Richard P. Korsak
U.S. Army
Vietnam Veteran
Died 17 November 2003
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Bill Federer passed away last week after a valiant fight against cancer. I knew Bill in Saigon from 1963 to 1965 when we were at the American Community High School together¼he was my first boyfriend¼we stayed in touch until 1971.
Bill in Saigon while still a senior in High School - 1965
Bill returned to Vietnam, but this time in the Army¼he was eventually evacuated with hepatitis, and was never quite the same after.
But he loved Vietnam and the Vietnamese people¼he had learned a lot of Vietnameseand some of his best friends were little Vietnamese children to whom he talked wherever he went.
Bill in Vietnam in the Army
Bill fought this cancer with all his might, and in the end lost the fight. But he was so full of hope and had so much faith in whatever was awaiting him.
I know he is in a good place now, and he is not suffering anymore.
We have lost a bright shining star. A man who was full of curiosity, and had such an adventurous and warm spirit. He was such a good man, and was loved dearly by many.He leaves behind 2 daughters, a son and a grandson of which he was so proud.He also leaves behind a girlfriend he was just about to marry¼.
Your warm and loving spirit lives on in us Bill, and we who loved you will never forget. Thank you for the lessons you taught us on courage and faith.
I pray that when you see her it was almost 33 years after you.
May God have mercy on you both.
Love Your son
Lloyd H braye Jr. and my 5 sons
I would like to get in contact with his former teamatesfrom that div.; anyone who knew him well. I'd like tohear the stories and fotos; I have 2 old ones toexchange.
Every year, on his date of death in March, I try tohave a Mass said for his soul.
I miss him so much. He was a good and true friend.
please contact: Maureen Cawley Monteiro
Richard P. Korsak
U.S. Army
Vietnam Veteran
Died 17 November 2003
The last 8 years, I have walked the walked and talked the talk and made the journey through the Valley of Death with my husband, a death brought about by the ravages of Agent Orange, Lung cancer being the worst.
I have fought for his medical care through VA and been with Richard every step of the way. This year was the hardest, for we both knew the day to say good by "i will love you forever and a day" was fast approaching
Richard was a true Warrior and we did it his way, no hospice, no in home help, with only 2 pain pills a day at night, he wanted our last days, hours, minutes to not be clouded by narcotics. Richard lasted as long as he did for me, last Monday November 17, 2003 I told him it was not his time to worry about me.
Wednesday November 19, 2003, Richard was napping in his recliner I tried to wake him for his pills and I found my Warrior, My Lover, My Best friend, had made that final journey to that "I will love you forever and a day" place at the end of the trail.
Viet Nam has claimed another, Warrior....Dear God how I miss Richard. I know if I have half the courage he did, I will survive.
Thank you for having a web site for like you have, our Vets will never be forgotten.
With A Heavy Heart,
Leilani Korsak
email Leilani Korsak
There were times when I wondered if he might take his own life but thank God his family meant so much to him that he never did. Immediately after he passed three people whose lives he saved since Vietnam contacted me to tell me their stories. He was a true hero in every sense of the word. I'm sure the angels in heaven are singing "Welcome Home" to their brother.
Until we meet again dear Husband.
Your wife,
Shirlean
In Loving Memory of Richard B. Rinehart, 101st Airborne Division,
Born May 17, 1948 in Natick, MA, Passed On February 15, 1971, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam
Some people think, incorrectly and insensitively, that a five year old is "too young" to understand death or be impacted by it. That is a ridiculous rationalization by adults who perhaps are having such a hard time dealing with their own grief and confusion that they simply don't have the energy to address a child's. That was my situation. I wasn't even allowed to go to the funeral. I felt shut out from the whole grieving process. I went off to kindergarten while my big brother was buried. I had so many unanswered questions. It was just never discussed; it was as if he'd never existed, like we just had to close the door and pretend nothing happened. I wasn't raised in a religious family, so there were no comforting reassurances that he was now an angel watching over me, just a cold empty feeling. I did, however, believe his spirit still existed (although where I got that concept of Heaven or afterlife I don't recall) but what troubled me was that I didn't know if he knew I still existed.
-It's only now that I see the true effect Rich's death, and the lack of support after it, had on me - the night terrors and fear of being alone at night as a kid, depression, anxiety attacks, unhealthy relationships that I'd cling so as not to feel that pain of loss yet again. It was like I'd been frozen in time at that tragic moment. Now, after all these years, I think I'm beginning to thaw out. I realize I'm not alone in this experience - that other young kids also lost big brothers or fathers, even though at the time it seemed like I was the only one in the world. I know now that, of course he knows I exist. We had a pure, deep love for one another and that love never dies. It is the one and only relationship in my life that I have perfect, untainted memories of.
Just prior to being drafted, he was both working and going to junior college and yet he always, always had time for me. Even after a long day he'd be up for a "wrestling" match, which of course he'd let me win, or for watching "Speed Racer" or "Dark Shadows". Even though our time together was short, I'm thankful for it. He made me feel safe, loved, protected, and special. I'm glad that, since he wouldn't live to have children of his own, at least he got to experience that through me. I'm glad I made him laugh and made the last five years of his life more joyful as he made the first five years of mine.
Marlin L. Siegwalt
Captain, United States Air Force
KIA 30 October 1968
It has been 35 years since you left us, but you live on in all of those that you touched with your smile, your warmth and your love.
March 30 1937-October 30 1968
Dad loved to fly and flew over 25 different aircraft in his 25 year Air Force career. He volunteered for Vietnam and served with the 366th TFW "Gunfighters" flying F-4D missions with the 390th TFW "Wild Boars" from June 1968 to June 1969. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for heroism in Laos assisting with the rescue of a downed fighter pilot, and one week later was awrded a second DFC for serial heroism with taking out hostile bunkers so ground troops could advance.
I lost my Dad to cancer last May and sat with him as he took his final breath...when he did, a large piece of my heart went with him.
You will always be my hero Dad...I love you and miss you each and every day.
Till we see each other again on the other side...
Much Love,
Your very proud Son...
Troy
Pat earned the Purple Heart,Combat Action Ribbon,Presidential Unit Citation with 3 bronze stars, Merritorious unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam ServiceM edal with silver and bronze star, Gallantry Cross color with palm. civil actions color, 1st class with palm. Republic of Vietnam campaign medal.
Pat survived Vietnam only to face a life of P.T.S.D. and finally he fought his last battle, 100% service connected, with COPD. He always had a sense of humor. Even during his last weeks, he could make you smile.
