The reunion was nearly 60 years in the making! Gil Carrillo and Lawrence Smith were reunited with their Captain, Thomas Stempky, at a Veterans Day ceremony at VFW Post 1944 in the City of Industry on Tuesday.
Smith was a helicopter pilot, Carrillo was a crew chief and Stempky led them.
All three men served in the same army unit in Vietnam. Vintage footage shows the crew together back in 1968.
Now, 57 years later, their brotherhood is just as strong today as it was when they were all in combat together.
"I was blessed to be with these guys. The first thing I told Tom was that I wanted to thank him for getting me back alive," Carrillo said.
The trio helped each other survive the horrors of war.
"Make no mistake about it, it was about killing. But, I reconciled that with who I saved," Smith said.
You may recognize Carrillo. He's a retired L.A. County Sheriff's Department homicide detective who has worked some major cases, including the Night Stalker murders.
He and Smith have been neighbors for decades, and with the help of Carrillo's family, Stempky flew in to surprise them.
The bond the men have will last a lifetime.
"We have an attitude of gratitude for family, for country, for God. That usually is essential in healing. I think you've got to heal. We don't want to be in war anymore," Stempky said.
"My message is simple. Never forget where you came from. Respect those around you. Be grateful for who I've had enter into my life, grateful for my family, grateful for friends, and grateful that I'm still alive. I'm at peace with myself. War is hell, there are no winners," Carrillo said.