NAM VET Newsletter November 11, 1993
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
. __ .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ .
. ( * \ .
. Managing Editor \ Quangtri .
. ---------------- \_/\ \_ Hue .
. G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai .
. \_* \_ .
. Editor \ * ) .
. --------- _/ Danang .
. Joyce Flory \|/ ( \_*Chu Lai .
. --*-- \_ ------- \__ .
. Distribution Manager /|\ \_ I Corps \ .
. -------------------- \ ------- ! .
. Jerry Hindle /\_____ ! .
. / ! \ .
. Section Editors ! !___ \ .
. --------------- ! \/\____! .
. IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau ! ! .
. INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory / Dak To ! .
. / * / .
. ! \_ .
. ! Phu Cat\ .
. \ * * ) .
. \ Pleiku ) .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- \ \ .
. / / .
. "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! .
. were scared and wary, but we pulled _\ II Corps ! .
. one another along and were able / -------- \ .
. to depend on each other. That has \ \ .
. never changed. Today, free of the ! * / .
. criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / .
. many veterans have endured, _/ / .
. NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! .
. a ray of hope, and a _ __/ \ ! .
. reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay .
. lessons learned / !__ ! .
. at such a high / \ / .
. price shall not \ Bien Hoa \ / .
. be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * \ __/ .
. nor the errors \_ * --------- \ ___/ .
. repeated!!!" ____ \ III Corps \ _/ .
. / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in .
. ! ( ___/ any form permitted .
. _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL .
. ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! .
. \___ -------- / \/ .
. \ IV Corps / For other use, contact: .
. ) -------- / .
. / ! G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660 .
. / ____/ Managing Editor .
. / Mekong/ .
. ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles .
. ! ____/ and items from individuals and other .
. ! / sources. We are not responsible for the .
. ! / content of this information nor are any of .
. ! __/ NamVet's contributors or Section Editors. .
. \_/ gjp .
. .
NAM VET Newsletter i
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
=================================================================
From US to YOU
I've Missed You! ..................................... 1
Happy Birthday NamVet! ............................... 3
Copyright Notice ..................................... 4
Past and Current Events
Clinton at Our Wall .................................. 5
Editorial on Somalia ................................. 8
Somalian KIA ......................................... 10
The Train .............................................. 11
Sister Vets
The Sculptor Speaks .................................. 13
The First Stop ....................................... 14
Women's Memorial Stirs Past .......................... 15
VWMP's Sister Search ................................. 17
VWMP's Sister Search Form ............................ 18
Monumental Difference ................................ 19
Our War .............................................. 20
In-Touch
In-Touch: What is it??? .............................. 21
IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form!!! ................ 24
In Uniform and In Country .............................. 26
Drums be not Silent
We Can Keep You...FOREVER ............................ 29
Michigan's POW Bill .................................. 39
Roads To Remembrance ................................. 44
Box 15 ............................................... 47
You Are NOT Forgotten ................................ 49
THIS Veterans' Day
A Veteran's Day Message .............................. 50
Veterans' Day - How It Was Named ..................... 51
Did You Know? ........................................ 53
The Story of America's Favorite Song ................. 54
Additions and Changes on The Wall ...................... 57
Forgotten - again?
A Message From: The Other P.O.W. ..................... 59
PTSD Clemency Petition ............................... 61
One Prisoner's Experience ............................ 62
By The Numbers ....................................... 65
The Forgotten Warrior ................................ 66
TET Remembered ......................................... 67
Uncle Sam and NamVet wants YOU to know
Veterans Service Directory ........................... 69
Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor .................. 73
NAM VET Newsletter ii
Volume 7, Number 3 November 11, 1993
On The Lighter Side
Shipboard Life ....................................... 76
Veterans in Action
Vietnam Vet Takes "Lessons of the Bush" to Work ...... 79
Don't drink the water!
VA Adds More Agent Orange-Related Diseases............ 81
New Agent Orange Decision ............................ 84
Agent Orange Payment Plan ............................ 88
Agent Orange Payment Plan (Part 2).................... 90
Break out the Clearasil <tm>! ........................ 92
End of an Era .......................................... 93
Breaking Squelch
NamVet Article Submission Guidelines ................. 94
NamVet Distribution Survey Form ...................... 97
IVVEC PhoneBook Listings ............................. 98
Some Gave All... ..................................... 105
THE YOUNG SOLDIERS
Many years have gone by since we were young
Soldiers who serve our Country with great pride.
The day came when we got on that train and
left for boot camp not knowing quite why.
It was a different world unlike any we've known.
For the days were long and the training was hard
finally graduation day had come and gone.
Now with pride holding our heads high marching
off to War still not knowing why.
We did our jobs and did them well but many
of the young soldiers fell.
We got home but it was not quite the same
as the day we had gone.
Gathering around to call the rolls finding that
some Brothers have not yet come home.
Years have gone by and we gather in force keeping
the internal light of Hope burning its course.
We were of different units, but now gather as one.
For we are the Vietnam Veterans United we stand
but not quite whole, because some are still not Home.
Kenneth M. Carter
Vietnam Veteran
U.S.M.C.
NAM VET Newsletter iii
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
From US to YOU
=================================================================
I've missed you
By Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
A "SPECIAL THANKS" is due this month to NamVet's Assistant Editor
Joyce Flory who's kept QUIETLY reminding me <smile> ÿthat "NamVet
is late! Do you need some more submissions? Is there ANYTHING I
can ÿdo?" ÿand finally, ÿby hand (we automate the ÿproduction ÿof
NamVet), ÿshe basically put this issue together and dumped it ÿon
my ÿdesk! ÿÿI ÿsuppose that when you're the spouse of a ÿVietnam
Veteran, ÿÿsome ÿof that "persistence and ÿdetermination" ÿÿkinda
affects ya <smilez> ... THANX JOYCE!!!
"Where's ÿthe ÿlatest ÿedition of NamVet? ÿWhy hasn't ÿone ÿbeen
released recently? Do you REALLY mean that 'somebody else' isn't
submitting ÿarticles and that you and the NamVet staff have to do
all the research an' scrounging for articles?"
Firefight, ÿFirefight!!! ÿLead a flyin' ÿall 'round!!! ÿLock n'
load an' ÿweapons on rock n' ÿroll ... ÿClouds, ÿfog and rain be
d*mned! We're gonna take this hill!
"It is the decision of the VA..." ÿ"Claim denied..." ÿ"You ÿcan
always withdraw your claim..." ÿVA Regional Office ... Board of
Veterans Appeals ... Remand decisions ... claim denied.
Firefight, ÿFirefight!!! ÿLead a flyin' ÿall 'round!!! ÿLock n'
load an' ÿweapons on rock n' ÿroll ... ÿClouds, ÿfog and rain be
d*mned! We're gonna take this hill!
"Why me!?!!!! ÿWhy not someone else who's physically stronger or
more financially able to deal with these situations? ÿWhy ME!?!!
... ÿ'WHY NOT! ÿIt is you who have seen the problem, ÿit must be
YOU who solves it. ÿIt will be YOUR children, ÿYOUR brothers and
sisters, ÿÿYOUR family who bear the consequences of your ÿactions
today. ÿIgnore the situation, ÿfind something else to do ÿrather
than ÿdeal with it and it will persist - perhaps for ÿgenerations
yet to come. ÿYou asked 'WHY ME?!?!" ÿand I say, ÿ'INDEED! ÿWHY
NOT!'"
Firefight, ÿFirefight!!! ÿLead a flyin' ÿall 'round!!! ÿLock n'
load an' ÿweapons on rock n' ÿroll ... ÿClouds, ÿfog and rain be
d*mned! We're gonna take this hill! We're gonna take this hill!
We're gonna take this hill!
"Dear ÿD'Wayne Gray ... ÿI'm sure you've noticed the two-by-four
to which this letter is attached..."
Many ÿof you who are longtime readers of NamVet are ÿaware ÿthat,
finally, ÿa klik or two from the top, we've gained some ground in
the ÿbattle for long-ago-denied benefits. ÿ"Words" ÿÿand ÿ"Legal
Briefs" ÿnow replace the lead; "Lock n' Load" has become "more to
research, ÿopen the copies of US Title 38, ÿread Court of Veteran
Appeals ÿdecisions" ÿÿand "Rock n' ÿroll" ÿmeans "Turn ÿthe ÿword
NAM VET Newsletter Page 1
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
processor on - they're attacking the perimeter, there's a hole in
their defense!"
The "weapons" ÿare different, but the strategy is the same. ÿThe
many-years-old (28+) ÿbattle is nearly over but NOT until changes
are made in the cold and sterile, ÿunfeeling, ÿuncaring corridors
of ÿthe ÿbody-DVA which will make "To care for him/her who ÿshall
have borne the battle..." a REALITY that each of YOU, ÿmy brother
and sister veterans do NOT have to fight for, ÿa ÿREALITY that is
as sure as the rising of the sun! If one doesn't have a dream --
they'll ÿnever know if it comes true. ÿStay tuned to NamVet ÿand
the VETNet echoes for continuing updates.
VIETNAM ÿVETS: ÿÿThe ÿtoughest, ÿmost persistent ÿand ÿdetermined
veterans in ALL of American history. I'm proud I am one and VERY
HONORED to be amongst YOUR family! ÿI've missed you because ÿYOU
are the reason I'm here; ÿYOU gave ME a reason to keep on keepin'
on; ÿand YOU are the REASON the NamVet staff works so hard tryin'
to ÿget the news out to ya', ÿtryin' ÿto let ya know that someone
cares, someone is trying to do something about things that aren't
right, someone is still here.
I've missed you all -- and I'm glad to be back!
'til next issue
Show a brother or sister veteran
that YOU care!
-= Joe
NAM VET Newsletter Page 2
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAM_VET!!!!
* * * * * *
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
___| |____| |____| |____| |____| |____| |__
| |
| Putting unity in our Veteran CommUNITY! |
___________| |___________
G. Joseph Peck * John Mendes * Jerry Hindle * Ray Moreau * Doc
Megan Flom * Dave Doehrman * Joan Renne * Dale Malone * Bac Si
Clay Tannacore * Jim Hildwine * Lefty Frizzell * Alex Humphrey
Craig Roberts * Ray Walker * Bill Plude * Jim Ferguson * Bil Cook
Ed Brant * Mike Harris * Glenn Toothman * Carl Dunn * Don Purvis
Fred Sochacki * Sarge Hultgren * George Currie * Rick Bowman
Joe Krickenbarger-Oliver * Sam Thompson * Marsha Ledeman
Martin Kroll * Glen Kepler * Terry Hayes * Lydia Fish * Jim Ennes
Karen Winnett * Scott Summers * Ralph Carlson * Joe Meadors
Mike Kelley * Chick Curry * Charles Harper * David Kirshbaum
Gordon Giroux * Rod Germain * Todd Looney * Pete Farias
Brad Meyers * Jan Gerstner * Marge Clark * Ann Murrell * Bil Cook
Bob Morris * Gale Barrows * Billy Palmergunner * Ralph Feller
Richard Morrow * Henry Elsworth * Jesse Kitson * Jim Henthorn
Art Fellner * Harlow Campbell * Rick Kelley * Mike Readinger
Richard Wolbaum * Walt Fletcher * Mike Halley * Gary Searles
Bob Wieters * Ken & Joyce Flory * Mike Dacus * George Marsh
Randall Dickerson * Steve Byars * Jon Mankowski * Henry Van Leer
Chuck Reed * Paul Bylin * John Olsen * Rick Cowan * Dan Nance
Robert Johnson * Larry Easley * William G. Smith * Art Dunkle
Jeff Patterson * Eddie Shoe * Van Hoyle * Russ Terry * Bob Smith
Henry France * Gordon Roberts * Mary & John McGill * Lance Culp
______________________________________________________________jef
>>>>>>> and all the rest of us!!! <<<<<<<
Our *-SIXTH-* Year
" Service with Pride! "
The International Newsletter for Vietnam Veterans
NAM VET Newsletter Page 3
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
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NAM VET Newsletter Page 4
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Past and Current Events
=================================================================
Clinton Comes to Our Wall
Full Text of President Clinton's Memorial Day Speech
At The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Input by Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
[Note ÿfrom Joe: ÿWhile President Clinton was the first ÿU.S.
President to take time to speak during Memorial Day ceremonies at
The Wall, ÿI honestly thought - and still do - that if he really
and sincerely wanted to deal with the difficulties that his ÿnot-
militarily-serving has caused amongst our veteran population, ÿit
would have been far, ÿfar better for him to have, ÿsay, ÿrented a
football stadium or called one of the now-common "Electronic Town
Meetings" and asked all veterans to come and share their feelings
with him.
I ÿwas amongst those who attended the Memorial Day ceremonies.
President ÿClinton spoke to the backs of myself and ÿmany ÿothers
who ÿwere standing at proud attention - symbolically facing in ÿa
direction ÿopposite ÿthe mainstream intentness of the day ÿas ÿhe
once stood when the country he now leads called him to serve. In
my humble opinion, The Wall that we and our sacrifices built (and
maintain) was NOT the appropriate time nor place UNLESS AND UNTIL
some ÿform ÿof ÿresolution is/was reached ÿconcerning ÿthe ÿgreat
division ÿthat continues to exist between him and those who ÿ'put
their lives on the line' in order that Freedom continue to exist.
Will I ever get over it?
Perhaps ÿ. . . when a soldier is captured during times ÿof ÿwar
and ÿEVERYTHING ÿis done to repatriate him/her; ÿwhen ÿa ÿveteran
really and truly EXPERIENCES the thanks of a grateful nation ÿand
is cared for; ÿwhen the families of our soldiers and veterans are
treated with the respect and dignity due all defenders of freedom
Perhaps . . .]
"President Clinton, ÿbraving jeers of "coward" and "draft dodger"
to ÿspeak at the memorial to veterans of a war that ÿhe ÿopposed,
sought ÿyesterday ÿ[Memorial Day, ÿ1993] to ÿheal ÿthe ÿlingering
wounds of the Vietnam War and to confront his own difficulties as
a commander in chief who avoided military service."
"THE WASHINGTON POST ... Page 1 - June 1, 1993"
PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEMORIAL DAY SPEECH AT OUR WALL
"Gen. Powell, Gen. McCaffrey, and my good friend Lew Puller, whom
I did not know was coming here today, I thank you so much.
To all of you who are shouting, ÿI ÿhave heard you. I ÿask you
now to hear me. I have heard you.
Some have suggested that it is wrong for me to be here with you
NAM VET Newsletter Page 5
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
today because I did not agree a quarter of a century ago with the
decision ÿto send the young men and women to battle ÿin ÿVietnam.
Well, so much the better.
Here ÿwe ÿare ÿcelebrating ÿAmerica today. ÿÿJust ÿas ÿwar ÿis
freedom's cost, disagreement is freedom's privilege, and we honor
it here today.
But ÿI ask all of you to remember the words that have been said
here today, ÿand I ask you at this monument, ÿcan any American be
out ÿof ÿplace? ÿAnd can any commander in chief be in any ÿother
place but here on this day? I think not.
Many ÿvolumes ÿhave ÿbeen ÿwritten about ÿthis ÿwar ÿand ÿthose
complicated ÿtimes, ÿÿbut the message of this memorial ÿis ÿquite
simple. These men and women fought for freedom, brought honor to
their communities, loved their country, and died for it.