I hope he knows how proud i was of him. Now his mind and body are finally at peace. He is buried at Eagle Point National Cemetary, Oregon. Semper FidelisHe would speak so little of Vietnam.
if anyone has any info please contact me at catlovrl@frontiernet.net
I Love you, Your wife Lori.
During his service with the First Field Force Vietnam Artillery, 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery, he was awarded the Bronze Star with combat V and the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his brother Thomas OÚRourke.
Regards,
Tom O'Rourke
Millersville, MD
e-mail: tom@tomtqo.com
I had lost contact with Larry and it was notuntil 1999, that we talked again. I tried unsuccessfully to talk him into a17th Artillery Reunion. Larry is survived by a sister, Pat Mammoser ofJoliet, IL. He became a Jehovah Witness late in life and left many friendsin Plano, TX, who will greatly miss Larry.
sent in by Jack Picciolo C Battery 2/17th FA 1965-66
I can not express enough gratitude for all veterans of all wars. When I was younger living at home I remember staying up late at night with my dad sleeping in his chair in the living room. I would be watching a war movie usually from the Vietnam War since my dad was a veteran him self. I would just stare at him with bewilderment as to why he would jurk and twitch so much when the shooting would start. I would always try to figure out as to why he would do that. Ever since then I have been curious about it, I never did say anything to my dad about it. Once and while my dad would talk about some of the things he seen over there, My heart would sink low in my chest and I wanted to cry from the sadness in his eyes. My dad was not the emotional type or show his feelings much, but I could see it in his eyes. Then I was too young to realize the true meaning of what he was telling me, but now that I'm older I realize what he meant.
I can only wonder what other kids went through when there parent was a veteran of the wars. I do not know how to express all of my feelings towards this, but just that it's there. I truly believe that people my age and younger and older, take for granted the rights they have. They need to realize all the dead and wounded could have been the dad, mom, brother ,sister, or grandparent. I truly get pissed off when somebody puts our veterans down for doing there job, they did not ask for the horror they seen and endured. I feel like reaching out and slapping the daylights out of them and asking them if they had any idea. Well I just wanted to let all veterans know that I'm grateful for what they have done for me, eve if it was before I was borne.
Again thank you for all that you have done and will do in the future!!!!!!!!
AN AMERICAN!
Uncle Milford returned from Vietnam shell-shocked and with jungle rot on both feet. He never married and settled in Las Vegas as a bartender. Uncle Milford died in late October of 1987 at the too-young age of 50. I helped my other uncle close up his apartment. I found the unopened Halloween card that I had sent him that year, it contained a picture of me and my husband on our wedding day. Uncle Milford had called me during our reception, apologizing again for not being able to make it but wanting to be sure I knew he was thinking of me. After his apartment was closed up, my mom flew down and she and my uncle drove Milford's ashes home.
Grandma and grandpa were alive when Milford died and it still hurts remembering how they cried. Grandma worried that he would not go to heaven because he did not attend mass regularly. Her priest assured her that "whatsoever you do to the least of my brother, that you do unto me" and by all accounts Uncle Milford went out of his way to help everyone. It brought her peace, she knew that she and grandpa had raised a good boy.
Uncle Milford did not talk about his service to our country other than to tell my grandparents that it was hell seeing your friends blown apart in front of you. When he visited my grandparents, they would sometimes awake to find him crouched down moving through the house, locked in a memory of the war.
I am so sorry for what Viet Nam cost each of our vets and their families. I think about and pray for all of you regularly.
God bless you,
J L Flynn
Illinois
My fatherhas given so much for his country like most veterans and then there weresome who gave all and now I feel like that is the category that he fallsinto. When my father left to go serve his country he left behind a newwife. The same wife who saw him end his life in front of her and now hashorrible images of husband who could not be heard last result. He tried tofit back in and tried to allow time to heal everything he had done and beenapart of but could not wash the blood from his hands. He suffered mentallyand physically.
Many years he dealt with the idea of suicide, agentorange, night sweats, violent sleep patterns, voices, the sight of vietcong, claustrophobia, shifty job patterns and finally cancer caused bychemicals he inhaled in the midst of battle. This did not stop with just himbecause my brother and I have had health problems which was tied to hisinvolvement in Vietnam. My dad wrote letters, went to doctors, got involvedwith various VVA organization with hope of finding help and for long awaitedproblems to be silenced and dealt with, but can you believe he never gotanswers just promises. We have spoke with several VVA offices and they allhave said he should have came here etc, he could have been receivingbenefits and counseling any help he would have needed we could have got itfor him.
I fail to believe this because of the trail of paper work andphone calls that remain without any assistance. I hurt daily for my fatherand the loss as well as my mother and brother and my 4 year old daughter whocan not understand where he went to so fast and how can she get to him. Doyou understand the pain of waking up everyday and trying to figure out whatis the nagging pain on your chest and then realizing it is a heart felt acheof the loss of a death that could have been avoided if someone would havejust listen? My father a good, good, good man a hero, a role model, ahusband, a grand-father, volunteer, a man who GAVE HIS ALL not just in namebut to anything he was a part of. He just could not shake what has beendeemed a "conflict" but I say by far a war. Conflicts are over after ashort period but war cont. to torment and rip away at root and this is whathas happen to every man and woman that has served. Sure he has medals andplaques and many pictures but what are these without him?
My father wasvery active in his local chapter of VVA and often had me to write poemsabout a war I did not fight only through his pain and suffering was I ableto pen the things that plagued these unsung heroes. I guess through him Iwas able to write so clearly and vividly that it made the nationalnewsletter back in the early 90's and that is a little to close to becomfortable.
I miss him , we all miss him REST IN PEACE, PAPA
from his daughter Tangi
My father died at the age of 29 supposedly from an accidental overdose of pain pills but i know he couldnt take it any more so it wasn't accidental. I am 30 years old now and he died on my 7th birthday 7/10/72. i know how hard it is for you and all the other children of vietnam veterans they were the lost soldiers who everyone forgets about but i will never forget my father ANTONIO A. HEREDIA SR., U.S. Army
Medal of heroism in 1969 antonio and his platoon were ambushed in the middle of the night by enemy forces and he was on watch . When they attacked there was no time to alert his brothers so he rushed to the m-60 and started to return fire. Subsequently he killed them all and was awarded a medal of heroism. You and all the other vietnam and all veterans are heroes, dad, and we are GREATFUL and soon we will all meet again.
I LOVE YOU POPS!!
Peace be with you
Antonio A. Heredia Jr.
Our Hero
Our love for you will never die,
We think of you and then we cry.
