From ABC News: How Mom’s Letter Paved Way for Young Man’s Visit With President
A young man whose mother wrote a letter to President Obama is now scheduled to meet with the president.
Jeremy Carr, 23, has Down syndrome. Carr volunteered with his mother, a Vietnam War veteran, at a road clean-up event in the spring staged by Chapter 862 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. It was one of several veterans volunteer events in which Carr has taken part.
Throughout the morning of the clean-up, he never asked to take a break, didn’t stop to talk about his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, or his favorite WWE star John Cena, his mother said. He didn’t even ask for anything to eat or drink. He asked his mother only one thing several times during the day, “Mom, will President Barack Obama be proud of me for helping the soldiers?”
She reassured him he was, but that wasn’t enough for him. Carr asked his mother to write Obama to ask him. For a long time, Theresa Carr put off writing the letter, she said, thinking, how could she write to the president of the United States with such a request?
But as the months passed, she told ABC News, she asked herself, “How could I not honor such a simple request from a young man who would love nothing more than to serve his country, serve his commander-in-chief?”
In early September, Theresa Carr mailed Obama a letter with her son’s question, never believing he would respond.
She was wrong.
Since his first week in office, the president has read 10 letters every day, culled from the tens of thousands of letters, emails, and faxes the White House receives daily. And every week, he replies to 15 to 20 of them with hand-written answers.
He responded to the Carrs’ letter, however, in a speech. On Veterans Day, in an address at Arlington National Cemetery, the president said, “Jeremy, I want you to know: Yes, I am proud of you. I could not be prouder of you, and your country is proud of you.”
After the speech, the National Association of Vietnam Veterans of America arranged for Carr to meet the president next month. The group planned the visit to thank Carr for his volunteer work.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Vietnam War veteran back in his rebuilt home after spending years in his garage
The Republic (Columbus, OH): Vietnam War veteran back in his rebuilt home after spending years in his garage
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Dennis Quisenberry is finally waking up in a warm bed, after spending years in his garage following a fire that gutted his house.
In March 2005, Quisenberry arrived home from visiting his brother in Lexington to find his home in flames, according to The State Journal in Frankfort. He took what few belongings he had left and made do by living in his garage.
For years, mornings would consist of waking up in a cold, damp bed — the garage's leaky roof and broken windows didn't do much to keep out the wind and rain.
He didn't have the luxury of walking down the hall to the bathroom; the garage didn't have any plumbing. If he wanted to take a shower, he drove to a friend's house.
Now he's experiencing something he hadn't felt in a long time — comfort. He recently moved into his newly renovated home, referred to by volunteers as "a community Christmas present."
"I was warm, I felt good," Quisenberry said. "And I knew I could get up and go to the bathroom and take a shower."
Larry Arnett, deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources, began helping solicit donations to fix up Quisenberry's home and get him out of his garage.
Arnett, whose brother lives on the same street as Quisenberry, had been passing the gutted home for years and had always assumed it was empty.
Carlos Pugh, former state commander of the VFW, also joined in raising money to get Quisenberry out of his garage. Both served in Vietnam. Quisenberry was an Air Force mechanic.
Willie Hensley also joined in the effort, saying he was appalled that a veteran was living in such poor conditions.
"If you're willing to serve your country and die, and you need help ... everyone in the community ought to help," Hensley said.
Arnett estimated he received more than $40,000 in donations, allowing volunteers to renovate Quisenberry's home at no cost to him.
The kitchen cabinets and furnace were donated. Flooring was installed at a discounted price, and the furniture was donated or bought by volunteers.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1969, Quisenberry worked at a factory for several years before joining the National Guard in 1976 as a technician.
He was a mechanic there for 14 years before being medically discharged. Quisenberry suffers from arthritis in his hands and has knee problems and swollen feet.
That gave him 18 years of service — two years short of the 20 years required for a full pension and healthcare benefits.
As he sat in his new black leather chair, in front of his new TV, Quisenberry could hardly believe how nice the house turned out.
"I can live life again the way I want to live it," he said.
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Dennis Quisenberry is finally waking up in a warm bed, after spending years in his garage following a fire that gutted his house.
In March 2005, Quisenberry arrived home from visiting his brother in Lexington to find his home in flames, according to The State Journal in Frankfort. He took what few belongings he had left and made do by living in his garage.
For years, mornings would consist of waking up in a cold, damp bed — the garage's leaky roof and broken windows didn't do much to keep out the wind and rain.
He didn't have the luxury of walking down the hall to the bathroom; the garage didn't have any plumbing. If he wanted to take a shower, he drove to a friend's house.
Now he's experiencing something he hadn't felt in a long time — comfort. He recently moved into his newly renovated home, referred to by volunteers as "a community Christmas present."
"I was warm, I felt good," Quisenberry said. "And I knew I could get up and go to the bathroom and take a shower."
Larry Arnett, deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources, began helping solicit donations to fix up Quisenberry's home and get him out of his garage.
Arnett, whose brother lives on the same street as Quisenberry, had been passing the gutted home for years and had always assumed it was empty.
Carlos Pugh, former state commander of the VFW, also joined in raising money to get Quisenberry out of his garage. Both served in Vietnam. Quisenberry was an Air Force mechanic.
Willie Hensley also joined in the effort, saying he was appalled that a veteran was living in such poor conditions.
"If you're willing to serve your country and die, and you need help ... everyone in the community ought to help," Hensley said.
Arnett estimated he received more than $40,000 in donations, allowing volunteers to renovate Quisenberry's home at no cost to him.
The kitchen cabinets and furnace were donated. Flooring was installed at a discounted price, and the furniture was donated or bought by volunteers.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1969, Quisenberry worked at a factory for several years before joining the National Guard in 1976 as a technician.
He was a mechanic there for 14 years before being medically discharged. Quisenberry suffers from arthritis in his hands and has knee problems and swollen feet.
That gave him 18 years of service — two years short of the 20 years required for a full pension and healthcare benefits.
As he sat in his new black leather chair, in front of his new TV, Quisenberry could hardly believe how nice the house turned out.
"I can live life again the way I want to live it," he said.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Bridgeton City Park war monuments in disrepair
From NJ.com: Bridgeton City Park war monuments in disrepair
BRIDGETON — Before Bridgeton restores the recovered head from the Civil War statue, they should probably check out three other monuments in the immediate area first.
They may be eligible for a bulk discount.
“Honestly, it probably all happened at the same time,” said resident Bill Conway, who spotted the headless Civil War soldier earlier this month.
Upon inspection, he discovered what he believes was a paintball shot dead-center on the World War I memorial. The monument definitely has what can best be described as a green splat right in the middle. Other monuments in the area have green moss growing on them and this spot does not look like moss.
A single metallic decorative leaf at the top of the World War II monument is gone. On the Korean and Vietnam War memorials, the eagle’s left shoulder has a chip that extends onto its neck. Also, the crest is missing a chunk taken right out of the middle.
Conway said the damage “looks to me as if a rock had been thrown at it.”
Bridgeton Police Chief Mark Ott said Monday he can’t say whether the above damages were done recently.
“The damage that’s on the other monuments is not as noticeable as what had happened to the Civil War monument,” Ott said in an email.
Indeed, it would be hard to spot these chips, cracks and splats from the street.
Conway was out by the Veterans Memorial Park last week to meet with Rich Mendoza, captain of the 12th N.J. Company K Civil War re-enactors regiment.
Mendoza, who was also appointed by Gov. Christie to the New Jersey Civil War 150 Committee, contacted a number of authors, speakers and representatives from the History Channel after Conway’s discovery.
Conway was early to his interview and decided to check out the other memorials in the immediate area.
“I had never even looked at the other monuments,” he said. He was merely passing through when he discovered the situation at the Civil War statue. A keen eye soon turned him on to other states of disrepair.
Mendoza, who hails from Voorhees and works with a television production company, is on a warpath to restore the Civil War statue.
Both the head of the soldier and the eagle that adorns the front of the monument sit headless.
Mendoza is interested in launching a fundraiser to help restore the statue and is also planning on a concert, to be held in Bridgeton in February, that would also assist the
effort.