They ÿwere ÿknown to all of us. ÿThere's not a person in ÿthis
crowd ÿtoday who did not know someone on this wall. ÿFour of ÿmy
classmates are there, four who shared with me the joys and trials
of ÿchildhood ÿand did not live to see the three ÿscore ÿand ÿten
years the Scripture says we are entitled to.
Let us continue to disagree, if we must, about the war, but let
us not let it divide us as a people any longer. ÿNo one has come
here ÿtoday to disagree about the heroism of those whom we honor,
but ÿthe only way we can really honor their memory is to ÿresolve
to live and serve today and tomorrow as best we can and to ÿmake
America the best she can be. ÿSurely that is what we owe to ÿall
those whose names are etched in this beautiful memorial.
As we all resolve to keep the finest military in the world, let
us ÿremember some of the lessons that all agree on. ÿIf the ÿday
should ÿcome ÿwhen our service men and women must again ÿgo ÿinto
combat, ÿlet us all resolve they will go with the training, ÿthe
equipment, ÿÿthe support necessary to win, ÿand most important of
all, with a clear mission to win.
Let us do what is necessary to regain control over our ÿdestiny
as ÿa ÿpeople ÿhere at home, ÿto strengthen our ÿeconomy ÿand ÿto
develop ÿthe ÿcapacities ÿof ÿall our ÿpeople, ÿÿto ÿrebuild ÿour
communities ÿand ÿour families, ÿwhere children ÿare ÿraised ÿand
character is developed. Let us keep the American dream alive.
Today, ÿlet us also renew a pledge to the families whose ÿnames
are ÿnot ÿon this wall because their sons and daughters ÿdid ÿnot
come ÿhome. ÿÿWe will do all we can to give you not ÿonly ÿthe
attention you have asked for, but the answers you deserve.
Today, ÿÿI ÿÿhave ordered that by Veterans Day, ÿwe ÿwill ÿhave
declassified all United States government records related to POWs
and MIAs from the Vietnam War - all those records, ÿexcept for ÿa
tiny ÿfraction which could still affect our national security ÿor
invade the privacy of their families.
As ÿwe ÿallow ÿthe American public to have access to ÿwhat ÿour
government ÿknows, ÿÿwe will press harder to find out what ÿother
governments know. We are pressing the Vietnamese to provide this
accounting, ÿnot only because it is the central outstanding issue
NAM VET Newsletter Page 6
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
in ÿour ÿrelationship with Vietnam, ÿbut because it is a ÿcentral
commitment ÿmade by the American government to our people, ÿand I
intend to keep it.
You heard Gen. ÿPowell quoting President Lincoln, ÿ"With malice
toward ÿnone ÿand charity for all, ÿlet us bind up ÿthe ÿnation's
wounds." ÿÿLincoln speaks to us today across the years. ÿLet us
resolve ÿto ÿtake ÿfrom this haunting and ÿbeautiful ÿmemorial ÿa
renewed sense of national unity and purpose, a deepened gratitude
for ÿthe ÿsacrifice ÿof ÿthose whose names ÿwe ÿtouch ÿand ÿwhose
memories we revere, ÿa ÿfiner dedication to make America a better
place for their children and our children, too.
Thank you all for coming here today. ÿGod bless you, ÿand ÿGod
bless America.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 7
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Editorial
by Don Purvis
Silver Lake Systems - Everett, WA
(206) 338-3723
...did ÿyou ÿenjoy ÿthe videos coming out of Somalia? ÿÿDid ÿthey
remind you of the events of the 1960's?
Ole' Slick, in all his wisdom, ÿhas decided to keep the troops in
harms ÿway for another six or more months. ÿRemember? ÿHe got his
experience during the 'Nam times by evading the draft. He said he
disagreed ÿwith ÿthe ÿconcept of war so there was ÿno ÿreason ÿhe
should participate. ÿNow, ÿhe's all for it, ÿas long as it's ÿour
kids ÿthat ÿare dying. ÿThe fact is, ÿhe now enjoys putting on ÿa
military ÿjacket as he plays at being the Commander-in-Chief. ÿOf
course, ÿÿit's not his ass that's being shot at. ÿIt's ÿour ÿkids
whose ÿbodies ÿare ÿbeing defiled, ÿÿbeing ÿdragged ÿthrough ÿthe
streets, not his.
During ÿthe ÿsixties ÿthere ÿwas a national ÿeffort ÿto ÿend ÿthe
involvement in Southeast Asia. ÿHardly a week went by that ÿthere
wasn't a demonstration of some sort protesting the sending of our
kids into battle. You know that. You were one of those that went.
It's time to bring back those demonstrations, ÿand in force. It's
time ÿto show the powers that be that "...we're mad as ÿhell ÿand
aren't going to take it any more!"
In ÿtodays ÿworld, ÿour soldiers are again ÿbeing ÿkilled ÿand/or
wounded ÿin ÿa ÿfar off land. ÿBut where is ÿthe ÿgroundswell ÿof
protest? ÿÿIt ÿseems ÿwe will just sit back and ÿwatch ÿwhile ÿwe
miserate ÿover ÿthe retirement of another multi-millionaire ÿfrom
the sports world. ÿWe ignore the use of our troops in Haiti, ÿand
we aren't concerned about the intent to send troops into ÿBosnia.
When Clinton promises to give Russia 8 Billion dollars instead of
using ÿit to improve conditions in this Country, ÿwe just say "Oh
Well." instead of raising hell. What's wrong with us?
The ÿpresent ÿadministration ÿis more ÿconcerned ÿwith ÿimproving
relations with the Viet-Namese government than it is with finding
and ÿbringing home the troops captured during WW II, ÿKorea, ÿÿor
Viet-Nam. ÿÿThe ÿSecretary ÿof Commerce is ÿsuspected ÿof ÿtaking
$700,000 ÿfor helping the Vietnamese government do business here.
Does anyone care?
Is this off-topic? I don't think so. Unless we do something soon,
the ÿranks ÿof ÿthe American dead will swell, ÿall because ÿof ÿa
politicians inability to function as a leader in world ÿpolitics.
Doing nothing can only result with the need for another "Wall" to
visit ÿin ÿthe ÿCapitol. ÿAs veterans we need to talk ÿabout ÿthe
administrations use of the military. ÿWe need to make our elected
representatives ÿput ÿan ÿend ÿto ÿthe ÿmisuse ÿof ÿour ÿmilitary
personnel. It's been said "If not us, who? If not now, when?"
We, ÿas Veterans, ÿmust organize and present a solid front to the
world. We do not favor wars. In the words of General MacArthur...
"This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the
contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for
peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds
and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the
NAM VET Newsletter Page 8
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
ominous words of Plate, that wisest of all philosophers:
"Only the dead have seen the end of war."
However, ÿÿit is our responsibility to ourselves and our country,
to ÿdo ÿeverything in our power to put an end ÿto ÿthe ÿsenseless
killing ÿof ÿAmericans ÿby those who challenge our way ÿof ÿlife,
whether it be here or abroad.
Think about it....
NAM VET Newsletter Page 9
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Somalian KIA
Submitted by Larry Grim
Grimace BBS - Arnold, MD
(410) 544-1297
Fallen soldiers identified
WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- The 12 U.S. soldiers of the
U.N. ÿÿpeacekeeping force in Somalia who lost their ÿlives ÿunder
fire during the first weekend in October have been identified, as
follows:
Sgt. ÿJames C. ÿJoyce of Denton, Texas, ÿassigned to the 75th
Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Pfc. Richard W. Kowalewski Jr. of Crucible, Pa., ÿassigned to
the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Pfc. ÿJames H. Martin Jr. of Collinsville, Ill., ÿassigned to
the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
CWO Clifton P. ÿWolcott of Cuba, ÿN.Y., assigned to the 160th
Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), ÿFort ÿCampbell,
Ky.
CWO Donovan L. Briley of North Little Rock, Ark., assigned to
Company ÿD, ÿ1st Battalion, ÿ160th ÿSpecial ÿOperations ÿAviation
Regiment (Airborne).
Cpl. ÿÿJames ÿM. ÿCavaco of Forestdale, ÿMass., ÿassigned ÿto
Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Spc. Dominick M. Pilla of Vineland, N.J., assigned to Company
B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Sgt. Lorenzo M. ÿRuiz of El Paso, ÿTexas, assigned to Company
B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Spc. James E. Smith of Long Valley, N.J., assigned to Company
B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Master ÿSgt. ÿTimothy L. ÿMartin of Aurora Dearborne, ÿÿInd.,
assigned ÿto the U.S. ÿArmy Special Forces Command, ÿFort ÿBragg,
N.C.
Sgt. ÿÿ1st Class Earl R. ÿFillmore Jr. ÿof Blairsville, ÿPa.,
assigned to the U.S. Army Special Forces Command.
Staff Sgt. Daniel D. Busch of Portage, Wis., ÿassigned to the
U.S. Army Special Forces Command.
In ÿa press briefing Oct. ÿ5, ÿAssistant Secretary of Defense
for ÿPublic Affairs Kathleen M. ÿdeLaski echoed other ÿofficials'
regrets ÿover the losses, ÿand acknowledged the efforts ÿof ÿU.N.
forces ÿ"who ÿgave their lives or were wounded in fighting ÿtheir
way through to help Americans in danger."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 10
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The Train
Submitted by Paul Bylin
LZ Memories - Peabody, MA
(508) 977-9756
HE IS ONE WHO TOOK THE TRAIN
----------------------------
Last ÿnight, ÿÿa ÿparade of strangers stood silently ÿin ÿthe
sultry air outside O'Brien's Funeral Home in South Boston and you
could almost hear the train clattering across the vanished years.
The people had assembled like a ÿflight of anonymous angels for a
man hardly any of them knew, ÿKenny Norton who ÿdied at 44 in the
New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans.
Norton's war - Vietnam - was not popular. And it did not end
in 90 days like Desert Storm. Instead, ÿit dragged on for years,
suffocating our heart and soul, ÿstealing more than 58,000 of our
best. ÿFor many more years, it never ended, ÿrages still within,
and ceases only when a huge heart ruptures, ÿas Norton's did last
week.
This nation, unused to defeat, reacted badly toward the fight
and, ÿÿworse, ÿÿtoward those who fought. ÿThis was ÿcruel ÿirony
because, ÿwhile politics and politicians shamed us, the only true
honor retrieved from that ugly epoch came from those in ÿuniform.
Those who served, fought, died. Those who rode the train.
In ÿJuly 1967, ÿKenny Norton, ÿ19, ÿtook the train ÿsouth ÿto
Parris Island. ÿThen, he lived at 172 Dorchester Street, fertile
recruiting ÿground, ÿand after English High, ÿhe enlisted in ÿthe
Marine Corps. He did this long ago in a different land. In `67,
Vietnam ÿwas ÿreserved almost exclusively for guys ÿlike ÿNorton,
kids ÿwho thought it was some kind of necessary adventure, ÿÿboys
who never dreamed of college and never heard of deferments.
The ÿtrain rolled out over South Station filled with ÿan ÿodd
assortment ÿof travelers: ÿBusinessmen, ÿvacationers and a ÿwhole
host ÿof youngsters on their way to boot camp; ÿsome, ÿa ÿlot ÿof
them, on their way to die.
When ÿit stopped for a layover in Washington D.C., ÿÿrecruits
would ÿget off, ÿmake a phone call, ÿgo to a bar and look at ÿthe
pretty ÿgirls from government offices. ÿSome kids would stay ÿon
the train afraid if they got off, they'd never get back on.
Kenny ÿNorton ÿstayed on the train as it swayed ÿthrough ÿthe
Carolinas ÿ- ÿclick, ÿclack, ÿclick, ÿclack - until it arrived ÿa
Beaufort, ÿÿalmost always in the dead of night when the air would
be thick with a young man's fear, ÿapprehension actually. A ÿbus
at ÿthe ÿstation would take them past motels and ÿsmall ÿdarkside
homes, to the gate: US Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Then, everyone on board would become silent as the bus rolled
slowly out across the causeway, past the marshes, ÿtoward the old
Iron Mike where the boys on board would file off into a brand new
world and a life that would never be the same.
After 12 weeks, Kenny Norton came off The Island a Marine and
went right to South Vietnam. ÿHe got a specialty number - 0331 -
NAM VET Newsletter Page 11
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Machine ÿGunner. ÿÿHe was assigned to an outfit - 1-9 ÿ- ÿÿFirst
Battalion, ÿNinth Marines, and by spring 1968, ÿhe was on the DMZ
where ÿthe ÿninth Marines more than earned there nickname, ÿÿ"The
Walking Dead."
There were no parades when he returned to Boston. ÿNo yellow
ribbons, ÿno proclamations. ÿNo free beer at airports or ÿkisses
from ÿgleeful strangers. ÿOnly a country being strangled by ÿthe
increasing violence and perpetual sound of Taps played throughout
cemeteries across a greatly divided land.
For a while, ÿNorton drove a truck. But demons rode with him
somehow - Who really knows? ÿAnd who is to judge? - ÿHe ended up
sleeping on Carson Beach before he was brought by friends to ÿthe
Veterans ÿShelter ÿwhere he lived happily among ÿfellow ÿveterans
before dying of a massive heart attack.
Last ÿnight, ÿhundreds who never met him, ÿdid not know ÿhim,
waited ÿin ÿthe ÿmist beside some others who did, ÿÿto ÿpray ÿfor
Corporal Norton who was inside, a silver casket in the front room
at O'Brien's. ÿHe was decked out in dress blues donated by a man
who ÿwalked ÿoff ÿthe ÿstreet and ÿhanded ÿthe ÿuniform ÿto ÿGlen
Liljander who ÿworks at the shelters front desk. ÿÿThere ÿwas ÿa
folded flag and several huge sprays of flowers.
There were millionaires in line and a U.S. Senator, too, John
Kerry. ÿÿThere was Ricky Dixon from Malden who signed up for the
Marines on that same day in 1967, ÿright alongside Norton and did
not ÿknow ÿwhether his friend had lived or died until he saw ÿhis
picture on the obituary page Sunday. There was Tommy McGee, ÿthe
former ÿHouse Speaker, ÿwho walked up Iwo Jima at age 19 ÿwhen he
served ÿwith the Fourth Marines. ÿBut most of all, ÿÿthere ÿwere
people, ÿÿsimple, ÿordinary people who came to bury Kenny Norton,
and ÿperhaps, ÿexorcise ugly memories shared by those who ÿserved
their country in another war that still breaks our heart.
Vietnam is history. And Kenny Norton is dead. There will be
a ÿMass ÿat 9 this morning at St. ÿAugustine's ÿChurch ÿin ÿSouth
Boston. Then, he will be buried in the national cemetery at Otis
Air Force Base. ÿHe will go there in a caravan of cars but, ÿÿif
you ÿlisten ÿclosely, ÿyou will be able to hear the echo ÿof ÿall
those ÿtrains ÿand all those years along with the ÿsound ÿof ÿall
those young men who remain, forever brave.
This happened a couple of years ago, ÿbut is a story that needs
to be told. - Paul
NAM VET Newsletter Page 12
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Sister Vets
=================================================================
The artist's interpretation of the women's memorial
Submitted by Francis Smith, Danbury, IL.
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
[start italics]
Glenna ÿGoodacre ÿhas ÿbeen ÿan ÿartist ÿfor ÿover ÿ40 ÿÿyears,
concentrating ÿon sculpture for the last 20 ÿyears. ÿShe studied
art at Colorado College, ÿColorado Springs, ÿand The Art Students
League ÿin New York City. ÿHer home and studio are in Santa ÿFe,
New ÿMexico. ÿGoodacre's award-winning works are represented ÿin
municipal, ÿÿcorporate, ÿÿand museum collections in ÿthe ÿUnited
States and several foreign countries.
