Why This Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s Still Haunted By The War

After being drafted into the Army in 1969, Stephen Franich Jr. completed training as a helicopter pilot and deployed to Vietnam in 1971. Franich would spend the ensuing twelve months flying combat operations with both the 134th and 129th Assault Helicopter Company.

[@zekedafreak4169]

You can see he's still trying to get him home.😢

[@rowekenneth631]

That hit right in the feels.

[@user-ru6qs3iz2r]

Very sad.

[@finoochoa9568]

😢😢😢😢😢

[@digitaldogs233]

That was hard to watch. All i can say is you tried, and that's all you could of done. But atleast you tried.

[@craigkowalczyk3516]

The look in his eyes says it all. Was doing his best he could for his brother. Thank you for your service sir

[@thomast8539]

Yep. What more could anyone ask for but your best? He is his own worst critic. God bless all that serve, because at least they were there when the nation called.

[@BlueDragon755]

Remember, you are not God. All the kings horses and all the kings men, couldn't put humpty together again. You did all that could be done. They knew you cared. There is no better way to go Brother. Sacrifice for the greater good. The Republic for which it stands. God bless you and all who serve.

[@markogaudiosi5243]

Vietnamese were good at smoking Americans.

[@sammyhill69]

They never want to be thanked. Only apologized to by politicians who sent young people to their untimely deaths for absolutely nothing.

[@treyspurge]

@@BlueDragon755I never would have thought that someone could tie Humpty Dumpty and the pledge of allegiance together, so eloquently.

[@ant1985ish]

He died knowing you were doing your best. Thank You!!

[@Barrythebarnabas]

😂 is that what y’all tell yourselves to feel better?

[@williamchase7926]

What an honor it is to hear the stories of the Vietnam vets. True hero's indeed.

[@jimmyconway2800]

I was starting to tear up already but that "I'll see him someday" opened the floodgates man

[@robinbanks610]

Brother you are a HERO and a beautiful human❤️. Thank you for your service👍❤️

[@thezone3946]

God bless this man , heal his pain and heart

[@JesusGarcia-gb1jh]

Crewchief Door Gunner. 70_71

[@jamesworley4855]

As a grunt. You guy were the best. Lucky I got through without a scratch. You guys save a lot of guys. I salute you all

[@mylesmachado4953]

AND THIS IS WHY MEMORIAL DAY IS SO IMPORTANT. I SALUTE YOU MY GUY. 🫡

[@briantalbot7929]

Memorial day is for the Civil War veterans veterans day is for everyone who served

[@boutiletteboutilette4782]

You guys were superheroes and accomplished miracles. Bless everyone of you. You did your best

[@gavinlewis6467]

Respect to you sir

[@raywain]

Thank you for your bravery and service to our country. WELCOME HOME SOLDIER !!!

[@thomascorrea3937]

Thank you Sir for your service and welcome home and you are a true Badass

[@IrishAmerican17]

A part of him still hasn't come home ...

[@keithkasnik743]

That's a real man

[@markpaulin884]

God bless you. You saved a lot of lives.

[@albertbeard9113]

Thank you for your service 🙏

[@reymundogarza5931]

Thank you for your service God bless 🙌 🙏 ❤️ ♥️ 💖

[@user-wb6nb9xg8f]

God bless you my friend and all Vietnam vets ❤

[@jesuschristsuperczar1224]

My dad made it home but he’s up there now. I’m at his graveside now. Miss him every day.

[@JesusGarcia-gb1jh]

It's been 34 years now since my DAD. Passing Still miss him. Iam 74. Now. Vietnam Veteran. Crewchief Door Gunner Gunship. 70=71

[@joylynne1343]

🙏 God Bless you, your dad, and your entire family. 🙏

[@Quagmires_Finger]

Why are you on KZbin

[@yeda458]

Welcome home and thanks for youre service ​@JesusGarcia-gb1jh

[@ewalk7681]

@@JesusGarcia-gb1jhthank you for your service

[@robertmashburn8330]

So much Respect for this Man!! 🇺🇸

[@scottnaylon]

This man lives on through your memories of him. Thank you for doing what you did for him and your country! 🫡🇺🇸💪

[@wilfredodiaz3445]

I'm sure they all know that you tried your best ...try not to let that bother you we will all meet up in the next stage after life...Thank you for your service 🫡🇺🇸🙏

[@garbo3682]

Thank you for your service!..hope you find peace....

[@WyomingSkysAboveMe]

Angels on our shoulders. Bless them for trying their best and going into harms way.

[@randyrexford8113]

Thank you for your service

[@rodneymoore7270]

THANK YOU SIR!!!

