VVM Wall, Panel 07w, Line 89
Buzzy Grimes was killed in Vietnam. That's all I knew until 2010, and I am guessing, that is all most of our classmates know now...Rusty Brooke January 8, 2015"
"Buzzy was a real hero. The kind they write books and make movies about. He was an Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, These are the best soldiers in the Army and they get the most important and most dangerous missions."
"Buzzy was on a six man Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) deep behind enemy lines when they were ambushed on September 25, 1970. They had been on a classified four day reconnaissance mission deep in enemy territory and were ambushed while waiting for helicopter extraction in Thua Thien province, South Vietnam, in the A Shau Valley. Buzzy and two other Rangers were killed and the remaining three Rangers on the six man patrol were wounded."
"The book Six Silent Men by Gary A. Linderer describes Buzzy's unit in 1970 while he was there. The movies Saving Private Ryan and Lone Survivor are about similar LRRP missions. The movie Band Of Brothers is about the same WWII unit that Buzzy was in, in Viet Nam."
"Buzzy left behind a wife, an adopted daughter, and a two month old son that he never saw. Buzzy is buried in the Marietta National Cemetery, Section Q, Row O, Grave 48-C. Every Memorial Day the Rangers and the 101st Airborne Division place flowers on his grave. This is a photo of Buzzy's grave from Memorial Day, May 31, 2010.
"We as a class should be very proud of Buzzy because of who he was and what he did."
Rusty Brooke
In August 2015, I spoke with SGT Randy White who was with Buzzy on his last patrol. And I need to update what I wrote earlier. Buzzy's LRRP Team called "Dallas" was in the far Southwest corner of Thua Thien Province; not in the A Shau Valley. Buzzy and another Ranger were conducting a point recon for an OP to observe a NVA unit on the other side of a small valley when the NVA opened fire. Buzzy was hit at the start and the only one hurt on their patrol (the other Rangers KIA and WIA that day were on other patrols). The medevac helicopter came quickly and took Buzzy to the hospital. That night Randy went by the hospital to check on Buzzy. The Doctor said that Buzzy had been hit in the heart and died immediately. Randy still remembers Buzzy.
Rusty Brooke
SGT Randy White sent this photo from September 1970 of their LRRP Team Dallas, L Company, 75th Rangers. It was taken on the beach in Vietnam while on R&R and Buzzy is on the back left.
Rusty Brooke
Buzzy's Bench dedication at Grady High School, 11am on 8/29/2015. Representing the Grady Class of 1965,Harvey Zion & Rusty Brooke dedicated this bench in Memory and Honor of Buzzy Grimes.
Niki Duncan (Fiedler)
I really appreciate the dedication of the bench and the information that Rusty and others have been able to provide. We have a large replica of the Wall in Pensacola. I have been there many times and have always thought of Buzzy and wondered where to find his name. Now I can. I did not really know him as others did, but he is one of us and I know he will continue to be remembered. "Thank you for your service" does not even begin to convey the debt we owe those of you who served but may it be a small offering of remembrance and gratitude. Thanks to you all.
Brita Molkner (Levy)
Well said, Niki.
Claire Brown (Kantar)
I agree, Niki said it best. Thank you to you all. Although you didn't make the ultimate sacrifice, many of you did not come home to the hero's welcome that you should have. I hope in some small way we can help make up for that now.
Maxine Klein (Jacobs)
I would like to add to the comments already posted for the classmates of "Buzzy". My husband was in the Navy from 1967-1973 and 2 yrs on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal. Malcolm and I have been Park Service Volunteers for the last 30 yrs and most of my time is spent at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It is a humbling experience to stand there and view all the names. I have so much gratitude to those who have given their all and to the families they left behind to carry on. Thank you.Ivan Freedman
Buzzy was in my circle of friends at Grady, or it may be more accurate to say I was in his circle. Everyone liked Buzzy; it was hard not to like Buzzy. We got to be closer at DeKalb College before we went into the services. School wasn’t very important then, it was mostly craziness. I remember a party at his house. I think Happy Milt was there and Tony Stowe, some people from DeKalb. I think his future wife. Some of us even had dates. I remember, I think was, Tony chasing little Betsy Weltner around the house threatening to “suck her toes”. Buzzy was serene, nothing bothered him, it was all about having fun. And when he had fun, it seemed that everyone else had fun too. When he was burned and in the hospital, he flirted with all the nurses, and I’m pretty sure they liked it. Buzzy made it fun. I miss him. Hearing that bugler play Taps at his funeral was one of the saddest moments of my life.
Carolyn Johnson (Faglier)
I am remembering Buzzy today on Memorial Day because he paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May GOD bless Adam his son and all of Buzzy's family.
Shirley Andrews (Baugh)
Memorial Day is for remembering brave people we have lost. Thanks for posting and the photos.
This bench is a great reminder at GRADY HIGH SCHOOL Forever ! ... Hope all of you are doing well.
Shirley Andrews Baugh