[end italics]
Statement on the Vietnam Women's Memorial
"Honoring ÿthe ÿwomen who served during the Vietnam ÿwar, ÿÿthe
bronze ÿmemorial ÿ(6 ÿfeet, ÿ8 ÿinches) ÿis designed to ÿbe ÿtrue
sculpture ÿin ÿthe round. ÿThe triangular ÿcomposition ÿof ÿfour
figures is interesting from all sides, with the standing woman at
the apex visually uplifting the entire piece.
"I've strived to join the figures into a mass creating a ÿsolid
statement without the interruption of negative spaces. ÿToo, the
women ÿwho ÿserved worked closely together. ÿIn ÿthis ÿmemorial,
their ÿcloseness ÿis exemplified by the proximity of the ÿfigures
themselves. ÿSandbags provided the 'furniture' for the war, ÿand
I've ÿincluded them to form a natural base, ÿconnect the ÿfigures
and add volume to the sculpture.
"The surface is textured, and the details of uniforms minimized
to ÿdirect ÿthe viewer's eye to the expressive hands ÿand ÿfaces.
The ÿfigures ÿand their roles are intentionally vague, ÿÿcreating
opportunities for interpretation for each viewer.
"The veterans' response has been important to me. Thousands of
vets ÿ- both men and women - have seen the model or ÿphotographs.
Those ÿconnected ÿwith the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project ÿhave
seen the 24" bronze model. Many of them have been drawn to tears
and can't speak.
"They're ÿso ÿanxious to have this sculpture installed ÿand ÿbe
remembered. ÿÿI'm honored to have done such a significant ÿpiece
that ÿmeans ÿso much to people. ÿI ÿhave ÿgreat ÿcompassion ÿand
sympathy for the women who served, ÿand I feel very humbled. The
sculpture ÿrepresents ÿa ÿmoment in time - ÿa ÿtribute ÿto ÿthese
dedicated women."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 13
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The First Whistle Stop
By Joyce Flory
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
As drivers sped by Cielo Vista Mall on I-10, they couldn't help
but ÿsee ÿthe specially-built, ÿaccordion-sided ÿFederal ÿExpress
truck ÿbearing the Vietnam Women's Memorial Statue. ÿThe ÿstatue
could be seen by all who passed by.
Under ÿa ÿthreat of rain and with many news crews ÿfilming ÿthe
event, ÿÿabout 200 ÿpeople came to honor the statue at its ÿfirst
stop of 20.
As ÿwe ÿarrived, ÿÿthe ÿEagle Claw ÿGourd ÿDance ÿSociety ÿwere
performing an Indian Blessing ceremony for the project. This was
followed ÿby the playing of the National Anthem by the 62nd ÿU.S.
Army band from Fort Bliss, ÿa ÿshort history of the project, ÿand
speeches ÿÿfrom ÿlocal ÿdignitaries ÿand ÿa ÿTexas ÿSenator ÿÿand
Congresswomen. ÿBy proclamation of the El Paso city council, ÿEl
Paso ÿCounty announced August 29, ÿ1993 ÿVietnam Veteran ÿWoman's
Day.
At ÿthe formal closing of the ceremony, ÿthe Army ÿband ÿplayed
"Wind Beneath My Wings", ÿwhich has been declared the theme ÿsong
for the Memorial.
By ÿspecial request of VVA Chapter #574, ÿthe chapter played ÿa
recording ÿof ÿ"God Bless The U.S.A." ÿand asked all veterans ÿto
approach ÿthe ÿMemorial ÿStatue in a show of ÿunity. ÿÿSoon ÿthe
aisleway was filled with women veterans (from all wars), ÿVietnam
veterans, and Korean veterans.
With ÿthis as a conclusion, ÿthe stage was torn down and all in
attendance ÿwere ÿable to get their first close-up ÿlook ÿat ÿthe
statue. ÿBefore the velvet barriers were in place, I was able to
get close enough to touch the statue and it was a special moment,
especially ÿafter ÿnot ÿbe able to approach the ÿmodel ÿshown ÿin
Washington D.C. in 1992.
What ÿmade this special morning even better is that I think one
of your brothers finally came home today.
SIDE NOTE:
While ÿtalking ÿto one of the board members ÿfrom ÿthe ÿVietnam
Women's ÿMemorial Statue project, ÿI ÿwas told that 10% ÿÿof ÿany
donations ÿgiven ÿwill be reserved for the future upkeep ÿof ÿthe
statue and its grounds.
I ÿasked ÿabout the copyright and she said that though she ÿwas
only ÿabout 95% ÿsure (she didn't have a copy of the contract ÿon
hand), it will be retained by the Vietnam Women's Memorial Statue
project ÿwith the option to turn it over to the Park ÿServices at
some ÿlater ÿdate. ÿI ÿwanted to be sure of who she was ÿtalking
about and asked if she meant the Friends of the Vietnam ÿVeterans
Memorial fund and she answered no, the Parks Service.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 14
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
WOMEN'S MEMORIAL STIRS PAST
By Karen Auge
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Submitted by Rick Bowman
VETLink #36 - Fort Worth, TX
(817) 244-4245
HURST-- Until she walked up and hugged her yesterday, Gail Watson
didn't know Patricia Reichman.
But ÿwhen ÿWatson saw the other woman, ÿstanding on ÿa ÿsteamy
patch ÿof ÿblacktop outside North East Mall, ÿlooking up ÿat ÿthe
extraordinary ÿcargo ÿinside a Federal Express panel truck, ÿÿshe
knew what the stranger was feeling: "I just saw her crying. That
was enough," said Watson, a former Army nurse.
All ÿday ÿyesterday the Vietnam Women's Memorial did ÿthat ÿto
people. ÿSome came in camouflage outfits, ÿothers in wheelchairs.
Some ÿhad been Dillard's bound when the spectacle in the ÿparking
lot distracted them. ÿOthers, ÿsuch as Watson, ÿare veterans who
drove ÿmiles to see the memorial. ÿSome came bearing scars ÿfrom
the ÿwar. ÿOthers came out of passing curiosity. ÿTogether ÿthey
formed a steady trickle of visitors to the memorial.
One bronze figure in the 6-foot work cradles a wounded soldier
in her arms. A second, ÿwith one hand on her comrade's shoulder,
gazes at the sky as if asking for help -- ÿfrom heaven or from an
evacuation helicopter. And a third woman kneels, as if praying.
The memorial is the culmination of 10 years' ÿeffort to create
a ÿpermanent ÿartwork that pays tribute to the estimated ÿ265,000
women ÿwho were part of the Vietnam military effort. ÿThe statue
featuring ÿthe three figures was created by New ÿMexico ÿsculptor
Glenna Goodacre.
"She ÿdid a beautiful job of capturing the ÿfeeling," ÿÿWatson
said. ÿÿPointing to the figure of the nurse holding the ÿsoldier,
she said: "The first thing I noticed is the face on that nurse. .
. ÿÿYou ÿcan ÿsee the compassion, ÿthe caring, ÿÿmaybe ÿa ÿlittle
desperation."
Watson, ÿÿwho spent a year at the 29th Evac hospital south ÿof
the Mekong Delta, ÿgot teary herself when she first laid eyes ÿon
the life size bronze memorial to the thousands of women who, like
her, served in the Vietnam War.
But ÿa few minutes later, ÿthe Mesquite resident was ÿcomposed
and ÿready to comfort Reichman, ÿwhose husband spent 21 ÿyears in
the Navy and did a tour in Vietnam.
"It's ÿfabulous. ÿBeautiful," ÿReichman said in ÿa ÿquivering
voice. "And it's about time the ladies got some recognition."
Dolores ÿCasilio of North Richland Hills said that none of her
family ÿor ÿfriends ÿserved in Vietnam. ÿBut when ÿher ÿdaughter
Daniel wanted to see the memorial she came along. ÿ"I read about
it, ÿÿand ÿI just thought it was interesting that ÿwomen ÿin ÿthe
military are finally getting recognition, Dolores Casilio said.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 15
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
If the daylong display of the memorial had a theme, ÿthat ÿwas
it: It's about time.
"This ÿmemorial, ÿthe same as the wall, ÿis so long ÿoverdue,"
said Bill Goshen, ÿa Ranger in Vietnam from 1968-69, as he closed
a ÿnoon ÿceremony dedicating the memorial. ÿ"The Wall" ÿÿis ÿthe
Vietnam War Memorial in Washington.
At noon, about 200 ÿpeople braved scorching metal bleachers to
attend ÿthe ceremony, ÿat which the mayors of Hurst, ÿEuless ÿand
Bedford, and state Rep. Carolyn Park and a handful of veterans --
both ÿmen ÿand women -- ÿpaid tribute. ÿAnd they ÿapplauded ÿthe
creation of a memorial to those women.
The ÿmemorial, ÿÿthe ÿbrainchild of former ÿArmy ÿnurse ÿDiane
Carlson ÿEvans, ÿis traveling the nation from New Mexico, ÿÿwhere
Goodacre ÿcrafted it, ÿto its permanent home in Washington. ÿIts
12-hour ÿdisplay yesterday followed stays in Austin, ÿEl Paso and
Lubbock.
As they gazed up at the bronze figures inside the truck, ÿsome
passers-by ÿclicked ÿtheir ÿcameras and some dropped ÿdollars ÿor
quarters ÿinto the clear plastic collection bin. ÿSomeone laid a
bouquet of roses at the statue's base. ÿThe 11th Armored Cavalry
Division ÿsent a wreath of red, ÿwhite and blue ÿcarnations ÿthat
bore a ribbon inscribed, "Thanks ladies."
Some ÿof those who visited yesterday stopped by Judy ÿHelein's
table ÿoutside ÿthe ÿmall and bought a beige ÿand ÿbrown ÿT-shirt
featuring reproductions of the memorial. ÿHelein, who is neither
a nurse nor a veteran, ÿsaid the turnout in Hurst was impressive,
especially given the sticky heat of the parking lot.
Helein ÿhas ÿseen ÿplenty of crowds in ÿthe ÿpast ÿweek. ÿÿAn
employee ÿof the American Association of Retired Persons, ÿÿshe's
spending ÿher summer vacation touring with the memorial, ÿselling
T-shirts and collecting donations to help pay the $3 million cost
of constructing and maintaining it.
When ÿits nationwide tour ends and the memorial comes to ÿrest
in ÿWashington in the fall, ÿit will sit alongside the wall, ÿthe
memorial to the 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War.
When the women's memorial is dedicated Nov. 11, ÿWatson plans
to be there. ÿTogether the wall and the women's memorial ÿshould
send a strong message, she said.
"Let's not ever need to have another memorial wall."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 16
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
"Sister Search"
Submitted by: Martha Green
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
The ÿVietnam ÿWomen's Memorial Project's "SISTER SEARCH" ÿÿis ÿa
program ÿdesigned to locate the military and civilian ÿwomen ÿwho
served their country during the Vietnam War.
The goals of "SISTER SEARCH" ÿare to facilitate hope and ÿhealing
among ÿwomen ÿveterans; ÿto provide a network for them; ÿÿand ÿto
assist ÿresearch ÿefforts on women who served during the ÿVietnam
War.
Vietnam ÿÿera ÿwomen ÿveterans ÿare ÿasked ÿto ÿprovide ÿas ÿmuch
information ÿas they feel comfortable sharing. ÿAlthough "Sister
Search" is NOT a locator service, should an inquiry be made as to
whereabouts of a person included in the "SISTER SEARCH" database,
the ÿVWMP ÿwill ÿpass ÿthe ÿinquiry ÿalong ÿin ÿwriting ÿto ÿÿthe
individual, ÿÿallowing ÿher to decide whether she would ÿlike ÿto
respond. If the individual is deceased, the inquiry will be sent
to the closest family member identified by the VWMP.
All ÿwomen ÿveterans ÿin ÿthe ÿ"SISTER ÿSEARCH" ÿÿdatabase ÿÿwill
periodically ÿreceive ÿinformation on the Project's progress ÿand
ultimately receive an invitation to the dedication ceremonies ÿin
Washington, D.C.
The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is a non-profit, ÿÿvolunteer
organization with the threefold purpose of: educating the public
about ÿthe women who served during the Vietnam era; ÿlocating and
providing ÿa ÿnetwork for these women; ÿand placing a ÿrealistic
representation ÿof a Vietnam woman veteran on the grounds of ÿthe
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The Project has the
support of every major veterans group in America, ÿincluding ÿthe
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
For more information, contact:
"SISTER SEARCH"
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project
2001 'S' Street NW
Suite #302
Washington DC 20009
NAM VET Newsletter Page 17
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
SISTER SEARCH
Name:________________________Vietnam Era Name: ___________________
(If different)
Address:_____________________________________ Work #: ____/_______
City:________________ State: __ Zip:________ Home #:
Branch of Service or
Civilian Organization: ___________________________________________
In-Country (Vietnam)
Assignment #1: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Assignment #2: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Assignment #3: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Vietnam Era (1959-1975)
Assignment: ______________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
The ÿProject receives inquires from the press and researchers ÿin
search ÿof ÿVietnam era women veterans who are willing ÿto ÿshare
their ÿexperiences. ÿÿYour ÿparticipation ÿas ÿa ÿpress/research/
education contact is strictly optional.
I ÿauthorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to ÿrelease ÿmy
name ÿto individuals or organizations who are seeking information
on ÿVietnam era women veterans for press inquiries, ÿresearch ÿor
educational activities.
Signature ________________________________________ Date __________
I ÿauthorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release ÿmy
name to the National Associate Volunteer, ÿRegional and/or ÿState
Coordinator in my area.
-------------------|
FOR OFFICE USE |
DATE RECEIVED: |
| Signature ___________________ Date __________
TRANSFER: |
| Please list the names and addresses of any
ENTER: | other Vietnam era women veterans you know
| on the back of this form.
|
COMMENTS: |
-------------------| Thank you for participating in SISTER SEARCH
NAM VET Newsletter Page 18
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
2001 'S' Street NW - Suite 302 - Washington DC 20009
(202) 328-7253 FAX: (202) 328-0063
Submitted by: Martha Green
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
Even a small donation
can make a monumental difference.
Efforts ÿare ÿnow underway to erect a monument on the grounds ÿof
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that recognizes the role played ÿby
women ÿÿveterans. ÿÿThe ÿVietnam ÿWomen's ÿMemorial ÿProject ÿis
conducting ÿthis drive as part of a larger effort to educate ÿall
Americans ÿabout ÿthe ÿvital services provided ÿby ÿover ÿ265,000
women, military and civilian, during the Vietnam War.
O
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O Your contribution, large or small,
O O will help ensure that these women's
O O sacrifices are not forgotten.
O __________ O
O ) O
/(O) / O\
/ / O \
/ VIETNAM / \
/ WOMEN'S /HONORING\
/ MEMORIAL /\ THE \
/ PROJECT / \ WOMEN \
/ / \ WHO \
/ / \ SERVED /
(__________/ \ /
\ /
\ /
\/
_
/_/ Yes, I want to help honor America's Women Vietnam veterans.
My tax-deductible contribution is enclosed.
_
/_/ Send me more information about how I can help make this dream
a reality.
_
/_/ I am a woman who served during the Vietnam era.