Ott and Mayor Albert Kelly were next to be interviewed after Conway. Since the Civil War statue discovery, Kelly has noted a restoration fund, though an official announcement has yet to be made.
Statewide and regional attention descended upon the area and the reward funds grew handsomely. The head was eventually uncovered nearby by work crews as leaves were being removed from the area.
Interestingly enough, there appears to be no damage to the small flags or flowers planted around the monuments.
When asked if he believes this is just thoughtless vandalism, Conway said “it’s not somebody with a purpose.” He agreed that the flags and flowers could have also been hit if vandals really wanted to inflict all-around damage.
“I know some people will take care of the restoration,” Conway said. “I would like to see whoever is responsible prosecuted.”
BRIDGETON — Before Bridgeton restores the recovered head from the Civil War statue, they should probably check out three other monuments in the immediate area first.
They may be eligible for a bulk discount.
“Honestly, it probably all happened at the same time,” said resident Bill Conway, who spotted the headless Civil War soldier earlier this month.
Upon inspection, he discovered what he believes was a paintball shot dead-center on the World War I memorial. The monument definitely has what can best be described as a green splat right in the middle. Other monuments in the area have green moss growing on them and this spot does not look like moss.
A single metallic decorative leaf at the top of the World War II monument is gone. On the Korean and Vietnam War memorials, the eagle’s left shoulder has a chip that extends onto its neck. Also, the crest is missing a chunk taken right out of the middle.
Conway said the damage “looks to me as if a rock had been thrown at it.”
Bridgeton Police Chief Mark Ott said Monday he can’t say whether the above damages were done recently.
“The damage that’s on the other monuments is not as noticeable as what had happened to the Civil War monument,” Ott said in an email.
Indeed, it would be hard to spot these chips, cracks and splats from the street.
Conway was out by the Veterans Memorial Park last week to meet with Rich Mendoza, captain of the 12th N.J. Company K Civil War re-enactors regiment.
Mendoza, who was also appointed by Gov. Christie to the New Jersey Civil War 150 Committee, contacted a number of authors, speakers and representatives from the History Channel after Conway’s discovery.
Conway was early to his interview and decided to check out the other memorials in the immediate area.
“I had never even looked at the other monuments,” he said. He was merely passing through when he discovered the situation at the Civil War statue. A keen eye soon turned him on to other states of disrepair.
Mendoza, who hails from Voorhees and works with a television production company, is on a warpath to restore the Civil War statue.
Both the head of the soldier and the eagle that adorns the front of the monument sit headless.
Mendoza is interested in launching a fundraiser to help restore the statue and is also planning on a concert, to be held in Bridgeton in February, that would also assist the
effort.
Ott and Mayor Albert Kelly were next to be interviewed after Conway. Since the Civil War statue discovery, Kelly has noted a restoration fund, though an official announcement has yet to be made.
Statewide and regional attention descended upon the area and the reward funds grew handsomely. The head was eventually uncovered nearby by work crews as leaves were being removed from the area.
Interestingly enough, there appears to be no damage to the small flags or flowers planted around the monuments.
When asked if he believes this is just thoughtless vandalism, Conway said “it’s not somebody with a purpose.” He agreed that the flags and flowers could have also been hit if vandals really wanted to inflict all-around damage.
“I know some people will take care of the restoration,” Conway said. “I would like to see whoever is responsible prosecuted.”
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Opinion Why Are We Preparing to Fight the Wrong War -- Again?
From Fox News: Opinion Why Are We Preparing to Fight the Wrong War -- Again?
Over the past 40 years, the one consistent face of war with which we have been confronted is irregular warfare. In parallel, one consistent threat to our security has been our inability to retain the lessons in irregular warfare that we learned on the battlefield.
It is happening again.
From 1965 to 1975 we built knowledge and skill in this area in a decade of conflict in Vietnam. As a result of domestic politics and war fatigue, we abandoned these skills and knowledge of asymmetric warfare, returning instead to the comfort of a more conventional enemy. We then improvised through shorter conflicts in the ’80s and ’90s in dealing with a post-Noriega Panama, a destabilized Somalia, and a post-conflict Balkans with mixed results.
In 2006 we came face to face with the reality that we faced two tough low intensity fights in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were losing ground in both. Only a crash push in counterinsurgency and stability doctrine, operations, training, and equipment allowed us to turn the tides in those conflicts.
Even so, we paid a terrible price as we lacked the force structure and strength to allow for a sustainable force generation and recovery process. Our Army and Marine Corps families saw our loved ones pull five, six and even seven tours of combat over a decade. We also discovered our equipment kit was grossly insufficient for the low intensity threat and relied on expensive rapid procurements in MRAPs, body armor, and urban warfare systems to close our systems gap.
Given this, one would expect that serious national security analysts inside and outside the Pentagon would champion the need to sustain the training, force structure, and asymmetric systems of the past 10 years, right?
Wrong. There is now almost unstoppable momentum from sources to significantly reduce Army and Marine Corps force structure and to refocus the force on "core competencies," which is code for “conventional warfare.” This thinking will eliminate many of the programs that emerged as essential to success in irregular warfare. It is based in the misguided notion that we simply won’t “do” large scale, irregular warfare any more.
Yet that is the very mission we have done repeatedly for the past 40 years. It’s the mission ordered time and again by Republican and Democrat presidents alike. It’s the mission that our enemies know they can win because we never prepare for it.
Cutting ground force training and programs is national security planning based on domestic politics. It fails to take into account recent history and the very real future challenges that today’s young soldier or Marine is likely to see in his or her years of service. We cannot wish away instability, failed states, post-conflict instability, large refugee flows, genocide, terrorism, humanitarian catastrophe, regime change, and the need for intervention.
Part of the problem is lop-sided priorities among Air, Sea, Land and Cyber warfare. Air and Sea already have overmatch dominance while Land and Cyber capabilities are challenged every day. We cannot continue down this path – or worse let our land forces get smaller and less capable in irregular warfare. Only our enemies will thank us for this.
This type of blind approach to security planning will not keep us from sustained low intensity conflict. But it will ensure that we are, yet again, unprepared and under-dominant on a battlefield that is as much about weapons and armor as it is about ideas and the use of smart power to stabilize areas.
We cannot afford to send our soldiers and Marines into harm’s way again without the equipment, training and understanding of irregular warfare they will need to fulfill tomorrow’s missions.
Simply hoping that they will never need any of these is not a plan to bring them safely home; robust full spectrum unified land operations remain imperative for the 21st century.
Gen. Gordon Sullivan served as the 32nd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and is now the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Association of the United States Army. Dowling served as Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council and is now president of IDS International, a “smart power” government services firm.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Booming trade: remnants of the Vietnam War still used as forest products
From ForestsProducts: Booming trade: remnants of the Vietnam Wars still used as forest products
BOGOR, Indonesia (22 December 2011)_Physical remnants of the Vietnam War are fuelling a trade that threatens to damage one of the world’s most ecologically-important environments but ensuring the income generation of those poorest and landless people, according to a new study by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) with the aid of Tropenbos International Vietnam.
Scrap metal left behind following conflicts forms an important part of the local economy of some areas and should be factored into land management proposals alongside other non-timber forest products (NTFP) concludes the study.
“The importance of scrap metal collection in local forest management and the link between war metal and other NTFP collection must be acknowledged,” said Manuel Boissière, scientist with the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) and lead-author of the study published in the December issue of International Forestry Review.
“In order to include it as a factor for land management, the legality of scrap metal collection needs to be clarified and regulated in national law.”
The study, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, focuses on the perspectives of villagers living in the Annamite Mountains area of central Vietnam. Interviews with collectors, brokers, traders and officials revealed a significant trade in debris left behind following the Vietnam War.
Accompanied by researchers Douglas Sheil and Imam Basuki, Boissière travelled to the village of Khe Tran, a small community of 20 households living in the buffer zone of the Phong Dien protected area. This lowland forest harbours critically-endangered species such as tiger and saola, the so-called “Asian unicorn”. With American forces stationed in the region during the war, the forest was the scene of intense fighting, and large amounts of debris remain, including live rounds, tank mines and air-dropped bombs.