You served your country for 21 years,
Now you gone, you 'll have no more tears.
Your wife, our mom, Catherine, loved you the most,
This we know, so we will boost.
We promised you we would take care of mom,
The love you gave us made us strong.
You married mom with great controversy
We laid you to rest on your 45th wedding anniversary.
Joseph proudly served his country for 21 years. He was in Korea and Vietnam. We don't know much about his service days as we were very young and we weren't allowed to talk about it. After retiring from the U.S.A.F. he became a Deputy Sheriff for 23 years.
He was a great husband to Catherine. He had 6 children, adopted a granddaughter and raised his buddy, Josh. He had 12 grandchildren.
Joseph was a kind and caring person. We laid him to rest on April 16th, 2003, his 45th wedding anniversary. Joseph will be sadly missed by his wife, family and friends.
Tom Jr.
LTC Theofanous served 23 glorious years with the United States Army, beginning in Air Defense Arty and ending in Counterintelligence. He was awarded 17 medals, including the Bronze Star. He was presented the Gallantry Cross for Valor by South Vietnam President Thieu. He also worked directly with the directors of the DIA, CIA, FBI, and NSA.
Now that all the antiseptic information has been presented, I'd like to get to the heart of the matter.
My father held a lot of accomplishments over his lifetime. But the greatest was his influence over me. He showed me that he was not just a military man, but rather a compassionate and caring one as well. Every year - for over a decade - when the Moving Wall would visit us in Melbourne, Florida's annual Vietnam Veteran Reunion, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of Brevard, he and I would walk, may times - due to his failing health - arm in arm to visit panel 43E. Every year, he told me the same story; that of a young lieutenant under his command who was short, but insistent on leading a team on a very important mission. With great reluctance on my father's part, he gave in and approved the change in personnel. This team, originally slated to be led by my father, encountered intense enemy resistance and subsequently the lieutenant, who took my father's place, was killed by a mine.
Every year, the old wounds reopened and the guilt of his buddy's death returned to haunt him. Every year, I sat and cried with him and held him tightly and promised to honor the name on the wall who sacrificed his life that I may be here in freedom and love for a man whom I'd never met.
I cannot ever begin to express the amount of love my father and I had for each other. No man and son could ever be as close as we. On my father's deathbed, while he was desparately trying to breath, I again - if silently - promised him to continue paying homage in his name. This year, when the reunion again came around, I was uncertain whether I'd be able to go. I did as I'd promised. I returned to panel 43E and sat and thought my father and of this man whom I'd felt I'd known as a family member for many years and thanked him again. This time, I had no one to hold. I merely cried alone for the first time ever.
Thank you all for your sacrifices and may God grant you many years!
Gratiously,
George Theofanous
Very Proud Son of a Vietnam Vet
I don't know much about his tour in Nam. He was discharged in Nov 1968 andwe returned to his home town of Red Bank, NJ. I had also been in theservice as a medic and was stationed state side. We married in Clarksville,Tenn by the Justice of the Peace just prior to leaving the state. We had 5children when he died of a blood clot unexpectedly in Oct 1981, he wouldhave been 36 yrs old.
The children ranged in ages from 1-11yrs. Even though its been 20 yearssince his death, I can still see him in my minds eye, smiling, and I feel heguides me whenever Im in need. I would love to know more about his tour inNam, since I am on NJ State Council for VVA as VP. So many members inquirewhere he was in Nam, Im hoping someone out there will read this and getsback to me if they have any info or memories.
email to: widowlet@aol.com
He was a brave man who served his country without question. I only knewhim a little over two weeks when he was assigned to my platoon.However, I am sure we would have become very close friends had we moretime to serve together.
Please contact me through my private e-mail Bob Shearer
Thank you.
Bob Shearer,
Western NY.
Formerly SSG 4-6 Mike.
I would like to find someone, anyone, who knew him and was there. This has been a monkey on my back for many years, and I must know what happened. If not that, at least what he was like, whether he is remembered by his comrades in arms, and who he was at the end.
I was 7 when he died, and was alone at home with my Mom when the news came. I remember my mother bravely gathering the family from their jobs and school, the pastor, the neighbors, the grief. I am now 41 years old, and was his little brother. he sent me a hand grenade pin, and a sketch of a gung ho army Private walking into a punji pit, with his fist in the air. He inscribed the sketch, "This is how they want us to be!".
I have a dozen or so of his sketches and paintings from high school and the 1 year of college he attended before being drafted. There is a bag of medals that my older sister and brother keep. I have his Prom picture, his High School ID, and his 1st drivers permit. It expires in December of 1968, and for some reason that breaks my heart. He looks so young but I remember him as a grown man - he'll always be older, wiser, in my memory - but he was just a kid, a point I passed so very long ago.
I recently read letters from Viet Nam that he wrote, hidden by my Mom for years, in which he asked my parents to contact girls he'd cared about, asked about my sister and me, wanted to come home. I am hopeful that someone can help us know what happened to him or tell us something beyond "small arms fire".
Last year I had an opportunity to see the wall in D.C. I thought I was a fairly strong man, and that it would be just a tribute and a slightly difficult remembrance. It was devastating to see his name there in the black stone among the thousands of others, and I broke down. I remember that one of the veterans at the memorial asked me what Battalion, what company, what division, because he'd been there at the same time, and the name sounded familiar. I couldn't remember the Company, the Battalion - just 7th cavalry. The guy looked at me sadly, as though he had something to tell me but wanted to be sure. I have regretted not knowing the specifics of my brother on that day, and I feel I missed something important. I just didn't grasp the significance - I was on a business trip and it was a sidebar to even be there...now I know that the Wall was the reason I was in D.C., the job was just the vehicle that brought me there.
I dream of him, I remember him. I can even hear his voice across 34 years, although he was then what I think of as a child now. I feel he is with me, and I must know what happened to my brother Mike.
Here is his information from the wall:
--- General / Personal --- Last name: WELCHFirst name: MICHAEL ALLENHome of Record (official): CROCKETTState (official): CADate of Birth: Friday, December 14, 1945Sex: MaleRace: CaucasianMarital Status: Single--- Military --- Branch: ArmyRank: CPLSerial Number: 56426263Component: Selective ServicePosthumous promotion as indicatedPay grade: E3MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B10Major Organization: 1st Cavalry Div --- Action --- Start of Tour: Wednesday, December 7, 1966Date of Casualty: Saturday, April 8, 1967Age at time of loss: 21Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, diedReason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)Country: South VietnamProvince: Binh DinhThe Wall: Panel 18E - Row 001-------------------------------------Thank you for your kind assistance, please feel free to contact me at Paul Allee or this alternate email address
Warmest Regards,
Paul Allee
(Our last names are different because we had different fathers. His maternal father left long before I was born, and my blood father raised Mike and my other older brother from that same marriage, Steve. Edward Allee - our Dad - still grieves and wonders what became of his oldest son.)