NAME ____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _________________________________________________________
CITY ______________________________________ STATE ______________
ZIP ____________________ PHONE __________________________________
Clip and mail along with your contribution to:
VWMP
2001 S St., NW Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL PROJECT
A legacy of Healing and Hope
NAM VET Newsletter Page 19
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Our War
I didn't go off to war,
so they say,
I'm a women.
Who then
has worn my boots?
And whose memories are these,
of youths suffering?
Of blood and burns, of their
tears and cries?
I'm a woman
and I've tasted man's war.
Our war. And
he knows that I
love him in
no greater way
than to share in his life
or his death.
What are the rules?
Man or woman,
we are prey
to suffer and survive together.
Please don't forget me.
I've been through war's hell
and if you will listen,
I've a story
of those chosen
to sacrifice for us all.
copyright 1983, Diane Carlson Evans, Vietnam 1968-69
Chair and Founder
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 20
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
In-Touch
=================================================================
In-Touch. What is it ???
Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau
NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor
Herndon Byte eXchange/VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA
(703) 471-8010
|+++++++++++++++++++++++++ IN TOUCH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++|
| There are some 43 million people in the United States whose |
| lives were directly and irrevocably touched by the Vietnam |
| War. |
| |
| Almost four million people served in Vietnam -- the longest, |
| and perhaps most difficult, war in our history. More than a |
| quarter of a million were seriously wounded. 58,175 are dead |
| or missing. |
| |
| Each of those who returned recognizes the true cost of war. |
| But so too do the families and friends, wives and lovers of |
| those listed on the Wall. They too paid a tremendous price, |
| not always recognized... many still do. |
| |
| Though twenty years have passed, it seems that is the period |
| people have needed to get the distance necessary to begin to |
| address the unresolved, deeply personal issues that have |
| been haunting them since the war. Perhaps that is a measure |
| of the pain. |
| |
| But, the "healing of a nation" that was intended by the |
| building of the Memorial, has begun. |
| |
| In the office of the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans |
| Memorial, we hear them on the other end of the phone on |
| any given day, and far into the night, they call from all |
| corners of the country. |
| |
| "If only I could find out..." |
| "I need to find his family so I can keep my promise..." |
| "I just want to talk to someone who was with him... " |
| "Please, can you help...?" |
| |
| At the Wall, we find them every day. Veterans who have not |
| spoken of their experiences even to their most intimate |
| family members are now beginning, tentatively, to seek a |
| responsive ear. |
| |
| Brothers and sisters, parents and even wives who were simply |
| never allowed full expression of their grief because of the |
| fierce pressures of the time, are now coming forward, |
| looking for someone who can help with their healing. |
| |
| We hear from children, now 15 - 25 years old, who are |
| searching for bits and pieces of information they can |
| assemble to help fill that empty place in their lives that |
| is the father they never knew well, if at all. And they want |
| to talk to each other, to share their special needs and the |
| unique experience of growing up with a father on the Wall. |
NAM VET Newsletter Page 21
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
| They understand each other all too well. |
| |
| Millions of Americans need to meet and talk because of the |
| Wall, and only the Friends can help them. |
| |
| Initial discussions with many other national organizations |
| whose work brings them into contact with Vietnam veterans |
| and their loved ones have attested to the need for IN TOUCH |
| and their willingness to help. |
| |
| Simply put, the Friends will draw on its special work at the |
| Memorial, its acquired and available data bases and |
| programs designed and integrated by Electronic Data Systems |
| (EDS), and the commitment and concern of its volunteers to |
| place people with a common association to a name on the Wall |
| to be in voluntary communication with each other. |
| |
| From there, we will let human nature take its good course. |
| And let the healing begin. |
| |
| The starting point for the data base will be the more than |
| twenty thousand names of people who have requested name |
| rubbings from our volunteers in Washington. Each will be |
| contacted and given the opportunity to participate by being |
| listed in the IN TOUCH central data base file. |
| |
| Confidentiality is the keyword to cooperation and IN TOUCH |
| will respect the integrity of all lists and records. Lists |
| will be unavailable for public use and will not be |
| distributed for any commercial purpose. |
| |
| By its nature, IN TOUCH must reach far beyond the veterans |
| community in order to be successful. With professional |
| guidance, the Friends will develop a program of on-going |
| articles and other coverage in major media markets, high- |
| lighting the personal experiences of people as they are put |
| "in touch." The International Vietnam Veterans Echo |
| Conference via the Herndon Byte eXchange 1:109/316 node as |
| the enter point for gathering and disseminating information |
| will be used. Aside from bringing the program into public |
| awareness, these articles and stories will serve as a val- |
| uable tool for public education on a wealth of matters |
| relating to the Vietnam era. |
| |
| As a preliminary test of the IN TOUCH project, the Friends |
| has implemented a pilot project to test the design and |
| demands of such a program. Several hundred requests with |
| full background information have been entered into a system |
| designed to match requestor data with the existing Memorial |
| data. Even with such a small sample, limited data and a |
| fairly unsophisticated cross-indexing system, matches have |
| been made and IN TOUCH has produced its first real |
| connections. The results have been as profoundly moving for |
| the participants as expected. And as gratifying for the |
| Friends. |
| |
| But it was clear that the information management system and |
| the supporting hardware system would have to be more power- |
| ful and more complex in order to handle thousands, perhaps |
| hundreds of thousands, of requests. Confidentiality of the |
NAM VET Newsletter Page 22
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
| system and information must be paramount. |
| |
| With well over 2,000 Vietnam veterans, Electronic Data |
| Systems (EDS) became involved and has been generous in its |
| assistance with designing the data management systems which |
| will be critical to a successful program. The Friends have |
| reached a three-year working agreement with EDS which |
| promises continuity and maximum potential for success in |
| building an information bank that can truly help people in |
| their search for others who knew a loved one. |
| |
| The Friends are delighted that Bob Hope has agreed to make |
| a public service announcement which we can use on radio and |
| television to help get the word out to the public on the |
| availability of the service. |
| |
| The Friends are also pleased to note that Hewlett Packard, |
| Zenith Data Systems, Borland International, FASTCOMM |
| Communications Corporation and the First National Bank of |
| Chicago have all contributed computer equipment, computer |
| software, and office equipment to the project, so they are |
| beginning to feel fully functional. |
| |
| The Friends hear from people who have long been living with |
| the pain of loss and looking for a way to heal. For |
| instance, the Friends recently received a letter from a |
| woman who wrote: |
| |
| Dear Friends: |
| For quite some time I have been searching for a |
| way to know my brother. It seems hopeless at times. |
| I was 12 when he was killed... I had waited for the |
| day he would come back to us. He never did. A part |
| of me will always be 12 and continue to wait. |
| Thank you for giving me hope that there may be |
| a way to find him and bring him home to my heart..." |
| |
| + + + |
| |
| The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
| Electronic Data Systems |
| Herndon Byte eXchange TCOMMnet BBS 1:109/316 |
| |
|+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++|
NAM VET Newsletter Page 23
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form
THIS FORM REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY RELEASE
PLEASE READ BELOW
------------------------------------------------------------------
I wish to be IN TOUCH with (Please circle and/or comment) Family,
Friends and/or Fellow Veterans of the following:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
----------- PERSON WHO DID NOT COME BACK FROM VIETNAM ------------
First Name_____________ Middle Name___________ Last Name__________
Relationship to You and/or Reason for Request
(Answer as fully as possible)_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
==================================================================
-------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM/HER - IF KNOWN ---------
Rank_______ Birth Date ______________ Soc. Sec. # ________________
Tour Date of Birth _______________ Where Buried __________________
Branch of Service: AR__ NA__ AF__ MC__ CG__ RC__ CIV__
(Fill in his/her equivalent unit designations in the spaces below)
Division ____________ Brigade ___________ Battalion ______________
Regiment ____________ Company ___________ Ship ___________________
Battles:__________________________________________________________
Locations:________________________________________________________
Nicknames:________________________________________________________
Hometown (while in Nam): ____________________ Home State: ________
==================================================================
---------------------- INFORMATION ABOUT YOU ---------------------
Title___ First Name ____________ Middle/Maiden Name _____________
Last Name ____________________
Address___________________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State ____ Zip: _____-____
Your Home Phone ( ) ____________ Work Phone: ( ) ____________
---------------- IF YOU ARE A VIETNAM-ERA VETERAN ----------------
Tour date _______________________________ Rank __________________
Branch of Service: AR__ NA __ AF __ MC __ CG __ RC __ CIV __
Fill in your equivalent unit designations in the spaces below
Division: __________ Brigade: ___________ Battalion: ___________
Regiment: __________ Company: ___________ Ship: ________________
Battles: _________________________________________________________
Locations: _______________________________________________________
Nicknames: _______________________________________________________
Hometown (when in VN) _______________________ Home State: ________
Comments: ________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
_____ I give permission to the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial to release my name, address, phone number and
relationship to other participants in the IN TOUCH project
seeking information on the individual above (strike out
NAM VET Newsletter Page 24
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
phone number if you do not want it released).
OR
_____ I would like to have the names, addresses, and phone
numbers of persons who knew my friend or relative, but
prefer NOT to have my name, address, and phone number
released.
I hereby release the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from
any and all liability that may arise from the operation of the IN
TOUCH project.
Signature ____________________________________ Date _____________
NOTE: Do not electronically transmit this form, instead mail to:
Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
4200 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. Suite 106 Box 108
Washington, DC 20016
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Daughter of a Nam Vet
-------------------------
It's hard to be the daughter of a Nam Vet
I don't know why he can't say goodbye
And I don't know why he gets so upset
I can't rid his guilt
I can't feel his pain
And trying is just a neverending strain
There is one thing you don't know
He did what he did for you
What? You don't get it?
Yah I knew!
But there is one thing I *can* do
I can say "Dad I Love You"
And I do !
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Written by: Allyson Frances Bell Age 14
Daughter of a Vietnam Combat Veteran
January 5, 1991
NAM VET Newsletter Page 25
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
VIETNAM WARRIORS - A STATISTICAL PROFILE
"Americal Newsletter" May - June 1993 (pg. 11)
Submitted by Joyce Flory
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
(reprinted with permission from Americal Newsletter)
Reprinted Page 20, VFW March 1993 Magazine
Confusion ÿreigns when it comes to numbers and the Vietnam War.
Listed ÿbelow are some figures that may help sort out ÿfact ÿfrom
fiction in many media reports.
In Uniform AND IN COUNTRY
* Vietnam Vets: 9.7% of their generation.
* 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the
Vietnam era [Aug. 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975].
* 8,744,000 personnel were on active duty during the war [Aug. 5,
1964 - March 28, 1973].
* 3,403,100 [including 514,000 off-shore] personnel served in
Southeast Asia Theater [Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, flight crews
based in Thailand, and sailors in adjacent South China Sea
waters].
* 2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam
[Jan. 1, 1965 - March 28, 1973].
* Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.
* Of the 2.6 million, between 1 and 1.6 million [40 - 60%] either
fought in combat, provided close combat support or were at
least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.
* 7,484 women [6,250 or 83.5% were nurses] served in Vietnam.
* Peak troop strength in Vietnam was 543,482 on April 30, 1969.
CASUALTIES
* Hostile deaths: 47,359.
* Non-hostile deaths: 10,797.
* Total: 58,156 [including men formally classified as MIA and
Mayaguez Casualties]. 27 other men have died of wounds,
bringing the total to 58,183.
* 8 nurses died - 1 was KIA.
* Married men killed: 17,539.
* 61% of the men killed were 21 ÿyears old or younger.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 26
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
* Highest State death rate: West Virginia - 84.1 [national
average 58.9 for every 100,000 males in 1970].
* Wounded: 303,704 - 153,329 hospitalized + 150,375 who required
no hospital care.
* Severely disabled: 75,000 - 23,214 100% disabled; 5,283 lost
limbs; 1,081 sustained multiple amputations.
* Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were
300% higher than WWII and 70% higher than in Korea. Multiple
amputations occurred at the rate of 18.4% compared to 5.7% in
WWII.
* Missing in Action: 2,338.
* Prisoners of War: 766 [114 died in captivity].
DRAFTEES VS VOLUNTEERS
* 25% [648,500] of total forces in country were draftees. [66% of
US armed forces members were drafted during WWII].
* Draftees accounted for 30.4% [17,725] of combat deaths in
Vietnam.
* Reservists killed: 5,977.
* National Guard: 6,140 served, 101 died.
RACE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND
* 88.4% of the men who actually served in Vietnam were Caucasian;
10.6% [275,000] were Black; and 1% belonged to other races.(*)
* 86.3% of the men who died in Vietnam were Caucasian [includes
Hispanics]; 12.5% [7,241] were Black; and 1.2% belonged to
other races.
* 170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam; 3,070 [5.2% of total] died
there.
* 86.8% of the men who were killed as a result of hostile action
were Caucasian; 12.1% [5,711] were Black; and 1.1% belonged to
other races.
* 14.6% [1,530] of non-combat deaths were among the Blacks.
* 34% of Blacks who enlisted volunteered for ÿthe combat arms.
* Overall, Blacks suffered 12.5% of the deaths in Vietnam at a
time when the percentage of blacks in the military was 13.5%
of the total population.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS
* 76% of the men sent to Vietnam were from lower middle/working
class backgrounds.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 27
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
* Three-fourths had family incomes above the poverty level; 50%
were from middle income backgrounds.
* Some 23% of Vietnam vets had fathers with professional
managerial or technical occupations.
* 79% of the men who served in Vietnam had a high school
education or better when they entered the military service.
[63% of Korean War vets and only 45% of WWII vets had
completed high school upon separation].
WINNING AND LOSING
* 82% of veterans who saw heavy combat strongly believe the war
was lost because of lack of political will.
* Nearly 75% of the general public agrees that it was a failure
of political will, not of arms.
AGE & HONORABLE SERVICE
* Average age of the Vietnam War GI: 19. [26 for WWII].
* 97% of Vietnam era veterans were honorably discharged.
PRIDE IN SERVICE
* 91% of actual Vietnam War veterans and 90% of those who saw
heavy combat are proud to have served their country.
* 66% of Vietnam vets say they would serve again if called on. *
87% of the public now holds Vietnam veterans in high esteem.
THE AMERICAL DIVISION PARTICIPATION IN THE ABOVE STATISTICS
* 196th LIB:
1,004 KIA. 5,591 WIA.
* 198th LIB:
* 11th LIB:
808 KIA. 8,237 WIA.
From page 34, VFW March 1993 Magazine.
Ed Comment: We hope these facts clear up much confusion that has
reigned ÿfor ÿmany ÿyears ÿin the ÿhearts ÿof ÿAmerical ÿdivision
veterans in Vietnam.