In 1992, the forest was made a protected area, and logging and hunting within its perimeters was banned. Government policies that encourage the cultivation of plantation crops such as rubber, eucalyptus and acacia to reduce community dependence on the forests have been relatively successful in Khe Tran. An earlier expedition by Boissière and his team found that scrap metal collection was the main reason villagers entered the forest.
Villagers in Khe Tran first started collecting scrap metal in 1994, carrying up to 30kg at a time from the forest. Larger finds are dragged to nearby rivers and transported on makeshift rafts. However, the availability of scrap metal soon declined, and within a decade the only metal still found in large quantity was deep in the forest, over a day’s walk from Khe Tran. Despite the obvious risks from collecting war debris, accidents are rare, with only 50 incidents recorded since 1975, few as a direct result of metal collection. The majority occurred soon after the war and the most recent was in 2000, when a Hien Thuc villager digging in his garden detonated an anti-tank mine.
Scrap metal collectors could earn about VND1 million (US$62) annually. That’s bigger than VND900,000 received for clearing and planting acacia plantations or VND400,000 for plantation maintenance.
Officially scrap metal collection is banned during the dry season (December to October), due to the practice of burning away understory in order to reveal scrap metal and safely detonate live ordnance. While none of the villagers Boissière and his team spoke to admitted to starting such fires, they acknowledged that it did happen. With only eight rangers to patrol 40,000 hectares of forest, the ban is rarely enforced.
The relatively low returns for the time invested means that scrap metal is only carried out by the poorest of households in Khe Tran. Boissière and his team discovered that the majority of scrap metal collectors entering the Phong Dien protected area were in fact landless Kinh people from the neighbouring commune of Phong Son.
Without crops to support themselves these villager’s main income is derived from scrap metal collection. However they also collect rattan and bamboo whilst in the forest, and most likely hunt game to support themselves during these trips. In this way, the authors write that war residue forms a “backbone” product that supports a wider range of forest uses and impacts.
“Those who rely on metal collection lack other sources of income generation,” says Boissière. “They are proud of what they do but recognise that the resource is declining. Searching for valuable metal now takes much longer than it used to with collectors increasingly supplementing their collection with other forest products.”
Asked about the wider ramifications of this trade, Boissière says: “This pattern should be found in all parts of the world where people and environment are affected by war. Papers on NTFP are about biological forest products; we introduce here the concept of a non-biological products determining how and why forests are used the way they are.”
BOGOR, Indonesia (22 December 2011)_Physical remnants of the Vietnam War are fuelling a trade that threatens to damage one of the world’s most ecologically-important environments but ensuring the income generation of those poorest and landless people, according to a new study by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) with the aid of Tropenbos International Vietnam.
Scrap metal left behind following conflicts forms an important part of the local economy of some areas and should be factored into land management proposals alongside other non-timber forest products (NTFP) concludes the study.
“The importance of scrap metal collection in local forest management and the link between war metal and other NTFP collection must be acknowledged,” said Manuel Boissière, scientist with the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD) and lead-author of the study published in the December issue of International Forestry Review.
“In order to include it as a factor for land management, the legality of scrap metal collection needs to be clarified and regulated in national law.”
The study, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, focuses on the perspectives of villagers living in the Annamite Mountains area of central Vietnam. Interviews with collectors, brokers, traders and officials revealed a significant trade in debris left behind following the Vietnam War.
Accompanied by researchers Douglas Sheil and Imam Basuki, Boissière travelled to the village of Khe Tran, a small community of 20 households living in the buffer zone of the Phong Dien protected area. This lowland forest harbours critically-endangered species such as tiger and saola, the so-called “Asian unicorn”. With American forces stationed in the region during the war, the forest was the scene of intense fighting, and large amounts of debris remain, including live rounds, tank mines and air-dropped bombs.
In 1992, the forest was made a protected area, and logging and hunting within its perimeters was banned. Government policies that encourage the cultivation of plantation crops such as rubber, eucalyptus and acacia to reduce community dependence on the forests have been relatively successful in Khe Tran. An earlier expedition by Boissière and his team found that scrap metal collection was the main reason villagers entered the forest.
Villagers in Khe Tran first started collecting scrap metal in 1994, carrying up to 30kg at a time from the forest. Larger finds are dragged to nearby rivers and transported on makeshift rafts. However, the availability of scrap metal soon declined, and within a decade the only metal still found in large quantity was deep in the forest, over a day’s walk from Khe Tran. Despite the obvious risks from collecting war debris, accidents are rare, with only 50 incidents recorded since 1975, few as a direct result of metal collection. The majority occurred soon after the war and the most recent was in 2000, when a Hien Thuc villager digging in his garden detonated an anti-tank mine.
Scrap metal collectors could earn about VND1 million (US$62) annually. That’s bigger than VND900,000 received for clearing and planting acacia plantations or VND400,000 for plantation maintenance.
Officially scrap metal collection is banned during the dry season (December to October), due to the practice of burning away understory in order to reveal scrap metal and safely detonate live ordnance. While none of the villagers Boissière and his team spoke to admitted to starting such fires, they acknowledged that it did happen. With only eight rangers to patrol 40,000 hectares of forest, the ban is rarely enforced.
The relatively low returns for the time invested means that scrap metal is only carried out by the poorest of households in Khe Tran. Boissière and his team discovered that the majority of scrap metal collectors entering the Phong Dien protected area were in fact landless Kinh people from the neighbouring commune of Phong Son.
Without crops to support themselves these villager’s main income is derived from scrap metal collection. However they also collect rattan and bamboo whilst in the forest, and most likely hunt game to support themselves during these trips. In this way, the authors write that war residue forms a “backbone” product that supports a wider range of forest uses and impacts.
“Those who rely on metal collection lack other sources of income generation,” says Boissière. “They are proud of what they do but recognise that the resource is declining. Searching for valuable metal now takes much longer than it used to with collectors increasingly supplementing their collection with other forest products.”
Asked about the wider ramifications of this trade, Boissière says: “This pattern should be found in all parts of the world where people and environment are affected by war. Papers on NTFP are about biological forest products; we introduce here the concept of a non-biological products determining how and why forests are used the way they are.”
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) 15th Annual Christmas Tree Ceremony at The Wall to Be Webcast Live December 19 on VVMF TV
From MarketWatch: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) 15th Annual Christmas Tree Ceremony at The Wall to Be Webcast Live December 19 on VVMF TV
CHANTILLY, VA, Dec 16, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- TV Worldwide, since 1999, a pioneering web-based global TV network, announced that VVMF-TV, ( www.VVMF.TV ), the Internet TV Channel recently launched in cooperation with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), would webcast the 15th Annual Christmas Tree Ceremony at the Wall honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel at 10 AM ET on Monday, December 19, 2011. During the ceremony, representatives of the VVMF will place a Christmas tree at the apex of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Volunteers will decorate the tree with holiday greeting cards sent to the VVMF by Americans of all ages. The tree will also be adorned with cards and ornaments hand-made by schoolchildren from around the country.
VVMF President Jan Scruggs will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. The featured speakers will be Walt Sides, John Weber and Seth Lynn.
Walt Sides was one of the "founding fathers" of Rolling Thunder, an organization dedicated to prisoner of war and missing in action issues and the annual Memorial Day "Demonstration Run," which has become the world's largest single-day motorcycle event.
John Weber is a partner in Baker Hostetler's Washington, D.C., office and is the head of the firm's Intellectual Property, Technology and Media Group. He served in the U.S. Army infantry in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 and was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Prior to founding the Veterans Campaign, Seth Lynn served as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Officer in the Marine Corps. While on active duty, Lynn deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, and Japan, and also participated in the Indonesian tsunami relief effort. As part of this year's ceremony, VVMF is proud to join in the cause of Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends over 100,000 care packages annually to service-members in hostile regions around the world. The packages are filled with food, hygiene products, and entertainment items. VVMF staff sorted nearly fifty packages filled with snacks and personal care products to be sent overseas to soldiers who will be away from their families this holiday season.