I would like to add my husband to your taps list. He died with Agent Orange related cancer on Dec. 1, 1997.
My husband, Ronald D. (Snotty) Snodgrass was stationed in Nah Be and Bien Thuy from April 1970 - April 1971. He was an E/5 in the Navy and served as an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy. I have also added a poem I wrote in his honor.
Thank you,
Joyce Snodgrass
There is no place upon the wall
For one who gave his life for all.
Agent Orange in far away lands
Put a Sailor in the Good Lord's hands.
Many years he screamed within
Not knowing that his life must end.
He was called and served his country well,
Experiences....he would never tell.
Ten, Twenty, Thirty years
A silent killer brought us tears.
Even on the eve of death
Regret was never on his breath.
He gave his life for one and all,
But there is no room upon the wall.
Joyce LaVerne Snodgrass
Benita, Todd, Tara, Tracy and Tim.
"Semper Fi" OOH-RAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
semper fi from former marine r.t. wright
my e mail is hulen@yahoo.com
Sometimes we would go across the street to Aunt Gert's house and sit on her front porch gliders instead and play silly games like Truth or Dare or tell "secrets".
Terry and Lynda had graduated from high school. I was not quite ten that summer.
Terry had red hair and he laughed a lot. He really seemed to like us bratty kids and never appeared to mind that we hung around so much. He even laughed the night I whispered in his ear during a round of secrets that Elsie, Lynda's mother, didn't like red hair. I have no idea to this day whether that was true or not. I do remember that my mother punished me for saying it.
In December 1968, Terry was sent off to Vietnam. In early February 1969, ten short weeks later, Terry was killed. I lay awake for hours the night my mother told me he had died and for many nights after, my ten year old mind trying to imagine what had happened to him in that far away jungle. I never heard Lynda play the guitar again. We never sang another song together.
I don't recall when Terry slipped off the radar of my nighttime musings. I was probably in eighth or ninth grade. Lynda married someone else about that time. Just before she got married, she took me to the house she would be living in for dinner one night. While I helped her polish a brass headboard I remember asking her how she could love someone else and if it meant that she didn't love Terry anymore. I am dismayed to realize now that I don't remember what she said to me, but I was satisfied with her answer at the time.
During my senior year of high school, I developed an interest in photography. I started scouring cemeteries, taking hundreds of black and white pictures of headstones that caught my eye for whatever reason. One sunny, warm afternoon I glanced to my right while walking between a row of headstones and saw Terry's name. My parents did not attend his funeral. Until that moment, I had no idea where he had been buried. I had never thought about his funeral, just about the moment he had been killed, frozen in time.
At odd moments over the 27 years since that day, Terry has flitted around the edges of my consciousness. Whenever I hear one of the songs we used to sing together; every time a song about the war is played on the radio; when I see someone who has the same red hair.
Several years ago I took my son to Washington, DC for a day. It was the first time I had ever been to the Vietnam Memorial Wall. As I gazed upon the long gray surfaces, etched with the names of the 58,229 young men and women who were sacrificed, I was shaken by realization that Terry was the only person I knew who went to Vietnam, living or dead. My entire experience of the most turbulent era of the 20th century, the era of my childhood, had been shaped by one person; a person about whom I know very little.
I have searched numerous sites like this one and have not been able to find any memorial to Terry. He was an only child and his parents were devastated. I do not know if they are still living at this time. So I am making it a mission of my own to make sure he is not forgotten.
If anyone remembers Terry, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me at gmiller@jhmi.edu .
God Bless
" I LOVE YOU MORE"
YOUR SISTER,
LUCY
PLEASE, ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE KNOWN MY BROTHER BRIAN IN VIETNAM PLEASE CONTACT ME @ rusty@panax.com
BRIAN SERVED IN VIETNAM AS LEADER OF HIS PLATOON, FROM JAN. 25 '69 TO MARCH 18' '70
DIED ON OCTOBER 15, 1969KILLED BY MORTAR ATTACK
Born in Ridgeway, Henry County, Virginia July 2, 1948. Buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Ridgeway.
Please help me if you can, locate anyone who may have served with him.
Thank you for any assistance that you can provide me.
His loving sister always,
Donna Seay-Cottrell
HE WAS THE NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER FOR THE DISABLED VETERANS OF VERMONT FOR 12 YEARS.HE WAS THE ONE WHO STARTED THE PROJECT FOR THE VIETNAM VETERANS HIGHWAY IN VERMONT, THE HANDICAP PLATES FOR VETERANS, THE VITENAM MEMORIAL IN SHARON VERMONT, AND THE FIRST EVER HOMECOMING FOR VIETNAM VETERANS IN NORWICH VERMONT.
HE WAS WITH THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION AND SERVED TWO TERMS IN VIETNAM 1966-1969,
THANK YOU
FRANCES M, CORCORAN
cfranieo@aol.com
Franieo
Last Saturday, he died from the effects of that war. He suffered frompulmonary fibrosis and diabetes. Both related to agent orange. He diedlike a true soldier that he was. He will be greatly missed by his familyand friends.
I wrote this poem for my father and all Vietnam Vets who are still sufferingfrom that time. I hope that you will share it. I thank all for what theydid. I am sorry what has not happened for them.
Another soldier is wounded today
Not by a bullet tearing his flesh
Nor by a mortar exploding nearby
But by a chemical of a warfare gone by
In a war, that was not a war
In a war where there was never a hero's welcome
Only a growing tolerance from a nation
for those who unquestionly served their country
What of this soldier?
He served as a Green Beret with honor and dignity
He survived...unlike so many others
He continued to support a nation who did not support him
when he needed it the most
He continued to salut a flag that draped more than 58,000 bodies
whose names are on a black wall...men and women
who are still waiting to be called heroes
He never complained or expressed the disappointment
for a country he loved so well
But as he laid dying from his wounds of this long ago war,
He ould only look back on a life and know he was never a hero to this
nation, but like a good solider he did his duty and did it well
So forgotten, this wounded man is no more
Another solider, not A Hero, died today.
Best regards,
Robin Sing
I consider him my guardian angel while I serve in the U.S. Army and more so when I go overseas.