[@kablooie5446]

My brother was greenfeet. “So others may live”. Really admire what you had to do.

[@Patriot-pq1ku]

Lots of respect for him

[@maniachill3069]

God bless you Sir

[@AGMI9]

Dont mourn the dead brother, for them the war is over, they wouldnt want you upset

[@anthonysanlucas6437]

If haven’t read the book on Huey pilots in Vietnam called Chickenhaak, definitely give it a read. It definitely moved me in college.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

Back in the world.

[@CFITOMAHAWK2]

Hot Landing Zones you were sitting ducks to the automatic AKs and RPGs while picking them up...

[@MichaelGarza-uq7dw]

God bless all the men ....and theirfamilies.

[@lucasrussell8224]

Thank you for your service from the bottom of my heart ❤️ I will be forever grateful for all the sacrifices y’all made for us

[@joseserrano141]

Tip my cap Thanks for your service Sir

[@JesusGarcia-gb1jh]

Crewchief Door Gunner 70_71 Vietnam

[@ArchieDavis50]

​@@JesusGarcia-gb1jh welcome home Sarg

[@toddanderson6775]

But you brought his body back. Plenty left

[@quintonpriest]

God Bless 🙏🏼

[@albertdevitt5307]

God bless u sir u r going 2 heaven

[@tonycolca2241]

Your job was very dangerous stop blaming yourself I was there 19 months hit twice stop blaming yourself thank you for your service

[@WilliamWise-jf1fe]

I thought I saw him walk’n up over the hill with Abraham, Martin, and John

[@jeffreyandrews4270]

Thank you for this. I'd heard it before ,now i understand. Hope you are well.

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Beautiful tune.

[@johnrudy9404]

Thank you.

[@stevegermond939]

God bless you.

[@grahamckarke9104]

Such brave young men ✌️

[@jeffreypinder9398]

You saved lives, that's all that matters.

[@kennymccorkle1386]

When he sees him again all he can say is. I done best

[@TinyBugg7042]

He would say, thank you sir, for trying. I will say thank you for sharing your memory, and for doing all that you could and you did! You were a soldier-Thank you 🫡❤️‍🩹🇺🇸 from a grateful Vietnam Veterans daughter, Welcome home 👍🏻

[@JamesHeinrich-vk7vz]

I've lost alot of brothers on the COD battlefields. It's something you don't forget. The pain never goes away. Salute.

[@charmainevandiford6622]

You saved a lot of lives. Think how many more would have been lost without Hero’s like you. Folks this is what a hero looks and acts like. Hats off to you Sir

[@Beach510]

You are not the only Vietnam vet still remembering the war. God Bless you, you gave it your all. Can’t ask for more than that. 😢

[@Cervezadog]

These dust off crews saved my dad several times. Thank you everyone who has ever served. The nation and it's people owe you a debt of gratitude. I salute you 🇺🇲

[@carolecarr5210]

You, your crew, the Medics & Corpmen have been praised by this ex USAF Nurse ( your war) who got lucky & didn't have to set foot in Nam but I took care of them 24-48 hours after being hit in the field, had them at Tachikawa AFB, Japan. I later had the honor of being a Flight Nurse, bringing our guys on their last leg home. I saw first hand the results of your incredible service. Thank you

[@bigdog593]

Thank you for service as a medic we always tried our best proud to have served 72 to 78

[@raymondkolbus3186]

I am 61 years old and this is been part of our life since I was a kid want to thank you sir for everything you did for our young boys. I hope you find peace. God bless you.

[@johnknorr1140]

Guys like you we knew you were always there for us bless you, man. I feel your pain stay strong.🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Mr.Grumbdy]

You are a brave pilot . Thank you for your service . All veterans will always be remembered .

[@ttterrible4585]

Thank you for your service, you Vietnam vets deserve everyone’s respect thank you for your service, you did your best! Enjoy life!

[@JimboLogic]

You worked miracles, pushing yourself and your aircraft right to the edge. You'll never know how comforting it is on the ground to know that if you get hit that you guys are coming to get us out. You're guardian angels that swoop in and pull us out of hell. Thank you.

[@Potatodrumcrow]

I hope they do a series like band of brothers but about the other wars too. These men’s live journals are what keeps us together

[@History7593]

God bless you sir and welcome home. In memory of my step-dad, 1st Air Cavalry Division crew chief and gunner, Camp Radcliff, An Khe Vietnam 1967. We lost him in 2016, cancer from AO. God bless our vets!