"The Wall is a sacred place, and one of so few where visitors are so directly exposed to the most noble American values of duty, honor, courage and sacrifice," says Jan Scruggs. "This ceremony, now in its 15th year, has become a cherished part of the holidays, and we are proud to join Operation Gratitude in showing appreciation to our service men and women who are making tremendous sacrifices in the name of freedom."
After the ceremony, the tree and many boxes of cards and ornaments will be left at The Wall, so that visitors can read the messages and add decorations when they visit throughout the holidays. Hand-made cards and ornaments have been contributed by these schools and Scout troops:
-- Pack #120 - Irvington, NY, Cub Scout Troop
-- Mrs. Whitehead's 4th Grade Class - Carlisle Elementary School, Boaz,
AL
-- Rosewood Christian Elementary School, Castro Valley, CA
-- Loggers Run Middle School, Boca Raton, FL
-- Ms. Gahr's 7th and 8th Graders from Berryhill School, Charlotte, NC
About VVMF and the Education Center at the Wall
The Education Center at The Wall is a place on our National Mall where our military heroes' stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten. With a groundbreaking planned for November 2012, The Education Center at The Wall is a multi-million dollar, state-of- the-art visitor's center and learning facility to be built on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans and the Lincoln Memorials. Visitors will better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had their friends and family members, their home towns, and the Nation. The Education Center will feature the faces and stories of the 58,272 men and women on "The Wall," honoring those who fell in Vietnam, those who fought and returned, as well as the friends and families of all who served. For more information, visit www.buildthecenter.org .
Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.
Support the Education Center at The Wall by visiting www.buildthecenter.org , calling 866-990-WALL, or by texting "WALL" to 2022.
CHANTILLY, VA, Dec 16, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- TV Worldwide, since 1999, a pioneering web-based global TV network, announced that VVMF-TV, ( www.VVMF.TV ), the Internet TV Channel recently launched in cooperation with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), would webcast the 15th Annual Christmas Tree Ceremony at the Wall honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel at 10 AM ET on Monday, December 19, 2011. During the ceremony, representatives of the VVMF will place a Christmas tree at the apex of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Volunteers will decorate the tree with holiday greeting cards sent to the VVMF by Americans of all ages. The tree will also be adorned with cards and ornaments hand-made by schoolchildren from around the country.
VVMF President Jan Scruggs will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. The featured speakers will be Walt Sides, John Weber and Seth Lynn.
Walt Sides was one of the "founding fathers" of Rolling Thunder, an organization dedicated to prisoner of war and missing in action issues and the annual Memorial Day "Demonstration Run," which has become the world's largest single-day motorcycle event.
John Weber is a partner in Baker Hostetler's Washington, D.C., office and is the head of the firm's Intellectual Property, Technology and Media Group. He served in the U.S. Army infantry in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 and was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Prior to founding the Veterans Campaign, Seth Lynn served as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Officer in the Marine Corps. While on active duty, Lynn deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, and Japan, and also participated in the Indonesian tsunami relief effort. As part of this year's ceremony, VVMF is proud to join in the cause of Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends over 100,000 care packages annually to service-members in hostile regions around the world. The packages are filled with food, hygiene products, and entertainment items. VVMF staff sorted nearly fifty packages filled with snacks and personal care products to be sent overseas to soldiers who will be away from their families this holiday season.
"The Wall is a sacred place, and one of so few where visitors are so directly exposed to the most noble American values of duty, honor, courage and sacrifice," says Jan Scruggs. "This ceremony, now in its 15th year, has become a cherished part of the holidays, and we are proud to join Operation Gratitude in showing appreciation to our service men and women who are making tremendous sacrifices in the name of freedom."
After the ceremony, the tree and many boxes of cards and ornaments will be left at The Wall, so that visitors can read the messages and add decorations when they visit throughout the holidays. Hand-made cards and ornaments have been contributed by these schools and Scout troops:
-- Pack #120 - Irvington, NY, Cub Scout Troop
-- Mrs. Whitehead's 4th Grade Class - Carlisle Elementary School, Boaz,
AL
-- Rosewood Christian Elementary School, Castro Valley, CA
-- Loggers Run Middle School, Boca Raton, FL
-- Ms. Gahr's 7th and 8th Graders from Berryhill School, Charlotte, NC
About VVMF and the Education Center at the Wall
The Education Center at The Wall is a place on our National Mall where our military heroes' stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten. With a groundbreaking planned for November 2012, The Education Center at The Wall is a multi-million dollar, state-of- the-art visitor's center and learning facility to be built on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans and the Lincoln Memorials. Visitors will better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had their friends and family members, their home towns, and the Nation. The Education Center will feature the faces and stories of the 58,272 men and women on "The Wall," honoring those who fell in Vietnam, those who fought and returned, as well as the friends and families of all who served. For more information, visit www.buildthecenter.org .
Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.
Support the Education Center at The Wall by visiting www.buildthecenter.org , calling 866-990-WALL, or by texting "WALL" to 2022.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Local Veterans React to End of Iraq War
From WWSB: Local Veterans React to End of Iraq War
Sarasota-Today's end of operations in Iraq marks the largest drawdown of U.S. forces since the end of the Vietnam war more than thirty years ago. The two conflicts have many differences, but they they both deeply divided people in this country.
Some on the Suncoast who served in southeast Asia are glad to see those in Iraq getting to return.
"They fought and we've lost a lot of wonderful troops, this post is named after one of them, so i think it's a wonderful thing that they're coming home," said Charlie Shoudy, who served in Vietnam.
He's now an official at the Christopher Cobb Memorial American Legion Post in Sarasota, and says whether or not you agreed with the war, the soldiers there did what they were trained to do.
"We were doing what every military person, man or woman does because if our commander in chief tells us we have to do it, we have to do what we're told."
Other vets like James Bendowski hope that what troops accomplished during the war leads to a stable Iraq.
"It's great that they are coming back but i hope we can stay out of there, that's the worst part about it," said Bendowski.
He admits while the troops are coming home, there was still a heavy price to pay for the operation.
"Any time you lose lives it's not really worth it, but that's our heritage, no doubt about it."
There will continue to be a U.S. presence in Iraq. About 16,000 people involved in the diplomatic effort will remain behind, about 7,000 of which will be private security contractors.
Sarasota-Today's end of operations in Iraq marks the largest drawdown of U.S. forces since the end of the Vietnam war more than thirty years ago. The two conflicts have many differences, but they they both deeply divided people in this country.
Some on the Suncoast who served in southeast Asia are glad to see those in Iraq getting to return.
"They fought and we've lost a lot of wonderful troops, this post is named after one of them, so i think it's a wonderful thing that they're coming home," said Charlie Shoudy, who served in Vietnam.
He's now an official at the Christopher Cobb Memorial American Legion Post in Sarasota, and says whether or not you agreed with the war, the soldiers there did what they were trained to do.
"We were doing what every military person, man or woman does because if our commander in chief tells us we have to do it, we have to do what we're told."
Other vets like James Bendowski hope that what troops accomplished during the war leads to a stable Iraq.
"It's great that they are coming back but i hope we can stay out of there, that's the worst part about it," said Bendowski.
He admits while the troops are coming home, there was still a heavy price to pay for the operation.
"Any time you lose lives it's not really worth it, but that's our heritage, no doubt about it."
There will continue to be a U.S. presence in Iraq. About 16,000 people involved in the diplomatic effort will remain behind, about 7,000 of which will be private security contractors.
Vietnam War veteran, 60, gets bachelor's degree
From Reading Reader: Vietnam War veteran, 60, gets bachelor's degree
He's served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine, was injured by gunfire from an AK-47 rifle and spent three and a half months in a military hospital in Guam before returning to serve two more campaigns during the Vietnam War.
He's worked with Berks County veterans and organized a Toys for Tots drive at Penn State Berks.
And on Saturday, he graduated from the college with a bachelor's degree in business - at age 60.
But Arthur Brunt doesn't consider himself anything special.
The Reading resident shrugs when referred to by others as an inspiration.