His niece,
Andrea M. Neutzling
PV2 U.S. Army
andrea.m.neutzling@us.army.mil
He was a changed man after coming home according to most people that knew him before leaving for Vietnam. He was awarded many medals and decorations including the Air Medal, RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with at least 4 battle stars. Both him and neighbor (a Korean and Vietnam Vet) would swap stories about things that happened while "in country" which my brother and I listened to but not understanding. My brother and I would understand years later having both served in the U.S. Army during the Persian Gulf War.
He would rarely if ever talk to us about what happened, he was very withdrawn. He is finally at rest with his demons from the war. Though he died alone, I know that he is with his buddies that he could never forget though their names sometime escaped him. He is missed by his children. He is interred at the National Military Cemetery in Florida.
Love, your oldest son-David
If you knew or served with James Operacz, please contact David Operacz
We played cards, duck hunted, XC ski and just enjoyed each others company. He is missed by many and I thank you for posting this. Steve has been gone now for eight or so years.I am proud to have been his friend
Irwin Shattuck
USN 71-75
USS Bradley DE 1041
He is greatly missed.Dad is buried in the Florida National Cemetary.
His Daughter,
Diane
" I LOVE YOU MORE"
YOUR SISTER,
LUCY
PLEASE, ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE KNOWN MY BROTHER BRIAN IN VIETNAM PLEASE CONTACT ME @ rusty@panax.com
BRIAN SERVED IN VIETNAM AS LEADER OF HIS PLATOON, FROM JAN. 25 '69 TO MARCH 18' '70
Goodbye dearJigs....
¨Jigs· (Doc Weldon) passed away on November 22, 2002 after a long illness inChieng Rai, Thailand.
Dr. Charles Weldon worked with the Hmong refugees in Laosfrom 1963 to 1974 and ¨was in charge of the remote, primitive, bamboo andthatch hospitals, and the clandestine schools with bootleg teachers thatprovided the only moral and physical support to these people in their struggleagainst overwhelming odds·.
Tragedy in Paradise: A countrydoctor at war in Laos.
It seemed as if we have been having nothing but lousy weatherhere in Northern Virginia recently. On only two occasions within the pasttwo weeks have we experienced the sun. On both of those occasions, Ihave put on my old navy blues to attend the funeral services for fellowVietnam Vets.
When I decided to go to the services today, I felt a bit strangebecause I didn't believe that I had known Lynda very well. I was wrong!I had talked to her over the phone a couple of times a few years agoabout some info on the VVHP Bookshelf on her books. I was also aware ofher outstanding work in the VVA and the she had helped many of the Namnurses and other veterans find their way into recovery programs.However, I believed that my trip today was more to honor a fellow Vietnamveteran than say good bye to a friend.
Prior to the services, I had wondered a bit about why Lynda wasnot being laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery. My answer came during theservice with the ministers first words. When Lynda mustered out of themilitary after her tour in Nam, she was told that as a combat nurse, shewould be eligible for a full military burial service at ArlingtonCemetery with flag, military honor guard and 21 gun salute. Her responsewas that they could give her the flag to put on her coffin, she earnedthat. However, she had seen enough damage caused by guns in her life andwanted doves instead of guns at her funeral. She had in fact, plannedher own service at that moment, those long years ago.
- The funeral started outside the Church with the release of 21white doves that promptly circled over the church 2 or 3 times as ifsaying good-bye and then flew off into a beautiful sunlight sky.
While no funeral service is ever a happy occasion, this one came asclose as I've ever seen in my life. This was not the typical somberveterans service. In truth, it was magnificent. It was full of laughterat Lynda's antics over the years, of wonderful memories of some thepeople she had helped in her life, of children singing and a finalbeautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" sung by her lovely teenagedaughter (and what a voice that kid has). It was truly a celebration ofher life, which was much much more than I had ever known or expected.
When visiting the casket in the Funeral Home prior to the service, Ihad not recognized Lynda. It was only when I entered the church and washanded the program that my heart skipped a beat. There on the cover ofthe program was a photograph of the same smiling lady that I had spent somany hours working with on AA service programs years ago. The samedetermined lady that I had lost many arguments with, or moreappropriately, the same lady who had always brought me around to her wayof thinking about what was right with respect to helping other people. Ihad indeed come to say good bye to a friend, and a friend that I hadlearned much from.
I hope that as a soldier, Lynda would not mind that I offer the oldnavy send off. Lynda, may you always find fair winds and followingseas........
Steve Robbins, RMC(AC), USNR, Ret.
Project Jenny / Airborne Radio & TV Broadcast
Blue Eagle III (131641) / Saigon 66 / AFVN-THVN TV
Blue Eagle I (131627) / DaNang 67-69 / SOG PSYOPS Radio
http://www.afvn.tv/ProjectJenny/index.html
From a press release by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
Subject: AMERICA MOURNS THE LOSS OF Lynda VAN DEVANTER
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release November 15, 2002 No. 02-27
(301) 585-4000 Contact: Mokie Porter
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA MOURNS THE LOSS OF LYNDA VAN DEVANTER
-------------------------------------------------
(Washington, D.C) - Lynda Van Devanter, one of the nation's foremost women's veterans advocates, died November 15, at her home in Herndon, Virginia, after a long illness. "This is an extremely sad occasion," said Thomas H. Corey, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). "Lynda was a giant in the field of veterans affairs. She was a forceful and effective advocate for all veterans. She was a valued friend, a devoted colleague, an accomplished nurse, and a loving mother and wife. She will be missed terribly."
Lynda Van Devanter, who was born in 1947, served as a U.S. Army nurse at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku from 1969-70. In 1979, a year after the founding of Vietnam Veterans of America, she helped launch and became the head of VVA's Women's Project. She also began counseling other Vietnam veterans and conducting seminars around the country.
In 1983, she wrote a highly acclaimed memoir, Home Before Morning, which was reissued in 2002. "Lynda's book stands as one of the most powerful, evocative, and influential Vietnam War memoirs," said Marc Leepson, the arts editor of VVA's national newspaper, The VVA Veteran. "Home Before Morning" changed people's attitudes about the women who served in the Vietnam War, especially the nurses who faced the brutality of the war every day and whose service was all but ignored during the war and in the years immediately after."
Vietnam Veterans of America honored Lynda Van Devanter with its Excellence in the Arts Award in 1987 and with the VVA Commendation Medal in March of 2002. "It was the least we could do to recognize what Lynda has done for America's veterans. She truly exemplified our motto, 'In Service to America.' Her loss is a tragedy for her family and for all Americans who care about veterans,"said Corey. ### Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another."