(*) JOYCE'S NOTE: The end of column one of the article. Below it
is: ÿ"The Staff wishes to thank the VFW for the research put into
this article. We believe they want all veterans to read it."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 28
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Drums be not Silent
=================================================================
'We Can Keep You . . . Forever'
By Thomas D. Boettcher & Joseph A. Rehyansky
Reprinted from August 21, 1981 NATIONAL REVIEW Magazine
150 East 35th Street, New York, NY 10016
Input by Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Messrs. ÿÿBoettcher and Rehyansky are both Vietnam ÿveterans ÿand
attorneys. ÿÿMr. ÿBoettcher is also a freelance writer based in
Atlanta. ÿMr. Rehyansky, a frequent contributor to NR, ÿlives in
Charlottesville, VA.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"If the government of North Vietnam has difficulty explaining ÿto
you what happened to your brothers, ÿyour American POWs who ÿhave
not yet returned, ÿI ÿcan explain this quite clearly on the basis
of my own experience in the Gulag Archipelago. There is a law in
the Archipelago that those who have been treated the most harshly
and who have withstood the most bravely, who are the most honest,
the ÿmost courageous, ÿthe most unbending, ÿnever again come ÿout
into the world. ÿThey are never again shown to the world because
they will tell tales that the human mind can barely accept. Some
of ÿyour ÿreturned POWs told you that they were tortured. ÿÿThis
means ÿthat those who have remained were tortured even more, ÿbut
did not yield an inch. ÿThese are your best people. ÿThese ÿare
your ÿforemost heroes who, ÿin a solitary combat, ÿhave stood the
test. ÿAnd today, ÿunfortunately, ÿthey cannot take courage from
our applause. They can't hear it from their solitary cells where
they may either die or remain for thirty years . . .
-Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn
June 30, 1975
Virtually ÿeverything one needs to know about heroism ÿin ÿthis
low, ÿdishonest century can be summed up by reciting the names of
those American prisoners who endured, resisted, and survived, and
who ÿlived to see freedom; ÿNo Fourth of July declamation ÿcould
outshine ÿa ÿsimple ÿlist that begins: ÿÿRobinson ÿRisner, ÿÿJim
Stockdale, Jeremiah Denton, Bud Day, Ev Alvarez . . . These men,
and nearly six hundred others who were returned to us, survived a
captivity ÿso savage as to stagger the imagination of ÿthose ÿwho
contemplate it. ÿAnd yet, might Solzhenitsyn be - as he so often
is ÿ- ÿright? ÿMight there now be, ÿat this very moment, ÿÿother
living American prisoners in Southeast Asia who will "never again
come out into the world"?
More than eight years ago, direct American military involvement
in ÿSoutheast ÿAsia ÿended under the terms ÿof ÿthe ÿParis ÿPeace
Accords ÿnegotiated by Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho, ÿÿand ÿ591
American ÿPrisoners ÿof ÿwar ÿwere ÿpromptly ÿrepatriated. ÿÿThe
fighting continued in Vietnam for more than two years, but, until
the ÿfall of Saigon seemed imminent, ÿit generally did not ÿenjoy
the front-page status it had commanded for so many years. ÿÿLost
in the shuffle were 2,500 missing American servicemen, almost
NAM VET Newsletter Page 29
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
none ÿof whom has been accounted for to this day. ÿTheir ÿstatus
has ÿbeen ÿreviewed periodically by their government, ÿwhich ÿhas
declared ÿall ÿbut ÿ12 ÿÿof ÿthem ÿ"killed ÿin ÿaction/body ÿÿnot
recovered."
Might any of these men still be alive?
Vaughn Taylor, ÿone of the two civilian attorneys who ÿdefended
Marine ÿPFC ÿBobby ÿGarwood, ÿseems to think ÿso. ÿÿWhenever ÿhe
discusses this issue, ÿhe must put himself in a moral and ethical
straitjacket, and the effort shows; ÿnot only must he say nothing
that ÿmight ÿprejudice ÿhis client's case through ÿthe ÿappellate
process, ÿÿhe ÿmust also refrain from revealing ANYTHING ÿhe ÿhas
learned, ÿÿeither from his client, ÿor while working on the case,
that might fall under the attorney-client privilege. But Taylor,
who ÿhas ÿserved ÿon ÿactive duty and is still ÿan ÿArmy ÿReserve
Officer, ÿis not unaffected by the shattering emotional impact of
this issue. ÿSomeone, he says, ÿwho devoted himself to trying to
determine whether Americans are still there "would not be wasting
his time."
R. ÿEmmett Tyrrell, editor of THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR, ÿhas some
acquaintances ÿin Europe who think so. ÿHe wrote not long ago of
the ÿjibes he has taken from French journalists during ÿtrips ÿto
Paris ÿabout ÿour ÿdo-nothing ÿgovernment's ÿtoleration ÿof ÿthis
outrage. ÿÿTyrrell's ÿtone implies that it is ÿvirtually ÿcommon
knowledge among the French that there are Americans alive there.
The French, ÿof course, have good reason to consider themselves
experts ÿon ÿthe subject of North ÿVietnamese ÿintransigence ÿand
cruelty ÿwhen ÿit ÿcomes to the return of prisoners or ÿof ÿtheir
remains. One case among many involved a Frenchman about whom the
Vietnamese ÿclaimed ÿthey ÿknew ÿnothing. ÿÿEventually, ÿÿFrench
authorities ÿdetermined ÿwith ÿprecision which ÿcemetery ÿhe ÿwas
buried in, and demanded his return. The North Vietnamese allowed
as ÿhow, ÿyes, ÿhe was there after all, ÿbut weather problems and
difficult ÿterrain ÿwould make it impossible for them ÿto ÿcomply
with ÿFrench ÿwishes. ÿThere is nothing uniquely horrible ÿabout
this ÿact ÿof ÿcruelty - except that the body ÿwas ÿthat ÿof ÿthe
grandson ÿof Charles de Gaulle. ÿThen there is the story of ÿthe
POW ÿwho escaped from a Vietcong dungeon in 1968. ÿHe was picked
up by American authorities, hospitalized and treated, ÿdebriefed,
and ÿquickly and quietly sent home - to France. ÿHe is ÿsaid ÿto
have been a prisoner since 1954.
At ÿleast two high-ranking military officers do not dismiss the
idea. ÿGeneral Louis T. ÿSeith (USAF, ÿRet.), ÿwho commanded the
Military ÿAssistance ÿCommand-Thailand during the years 1967 ÿÿto
1971, says: "I could believe that some are alive." ÿSeith speaks
of ÿtwo ÿpossibilities: ÿthat some Americans are ÿbeing ÿheld ÿin
isolated hamlets, and that others might still be fighting the war
as ÿguerrillas. ÿWith regard to the latter, ÿÿBrigadier ÿGeneral
Richard F. ÿAbel, Director or Information for the Air Force, says
it ÿis "not inconceivable that there are people who ÿare ÿmissing
who are not even captured, ÿwho are alive." He cites the example
of ÿJapanese ÿsoldiers found on Guam as recently as ÿ1976 ÿÿstill
fighting World War II and, like Seith, says it is "possible in my
mind ÿthat people could be there in some hamlet," ÿthough he adds
that there is "not much chance of it."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 30
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The late Admiral John C. McCain, Commander-in-Chief of Pacific
forces during 1968 ÿto 1972, ÿwas more certain. ÿMcCain, ÿÿwhose
command at that time extended to Vietnam, ÿCambodia, ÿLaos, ÿÿand
Thailand, ÿÿtold Congress in 1976 ÿthat the North Vietnamese ÿhad
deceived ÿthis ÿcountry concerning MIAs. ÿ"I think there ÿis ÿno
question about it," ÿhe said, ÿ"that there are some who are still
alive in Southeast Asia."
Ann ÿMills Griffiths seems to think that some might ÿbe ÿalive.
Mrs. ÿÿGriffiths ÿis ÿthe Executive Director ÿof ÿthe ÿLeague ÿof
Families ÿof ÿAmerican Prisoners and Missing in ÿSoutheast ÿAsia.
This ÿorganization was founded in 1970 ÿto operate a network ÿfor
information and contact among the affected families, ÿand to keep
the ÿissue ÿbefore the public. ÿMrs. ÿGriffiths is one of ÿthree
full-time ÿemployees, ÿÿwhose number may soon be reduced ÿto ÿtwo
because of funding problems. ÿShe is a tall, ÿdark, ÿattractive,
intelligent ÿwoman in her late thirties who knows so ÿmuch ÿabout
the ÿissue ÿthat ÿshe ÿcan barely talk fast enough ÿto ÿtell ÿyou
everything ÿshe ÿwants you to know. ÿÿHer ÿbrother, ÿÿLieutenant
Commander ÿJames Mills, ÿlaunched his plane off the deck ÿof ÿthe
U.S.S. ÿÿCORAL SEA for a raid against North Vietnam in ÿSeptember
1966, and has been missing ever since.
Why has the issue begun to receive so much publicity?
"Because," ÿreplies Mrs. Griffiths firmly, ÿ"it can't be denied
that there's increasing evidence that prisoners are still there."
What ÿabout ÿthe ÿWoodcock Commission, ÿformally known ÿas ÿthe
Presidential Commission on Americans Missing and Unaccounted ÿfor
in Southeast Asia, which went to Vietnam in 1977?
"The Commission was a success," ÿsays Mrs. Griffiths, ÿ"only in
establishing ÿLeonard Woodcock's credentials so that he could ÿbe
appointed ambassador to China."
Former ÿDeputy ÿAssistant ÿSecretary of Defense ÿRoger ÿShields
agrees; ÿÿhe ÿsays that the Commission was intended to ÿmake ÿthe
Vietnamese look cooperative and thus bury the issue. Congressman
Robert K. ÿDornan (R., ÿCalif.) ÿfeels even more strongly. ÿ"The
Vietnamese," ÿÿhe says, ÿ"made fools of them." ÿThe ÿCommission,
which concluded that improved relations between the two countries
held out the best hope for a full account, was a "joke." ÿOne of
the distinguished members "knew nothing about this problem before
she ÿleft, ÿlearned nothing there, ÿand came home to ÿtalk ÿabout
kindergarten ÿand ÿschool ÿtraining . . . Military ÿmen ÿat ÿthe
second ÿlevel of the Woodcock Commission who had to stand ÿbehind
the ÿfront-page ÿpersonalities ÿtold me they were ashamed ÿto ÿbe
Americans."
Why ÿwould ÿthe ÿVietnamese ÿcontinue ÿto ÿhold ÿAmericans ÿÿin
captivity? ÿÿThere ÿare ÿa ÿnumber of ÿpossible ÿanswers. ÿÿAnn
Griffiths and Carol Bates, the Director of Public Affairs for the
League, ÿÿbelieve that they never intended to keep them, ÿthat it
was ÿa ploy that failed. ÿMrs. ÿBates reminds us ÿthat ÿAmerican
negotiators ÿat the peace conferences failed to hold the line ÿon
demanding ÿa list of prisoners BEFORE signing the accords. ÿÿThe
North ÿVietnamese, ÿÿrealizing that they could get ÿan ÿagreement
without accounting for our men, ÿdeliberately signed the ÿaccords
and ÿthen turned over a partial list, ÿa ÿlist which, ÿthey ÿwere
NAM VET Newsletter Page 31
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
sure, would be deemed inadequate by American authorities. ÿThen,
with the specific terms of the peace agreement itself already
worked ÿout, ÿÿthe North Vietnamese expected to go ÿback ÿto ÿthe
bargaining ÿtable to negotiate a further release of prisoners ÿin
exchange for the $3.25 billion in reparations they wanted.
Much to their surprise, ÿour representatives accepted the list,
flew home, ÿand declared the war over. ÿNow, ÿeight years later,
the North Vietnamese have severe economic problems, are tied down
by military conflicts in Cambodia and, ÿto a lesser extent, ÿwith
China, ÿÿand will not risk the loss of face involved in admitting
that ÿthey ÿheld ÿAmericans back - to no avail. ÿÿYet ÿ(on ÿthis
theory) ÿthey have not killed them, ÿbecause the prisoners might,
somehow, ÿÿstill turn out to be valuable to them in ÿsome ÿfuture
negotiations.
Colonel Laird Gutterson (USAF, ÿRet.), ÿa ÿformer Vietnam ÿPOW,
suggests ÿanother ÿreason may be the personal pique of ÿa ÿcaptor
"with ÿan Eastern mind that has been contaminated by ÿCommunism."
Gutterson tells of a friend captured in the Korean War who, ÿwith
other ÿAmericans, ÿwas kept long after the "final" ÿNorth ÿKorean
prisoner exchange. Until his release, he was unaccounted for and
carried ÿas ÿMIA. ÿThe man told Gutterson that he ÿwas ÿdetained
because he had refused to confess falsely, in writing, to having
engaged ÿin germ warfare. ÿThe commander of his POW camp ÿbecame
furious ÿwith him and told him that he would remain ÿincarcerated
until he signed. ÿThe pilot did sign, ÿafter his captors ÿshowed
him ÿa ÿNEW YORK TIMES article about the repatriation of most ÿof
the ÿ21 ÿÿAmerican ÿPOWs who had initially decided to ÿremain ÿin
Korea. ÿÿDespite the fact that they had denounced their ÿcountry
and ÿdefected, ÿÿthey were not punished upon their return. ÿÿThe
pilot, understandably, ÿbegan to doubt the wisdom of rotting away
in ÿa ÿChinese prison as an act of loyalty to a ÿgovernment ÿthat
dealt ÿso leniently with traitors. ÿTwo years after the ÿ"final"
exchange of prisoners, ÿhe signed the confession and was released
through Hong Kong in a matter of days.
Other ÿreasons are more mundane: ÿrecent reports indicate ÿthat
some ÿof ÿour ÿmen are being used as English ÿteachers, ÿÿand ÿas
mechanics and maintenance men for the millions of dollars' ÿworth
of U.S. equipment abandoned there. Some are paying what might be
called ÿa ÿ"debt to society" ÿas slave laborers on road ÿgangs ÿ-
rebuilding the Vietnam they, as the Vietnamese see it, ÿhelped to
destroy.
There ÿis ÿanother rationale for keeping these ÿmen, ÿÿone ÿnot
immediately ÿcomprehensible to Western minds, ÿÿthough ÿAleksandr
Solzhenitsyn, ÿÿAlexander ÿDolgun, ÿand Leonid ÿPlyushch, ÿÿamong
others, ÿhave insight into it. Plyushch, ÿa ÿUkrainian dissident
and ÿthe ÿauthor of HISTORY'S CARNIVAL, ÿhas written, ÿechoing ÿa
frequent ÿtheme of the past century, ÿthat where there is no ÿGod
NOTHING is impermissable. ÿMany of our POWs who did return could
understand what he means. ÿJohn G. ÿHubbell, ÿin his 1976 ÿbook,
P.O.W., ÿÿrelates that some of those who endured the most bravely
while being tortured were told by their interrogators: "We still
have ÿFrench prisoners . . . They were not fit to return to their
families, so we never released them. Don't you want to see your
family again? . . . There are still Frenchmen in our prisons who
did ÿnot ÿreform their minds. ÿWe can keep you . . ÿ. ÿforever."
Another ÿcommon method of taunting those who could not be broken,
NAM VET Newsletter Page 32
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
according to Ann Griffiths, was to tell them that if they did not
"become ÿsincere" ÿthey would be sent to "one of the ÿcamps ÿfrom
which no one returns."
That ÿthis ÿcruelly bizarre rationale for ÿretaining ÿprisoners
might ÿactually ÿbe ÿin effect becomes less incredible ÿwhen ÿone
considers this fact: ÿof the 591 ÿAmericans who were repatriated,
NOT ÿONE was maimed. ÿConsider it: ÿmen ejecting ÿfrom ÿflaming,
exploding aircraft, ÿunder missile fire, parachuting into hostile
territory: ÿÿyet ÿnot one of those returned to us was missing ÿan
eye, ÿÿan ear, ÿan arm, ÿor a leg - even a finger - and none ÿwas
disfigured ÿby burns. ÿCommon sense tells us that SOME of ÿthose
captured had to be disfigured. Yet might not Vietnamese paranoia
prevent ÿthem ÿfrom ÿrepatriating those who ÿhad ÿbeen ÿmaimed ÿ-
whether during combat or torture?