"Inspiring? Inspiring to who?" he asked. "Every individual hits a certain point where their intrinsic needs outweigh the extrinsic needs. I think that's what happened to me."
Brunt, a Philadelphia native who moved to Reading in 1980, could have spent the rest of his life living off his military pension.
"But it wasn't what I wanted," he said. "I didn't want to hold still. I just didn't know what direction I wanted to go in."
And so, after years of working odd jobs - as a truck driver, bus driver, short-order cook and small-business owner, to name a few - Brunt enrolled at Penn State Berks in 2009.
Despite having an associate's degree and two semesters at an online university under his belt, he recalled, "I was scared out of my mind."
"Being an older person and being in the company of younger people, feeling inadequate and thinking that you're a has-been and they must be a lot smarter than you that's the general consensus I think most adults have coming in," he said. "How can I keep up? These kids are so bright."
"I was really shy and quiet," Brunt said.
Referring to his suit and tie, he recalled with a laugh, "I didn't at all look like this. I came across as a rugged blue-collar guy. But I thought, 'I'm not dumb. I can do this.' So I proved it. And I went through an amazing transformation."
Brunt recalled with a smile the support he received from both faculty and fellow students.
"I got more than education," he said. "Not just knowledge and facts, but exposure to different people and cultures through the events that I attended, hobnobbing and networking. And these young people were always talking to me. It seemed like anything I said they wanted to hear about. I felt so welcome and relaxed."
Though he's old enough to be a father to many of the students, Brunt will wake up today with the same goal as many of his classmates with whom he received his diploma at commencement Saturday: finding a job.
He hopes to work in the public sector - ideally the Veterans Affairs office.
For many years, he recalled: "I thought my life wasn't successful because I didn't have anything to show for it. But it's not what you have to show for it, but what you've been able to do with it. I'm rich in discipline and morals."
He's served in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine, was injured by gunfire from an AK-47 rifle and spent three and a half months in a military hospital in Guam before returning to serve two more campaigns during the Vietnam War.
He's worked with Berks County veterans and organized a Toys for Tots drive at Penn State Berks.
And on Saturday, he graduated from the college with a bachelor's degree in business - at age 60.
But Arthur Brunt doesn't consider himself anything special.
The Reading resident shrugs when referred to by others as an inspiration.
"Inspiring? Inspiring to who?" he asked. "Every individual hits a certain point where their intrinsic needs outweigh the extrinsic needs. I think that's what happened to me."
Brunt, a Philadelphia native who moved to Reading in 1980, could have spent the rest of his life living off his military pension.
"But it wasn't what I wanted," he said. "I didn't want to hold still. I just didn't know what direction I wanted to go in."
And so, after years of working odd jobs - as a truck driver, bus driver, short-order cook and small-business owner, to name a few - Brunt enrolled at Penn State Berks in 2009.
Despite having an associate's degree and two semesters at an online university under his belt, he recalled, "I was scared out of my mind."
"Being an older person and being in the company of younger people, feeling inadequate and thinking that you're a has-been and they must be a lot smarter than you that's the general consensus I think most adults have coming in," he said. "How can I keep up? These kids are so bright."
"I was really shy and quiet," Brunt said.
Referring to his suit and tie, he recalled with a laugh, "I didn't at all look like this. I came across as a rugged blue-collar guy. But I thought, 'I'm not dumb. I can do this.' So I proved it. And I went through an amazing transformation."
Brunt recalled with a smile the support he received from both faculty and fellow students.
"I got more than education," he said. "Not just knowledge and facts, but exposure to different people and cultures through the events that I attended, hobnobbing and networking. And these young people were always talking to me. It seemed like anything I said they wanted to hear about. I felt so welcome and relaxed."
Though he's old enough to be a father to many of the students, Brunt will wake up today with the same goal as many of his classmates with whom he received his diploma at commencement Saturday: finding a job.
He hopes to work in the public sector - ideally the Veterans Affairs office.
For many years, he recalled: "I thought my life wasn't successful because I didn't have anything to show for it. But it's not what you have to show for it, but what you've been able to do with it. I'm rich in discipline and morals."
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Flag honors Vietnam War Army hero
From South Coast Today: Flag honors Vietnam War Army hero
NEW BEDFORD — During December, the 471st flag to fly atop Old Glory Tower in the North End honors the memory of Vietnam War hero, U.S. Army First Sgt. John Vincent Veara, who was killed in action Aug. 19, 1968 at age 37 of small arms fire. He served his country for 16 years.
Veara, a native of Long Island, was stationed with Co. D. , 2nd Battalion, 3rd training Brigade at Ft. Bliss, TX before his assignment to A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Veara met his wife, Maja, in Germany while serving abroad and they were married in Germany on a Christmas Eve.
Pamela LaBonte, Veara's sister, said "he had been wounded twice before, but he volunteered to stay in because he felt somebody had to be there. He wrote saying to wish him luck because he only had 40 days left there. Then he was going to Germany for two years and then ... retiring."
Veara's death left his widow, Maja, with three children ages 15, 7 and a newborn to raise. She and the kids settled in Acushnet.
Veara received numerous posthumous awards including the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart.
"First Sgt. Veara distinguished himself by heroic actions on 19 Aug. 1968, while serving as 1st Sgt. with A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, in the Republic of Vietnam," according to Col. Neil Chapin in a ceremony presenting Veara's wife with his decorations.
"While on a combat operation, A Troop came under an intense enemy attack. During the ensuing battle," he said. Sgt. Veara's track was hit by an RPG round. Immediately, Sgt. Veara began to direct his crew in laying down heavy fire towards enemy positions. Upon seeing that a track commander was wounded, Sgt. Veara, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to a heavy volume of enemy fire as he administered first aid and evacuated the man. He then continued to direct his men until he was mortally wounded. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the enemy force."
Veara received the following medals, many of which were awarded for gallantry in action the day he died: two Silver Stars, 3 Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, Gallantry Cross with palm, Military Merit Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal from the Vietnamese Government, Vietnam Service Badge, National Service Medal, Expert Cannoneer Badge, Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle), and Marksman Badge (Pistol).
Veara's name is inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington on panel 47W, line 005. Many of his uniforms and medals are currently displayed at the Fort Taber Military Museum.
Roy Veara, John's middle son, is an Army veteran like his dad. He said in a Standard-Times story that "it still hurts every time I hear taps. It's still tough to hold back tears." Roy was only seven years old when his father died in 1968.
Veara's widow Maja (Gress), became an active member of the "Gold Star Wives of America" as well as the VFW. They had three sons: Gerold Veara of New Mexico, Roy Veara of New Bedford and John Veara, formerly of Acushnet.
Veara also had three siblings; a sister, Pamela LaBonte of North Dartmouth, two brothers, Richard Veara of New York and the late Robert Veara. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Amanda Veara of New Bedford and Shaun Veara of Fairhaven, as well as his sister-in-law, Liselotte Casey of Acushnet.
The late Joseph Theodore, a WWII veteran and Purple Hear recipient began the practice of flying veterans' flags above the Old Glory Tower 38 years ago. Linda Ferreira, a marketing representative at Ashley Ford in New Bedford, researches the life histories of area veterans and Paul Neary, general manager of the dealership, raises the memorial flags on the veterans' behalf.
If you would like to honor a veteran by flying a flag at the tower, contact Ferreira at 508-996-5611 or at marketing@ashleyfordsales.com.
NEW BEDFORD — During December, the 471st flag to fly atop Old Glory Tower in the North End honors the memory of Vietnam War hero, U.S. Army First Sgt. John Vincent Veara, who was killed in action Aug. 19, 1968 at age 37 of small arms fire. He served his country for 16 years.
Veara, a native of Long Island, was stationed with Co. D. , 2nd Battalion, 3rd training Brigade at Ft. Bliss, TX before his assignment to A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Veara met his wife, Maja, in Germany while serving abroad and they were married in Germany on a Christmas Eve.
Pamela LaBonte, Veara's sister, said "he had been wounded twice before, but he volunteered to stay in because he felt somebody had to be there. He wrote saying to wish him luck because he only had 40 days left there. Then he was going to Germany for two years and then ... retiring."