Vietnam Veterans of America ¸
8605 Cameron Street, Suite 400 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3710
301-585-4000, Fax 301-585-0519, 1-800-VVA-1316
Copyright ÷ 2002 by the Vietnam Veterans of America. All rights reserved.
Lynda Wrote This for the NamNews in 1987
He wrote me a poem in 67 i was only 10. he wrote it 3 mo. before he died .
I WAS ONLY EIGHTYEARS OLD WHEN MY BROTHER WAS KILLED IN NAM.HIS NAMEIS LONNIE THOMAS PARKER.I CAN REMEMBER HIM EVEN THOUGHI WAS YOUNG AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THE DAY THEY CAMETO TELL US HE HAD BEEN KILLED ITS LIKE IT WAS JUSTYESTERDAY.THERE WAS SO MANY LIFES TAKEN AT THAT TIME.
MY BROTHER WENT INTO THE ARMY ON HIS OWN, I CANREMEMBER HIM SAYING THAT HE WANTED TO HELP SAVE HISCOUNTRY AND WHICH HE TRIED TO DO.HE WAS THE OLDEST OUTOF SIX CHILDREN,HE WAS ALSO ENGAGED AND HAD PLANNED ONGETTING MARRIED ON HIS NEXT TRIP HOME WHICH WOULD HAVEBEEN TWO WEEKS FROM THE DAY HE WAS KILLED.I AM PROUDTO SAY THAT VETERNS DAY MEANS ALOT TO ME AS IT SHOULDTO OTHERS,BUT FOR SOME ITS JUST ANOTHER DAY.
FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS I HAVE HAD A VETERNS DAYPROGRAM THRU MY JOB IN THE COMMUNITY,I AM PROUD TO SAYTHAT I ALWAYS HAD ATTENDANCE OF OVER FIVE HUNDREDPEOPLE,VETS,AND NON VETS AND FAMILES TO ATTEND.AGAIN I AM PROUD TO KNOW THERE IS A SITE TO GO TO NOWTO SEE THE WALL WILL BE SURE TO PASS THE SITE ALONG TOOTHERS.THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MYHEART.I HOPE TO GO BACK TO THE WALL ONE DAY SOON,BUTIF I DONT MAKE IT I KNOW I CAN SEE IT HERE NOW
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
A SISTER TO LONNIE THOMAS PARKER
He was raised by an aunt who is now deceased. As far as I am aware there is no one to remember him. He lived just down the road from me. He and I started school together in the 1st grade and graduated together. From what I can gather, his aunt was not very kind to him.
When he was a very small child, he was attacked by a wild boar hog( the kind with long tushes, teeth if you're not a country boy) and was cut terribly, barely surviving. To say the least, he lived a hard life and I cannot bear the thought of no one to remember him. So, if at all possible, can you include this remembrance of my classmate and friend, Edward Coe Beckwith.
Your friend, Mary Ruth
God only knows how he is missed by all of us each and everyday. You can view his memorial site at this link.
I am a friend of Richard Rohde, former Marine, mid-1970s, and am trying to reach some of his Vietnam Vet friends and colleagues. Richard and I worked closely together while he was doing his doctoral dissertation on PTSD among vets, and he helped me on a paper concerning memorializing battle sites, etc. We remained close.
I am very sad to report that Richard passed away in his sleep the morning of Sept 5, 2002. He was born Feb 28, 1955. I am sorry, I do not yet know his Marine unit. Richard had a rather rough patch of it for a while before his death. His cremated remains were placed, with Marine honors, at the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific at Punchbowl on September 12th, Wall 5, bank B. He is survived by his wife, Beverlyn and daughters Elaine and Layla.
I believe he would want his many vet friends to be informed. If anyone needs further communication, I will be happy to help as best I can. Thank you.
With Aloha,
Bion Griffin
Associate Dean
College of Social Sciences
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
HE WAS MY BROTHER-IN-LAW-----UNDER WEST VA I DID NOT SEE HIS NAME----THANKS FOR THESE PAGES OF REMEMBRANCE----THE TRAVELING WALL WAS IN LOGAN WEST VA LAST WEEK-END AND I GOT THE CHANCE TO PAY RESPECT TOO OUR FALLEN HEROS-----
LETHA BUTCHER----BEST WISHES AND PRAYERS
23 YEARS YOUNG, WE WERE CLASSMATES IN GREENSBORO, GEORGIA. HE WAS A WONDERFUL, GOOD PERSON, ALWAYS SMILING, HAPPY, HAD A KIND WORD FOR EVERYONE. I KNOW HE WAS A CHRISTIAN PERSON. ALL HIS FAMILY HAS PASSED AWAY EXCEPT FOR ONE BROTHER UNLESS HE MAY HAVE AUNTS OR UNCLES I DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
HE MAY NEVER GET ANOTHER TRIBUTE ON THIS EARTH OR ON THIS WEBSITE BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR THE PRICE HE PAID IN HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY HE LOVED SO MUCH.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, MY FRIEND, I WILL NOT FORGET YOU EVER.
YOUR FRIEND PATRICIA GILLESPIE
YOU ARE MISSED MY FRIEND AND SOMEDAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN. YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE WITHOUT PAIN
YOUR FRIEND CLIFF. ( SPOONER)
Ben passed away on 1 September after a battle with lung cancer. The lungcancer had spread to his brain, bones, pancreas, liver, and the inside ofhis body wall.
He never spoke of his years of service to his children. They never knewthe hell he went through in defense of his country and their freedom untilhis funeral service.
I will miss him as my older brother, my tormentor, my confidant, myco-conspirator.
Ben, may you finally rest in peace.
Semper Fi!
Your Sister,
Maggie
If anyone served with him please contact me at rachealjeanrean@aol.com
submitted by his brother Ray Coveny
I don't know if Larry ever knew how proud of him I was when he enlistedin the Navy. Both of our parents served in the Navy during World WarII; part of Dad's enlistment was served in the Pacific as a gunner in abomber squadron. I was in junior high school at the timeof hisenlistment, and I remember several of my girlfriends had crushes on him-- we looked nothing alike, he and I: He was tall with sandy brown hairback then, I was short with dark brown hair.
I remember one time in particular when he came home on leave in 1967,between Vietnam tours, and we went to a football home game at RedfordHigh School in Detroit, Michigan. He was very tan at the time fromworking outdoors, his hair bleached very blond from the sun, and wasdressed in his "greens". The Huskies won (of course!), going on tobecome West side champs that year. I sure was popular the next few daysat school, everyone wondering who the "cute guy" was!
