This story is about the Healing Circle, and how the circle touched the lives of two people years later.
This story is dedicated to Irene Corp,In early January 1970 while in a day laager in the SO'N HA region of Charlie Co.'s AO southwest of CHU LAI a resupply helicopter bringing in mail and supplies landed, along with the chopper was new soldier coming to Charlie Co.
After mail and resupplies were passed out to the men they returned to their separate platoon sections along the perimeter. A couple hours later Ronnie Battles from Tipton, Mo. along with this tall lanky kid with a big grin on his face came over to me and said Terry this guy is from down where you came from back in the world. This is Jerry Corp, he's from Tecumseh, Mo., and this is Terry Wyrick from Willow Springs, Mo.
Jerry and I became great friends in a world of war and a state of mass confusion, I was 18 years old, and Jerry was 19.
Jerry wrote home to tell his folks of meeting Terry, and Terry wrote home with the same story, two boys in Vietnam met and found out they grew up 50 miles apart, and knew the same people. As a result Isom and Irene Corp shared a common bond with Bill and Mary Jane Broyles, with sons in Charlie Co. 1/52-198 Americal Division.
On April 21, 1970 a resupply helicopter came into Charlie Co.'s day laager to deliver mail and C-rations when a Viet Cong sniper opened up on the chopper, Captain Fritog yelled 3rd. Platoon get that son-of-a-bitch, the 3rd. Platoon with me walking point left the laager to locate the sniper, about 150 meters out of the laager I spotted a booby trap on the paddy dike, I cleared a trail around the booby trap and got the platoon past when the sniper opened up on us from behind, in the confusion Jerry ran back down the paddy dike, and was gone forever in an explosion of dust and smoke.
Back home word reached Bill and Mary Jane about Jerry Corp, they went to be with and comfort Isom and Irene, who wanted Me to come visit them, and tell them what happened to Jerry that day in April 1970.
I got home October 31, 1970 and was reminded to go see Isom and Irene, they wanted to talk to me. I couldn't go see them all I wanted to do was forget about Vietnam and bury it deep. I learned later to live with it and not fight the war forever; I came to peace with myself.
I often wondered and asked people in the Tecumseh area where Isom and Irene lived, but never did hear what was being said.
In May 1996 I was passing this house I had noticed, and wondered who lived there for some years when the mail box caught my eye for the first time, the name on it was Irene Corp. I drove down the road a ways realizing there was a strange feeling in my chest, a strong urge to go back, I turned around and went back to Irene's house, but she wasn't home, but would be back about 5:30pm.
I went back to Irene's about 6:00pm and was met at the door by Irene. When I told her who I was we took each other in our arms and cried a few minutes, just holding each other. We visited about an hour when this Lady walked in and introduced herself as Ceil, Jerry's sister, we talked awhile and Ceil asked why did you come today? I said it just felt right, and Ceil asked do you know what today is? I said no why, and Ceil said I'm wondering why you show up for the first time today, and I said someone higher up was controlling it, that it was just meant to be today, the healing process has made the full circle, you can accept me and I can accept you all. Ceil told me she was wondering why I show up at their home and come into their life 26 years later to the day that Jerry was buried. May 7,1996. With cold chills all over my body all I could say was, it was just meant to be, the circle had closed.
I visited Irene till about 11:30pm, upon leaving I said to Irene you buried your only Son 26 years ago today, I know I'll never be Jerry and I don't want to be Jerry, but if you think I'm good enough, and you will have me I'll be your Son for the rest of your life, Irene looked at me and said I'd like that very much.
The Healing Circle started with a dot, as tragedy came into Irene's life the dot started moving in a 360 degree circle, the circle was completed on May 7, 1996, when two strangers came into each others life, to fill a great void and accept and love each other, and share a life as Mother and Son. Mom Corp and I are very close.
For Christmas 1999 I gave Mom Corp a gift Certificate, a few days later Mom called me and said, Son I got what I wanted for Christmas, I got a Mother's ring and your birthstone is in it, you're my Son and always will be.
That was the greatest metal anyone could receive from war, a metal of honor with a common bond.
Mom Corp will always be just Mom. I love you Mom Corp.
Terry Wyrick
Terry, Ronnie, Jerry. Taken March 1970
Terry, Irene, Ronnie. Taken May 1999