Much ÿhas been made of the virtually Teutonic efficiency of the
North ÿVietnamese in processing prisoners - rewards were ÿoffered
for ÿtheir capture and delivery to collection points, ÿmeticulous
records ÿÿwere ÿkept, ÿÿinterrogation ÿmethods ÿand ÿthe ÿÿprison
administration ÿitself ÿwere ÿhighly bureaucratized. ÿÿAnd ÿyet,
Colonel Gutterson says:
I know that two of our prisoners were kept in a village and
they were right on a truck route, so they could have been
taken north to Hanoi anytime. They were kept in a village
for a year, primarily as far as they could figure out
because the head man of the village apparently had done
something nice to somebody and so they gave him as a prize a
couple of American POWs to keep in a cage in his village for
the people to look at. Because it gave him prestige. So
there doesn't have to be a logical Western reason . . .
Gutterson remains convinced that Americans are still held. ÿHe
felt compelled, ÿafter his own release from captivity in 1973, to
try to keep the issue alive. Whenever he was invited to speak in
pubic, ÿÿhe ÿinvariable raised the topic of MIAs. ÿWhen his ÿAir
Force ÿsuperiors ÿordered him to stop talking ÿabout ÿthe ÿmatter
publicly, ÿGutterson tried an evasive maneuver: his wife, who had
been ÿactive ÿin POW family organizations and knew ÿmuch, ÿÿbegan
accompanying ÿhim to his speeches, ÿand he, ÿwith a wink, ÿÿwould
refer ÿall ÿquestions about MIAs to her. ÿThis approach did ÿnot
ease ÿthe strain in his relationship with the Air Force, ÿand ÿhe
was pressured into accepting early retirement.
In ÿthinking ÿabout ÿthis ÿissue, ÿthen, ÿit ÿis ÿnecessary ÿto
consider, ÿÿat least, ÿthe possibility that we are ÿdealing ÿwith
people ÿfor whom cruelty is fun, ÿpeople who, ÿpurely for revenge
and ÿnot for any tangible gain, ÿconfine men under conditions ÿso
barbaric that we can barely imagine them. But once you have made
this leap of imagination from the suburbs of Peoria to "The Hanoi
Hilton" ÿand "The Plantation," to "Vegas," "The Briar Patch," and
"Heartbreak Hotel," ÿit is still necessary to ask: ÿWhere is ÿthe
proof?
We ÿmight ÿbegin ÿby ÿconsidering a few ÿof ÿthe ÿmost ÿobvious
examples ÿof North Vietnamese intransigence. ÿAccording ÿto ÿthe
late ÿCongressman Tennyson Guyer (R., ÿOhio), ÿa ÿmember ÿof ÿthe
Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, ÿwhose sudden death in
April was a great loss to the League of Families, "... over half
NAM VET Newsletter Page 33
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
of these [2,500 ÿMIAs] are men who were either known or ÿstrongly
suspected to be prisoners of the Vietnamese or Laotians. ÿÿThere
are 138 ÿAmericans whose names, ÿpictures, ÿor even their ÿvoices
were used by the Vietnamese for propaganda purposes. ÿAs many as
750 more were probably in their custody. Yet, we have received
virtually ÿno ÿword as to their fate ÿ..." ÿÿLieutenant ÿGeneral
Eugene Tighe, ÿU.S. ÿAir Force, who was, ÿuntil his retirement on
August ÿ1 of this year, ÿthe director of the Defense Intelligence
Agency and one of the men credited by the League of Families with
having ÿÿreinvigorated ÿthe ÿgovernment's ÿquest ÿfor ÿadditional
information regarding our prisoners of war and missing in action,
has ÿpointed ÿout that the remains of forty Americans ÿwho, ÿÿthe
North ÿVietnamese ÿADMIT, ÿÿdied ÿin captivity "have ÿyet ÿto ÿbe
returned. ÿÿOther men were known to be alive and in the hands of
the ÿenemy ÿand ÿsome were even publicly named, ÿyet we ÿhave ÿno
accounting of these men."
At a recent hearing, ÿGeneral Tighe was asked by Representative
Stephen Solarz (D., ÿN.Y.): "You have lived with this problem for
a ÿlong time ... ÿDoes the weight of the evidence suggest to you,
taking ÿeverything into consideration, ÿthat American ÿservicemen
are still living in Indochina?"
"Yes, sir."
"And ÿthat ÿthere are still - and this is a somewhat ÿdifferent
question ÿ- American servicemen being held against their will ÿin
Indochina?"
"My conviction would be yes in answer to both questions, sir."
Roger Shields points out that even while members of Congressman
G.V. ÿ"Sonny" Montgomery's (D., Miss.) ÿHouse Select Committee on
MIAs ÿ(now defunct) ÿwere "receiving assurances ÿfrom ÿVietnamese
authorities ÿthat no Americans ... ÿwere being held captive, ÿÿat
least ÿtwo Americans, ÿArlow Gay and Tucker Gougglemann, ÿwere in
Vietnamese prisons ..."
When ÿthe ÿWoodcock ÿCommission ÿvisited ÿVietnam, ÿÿthey ÿwere
informed ÿof ÿthe existence of Gougglemann's remains. ÿÿGay ÿwas
later released. ÿRepresentative Montgomery maintains that ÿthere
are ÿno ÿMIAs ÿstill ÿheld in Southeast Asia ÿand ÿhas ÿdelivered
himself of a "Dear Colleague" letter to every member of Congress
excoriating ÿthose ÿ- such as ABC News, ÿwhich ÿrecently ÿran ÿan
examination ÿof the issue - who would give the families of ÿthese
men "false hopes."
"You ÿÿcannot ÿgive ÿus ÿfalse ÿhopes," ÿÿAnn ÿGriffiths ÿÿsays
emphatically. "We have been at it too long."
With ÿthe ÿexodus of the boat people from ÿSoutheast ÿAsia ÿthe
quantity ÿand ÿquality ÿof ÿ"live-sighting" ÿÿreports ÿÿincreased
dramatically. ÿAnn Griffiths dismisses as "the State ÿDepartment
line" ÿthe position that the reports come from persons ÿdesperate
for ÿattention and favors from American authorities, ÿpeople ÿwho
therefore ÿcannot be considered reliable. ÿMost of the ÿrefugees
making ÿthese ÿreports, ÿMrs. ÿGriffiths asserts, ÿÿhave ÿalready
secured ÿsponsors, ÿjobs, ÿand places to live, ÿand have declined
rewards ÿoffered for information. ÿ"The Americans tried to ÿhelp
us," ÿis Mrs. Griffiths says, ÿthe usual response of the refugees
NAM VET Newsletter Page 34
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
who are offered rewards; "this is the least we can do."
The ÿDefense Intelligence Agency (DIA) ÿnow ÿinvestigates ÿeach
live-sighting ÿreport within a matter of days. ÿÿThe ÿindividual
making ÿthe report is interviewed and, ÿif willing, ÿsubjected to
examination by polygraph. The results of most of the
examinations ÿindicate ÿno deception. ÿThere are ÿcurrently ÿ338
first-hand ÿlive-sighting ÿreports on file, ÿsome placing ÿliving
Americans ÿin Vietnam as recently as the fall of 1980. ÿOf these
338 reports, ÿabout one-third refer to persons known to have been
in Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and who have since gotten out
of the country.
A refugee relates that a friend of his was on a bus en route to
Saigon in September 1979 when it was attacked by a squad of eight
"resistance soldiers." The squad boarded the bus; ÿthree of the
eight ÿwere Americans. ÿThe Americans requested that any of ÿthe
passengers ÿwith ÿaccess to the outside world ÿtransmit ÿnews ÿof
their situation to American authorities, ÿsaying that ÿoriginally
there ÿhad ÿbeen ÿfive Americans in the group but two ÿhad ÿdied.
They also recited their names, but the refugee's friend could not
remember them.
Another refugee, who claims to be a former employee of the U.S.
Agency ÿfor International Development, ÿrelates that during 1976,
he ÿwas ÿimprisoned in a cave near Vienxay, ÿÿLaos ÿwith, ÿÿamong
others, ÿÿfive Caucasians who were identified to him as ÿAmerican
pilots.
A former second lieutenant in the South Vietnamese army reports
that he was imprisoned, ÿthrough 1975, at a camp in Tan Canh. He
said that a group of Americans, ÿled by a major, ÿwere kept in ÿa
separate ÿÿcompound ÿÿmore ÿthan ÿa ÿkilometer ÿfrom ÿthe ÿÿSouth
Vietnamese. ÿÿHe ÿhad ÿopportunities ÿto ÿcommunicate ÿwith ÿthe
Americans, ÿÿand did so in English; ÿhe says that the ÿmajor ÿhad
served ÿin the cavalry brigade assigned to the defense of Dac ÿTo
and Tan Canh, and had been captured in 1971. There were also two
American ÿsergeants and a first lieutenant there. ÿThe major was
"thin, ÿÿshort ÿfor an American. ÿHe had a long face, ÿÿa ÿÿbald
forehead, ÿbrown eyes, ÿand long eyebrows. ÿHis nose is a little
flattened between the eyes, ÿa ÿdimple in the middle of the chin,
teeth ÿdistant ÿfrom one another. ÿI ÿused to be ordered by ÿthe
Communist ÿguards ÿto ÿbring ÿsweet ÿpotatoes ÿto ÿthe ÿ'American
pirates'; ÿÿthey had their hands and legs tied up when they ÿwere
not ÿworking ... ÿThe exact date I saw him for the last time ÿwas
during ÿFebruary 1975. ÿAt that time, ÿthe Americans were ÿstill
building roads."
The ÿSubcommittee ÿon Asian and Pacific Affairs ÿof ÿthe ÿHouse
Committee ÿon Foreign Affairs has held repeated hearings on ÿthis
issue. ÿÿIt ÿwas before this subcommittee that ÿthe ÿ"Vietnamese
mortician" ÿappeared in June 1980 ÿand testified that the remains
of ÿmore ÿthan four hundred Americans, ÿremains on which ÿhe ÿhad
worked as late as mid-1977, ÿwere stored at 17 ÿLy Nam De Street,
Hanoi, known to American POWs confined there as "The Plantation."
The mortician also recounted that he had observed live ÿAmericans
there ÿ"up until 1974." ÿLieutenant General Tighe ÿpreceded ÿthe
mortician ÿbefore ÿthe ÿcommittee that ÿday. ÿÿConcerning ÿDIA's
investigation ÿof the report of the four hundred remains and ÿthe
mortician's ÿanticipated testimony, ÿGeneral Tighe stated: ÿÿ"The
NAM VET Newsletter Page 35
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
technician's ÿÿpersonae ÿÿvita ÿÿhas ÿÿbeen ÿÿcrosschecked ÿÿÿand
independently verified. ÿHis polygraph examination conducted ÿby
DIA ÿindicated no deception. ÿThe allegation that the ÿSocialist
Republic ÿof Vietnam is maintaining and withholding four ÿhundred
remains ÿof U.S. ÿpersonnel is judged by the Defense Intelligence
Agency to be valid."
Some ÿof ÿthe other testimony is just as disturbing, ÿÿbut ÿthe
strategic deletions from the public record of this subcommittee's
proceedings ÿare, ÿÿin ÿsome cases, ÿÿmore ÿintriguing ÿthan ÿthe
statements left in the record.
During ÿa June 1979 ÿexchange between Lieutenant General ÿTighe
and Congressman Dornan, of 15 questions and answers regarding the
possibility of live Americans' still being held in Laos, EIGHT of
the questions and answers were deleted or partially deleted.
However, ÿÿthis concealment is not always a matter of ÿcovering
up. Ann Griffiths points out that there has been a change in the
attitude ÿof ÿthe government, ÿespecially since the avalanche ÿof
reports from the boat people began. She is grateful and does not
want ÿto jeopardize any government efforts in behalf of the ÿmen.
Mrs. ÿÿGriffiths, ÿÿwho ÿwas recently granted limited ÿaccess ÿto
classified ÿinformation so that she could take part ÿin ÿofficial
meetings and hearings on the matter, ÿand so that the ÿgovernment
might exploit her own considerable institutional memory, ÿis ÿnow
discouraging ÿprivate ÿrescue attempts (there have been at ÿleast
three in various stages of preparation in recent months) ÿbecause
of her fear that they would jeopardize the lives of more men than
they might save.
"How ÿhigh ÿup in the government," ÿwe asked her, ÿÿ"does ÿthis
belief, ÿÿthe belief that there are still Americans alive ÿthere,
extend? ÿÿDoes ÿthe President believe it? ÿThe Chairman of ÿthe
Joint Chiefs? The Secretary of State...?"
"I really couldn't discuss it in specific terms," she replied.
"Now we're getting into your security clearance?"
"That's right."
One story, ÿhowever, ÿsuggests the level of responsibility ÿand
authority ÿto ÿwhich interest in re-evaluating the ÿMIA ÿquestion
extends. ÿCaptain John McCain (USN, ÿRet.), ÿthe son of ÿAdmiral
McCain ÿand ÿhimself ÿa ÿsurvivor ÿof more ÿthan ÿfive ÿyears ÿof
captivity in North Vietnam, was until recently the Navy's liaison
with ÿthe ÿU.S. ÿÿSenate. ÿHe says that during the war ÿa ÿstate
governor who had become concerned about imprisoned POWs and their
waiting ÿfamilies ÿinvited ÿsome ÿof the families ÿto ÿthe ÿstate
capital ÿand held a news conference with them to demonstrate ÿhis
support. ÿÿDuring the proceedings, ÿthe small son of one of ÿthe
POWs ÿtoddled forward and asked the governor to take him ÿto ÿthe
bathroom. ÿWithout hesitation or embarrassment the governor ÿdid
just that. ÿAfter the two returned, the press conference resumed
with the boy standing near the governor. ÿThen, ÿa ÿsecond time,
the child interrupted him, tugging at his sleeve to ask, "Can you
bring my daddy home?"
Longtime aides of Ronald Reagan trace his enduring interest ÿin
NAM VET Newsletter Page 36
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
the matter to that moment. ÿ"He's a very sentimental guy," ÿsays
McCain. "He wore that guy's bracelet [inscribed with the name of
the ÿboy's ÿmissing father] ... ÿfrom then until after ÿeverybody
came ÿhome." ÿÿSince ÿthe ÿboy's ÿfather ÿwas ÿnot ÿamong ÿthose
repatriated ÿor otherwise accounted for, ÿit is probably safe ÿto
assume that President Reagan has not dismissed the issue from his
mind, or his heart.
But what does the government plan to do, ÿassuming that the day
may soon come when it will be impossible to deny, ÿas a matter of
policy, that we believe the North Vietnamese are still detaining
American's? ÿAnn Griffiths would like to know the answer to that
question herself, and states that, to her knowledge, ÿthere is no
plan for that eventuality. ÿThe League, for all that its members
have suffered these long years, has strenuously opposed ransom.
In ÿworking on this article we encountered the ÿnumber ÿ"2,500"
over ÿand over, ÿuntil it began to swim before our eyes, ÿuntil -
despite ÿthe fact that both of us served in Vietnam - it ÿalmost
began ÿto ÿobscure ÿthe men about whom we were writing. ÿÿAs ÿan
antidote, let's talk about two of them.
