Kirby, thanx for the rational response. Having been to 'Nam and off base in Saigon, you are right. Totally unarmed. My govt issued M-16 remained locked in the gun rack in Pleiku when I went to Saigon to get a visa for Pakistan so I could try to catch the US Embassy flight home from 'Nam through Europe where my wife awaited. I had to go to the British consulate to get my Pakistan visa just so I could be on the plane when it stopped in Karachi. Wild taxi ride on an orange crate in a burnt out Renault 4CV, scared to death as some locals didnt' look that friendly. Made it back safely though but didnt' get to catch the Embassy flight. Bumped by a Colonel. Darn. I was Air Force, a blue wearer like the troops on the Centralia train.

Odd thing, just yesterday, I looked at a set of my TDY orders to 'Nam back in '68. It specifically stated that personal firearms were strictly prohibited and could not be taken with me. Coming home, our belongings and hold baggage were searched and any war material like old ammo bandeliers, empty shells, etc were confiscated. I had the face plate off of a Claymore that I so wanted. Just the fibreglass case with the shot imbedded in it. Said US on the front. I was going to make a nice belt buckle out of it. Darn, SP's took it away from me. Just like they would have taken stuff from the furloughed or discharged soldiers on the train.