who also had high cheekbones. My father was interviewed by Walter Cronkite, in the jungles of Vietnam. Walter was interviewing my father about the war. I remember the family calling saying they saw Quick on the evening news. I was in second grade and Mom called the station in Nashville to see if they would run the clip again, which they did. I sat up until 10 pm to see him. I would love to find the link to that interview but don’t know how to go about it.
Being raised on PTSD made me aware of the moods. When we were little, my father would be trying to do something and us kids would gather around just trying to be close to him. I remember the anger rising and we would back off as he was getting ready to explode. I did share these feelings from childhood with him years later, and how when we saw him come home, we would go to our bedrooms. And this is where you can find me and my sister to this very day, as it was a refuge from the fighting. I was annoyed that Fort Campbell, Kentucky had a forum for PTSD. But it was directed to the young. I left message and they never returned call. I thought the young troopers could learn from my experience. All I can say is being a daughter of a Rakassan, sure made me tough and not easily intimidated by anything, not even a gun down my throat when I was 15 years old.
My husband, Cpt Mike Lundy Hudgin , Army Divarity 3/320th At FTCKY served September 1987 to March 1992. He served in Operation Desert Storm September 1990 to April 1991. Holden, our first child was born at Fort Campbell. My husband was born at Fort Bragg, I was born at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I was 6 years old in 1964 when my parents purchased a home in Clarksville, TN. I was nervous about moving off post, for all I ever knew was the military and wondered who these civilians were. Well I found out they’re like everybody else. Mike and I were perfect together… He knew how to handle me and my moods. With him, I found a REAL love that a man has for his woman. March 2, 2015 will be 23 years that he has been in spirit. It has been an emotional day for me. I’m still in love with him.
None of these photographs had his rank, for the pace at the time was moving very fast, so I don’t have very much. The first picture is at a the June 1991 Military Ball. The second one is his first duty station assignment with 3/320th FA, and the third one is the day he left for Operation Desert Storm. The last is when Mike came home April 11, 1991 and saw his first born for the first time. Mike kept saying what a good baby he was!
God how I miss that man…
~Brenda Quick-Hudgin
We offer our gratitude to Brenda for sharing her story and our heartfelt and deep condolences for her loss.
God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.
Veteran Tributes: www.facebook.com/ComesASoldierswhisper
Vietnam Letters, Interviews: www.VietnamAndBeyond.com
