This interview is part of the Bellingham/Mendon Veteran’s Oral History Project, taped at the ABMI Studios in Bellingham, MA. Coordinator and interviewer is Marjorie Turner Hollman.
I’m grateful for each veteran who has been willing to share his or her experiences. MTH
Bellingham, MA resident Bill Vicini joined the Air Force in 1964 and served in Vietnam in the Field Maintenance Squadron with the 14th Air Command in Nha Trang. Besides keeping equipment in good repair, Bill provided aircraft crash recovery. In this interview he describes living conditions in Vietnam, challenges of living in a tropical climate, his duties as part of the crash recovery crew, enemy attacks on the base and more. When Bill returned to civilian life he continued to serve the community, working with the Fire Department and the school system here in Bellingham, MA. He presently works with disabled veterans, coordinating transportation of veterans to medical appointments, as well as aiding veterans in applying for benefits.
Marjorie Turner Hollman is a personal historian who loves the outdoors, and has completed two guides to Easy Walking trails in Massachusetts, “Easy Walks in Massachusetts 2nd edition,” and “More Easy Walks in Massachusetts.” A native Floridian, she came north for college and snow! New England Regional Chair for the Association of Personal Historians, she is a Certified Legacy Planner with LegacyStories.org, and is the producer of numerous veterans interviews for the Bellingham/Mendon Veteran’s History Project. http://www.marjorieturner.com
https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Walks-Massachusetts-2nd-Northbridge/dp/0989204340