Veara's death left his widow, Maja, with three children ages 15, 7 and a newborn to raise. She and the kids settled in Acushnet.
Veara received numerous posthumous awards including the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart.
"First Sgt. Veara distinguished himself by heroic actions on 19 Aug. 1968, while serving as 1st Sgt. with A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, in the Republic of Vietnam," according to Col. Neil Chapin in a ceremony presenting Veara's wife with his decorations.
"While on a combat operation, A Troop came under an intense enemy attack. During the ensuing battle," he said. Sgt. Veara's track was hit by an RPG round. Immediately, Sgt. Veara began to direct his crew in laying down heavy fire towards enemy positions. Upon seeing that a track commander was wounded, Sgt. Veara, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to a heavy volume of enemy fire as he administered first aid and evacuated the man. He then continued to direct his men until he was mortally wounded. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the enemy force."
Veara received the following medals, many of which were awarded for gallantry in action the day he died: two Silver Stars, 3 Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, Gallantry Cross with palm, Military Merit Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal from the Vietnamese Government, Vietnam Service Badge, National Service Medal, Expert Cannoneer Badge, Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle), and Marksman Badge (Pistol).
Veara's name is inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington on panel 47W, line 005. Many of his uniforms and medals are currently displayed at the Fort Taber Military Museum.
Roy Veara, John's middle son, is an Army veteran like his dad. He said in a Standard-Times story that "it still hurts every time I hear taps. It's still tough to hold back tears." Roy was only seven years old when his father died in 1968.
Veara's widow Maja (Gress), became an active member of the "Gold Star Wives of America" as well as the VFW. They had three sons: Gerold Veara of New Mexico, Roy Veara of New Bedford and John Veara, formerly of Acushnet.
Veara also had three siblings; a sister, Pamela LaBonte of North Dartmouth, two brothers, Richard Veara of New York and the late Robert Veara. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Amanda Veara of New Bedford and Shaun Veara of Fairhaven, as well as his sister-in-law, Liselotte Casey of Acushnet.
The late Joseph Theodore, a WWII veteran and Purple Hear recipient began the practice of flying veterans' flags above the Old Glory Tower 38 years ago. Linda Ferreira, a marketing representative at Ashley Ford in New Bedford, researches the life histories of area veterans and Paul Neary, general manager of the dealership, raises the memorial flags on the veterans' behalf.
If you would like to honor a veteran by flying a flag at the tower, contact Ferreira at 508-996-5611 or at marketing@ashleyfordsales.com.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Time Keeps On Slipping Into the Future
Sorry for the dearth of posts recently...I've been working on a project, wanted to devote all my time to it, and kept telling myself...it'll be done today so I can get back to blogging here tomorrow.
The next day it was... okay, it's definitely going to get done today....
Well, today it is done... so back to posting here on a daily basis tomorrow. (With the first post appearing tomorrow afternoon while I'm watching football!)
Thanks for your patience.
The next day it was... okay, it's definitely going to get done today....
Well, today it is done... so back to posting here on a daily basis tomorrow. (With the first post appearing tomorrow afternoon while I'm watching football!)
Thanks for your patience.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Vietnam: Thousands die due to unexploded munitions from Vietnam War
From Yahoo News: Vietnam: Thousands die due to unexploded munitions from Vietnam War
One does wonder just how long this "clean up" process has been going on. Has all the money the US has given to Vietnam gone to cleaning up munitions, or has much of it been siphoned away. I mean, really, only 5% cleared after a cost of $62 million?
HANOI, Vietnam – More than 100,000 Vietnamese have been killed or injured by land mines or other abandoned explosives since the Vietnam War ended nearly 40 years ago, and clearing all of the country will take decades more, officials said Monday.
"The war's painful legacy, which includes hundreds of thousands of tons of bombs and unexploded ordnance, continues to cause painful casualties every day," Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told a U.N.-sponsored conference on ways to deal with the problem.
Dung said 42,132 people have been killed and 62,163 others wounded by land mines, bombs and other explosives since the war ended in 1975. The United States used about 16 million tons of bombs and ammunition while allied with the former South Vietnam government, which was defeated by northern communist fighters who reunified the country.
U.S. Ambassador David Shear told the conference that the United States has provided $62 million to help Vietnam cope with "this painful legacy."
"Our efforts to help Vietnam deal with this difficult problem have helped build the mutual trust and understanding between the U.S. and Vietnam that has allowed our bilateral relationship to flourish," he said.
Bui Hong Linh, vice minister of labor, war invalids and social affairs, said explosives remain on about 16 million acres (6.6 million hectares) of land, or more than one-fifth of the country.
He said only 740,000 acres (300,000 hectares) or 5 percent of the contaminated area has been cleared and a recently approved government plan calls for clearance of an additional 1.2 million acres (500,000 hectares) that would cost $595 million in the next five years.
One does wonder just how long this "clean up" process has been going on. Has all the money the US has given to Vietnam gone to cleaning up munitions, or has much of it been siphoned away. I mean, really, only 5% cleared after a cost of $62 million?
The New WLA – War, Literature & the Arts Journal from the USAFA
From Arts of War on the Web: The New WLA – War, Literature & the Arts Journal from the USAFA
The Department of English and Fine Arts at the U.S. Air Force Academy has been publishing WLA: War, Literature & the Arts: An International Journal of the Humanities since 1989. The latest edition, Vol. 23, 2011, contains what we expect from this excellent journal: a rich collection of memoir excerpts, artwork, fiction, critical and personal essays, poetry, and commentary dealing with war and its impact. And, as is always the case, several of the offerings deal with Vietnam veterans and the Vietnam War.
There’s an essay by Jerry Kykisz, a Vietnam veteran, artist, and board member of the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, called “Trauma & Metamorphosis” that also includes artwork by Vietnam veterans Helen White, Ron Mann, Joe Fornelli, and Stephen Ham. Mann’s “Reflections” graces the cover.
The short story “At The Wall” by Nicholas Poluhoff is about a strange set of events at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. And there are seven poems by Vietnam veteran Dale Ritterbusch, several of which touch on the war in Vietnam.
Additional material, including book reviews may be found on WLA’s website: http://wlajournal.com/23_1/23_1_index.html
The Department of English and Fine Arts at the U.S. Air Force Academy has been publishing WLA: War, Literature & the Arts: An International Journal of the Humanities since 1989. The latest edition, Vol. 23, 2011, contains what we expect from this excellent journal: a rich collection of memoir excerpts, artwork, fiction, critical and personal essays, poetry, and commentary dealing with war and its impact. And, as is always the case, several of the offerings deal with Vietnam veterans and the Vietnam War.
There’s an essay by Jerry Kykisz, a Vietnam veteran, artist, and board member of the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, called “Trauma & Metamorphosis” that also includes artwork by Vietnam veterans Helen White, Ron Mann, Joe Fornelli, and Stephen Ham. Mann’s “Reflections” graces the cover.
The short story “At The Wall” by Nicholas Poluhoff is about a strange set of events at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. And there are seven poems by Vietnam veteran Dale Ritterbusch, several of which touch on the war in Vietnam.
Additional material, including book reviews may be found on WLA’s website: http://wlajournal.com/23_1/23_1_index.html
Friday, December 2, 2011
Meeting with Vietnam War hero 40 years in making
From In My Community.com: Meeting with Vietnam War hero 40 years in making
FORTY years melted away when Currambine woman Judi Shelton and retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander Gordon Paige met for the first time in Arizona recently.
For Judi meeting “Gordy” was the emotional end to a patriotic journey, which began on a street in Buffalo, New York in 1972 when she bought a bracelet engraved with his name from US college students raising money “to bring the boys home” from Vietnam.
The bracelets were a reminder of American servicemen who were PoWs or missing in action – Gordon Paige was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972, was captured by the Vietnamese and returned home in 1973.
After making email contact with Gordon in 2009, Judi vowed to “stop by” in Gilbert, Arizona to meet him while visiting daughter Rebecca in Maine this year.
“It was important to me after everything I had gone through to bring the story to life to finish the journey,” she said of the two-day visit.
“Meeting Gordy was a huge experience, something I will always remember.
