NASHVILLE, TN (March 19, 2024) -- "The Day They Should Have Died!" Strong words, but a reality for the men of Apache Troop 1/9 in the Vietnam War. The date was March, 19, 1970. On this anniversary of that date, it still feels like yesterday to these soldiers.
Twenty men against what was later estimated to be a battalion sized element of NVA fighters, about 800 enemies all around them. From a thick, quiet jungle to the barrel of an AK-47 aimed at a teammate. Concussions and bloodied from grenades, the fighting was frantic and up close and personal. Hours later, they stayed alert and they stayed alive. At the end of the day, 39 enemy bodies were recovered. The Blues hadn't lost a man.
This heroic story of survival and the effect of war these young men experienced throughout life are told in the new documentary, Apache Blues: Welcome Home. The documentary is set for a streaming release later this year. The surviving members talk about their service, the fears, the losses, the loyalty to their country and the sacrifices first hand with exclusive photos and video from the war zones of Vietnam. Watch trailer
HERE.
The stories of the soldiers, Specialist 4 Duane Bloor, in particular, are told through song on the soundtrack written and performed by "cause" writer Dan Kouba. Listen
HERE.
Duane Bloor received a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his service in the Vietnam War. Sergeant Kregg Jorgenson has gone on record to say that if it wasn’t for Specialist Bloor, they probably would have never made it. A strategic maneuver led the enemy directly into Specialist Bloor’s line of fire. His ability to lay down that heavy fire on their flanks is what kept the NVA from surrounding them and ultimately wiping them out. Duane received a Silver Star for his actions on that day.
And May 25th, Memorial Day weekend, plans are underway for a special screening of the documentary with live performances of the songs and a day long salute to these heroes in Bloor and Kouba's home state of Wisconsin. An announcement will follow with detail in the upcoming weeks.
About Dan Kouba:
Wisconsin native Dan Kouba found his love for music and started writing original songs after his second heart surgery at 64 years old. Having owned eight companies with 82 employees, and recovering from alcohol for over 30 years, Dan turned to playing guitar and singing for a new journey that keeps him stress-free. Young in spirit, he is able to blend all of his life experiences together with music to create heartwarming and uplifting songs. Dan’s positive energy beams through each creative tune he writes with a focus on addressing issues and raising awareness for various causes, including Veterans and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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