Navy Lieutenant Ron Dodge, ÿa handsome, balding young man, ÿwas
the ÿonly American pilot shot down on May 17, ÿ1967 ÿin ÿNghe ÿAn
province, North Vietnam. He ejected safely and told his wingman,
"Here ÿthey come. ÿI'm destroying my radio." ÿLater that day ÿa
Vietnamese ÿbroadcast ÿboasted about capturing the "U.S. ÿÿbandit
pilot." ÿÿTo further substantiate his capture, ÿa ÿphotograph of
Dodge, ÿÿhis face dirty and bruised, ÿhis head in bandages, ÿÿwas
released and later printer in PARIS MATCH. ÿHe was also featured
in the Communist propaganda film, ÿPILOTS IN PAJAMAS. ÿThe North
Vietnamese deny any knowledge of him.
On July 7, ÿ1981, 14 years and 51 ÿdays after he was shot down,
the ÿbody ÿof Ron Dodge, ÿalong with the bodies of two other ÿAir
Force ÿÿpilots, ÿÿÿwas ÿreturned ÿby ÿNorth ÿVietnam ÿ- ÿÿwithout
explanation, as usual.
Air ÿForce ÿColonel ÿDavid Hrdlicka's ÿplane ÿcame ÿapart ÿover
northern ÿLaos on May 18, ÿ1965. ÿPeking's New China News Agency
broadcast ÿa report quoting a Pathet Lao spokesman as ÿannouncing
the ÿcapture of Colonel Hrdlicka. ÿThe following year the Pathet
Lao ÿbroadcast a letter which was attributed to Hrdlicka ÿwherein
he ÿdiscussed ÿthe ÿwar and his eagerness to ÿsee ÿhis ÿwife ÿand
children. ÿSeveral months later, ÿin August 1966, ÿPRAVDA ran ÿa
photograph ÿof ÿhim, ÿstill in his flight suit, ÿhead ÿbowed ÿand
turned ÿÿslightly ÿaway, ÿÿan ÿarmed ÿguard ÿbehind ÿhim. ÿÿU.S.
intelligence believes he was held in a cave near Sam Neua, ÿLaos,
and reports believed to pertain to him were monitored for several
years.
Colonel ÿÿHrdlicka ÿis ÿan ÿold ÿAir ÿForce ÿflying ÿbuddy ÿÿof
Congressman Robert Dornan. ÿ"It is just absolutely sickening ÿto
think ÿthat an American could suffer such a fate," ÿsays ÿDornan.
"Think ÿof the mental state of someone existing alive ÿfor ÿseven
years, ÿcompounded on top of his seven . . . years of captivity
before the American presence ended . . . I just can't conceive
of ÿwhat ÿan ÿAmerican must think of his country if he ÿis ÿstill
alive somewhere in one of those jungle camps ..."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 37
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Indeed. What must they think of us?
Walter ÿCronkite ÿmesmerized ÿthe country ÿduring ÿthe ÿhostage
crisis by counting all the way up to 444. ÿIf by a miracle David
Hrdlicka is still alive, he is approaching day six thousand.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 38
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Michigan's POW Bill
Submitted by Thomas Remington;
Carson City, Michigan
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
Pages 1023-1026 [April 28,1993]
No. 35] 1993 Journal of the House - State of Michigan
Reps. ÿCropsey, ÿDeMars, ÿWillard, ÿLowe, ÿVoorhees, ÿBullard and
Martin offered the following concurrent resolution:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 185.
A ÿÿconcurrent ÿresolution ÿrequesting ÿthe ÿMichigan ÿAttorney
General ÿto file suit in the United States Supreme Court ÿagainst
the ÿÿUnited ÿStates ÿgovernment, ÿÿspecified ÿU.S. ÿÿÿgovernment
departments ÿand ÿagencies, ÿand the official representatives ÿof
certain ÿother countries alleging violations of the civil ÿrights
of ÿPrisoners ÿof ÿWar or Missing in Action and ÿto ÿdemand ÿthat
documents ÿconcerning ÿthese individuals be released, ÿÿand ÿalso
urging the other forty-nine states to join in this action.
Whereas, ÿÿÿThere ÿis ÿcontinuing ÿcontroversy ÿconcerning ÿthe
presence of American servicemen, ÿwho were listed as Prisoners of
War ÿor Missing in Action, ÿbeing held against their will in ÿthe
Southeast Asian nations of Vietnam, Laos, and Kampuchea (formerly
Cambodia); and
Whereas, ÿThe United States government has stated that all ÿour
Prisoners of War have been returned from Vietnam; and
Whereas, ÿA ÿrecent top secret Vietnamese report, ÿdating ÿfrom
1972, ÿÿby General Tran Von Kwong, ÿDeputy Chief of Staff for the
North Vietnamese Army, ÿreported that in September of 1972 ÿHanoi
held 1,205 American prisoners; and
Whereas, Only 591 ÿAmerican Prisoners of War have been released
under the 1973 Peace Settlement; and
Whereas, ÿÿVietnamese ÿnationals who have moved to ÿthe ÿUnited
States have reported the appearance of American Prisoners of ÿWar
still being held against their will in Southeast Asia; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe ÿPresident of Russia let it be ÿknown ÿthat ÿthe
Soviet Union took American servicemen during the Vietnam War into
Russia ÿand that there is no adequate explanation concerning ÿthe
whereabouts of these servicemen; and
Whereas, ÿÿThere are still hundreds of documents in the ÿUnited
States ÿDefense ÿDepartment that have not been ÿreleased ÿto ÿthe
public ÿconcerning the fate of American servicemen classified ÿas
Prisoners of War or Missing in Action; and
Whereas, ÿThe United States government's intelligence ÿagencies
have ÿtaken ÿthe position of trying to discredit any ÿinformation
concerning the existence of American Prisoners of War, instead of
demanding ÿa full accounting from Vietnam, ÿLaos, ÿand ÿKampuchea
NAM VET Newsletter Page 39
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
based upon said information that has been received; and
Whereas, ÿÿThere ÿare seventy-two missing and ÿunaccounted ÿfor
servicemen in Southeast Asia from Michigan; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe United States government has never entered ÿinto
negotiations ÿwith the government of Laos concerning the ÿrelease
of ÿAmerican ÿPrisoners ÿof War who were taken ÿprisoner ÿby ÿthe
communists in Laos during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe United States government has never entered ÿinto
negotiations ÿwith ÿthe government of ÿKampuchea ÿconcerning ÿthe
release ÿof American Prisoners of War who were taken prisoner ÿby
the communists in Kampuchea during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas, The Paris Peace Accord is now twenty years old and any
national security secrets on the technology that was used in ÿthe
war would be outdated, ÿespecially considering that the ÿmilitary
research ÿand arms buildup have made most technology and ÿmethods
used in the Vietnam War obsolete; and
Whereas, ÿThe only reason for secrecy at this time would be ÿto
cover up the actions of politicians, bureaucrats, and negotiators
who ÿdeliberately abandoned American Prisoners of War ÿafter ÿthe
Vietnam War; and
Whereas, ÿAny Americans who are still being held against ÿtheir
will ÿin Southeast Asia as a result of the Vietnam War are having
their ÿright to liberty - that inherent and inalienable right ÿby
which ÿthey ÿare ÿendowed by our Creator, ÿas guaranteed ÿby ÿthe
Declaration ÿof Independence and the Constitution of ÿthe ÿUnited
States - violated; and
Whereas, ÿAmericans highly prize and value that sacred right to
liberty, ÿÿthat right the founders of our nation pledged to fight
for with their lives, ÿtheir fortunes, ÿand their sacred honor to
win and protect; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe ÿexecutive branch of the federal government ÿhas
miserably ÿfailed ÿto even attempt to negotiate ÿthe ÿrelease ÿof
Americans ÿthat ÿmay ÿstill be held in Southeast ÿAsia, ÿÿand ÿis
obstructing the discovery of any remaining servicemen; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe legislative branch of the federal government has
also ÿmiserably ÿfailed to thoroughly ÿinvestigate ÿand ÿhonestly
report ÿon ÿthis tragedy, ÿand, ÿindeed, ÿhas ÿeven ÿordered ÿthe
destruction ÿof ÿstaff ÿdocuments containing ÿstaff ÿintelligence
reports on this sensitive issue; and
Whereas, ÿThe inferior courts of the federal judiciary have not
granted ÿrelief ÿto the American Soldiers listed as Prisoners ÿof
War or Missing in Action; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe United States Supreme Court is the last ÿbastion
that ÿan ÿAmerican ÿcitizen ÿhas for redress ÿof ÿgrievances ÿand
protection ÿof ÿConstitutional ÿliberty ÿagainst ÿan ÿÿoppressive
federal executive and a duplicitous federal legislature; and
Whereas, ÿÿThe ÿUnited ÿStates Constitution, ÿin ÿArticle ÿIII,
section ÿ2, ÿstates "In all Cases affecting ÿAmbassadors, ÿÿother
NAM VET Newsletter Page 40
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
public Ministers and Counsels, ÿand those in which a State ÿshall
be a Party, ÿthe supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction";
now, therefore, be it
Resolved ÿÿby ÿÿthe ÿHouse ÿof ÿRepresentatives ÿÿ(the ÿÿSenate
concurring), ÿÿThat the Michigan Legislature hereby requests ÿthe
Attorney ÿGeneral ÿof ÿthe state of Michigan, ÿon behalf ÿof ÿthe
people ÿof ÿthe state of Michigan, ÿso file in the United ÿStates
Supreme ÿCourt ÿa cause of action against the government ÿof ÿthe
United ÿStates, ÿÿespecially ÿthe Department of Defense ÿand ÿthe
intelligence agencies, ÿand also against the ambassadors or other
public ministers and consuls of the governments of Vietnam, Laos,
Kampuchea, Russia, China, Australia, Canada, and France, alleging
violations of civil rights of the people of Michigan, ÿespecially
alleging ÿthe violation of the right to life, ÿliberty, ÿand ÿthe
pursuit of happiness of the following named citizens of the state
of Michigan:
Name Military Service Home City of Record
Allard, Richard M. USA Chesaning
Anderson, Robert D. USAF Battle Creek
Anderson, Warren L. USAF Camden
Austin, Ellis E. USN Vermontville
Beckwith, Harry III USA Flint
Boltze, Bruce H. USMC Flint
Borton, Robert Jr. USMC Benton Harbor
Buckley, Louis Jr. USA Detroit
Burgess, John L. USA Kingsley
Carroll, Patrick H. USAF Allen Park
Carter, James D. USA Clarkston
Chapman, Rodney M. USN Alpena
Cline, Curtis R. USA Burlington
Crossman, Gregory J. USAF Sturgis
Cudlike, Charles J. USA Detroit
Dailey, Douglas V. USAF Waterford
Dennany, James H. USAF Mattawan
Dix, Craig M. USA Livonia
Dye, Melvin C. USA Carleton
Feneley, Francis J. USAF Curtis
Gauthier, Dennis L. USA Rochester
Green, Larry E. USMC Mt. Morris
Greiling, David S. USN Hillside
Groth, Wade L. USA Greenville
Hammond, Dennis W. USM Detroit
Hill, Robert J. USAF Detroit
Holman, Gerald A. USN Northville
Huard, James L. USAF Dearborn
Jackovac, John A. USA Detroit
Jarvis, Jeremy M. USAF Warren
Jerome, Stanley M. USN Detroit
Johnson, Bruce G. USA Harbor Beach
King, Donald L. USAF Muskegon
Kipina, Marshall F. USA Calumet
Kilmo, James R. USA Muskegon
Klugg, Joseph R. USN Okemos
Kool, James W. USMC Fruitport
NAM VET Newsletter Page 41
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Lapham, Robert G. USAF Marshall
Leonard, Marvin M. USA Grand Rapids
Marvin, Robert C. USN Dexter
Massucci, Martin J. USAF Royal Oak
May, Michael F. USA Vassar
Nahan, John B. III USMC Allegan
Nelson, James R. USA Ludington
Paul, James L. USA Riverview
Perry, Otha L. USA Detroit
Pineau, Roland R. USN Berkley
Riggs, Thomas F. USA Farmington
Roberts, Richard D. USA Lansing
Robertson, Mark J. USA Detroit
Robinson, Lewis M. USAF Saginaw
Ross, Llynn Jr. USA Detroit
Seablom, Earl F. USA Ishpeming
Smith, William Jr. USA Battle Creek
Stevens, Phillip P. USN Twin Lake
Stroven, William H. USAF Fremont
Stuifbergen, Gene P. USAF Augusta
Teran, Refugio T. USA Westland
Thoresen, Donald N. USN Detroit
Tromp, William L. USN Fennville
Tucci, Robert L. USAF Detroit
Tyler, George E. USAF Royal Oak
Wagener, David R. USAF Ann Arbor
Walker, Kenneth E. USAF Lansing
Wallace, Michael J. USA Ann Arbor
Welch, Robert J. USAF Detroit
Widon, Kenneth H. USN Detroit
Wilson, Robert A. USAF Detroit
Woloszyk, Donald J. USN Alpena
Worchester, John B. USN Big Rapids
Wozniak, Frederick USAF Alpena
Wright, Arthur USA Lansing
;and be it further
Resolved, ÿThat the Attorney General of the state of ÿMichigan,
in filing this suit, shall demand that the Department of Defense,
the ÿintelligence agencies, ÿthe governments of ÿVietnam, ÿÿLaos,
Kampuchea, ÿFrance, Australia, and Canada turn over all documents
concerning ÿPrisoners ÿof ÿWar and Missing ÿin ÿAction ÿin ÿLaos,
Kampuchea, and Vietnam; and be it further
Resolved, ÿÿThat ÿthe sister forty-nine states ÿof ÿthe ÿUnited
States ÿbe urged to join in this action on behalf of their ÿstate
and ÿthe citizens of their state who are being held in ÿcaptivity
in Southeast Asia; and be it further
Resolved, ÿThat a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the
Attorney ÿGeneral of the state of Michigan, ÿto the United States
Supreme ÿCourt, ÿto the President of the United States, ÿÿto ÿthe
Speaker ÿof the United States House of Representatives, ÿÿto ÿthe
President ÿof ÿthe United States Senate, ÿto the members ÿof ÿthe
Michigan ÿcongressional ÿdelegation, ÿÿand to the clerks ÿof ÿthe
respective Houses and Senates of our sister forty-nine states.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 42
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The ÿconcurrent ÿresolution was referred to ÿthe ÿCommittee ÿon
Military and Veterans Affairs.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 43
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Roads To Remembrance
By Miles Z. Epstein
The American Legion Magazine
September 1993
Input by Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
AMERICA WILL NEVER FORGET ITS POW/MIAs AND THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE
OF THE WORK BEING DONE BY THESE LEGIONNAIRES.
While the true stories of America's Vietnam War POW/MIAs may be
buried ÿforever along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail, ÿthere is a
road ÿin Florida that is keeping their memory alive: ÿÿInterstate
Highway US1-A-1.
From Key West to the Georgia border, ÿUS1-A-1 is known as POW's
& ÿMIA's MEMORIAL HIGHWAY. ÿAnd if Legionnaire Jose N. ÿProenza-
Sanfiel ÿhas ÿhis way, ÿinterconnecting ÿInterstates ÿacross ÿthe
country ÿ- at least one in each state - will be renamed in ÿhonor
of America's missing GIs.
More than 80,000 Americans are still listed as unaccounted for:
over 2,000 from the Vietnam War; more than 8,000 from Korea; ÿand
over 70,000 from World War II.