“Now he is not just a name on a bracelet but a friend, and that is the best outcome from the journey and why he asked me to keep the bracelet, so we would keep connected.”
Judi said she had worn the silver-plated bracelet for many years and then, as time went on, tucked it away, always wondering about the man behind the name.
The piece travelled with her as she moved within the US and, in 1991, to Perth where she settled with second husband, Australian-born Des.
Two years ago, she finally tracked Gordon down in Arizona, where the retired Navy pilot lives with wife Wendy and their children, and manages an air charter company.
After many telephone calls and emails, they pair finally met a few weeks ago.
“When I walked out of the arrivals area at the airport, Gordy was leaning against a pole holding a sign which said ‘Judi: Welcome to AZ from OZ,’ she said
“I got in about 1pm and spent from then until 10pm talking to him and his family – I have never felt so comfortable with a perfect stranger.”
Judi, who left Gordon with an Australian Army Rising Sun pin and Community cuttings about her search for him, hopes he will come to Perth next year to march with Des in the Anzac Day parade.
“He thinks our Anzac Day is a wonderful thing,” she said.
“He sent us best wishes for last Anzac Day, the day I always wear his bracelet.”
FORTY years melted away when Currambine woman Judi Shelton and retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander Gordon Paige met for the first time in Arizona recently.
For Judi meeting “Gordy” was the emotional end to a patriotic journey, which began on a street in Buffalo, New York in 1972 when she bought a bracelet engraved with his name from US college students raising money “to bring the boys home” from Vietnam.
The bracelets were a reminder of American servicemen who were PoWs or missing in action – Gordon Paige was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972, was captured by the Vietnamese and returned home in 1973.
After making email contact with Gordon in 2009, Judi vowed to “stop by” in Gilbert, Arizona to meet him while visiting daughter Rebecca in Maine this year.
“It was important to me after everything I had gone through to bring the story to life to finish the journey,” she said of the two-day visit.
“Meeting Gordy was a huge experience, something I will always remember.
“Now he is not just a name on a bracelet but a friend, and that is the best outcome from the journey and why he asked me to keep the bracelet, so we would keep connected.”
Judi said she had worn the silver-plated bracelet for many years and then, as time went on, tucked it away, always wondering about the man behind the name.
The piece travelled with her as she moved within the US and, in 1991, to Perth where she settled with second husband, Australian-born Des.
Two years ago, she finally tracked Gordon down in Arizona, where the retired Navy pilot lives with wife Wendy and their children, and manages an air charter company.
After many telephone calls and emails, they pair finally met a few weeks ago.
“When I walked out of the arrivals area at the airport, Gordy was leaning against a pole holding a sign which said ‘Judi: Welcome to AZ from OZ,’ she said
“I got in about 1pm and spent from then until 10pm talking to him and his family – I have never felt so comfortable with a perfect stranger.”
Judi, who left Gordon with an Australian Army Rising Sun pin and Community cuttings about her search for him, hopes he will come to Perth next year to march with Des in the Anzac Day parade.
“He thinks our Anzac Day is a wonderful thing,” she said.
“He sent us best wishes for last Anzac Day, the day I always wear his bracelet.”
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Era of Vietnam War veterans serving in N.D. National Guard ends with Peterson
From DVIDS: Era of Vietnam War veterans serving in N.D. National Guard ends with Peterson
FARGO, N.D. — While most North Dakota Guardsmen are war veterans, one holds a special distinction: He’s the last serving combat Vietnam War veteran in the North Dakota National Guard.
When Master Sgt. Alan K. Peterson, of West Fargo, N.D., retired Nov. 30, he ended an era in both the Army and Air National Guard in the state. There’s believed to be only one remaining Vietnam vet nationwide in the Air Force, and while it’s unknown, there are presumably very few left in the Army.
“Throughout his decades-long military career, Master Sgt. Peterson served this state and nation with honor and distinction, whether assisting his fellow citizens here at home or defending this great country in foreign lands,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “His retirement marks the end of an era for the North Dakota National Guard, bringing to a close the exemplary service and leadership of a generation of patriots who served in the Vietnam War. We are grateful to Master Sgt. Peterson and all of our Vietnam veterans for their noble and courageous service.”
During the ceremony, Peterson received the federal Meritorious Service Medal and North Dakota Legion of Merit, as well as several certificates, a commemorative musket, plaques, a host of letters wishing him well and a cased U.S. flag. His wife, Christie, also received a framed certificate of appreciation in honor of her support during her husband’s decades-long military career.
“Thank you for sharing Al with us all of these years,” Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, said to Peterson’s family during today’s retirement ceremony at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center. “As I said to Christie, it’s the family that really has the tough job when our Soldiers are called to war and called to duty.”
Setting Sail
After having seen the photos and trinkets his uncle brought back from his travels with the Navy, Peterson enlisted in the service’s delayed entry program shortly before graduating from Pine River, Minn., High School in 1970. The war in Vietnam was well under way by then, with involvement peaking the year prior with a half-million U.S. military personnel serving there. On April 28, 1971 — barely a year after graduating high school — Peterson found himself involved in the war, as well.
He first headed to the Philippines to fulfill a 90-day “mess cooking” stint — similar to the Army’s KP, or “kitchen patrol” — required for those ranked E-3 and below. After 60 days, he was attached to a ship and itching to get up top.
“I wanted to get on the flight deck — little extra money, you got hazardous duty pay and you got to work in the open air, which I enjoyed. I didn’t have enough seniority to do that,” he says.
He stayed in the airframes division for the length of that first, short cruise before an opportunity to apply for a plane captain spot in a line division presented itself. He got the job and was promoted to an E-4, or petty officer third class, which is a non-commissioned officer in the Navy. That made him second in charge in a squadron of 10 that managed 14 aircraft. In this role, he served on two additional cruises, working on the USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63.
Similar to a crew chief in the Army and Air Force, a plane captain in the Navy maintains and cleans the aircraft, monitors the work that’s done on it, helps the pilot into the cockpit, and conducts a preflight turnaround for the aircraft. Peterson also did maintenance turnarounds, which allowed him to sit in the aircraft while it was tied to the deck and operate the controls while it was being worked on.
Making Landfall
His time on the ship doing 30- to 40-day stints in the Gulf of Tonkin off of the Vietnam coast would be limited, though. Soon, Peterson was part of a group of 15 or so sent to shore in July 1972. For the next eight months, he stayed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base outside of Da Nang replacing tailhooks, patching holes and repairing landing gear on aircraft that couldn’t be recovered by the carrier ships.
“The amenities we have now days for creature comfort weren’t there at that time,” he says of his accommodations near Da Nang. “Any correspondence I had back home was letters, and usually that was about a two-week turnaround before I got one back.”
The workdays on land were shorter than the 14- to 16-hour shifts at sea, though. Peterson worked dawn to dusk with the open-air maintenance work ceasing at dark to prevent becoming a lighted target at night.
“When I look back at it, it was fun to get off the ship,” Peterson says. “Life on the ship was pretty monotonous after a fashion. Our close-circuit TVs were limited to what you could watch and there wasn’t many of those you could watch … so you read, laid in your rack, read books, (read) whatever you could get your hands on, walk around, actually run on the flight deck and do PT (physical training), too, to take up your time. Sleep. That’s about it.”
The berthing compartment where he slept differed greatly from the damp huts near Da Nang that were sunken 3-4 feet into the ground with hurricane fans blowing through at night. Other than the climate and extra amenities, his living conditions in the Iraq War three decades later would prove similar.
Navy to Army
When Peterson’s Navy stint concluded, the young war veteran did much the same as his peers in the 1970s: grew his hair long and sprouted a beard. By the end of the era, in February 1979, he was ready to don the uniform again, though.
“I still had a beard and long hair, and they told me, ‘You know, you’re going to have to cut that off.’ I guess it was time for a change,” he says.
He started as a combat engineer with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s unit in Hazen, N.D., while working in a coal mine in the area. His first platoon leader, Dennis Jacobson, still serves with the North Dakota National Guard, but now has two stars on his uniform.