I didn't know until years later that he'd had a chance meeting "InCountry" in April that year (right around my birthday) with a highschool friend of his, Gary Scovill, who was in the Marines. Gary waskilled about a week after their meeting.
That high school football game we attended together in 1967 has come totake on new meaning for me since then, as if that by going, Larry'spresence there was meant for Gary's benefit, too. By coincidence orfate, in my high school yearbook for the Redford Class of 1968, there isa cropped photo of the crowd taken at that game, and Larry (in hisgreens) is clearly visible in it, along with Elaine, my best friend atthe time, and me.
We were one of the fortunate families waiting at home, because Larrycame back to us again, but between he and I, four of our friends didn'tcome home: Robert Allen Strange and Gary Alan Scovill, both in 1967,and Donald Gary Kuzilla and William Bert Cleverley, both in 1970.
Larry married the former Carolyn Smith and together have three wonderfulchildren: Matt, Heather and Michael. I love them dearly. We had afamily reunion, of sorts, in January 2000 to celebrate Heather'smarriage, and we'd planned another for the end of May that year tocelebrate Matt's marriage as well.
Larry was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in mid March 2000, but itspread too rapidly...he lost his battle just twelve days before Matt andMaricela's wedding.
He is sorely missed by his extended family, but we are grateful to havehad him with us for as long as we did. One day we'll all be togetheragain.
He was a Vietnam Vet who proudly served his country. The flag was given to his son just before the 21-gun salute of which I hold dear to me a shell casing. Then the woeful sound of that lonely trumpet playing "TAPS" filled the air on that beautiful yet sad day.
We all know that he is up above watching over us and patiently waiting for us to one day join him in eternal bliss.
Sincerely,
Angela M. Strickland
There is a very nice tribute to Kenneth Posted Here . Please visit this memorial and then come back to the Taps Gallery
His name: HERBERT TEAGUE,date of birth 6/23/47. He was a good soldier & a wonderful son brother & father..we will miss him..
if anyone has Army stories about him..PLEASE email me at:solitude@sch-net.com
Ruby
In Memory of
Lonny R. Richie
Marine Corps MOS: 2142
Vietnam Veteran
April 13, 1948 - April 19, 1995
My Father In Law and Friend. Lonny was a loving father and grandfather. Always the life of the party. Anyone who knew him was the better for it. He lived with the terrible memories of the war for many years. PTSD haunted him until the end. We all miss him very much, but realize he is finally in peace. He never told me much about his tour in Nam and I didn't ask too many questions because of the anguish it would bring him. I grew to Love him dearly in the years we had. I will miss you my friend. God Bless Us All.
Sincerely,
Joe Barth
His name and rank is 1st Lt. Jacob L Kinser. March 25 of that year was my 7th birthday.
You see my parents divorced before my father joined the army and my mother has never wanted to talk about it. My father was one of twelve children, however, my aunts and uncles all tell me to let it go. I guess what I am wasting your time in asking is¬ is there some way to find out who he was close to over there, and could anyone tell me about him and what he was really like? I have a half brother who is now 32 yrs. Old and I have seen him once, (when I was 16) . Jacob Jr. who never met our father.
I suppose if I were able to find out about our father, I would be able to say goodbye, which is what really has tormented me for 32 years, never having been able to say goodbye! I of course have moved on and am the mother of 5 children Ç a 20 yr old girl, who is in the army reserves, she is an M.P. just like her grandfather, twin 18 year old boys, the oldest of these his namesake, also in the reserves, the other will be going into the Navy July 3 of this year, also two other girls one 14 and one 10.
So, you see I have moved on, as I know my father, my hero would have wanted; but I never got the chance to say goodbye.
Thank you again for taking the time to read my ramblings, and God Bless you and the rest of our Heroés who fought the fight!
Sincerely;
Kimberly Lynn Kinser- Simpson
Looking for any one who has knowledge of Ed during his time in Vietnam. According to what I've read, he was killed by multiple frag wounds due to hostile ground fire on 6/10/68, in or around Bien Hoa. He was promoted to E/5 after his death.
He was my childhood friend. His mother would still like to know all that she could while he was in country. She desires to know all the facts concerning his death. She is a survivor too. If there is anyone out there who can help us, please do?
I was there in 69.
E.R. Cunniff
email E.R. Cunniff
Thank you,
Don Lopez
Sonoma State University
He served 2 possibly 3 tours in Viet Nam with US Army. He was being treated for Post Tramatic Disorder but died from lung cancer that metasizied to his bones & liver( Agent Orange related). He had also been diagnosed with a brain aneyrsm.
Bud loved his country & served it well. Bud was the oldest boy in his family, second oldest child of eight. He & I had 8 years of marriage, 9 years together. I would not have passed that time up with him for anything. He was a pleasure to be with, we had great fun together & a great love & admiration for each other. I did not know what all he went through in Viet Nam, he did not talk about it, & I did not ask, I figured if he wanted to tell me he would. I knew it had been a rough time. Since he has passed away, I have read his medical & personnel file, it is not pretty what these guys had to go through. I love & respect him more for what he endured for our country & us
Bud, I hope you are at peace now & having the best time hunting & fishing, catching those "Angel Fish" as Laura says.
Bud, you are greatly missed by all of us who knew & loved you.
We Love You
Gail, Dustin, Joseph, Laura, Pam, Wanda, Karen, Larry, Bobby, Pat, Shawn, Mom & Dad Hinton, Cheryl, Dan, Cyndi, Bruce, Chris, Uncle Richard, Cousin Dan
Written by his sister, Mary
I wrote the following in April, 1999. It was printed in The Oregonian in July 1999.
It's amazing how quickly 31 years can be erased. I hang up the phone and close my eyes. The memories come flooding back. Suddenly I'm 15 again, in Wisconsin. It's February 27, 1968.
Mom and I are in the kitchen washing supper dishes, laughing and talking, Dad and my little brother are in the living room watching TV. There's a knock at the back door and at first we don't hear it because the TV is on loud. I dry my hands and head for the door as they knock again.
It's not the blast of cold air that makes me freeze when I open the door. I see Navy uniforms and a Navy car. Official. Two men are standing there. They don't smile. One has a paper in his hands and he looks at it and back at me and back at the paper. He asks if my mother or father are home. He needs to speak to them. I can hardly breathe. I look at both of them but neither quite looks me in the eye. I say "Yes, just a minute." As I walk back to the kitchen something in me knows things will never be right again.
