“YOU CAN SHOVE YA GUN…” By Bob Meehan 4 RAR/NZ
After seeing a member of the platoon leave yet again on the re-supply helicopter, (this had happened a number of times during a long and exhausting operation in the jungle), I approached our platoon sergeant, Kevin Philp, and enquired in a somewhat indignant manner on the reason why he was so special and why I had not had the opportunity to have a rest break back at Nui Dat, after lugging the M60 (machine gun) through the impenetrable jungle day after day, week after week.
Kevin replied, “Meehan, he’s married, you’re not, so you’re expendable.”
When I replied, “You can shove the gun up ya arse,” and threw the M60 at Philpy’s feet, Spingo (platoon commander) looked up and said, “Soldier! Pick up your weapon and go before I have you charged” or words to that effect.
With that said, I picked up the gun and went back to my position. It was so nice to feel wanted.