After seven years as an engineer and traditional Guardsman, Peterson switched back into a maintenance job, but life outside of the Guard took a major downturn. The house he grew up in was engulfed in a fire, claiming his parents’ lives. Plus, work in the coal mine had slowed, and in December 1986 he received a 30-day notice for being laid off.
“That was a pretty tough year for me. I had a wife and three kids to take care of. What am I going to do?”
He drilled the weekend he received the layoff notice and saw a job posting for a maintenance position in Minot. He had his application submitted in a matter of days and before long embarked on a full-time career for the N.D. Guard, first in the Minot shop and later at the Fargo shop, from which he retired today.
In the years in between, he shared his knowledge as a maintenance supervisor, deployed to Iraq with the 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion, and developed a unique connection with his middle son, Joshua, who also deployed with him to Iraq in the same maintenance section.
“When I look back, (Vietnam) kind of set me up for the deployment to Iraq and what I experienced over there,” he says.
The one major difference? Coming home.
“(My son and I) sat together on the ride back and talked about the year we were gone and things that happened and how we would react. … It’s quite a different feeling when you get off the plane and all those people are lined up to greet you. It’s a lot to take in. … It wasn’t the same back during Vietnam. There was nobody. When I flew back and got out, it was just my parents there to greet me.”
Now, he’s looking back at both deployments along with a decades-long military career and pondering how he has already turned the mandatory retirement age of 60.
“Here now it’s my turn (to retire), and I say, ‘Wow, where did all those years go?’”
“I think the Guard for me has been a good choice. It has given me a direction in life and supported me quite well. I look back all the experiences that I have had and all the people that have either worked with or just crossed paths, and I feel it was well worth it.”
FARGO, N.D. — While most North Dakota Guardsmen are war veterans, one holds a special distinction: He’s the last serving combat Vietnam War veteran in the North Dakota National Guard.
When Master Sgt. Alan K. Peterson, of West Fargo, N.D., retired Nov. 30, he ended an era in both the Army and Air National Guard in the state. There’s believed to be only one remaining Vietnam vet nationwide in the Air Force, and while it’s unknown, there are presumably very few left in the Army.
“Throughout his decades-long military career, Master Sgt. Peterson served this state and nation with honor and distinction, whether assisting his fellow citizens here at home or defending this great country in foreign lands,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “His retirement marks the end of an era for the North Dakota National Guard, bringing to a close the exemplary service and leadership of a generation of patriots who served in the Vietnam War. We are grateful to Master Sgt. Peterson and all of our Vietnam veterans for their noble and courageous service.”
During the ceremony, Peterson received the federal Meritorious Service Medal and North Dakota Legion of Merit, as well as several certificates, a commemorative musket, plaques, a host of letters wishing him well and a cased U.S. flag. His wife, Christie, also received a framed certificate of appreciation in honor of her support during her husband’s decades-long military career.
“Thank you for sharing Al with us all of these years,” Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, said to Peterson’s family during today’s retirement ceremony at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center. “As I said to Christie, it’s the family that really has the tough job when our Soldiers are called to war and called to duty.”
Setting Sail
After having seen the photos and trinkets his uncle brought back from his travels with the Navy, Peterson enlisted in the service’s delayed entry program shortly before graduating from Pine River, Minn., High School in 1970. The war in Vietnam was well under way by then, with involvement peaking the year prior with a half-million U.S. military personnel serving there. On April 28, 1971 — barely a year after graduating high school — Peterson found himself involved in the war, as well.
He first headed to the Philippines to fulfill a 90-day “mess cooking” stint — similar to the Army’s KP, or “kitchen patrol” — required for those ranked E-3 and below. After 60 days, he was attached to a ship and itching to get up top.
“I wanted to get on the flight deck — little extra money, you got hazardous duty pay and you got to work in the open air, which I enjoyed. I didn’t have enough seniority to do that,” he says.
He stayed in the airframes division for the length of that first, short cruise before an opportunity to apply for a plane captain spot in a line division presented itself. He got the job and was promoted to an E-4, or petty officer third class, which is a non-commissioned officer in the Navy. That made him second in charge in a squadron of 10 that managed 14 aircraft. In this role, he served on two additional cruises, working on the USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63.
Similar to a crew chief in the Army and Air Force, a plane captain in the Navy maintains and cleans the aircraft, monitors the work that’s done on it, helps the pilot into the cockpit, and conducts a preflight turnaround for the aircraft. Peterson also did maintenance turnarounds, which allowed him to sit in the aircraft while it was tied to the deck and operate the controls while it was being worked on.
Making Landfall
His time on the ship doing 30- to 40-day stints in the Gulf of Tonkin off of the Vietnam coast would be limited, though. Soon, Peterson was part of a group of 15 or so sent to shore in July 1972. For the next eight months, he stayed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base outside of Da Nang replacing tailhooks, patching holes and repairing landing gear on aircraft that couldn’t be recovered by the carrier ships.
“The amenities we have now days for creature comfort weren’t there at that time,” he says of his accommodations near Da Nang. “Any correspondence I had back home was letters, and usually that was about a two-week turnaround before I got one back.”
The workdays on land were shorter than the 14- to 16-hour shifts at sea, though. Peterson worked dawn to dusk with the open-air maintenance work ceasing at dark to prevent becoming a lighted target at night.
“When I look back at it, it was fun to get off the ship,” Peterson says. “Life on the ship was pretty monotonous after a fashion. Our close-circuit TVs were limited to what you could watch and there wasn’t many of those you could watch … so you read, laid in your rack, read books, (read) whatever you could get your hands on, walk around, actually run on the flight deck and do PT (physical training), too, to take up your time. Sleep. That’s about it.”
The berthing compartment where he slept differed greatly from the damp huts near Da Nang that were sunken 3-4 feet into the ground with hurricane fans blowing through at night. Other than the climate and extra amenities, his living conditions in the Iraq War three decades later would prove similar.
Navy to Army
When Peterson’s Navy stint concluded, the young war veteran did much the same as his peers in the 1970s: grew his hair long and sprouted a beard. By the end of the era, in February 1979, he was ready to don the uniform again, though.
“I still had a beard and long hair, and they told me, ‘You know, you’re going to have to cut that off.’ I guess it was time for a change,” he says.
He started as a combat engineer with the North Dakota Army National Guard’s unit in Hazen, N.D., while working in a coal mine in the area. His first platoon leader, Dennis Jacobson, still serves with the North Dakota National Guard, but now has two stars on his uniform.
After seven years as an engineer and traditional Guardsman, Peterson switched back into a maintenance job, but life outside of the Guard took a major downturn. The house he grew up in was engulfed in a fire, claiming his parents’ lives. Plus, work in the coal mine had slowed, and in December 1986 he received a 30-day notice for being laid off.
“That was a pretty tough year for me. I had a wife and three kids to take care of. What am I going to do?”
He drilled the weekend he received the layoff notice and saw a job posting for a maintenance position in Minot. He had his application submitted in a matter of days and before long embarked on a full-time career for the N.D. Guard, first in the Minot shop and later at the Fargo shop, from which he retired today.
In the years in between, he shared his knowledge as a maintenance supervisor, deployed to Iraq with the 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion, and developed a unique connection with his middle son, Joshua, who also deployed with him to Iraq in the same maintenance section.
“When I look back, (Vietnam) kind of set me up for the deployment to Iraq and what I experienced over there,” he says.
The one major difference? Coming home.
“(My son and I) sat together on the ride back and talked about the year we were gone and things that happened and how we would react. … It’s quite a different feeling when you get off the plane and all those people are lined up to greet you. It’s a lot to take in. … It wasn’t the same back during Vietnam. There was nobody. When I flew back and got out, it was just my parents there to greet me.”
Now, he’s looking back at both deployments along with a decades-long military career and pondering how he has already turned the mandatory retirement age of 60.
“Here now it’s my turn (to retire), and I say, ‘Wow, where did all those years go?’”
“I think the Guard for me has been a good choice. It has given me a direction in life and supported me quite well. I look back all the experiences that I have had and all the people that have either worked with or just crossed paths, and I feel it was well worth it.”
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