"Mom, the Navy is here." She stops smiling. Wiping her hands, she heads to the back door. My dad didn't hear me so I go and shut off the TV and stand in front of it. "The Navy is here." Dad and Tom head for the door and I go back to the kitchen. Maybe if I finish the dishes, if I don't go back there, this won't be happening. If I wash this one plate, they'll come back saying it was all a mistake. Wrong address, wrong name. If I wait one more minute... But I still hear voices. I put the towel down and walk back to the door. The Navy officers have taken their hats off. I think, that was nice of them. The one with the paper is holding it out a little and his hands are shaking. I think, he doesn't want to be here, we don't want him to be here, why don't they just go away and we can pretend they never were here. Why can't they just go away. Then I hear him. "...his plane was shot down. They don't think he was able to get out because of his wounds." Between the sound of my heart beating and the sound of my breathing I hear other things. "...enemy fire...took a direct hit...severely wounded...missing...very sorry...when we hear anything else...".
In a few minutes I watch them leave. I watch them get in their car. I watch them drive away. In the kitchen Mom sits at the table not looking at anything, the towel still in her hands. Dad and Tom sort of stand there, unsure of what to do now. At the sink I concentrate on finishing the dishes. And in the heavy silence I think, John, you have to come home, you promised me. John, you promised me.
In a few days the telegrams start coming. "We regret to inform you...missing, presumed dead...body not recovered..."
I open my eyes and I'm back in Portland. But once again I feel the hurt as if it were yesterday, again I feel so lonely and alone.In January 1999 the Navy informed my family that John's remains have been found and positively identified.
There will be a military funeral for him in July in Wisconsin. His ashes will be buried at my mother's grave.
Finally, my brother will be home, as he promised.
My uncle John was a career soldier......Army all the way. He is the reason I joined the US Army back in 1977. He served in Korea and served two tours in Vietnam. He turned down a promotion to SGM because he would have had to take a desk job, which he didn't want. He died of cancer, which was related to exposure to agent orange. He died on Feb. 2 just a couple of days before his first disability check came through.
If anyone knew my uncle John and can tell me about him when he was in the Army, please contact me at isabella758@hotmail.com
. Thank you for this page, so we can finally make a memorial to him.
You are at peace with family, friends, buddiesfrom the war, and I know that you are still watching over those of us thatyou left behind. I salute you with a final "SEMPER FI".
(My dad took his own life on January 31st 1995. I was only a junior inhigh school and had no idea what my father had been trying to put out of hismind for so many years. God Bless all the Vietnam Veterans!)
Love Always,
Your Daughter,
After graduating from Sexton High School in 1962, Pat worked atOldsmobile before and after his military service for 15 years. Heenlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and valiantly served his country withtwo tours in Vietnam (1963-1965) as a Sergeant E5 in the U.S. Marine 3rdRecon, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Division FMF.
A staunch democrat, he served his community as Ingham CountyCommissioner from 1973-1979. Pat was instrumental in the building anddevelopment of the Ingham County Medical Care Facility. A tirelessdefender of the underprivileged, Pat worked with Caesar Chavez toorganize the grape boycott in Michigan.
A U.S. Postal employee and antagonist, he would refer to himself as aPirate. Pat was known by his family and friends as the King of Ireland;Cowboy; Racer and Collector of Motorcycles; Lover of Triumphs; TheMaster of Wretched Excess; Delightful Storyteller and Farmer. He had awonderful sense of humor and consistently encouraged adventurousbehavior, creative solutions and boisterous laughter from those heloved. An unparalleled friend, Pat is a legend in the hearts of thosewho loved him.
The family requests that friends share photographs and record favoritestories and memories of Pat for his children's remembrance.
Charitable contributions may be made in Pat's name to the GreaterLansing Food Bank, P.O. Box 16224, Lansing, Michigan 48901.
Thank you for remembering Gary.
Sincerely,
JoyFarley
He comitted suicide last month and I believe in the way that he did it he truly never left Vietnam. My father did not have a high tolerance for pain and so I think that his guilt hurt him so deep inside because he loved his baby girl with every ounce of his being, but he couldn't tolerate the pain anymore. The only hell story I ever heard was when they went down to pick up people and everyone was shot and he had to fly the helicopter out himself. But he left behind his heart along with many wounded.
The only thing anyone ever got from Vietnam was pain and sorrow. Vietnam took my dad. His Grandchildren are beautiful gifts he will never treasure.
And I hope to see him someday to smell his Old Spice aftershave and tell him that I love him.
His Baby Girl
Erin
If anyone knew Pat, or knowsanything about these missions, please contact his family atsbedgood@madonia.com
Edward was a quiet person, reserved and to himself. He was not an emotional man, but he had a way of letting you know he cared. I knew when he called me "Little Girl". Something he said to me a few days before he died. Meant more to me than ANYTHING anyone could say. I tell you this, remembering a trip the family took to see the moving wall. What I saw there was unexpected to say the least. Edward knelt before a name on the wall and began to cry. This coming from a man that DID NOT under any circumstance show emotions, made tears come to my eyes. From that day forward, I looked at him in a different light.
To Edward,
No one can ever take YOUR place in OUR hearts. We didnt express our feelings to you often but in my heart, I know you knew we loved you. You were the foundation of our family and the PAW PAW ever child wishes for. Save a place for us. We will see you soon.
Eleece Brunson
daughter in law of Edward Brunson ("Mr.Ed")
brunsone@prodigy.net
If anyone knew my brother during his years of service I would love to hear from you. You can email me at EMitten91@aol.com Maybe I can learn more about the brother I loved but was to young to know and understand.
Thanks,
Lisa Mitten
If anyone knew him please send e-mail at Victor Villalobos
Here is a copy of his Silver Star citation.
For service as set forth in the following CITATION:
H. W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
He was supposed to be in Hawaii on R&R that week but had been "bumped" from the list. He was killed on his wife's 21st birthday.
Our parents are still alive (both 80 years old and missing him terribly) and we hope someone remembers Ron and can get back to us. If you spent time with him and remember him, please let us know. You can communicate with me at grandma_3@ivillage.com.
Ron has a nephew and 2 nieces, and 2 great-nephews (one of whom is his namesake) and a great-niece. None of them know or remember him, but they talk about their Uncle Ron as if he attended the last family gathering.
He was a wonderful son, a great brother and a patriotic American. We were and are proud of him as we are all of the guys/gals who were there.
Thank you for this wonderful site and allowing families and friends to share their pride with others. G