[@billrockwell6916]

You did your best man. God bless ya. Take care

[@user-rg8fq1dn4q]

Thanks for your service During Vietnam war God bless you 💯 respect for you

[@williamkirkland5312]

Thank you very much for your service sir

[@RayAtkins-wk9zv]

Thank you for youer service sir and youer story sir God bless you sir

[@njfasteddie6093]

This is a true hero and American patriot. May God bless you and comfort you.

[@fredtowns78]

Your a True Soldier an fine Human Being!!!

[@alanharris950]

Thanks for what you did for us💙 25th infantry 1970.

[@Hiddencomment007]

Dudes a literal angel

[@bruggiano9362]

Sir, thank you for serving and protecting 🙏 us. My God bless you forever 🙏

[@rub1tan679]

TOTAL 💯RESPECT FOR YOU SIR 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸❤️

[@macattack2107]

Good bless you man!

[@douglasalan5783]

The heartbreak of serving and seeing your fellow servicemen die is so overwhelming. It never goes away. My heart goes out to you for your service.

[@kirkengnath5501]

Thank You for your service Sir. Thank You for pushing as hard as you could to save live's. So very sorry for the memories that bother you, you will see him again he's watching over you now trying to take care of you.

[@kirkengnath5501]

Thank You for your service Sir. Thank You for going above and beyond your call of service Sir.

[@ebeneezerscrooge2942]

War sucks. Glad you’re home brother.

[@armandogonzales1365]

Thank you sir for serving you are a true American Hero glad your alive keep your stories coming so these fools dont try to change history GOD BLESS YOU

[@100neshama]

A good man, deep respect and salute 🫡

[@kevinbeach8915]

Believe me when I say….it was EVERYTHING to that young man that he knew he was NOT left behind! He died knowing he would go home!, you have earned my respect and have shown incredible strength and honour! Be proud knowing we/I am awed to hear and share your pain and story!

[@JulianMacDonald-ex8zg]

Brother your courage and selfless heart are beyond words. God bless you and all your comrades, the gratitude I have as a young American citizen for yourself and all of our military veterans from all armed conflicts is beyond what my words can describe. I pray you all find peace and solace in your souls. Salute🫵🏼

[@DarkGhost-cg6jz]

I carry my FALLEN BROTHERS upon my shoulders till the moment I join them!!! Each of THOSE WARRIORS motivate my ass to LIVE a spiritual, Brotherly, strong , positive, and HONORABLE life!! Love u, BROTHER!! AIRBORNE!!!!!!!!

[@enriquemireles8947]

There is always a special place for those like you sir. Thank you.

[@lindadee2053]

You can see the sorrow in his eyes but especially hear it in his voice. 50 years is a long time to carry those kinds of memories. God bless you, Sir.

[@markbutler805]

Beautiful but so sad

[@warskye5686]

You did your best. Thank you. You Pilots came for me and did there best to get me. Thank you I'm here today because of you.

[@markharrison-qh8jb]

Thank you for your service HERO!!!!!

[@daviddixon9458]

You did your best. I'm Australian and we were always impressed by your efforts.

[@user-kj6kz3hi4x]

Emt, bls here. Jamaica, Queens. 6 years. I know how this man feels. Nothing but love brother

[@Romas65]

Thank you for your service brother, God bless you, God love you.

[@JanieWithrow-gs9qs]

What a great guy you are. You tried your best for everyone. God bless you and Thank you for your service. That was my era to. I prayed for all our guys there every day

[@debraalswager9528]

Thanks for all you did in an impossible situation.

[@critterg8493]

Thank you for your service and bravery

[@larryyoung5757]

Brother, you or a pilot like you picked me up on a black night in the rain. I have the utmost respect for you and so did all us grunts. USMC 3/1 1969

[@Jim-ox5hv]

God bless you much Brother!! Thank you so much for your continued service. Take your time, he is awaiting!

[@19josh77]

Watching these stories and seeing the pain these guys still have makes me sick about the way Vietnam vets were treated after the war.

[@Fusionfreakdrummer]

Thank you for your service 🙏🇺🇸

[@MrConspark]

Thankyou for your service Sir RESPECT

[@chrisdavis743]

God Bless You sir. A heartfelt thank you.

[@user-sf3tq7cz5t]

God bless you and your family sir! Thanks for your service!!!!

[@thevictorianedge5465]

Thank you for your service. Especially since it was during such a difficult era.

[@RenatoTiamzon-yg9ny]

You are a hero in our book Sir. Thank you for your service.

[@imre2222]

All the slick pilots are and were the best. Respect.

[@whytehouse4909]

Thankyou for your service sir.

[@edlc6740]

Thank you for your service sir, you did great.