"These Interstates, ÿas strong American veins, would crisscross
at ÿthe imaginary heart of America, ÿindicating to anyone who can
read ÿa ÿmap that America - as a nation - has not ÿforgotten ÿour
POWs or MIAs," says Proenza-Sanfiel, a ÿVietnam-era Marine Corps
veteran.
Proenza-Sanfiel ÿis ÿthe ÿdriving force behind ÿPOW's ÿ& ÿMIA's
Project Interstate. ÿHis idea calls for each state to select one
or ÿmore of its interstate highways to receive the name ÿPOW's ÿ&
MIA's MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, as has been done in Florida. Senate Bill
S.900, endorses his plan.
Renaming Interstates for U.S. ÿPOW/MIAs is only one of the ways
Legionnaires ÿacross ÿthe ÿcountry ÿare ÿpaying ÿtribute ÿto ÿthe
missing.
According ÿÿto ÿJoseph ÿEnglish, ÿÿthe ÿNew ÿJersey ÿDepartment
Commander, ÿThe American Legion succeeded in getting a law passed
that ÿrequires all state, ÿcounty and municipal buildings in ÿNew
Jersey to fly the POW/MIA Flag.
Legionnaire Pamela Brashear of Post 88, ÿTurlock, Calif., ÿalso
has ÿfocused attention on the POW/MIA issue in her state. ÿÿLast
year, ÿÿshe started an annual POW/MIA recognition ceremony at San
Joaquin Cemetery in Santa Nella, ÿa ÿnational cemetery run by the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
"When you have a family member who is missing in action . . .
you ÿdon't ÿwant to say their name because it hurts ÿtoo ÿmuch...
everybody ÿhides from what happened," ÿexplains Brashear, ÿÿwhose
father has been listed as a Korean War MIA since 1951.
After ÿreturning from military duty as an Army Reserve medic in
NAM VET Newsletter Page 44
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
the ÿGulf War in 1992, ÿBrashear decided it was time to honor her
father ÿ- ÿAir ÿForce Capt. ÿJames Doyle Marshall - ÿwhose ÿB-29
aircraft went down over the Sea of Japan 42 years ago this month.
"I wanted a spot with his name on it, ÿand as I researched ÿhis
fate and came in contact with other POW/MIA families, ÿI realized
there ÿwas ÿan ÿunfulfilled ÿneed ÿto ÿacknowledge ÿtheir ÿloss,"
Brashear says.
Brashear, ÿÿwith the help of the San Joaquin National ÿCemetery
Memorial Council, ÿorganized a special ceremony to honor POW/MIAs
at ÿthe ÿcemetery. ÿLater, ÿshe placed a marker in her ÿfather's
name.
More ÿthan ÿ300 ÿpeople attended last year's ceremony, ÿÿduring
which ÿWorld War II airplanes flew over the cemetery in ÿmissing-
man formation.
"This month, ÿI ÿhope the event will be even bigger and I ÿhope
more ÿfamilies can attend and proudly say the names of those ÿwho
are still missing," Brashear says. "My father is one of them."
Legionnaires ÿwho are concerned about the POW/MIA issue, ÿÿlike
Brashear, have the full force of The American Legion behind them.
The Legion's National Special POW/MIA Committee, headed by Past
National Commander (PNC) Robert S. Turner, ÿcontinues to help the
Legion ÿtarget solutions to the plight of missing servicemen ÿand
their families.
Together ÿwith ÿthe ÿLegion's ÿNational ÿSecurity ÿand ÿForeign
Relations ÿcommissions, ÿÿhere's ÿwhat ÿTurner's ÿcommission ÿhas
accomplished:
HELPING FAMILIES. ÿ"For families of POW/MIAs, ÿthe Legion - as
the ÿONLY major veterans' ÿorganization still pressing for a full
accounting ÿ- has become a vital ally in their struggle ÿfor ÿthe
truth," ÿÿsays ÿPOW/MIA expert John F. ÿÿSommer ÿJr., ÿÿexecutive
director of the Legion's Washington Office.
In ÿtestimony ÿbefore ÿthe Senate Select Committee ÿon ÿPOW/MIA
Affairs, in closed-door meetings with Pentagon officials, ÿand in
public ÿÿforums, ÿÿThe ÿAmerican ÿLegion ÿhas ÿcalled ÿÿfor ÿÿthe
declassification of ALL POW/MIA information.
"The secrecy must end," ÿadd PNC Turner. ÿ"Many documents have
not ÿbeen ÿreleased, ÿand while some say it's because they ÿwould
endanger national security, Legionnaires know better than that."
The Legion also helps families get through the Pentagon's maze
of ÿpaperwork and bureaucracy, ÿwhile giving them access ÿto ÿthe
Defense Department's top officials through forums as its National
Convention and Washington Conference.
FACT-FINDING. Because of the secrecy surrounding POW/MIAs, few
American's ÿÿtrust ÿthe ÿU.S. ÿÿgovernment's ÿability ÿto ÿÿfully
investigate ÿthe ÿissue. ÿÿDuring ÿthis ÿperiod ÿof ÿdoubt ÿand
uncertainty, ÿThe American Legion has stepped in to help ÿrestore
national credibility.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 45
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
"We ÿhave ÿworked ÿwith private forensic ÿanthropologists ÿand
other experts to evaluate POW/MIA live-sighting reports and other
cases," ÿsays Richard S. ÿChristian, ÿone of the Legion's POW/MIA
researchers. ÿÿÿThe ÿLegion ÿalso ÿconducted ÿon-site ÿÿPOW/MIA
investigations in Southeast Asia in 1991 and 1992.
THE NEXT WAR. ÿIn its March 1993 ÿissue, ÿTHE AMERICAN ÿLEGION
magazine ÿpublished ÿ"POW/MIAs: ÿThe Next War." ÿÿThis ÿspecial,
investigative ÿreport presented expert recommendations to protect
POW/MIAs in future wars and peacekeeping operations, and outlined
steps to help the families of POW/MIAs.
A ÿ1993 ÿLegion poll concluded that 70 ÿpercent of Legionnaires
polled ÿbelieve ÿthat ÿthe United States "lacks ÿthe ÿresolve ÿto
properly account for POW/MIAs in the next war."
"We're determined to better protect the men and women who ÿwill
be sent to fight a future war," ÿsays National Commander Roger A.
Munson. ÿÿ"The Cold War may be over, ÿbut a look at our world ÿ-
Bosnia, ÿÿSomalia and the Middle East - is a sure sign that ÿU.S.
troops ÿwill be sent to war again in the future," ÿÿMunson ÿsays.
"We ÿmust ÿlearn from our mistakes (see (box) ÿÿ(left) ÿÿ(article
following).
While most POW/MIAs are believed to be dead, ÿthe issue of live
POWs ÿin ÿSoutheast Asia has not yet been resolved. ÿÿ"Based ÿon
documents from the former Soviet Union, ÿit is possible U.S. POWs
were ÿkept ÿafter the Vietnam War and are still ÿalive," ÿÿLegion
POW/MIA expert John Sommer says.
Many ÿLegionnaires, ÿÿPOW/MIA ÿfamilies ÿand ÿveterans ÿÿremain
hopeful. ÿÿSays Project Interstate's Proenza-Sanfiel: ÿ"When our
POW/MIAs finally make it home, ÿI ÿwant them to have something to
look at that says 'I truly was not forgotten.'"
For more information on POW's & MIA's Project Interstate, ÿsend
a ÿself-addressed, ÿstamped envelope to: ÿPOW's & ÿMIA's ÿProject
Interstate, ÿ4230 POW's & MIA's Memorial Drive, St. Cloud, Fla.
34772-8142.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 46
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
BOX 15
Submitted by James Venedam
Flamingo BBS - Melbourne, FL
(407) 253-0782
On June 5th, ÿ1993 Ms. ÿPat Plumadore spoke at our annual POW/MIA
Walk For Freedom. ÿPat has given me permission to post her ÿpoem.
Before I do, I would like to provide a brief background.
On Sept. 21, 1967 US Marines engaged a large hostile force of NVA
in Con Thien. Outnumbered, ÿthe Marines were forced to withdraw,
leaving 15 Marines behind on the field of battle.
Several ÿweeks ÿlater, ÿa ÿrecovery team returned to ÿthe ÿbattle
field. ÿThe remains of 14 ÿof the 15 ÿMarines were recovered ÿand
identified. ÿThe 15th Marine L/Cpl Kenneth Plumadore was declared
Killed ÿin ÿAction ÿBody not Recovered. ÿIn ÿ1986 ÿÿthe ÿMarines
notified ÿthe ÿfamily that the Vietnamese ÿhad ÿreturned ÿremains
thought to be Ken's. ÿWhat the family was not told, was that the
Vietnamese ÿstated ÿthat the remains were those ÿof ÿan ÿAmerican
captured ÿin Con Thien on Sept 21, ÿ1967. ÿThe remains were ÿnot
Ken's. ÿÿIn June of 1992, ÿthe family was informed by a reporter
that ÿKen was a Vessey discrepancy case. ÿKen's sister Pat ÿmade
many ÿinquires ÿas ÿto ÿhow ÿa ÿKIA/BNR ÿcould ÿbe ÿconsidered ÿa
discrepancy ÿcase. ÿThat is when she learned of ÿthe ÿVietnamese
admission ÿto the capture of 1 Marine in Con Thien on Sept. ÿÿ21,
1967.
After ÿmuch ÿdiscussion with the Marines, ÿPat was told that ÿthe
captured Marine was not Ken. ÿSince no other man went missing in
that ÿarea ÿon that day, ÿthe POW referred to by ÿthe ÿVietnamese
could only be one of the 15 ÿMarines left on the battlefield that
day. If it was not Ken, ÿit had to be one of the Marines thought
to ÿbe identified, ÿÿand Ken now lays in a ÿgrave ÿunder ÿanother
Marines headstone. As of this date, the remains returned in 1986
are unidentified. ÿWhat ÿfollows ÿin ÿthe ÿnext ÿmessage ÿis Pat
Plumadore's poem in honor of her brother and the unidentified ÿUS
soldier.
BOX 15
by Patricia Plumadore sister of
L/CPL Kenneth Plumadore POW/MIA Sept. 21, 1967
There is an Unknown Soldier in Box 15
Stored in a warehouse on a shelf unseen
No grave...no flowers for this fallen Marine
Returned by Vietnam seven years ago
No name attached
Does anyone know this soldier
A hero...a mothers only son?
Was he someones husband or father?
Lord what have they done?
Does his family now pray over another soldiers grave?
Unaware that 26 years ago a mistake may have been made
Do flowers watered by tears from his sisters eyes
Grow over the grave where my brother now lies?
NAM VET Newsletter Page 47
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Vietnam holds the answers to what happened back then
So far away across the sea in Dong Ha and Con Thien
Only Vietnam can tell us his name
Not demanding the truth
That is our Nations shame.
I will not forget him, my brother Marine
The unknown soldier in Box 15
Tho I don't know him and can't call him by name
I will call him brother and pray just the same
As I do for my brother whose fate is unknown
And all of our loved ones
Who have yet to come home.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 48
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
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NAM VET Newsletter Page 49
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
THIS Veterans' Day
=================================================================
Veterans Day Message
Submitted by Larry Grim
Grimace BBS - Arnold, MD
(410) 544-1297
Veterans Day Message
From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
There ÿis no greater accolade than the title of veteran. ÿIt is
an honor reserved for those who have served, ÿor who today serve,
in ÿthe ÿArmed Forces of the United States. ÿOn November ÿ11, ÿÿa
grateful ÿNation ÿwill pause to recognize the men and ÿwomen ÿwho
have worn the uniform of their Nation.
The ÿrecord of service of our veterans -- ÿpast or present, ÿÿin
wartime ÿor ÿpeace, ÿwithin our country's borders or ÿin ÿfar-off
lands ÿ-- ÿÿis ÿa history ÿof valor, ÿdedication to ÿduty ÿand ÿa
willingness ÿto sacrifice for others. ÿTheir contributions are ÿa
source of pride for all Americans.
The ÿdecades ÿsince ÿthe end of World ÿWar ÿII ÿhave ÿwitnessed
American ÿfighting men and women in action worldwide on ÿnumerous
occasions, ÿÿagainst ÿForces seeking to rule the world ÿon ÿterms
contrary ÿto ÿour ÿprinciples of democracy and freedom. ÿÿTo ÿthe
credit ÿof millions of veterans, ÿthat struggle never became ÿthe
global conflict feared by so many. You prevailed by your selfless
sacrifice ÿin ÿthe ÿface of ÿextreme ÿhardship, ÿÿloneliness ÿand
discomfort. ÿÿYou ÿprevailed and in so doing, ÿyou preserved ÿour
security, our freedom and our future.
On behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ÿI ÿextend my sincerest
appreciation ÿto each of you who have served and who continue ÿto
stand ÿthe ÿwatch ÿtoday. ÿÿYou ÿare ÿuncommon ÿpeople ÿwho ÿhave
accomplished all that has ever been asked, and more. I salute you
on this special day. ÿI ÿam especially proud to be counted as one
of you: a veteran.
John M. Shalikashvili
NAM VET Newsletter Page 50
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
VETERANS DAY - HOW IT WAS NAMED
"A Soldier Known But to God"
From: "A Grateful Nation Remembers" 1990
- Veterans' Day National Committee
Input by Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
In 1921, ÿan American soldier - his name "known but to God" ÿÿ-
was buried ÿon a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac ÿRiver
and ÿthe city of Washington. ÿThe ÿArlington ÿNational ÿCemetery
burial site of ÿthis ÿunknown ÿWorld ÿWar ÿI ÿsoldier ÿbecame the
personification of dignity and reverence for America's veterans.
Similar ÿceremonies ÿoccurred ÿearlier in England ÿand ÿFrance,
where an ÿ"unknown ÿsoldier" ÿwas buried in each nation's highest
place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc
de Triomphe).
These ÿmemorial gestures all took place on November 11, ÿgiving
universal recognition to the ending of World War I hostilities at
11 a.ÿm., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the
11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day."
Armistice ÿDay officially received its name in America in ÿ1926
through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday
12 years later by similar Congressional action.
If ÿthe idealistic hope had been realized that World War ÿI was
"The ÿWar ÿto end all wars," ÿNovember 11 ÿmight still be ÿcalled
Armistice Day. ÿBut ÿshortly ÿafter ÿthe holiday was proclaimed,
World War II broke out in Europe and shattered the dream. Sixteen
and one-half million Americans took part. ÿFour hundred and ÿsix
thousand died. The families and friends of these dead longed for
a way to honor their memory.
"To Honor Veterans of All Wars"
An answer to the dilemma of how to pay tribute to those who had
served ÿin ÿthis ÿlatest, ÿgreat war came in a proposal ÿmade ÿby
Representative Edwin K. Rees of Kansas: ÿChange Armistice Day to
Veterans ÿDay, ÿand make this an occasion to honor those who have
served America in all wars.
President ÿEisenhower, ÿin 1954, ÿsigned the ÿbill ÿproclaiming
November 11 ÿas Veterans Day, ÿand he called for ÿAmericans every
where to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.
On May 30, ÿ1958, ÿtwo more unidentified American war dead were
brought ÿto Arlington ÿCemetery from overseas and interred in the
plaza ÿbeside their Comrade of World War I. ÿÿOne was killed ÿin
World War II, the other in Korea. ÿA law passed in 1973 provided
for ÿthe interment of an unknown American who ÿlost his ÿlife ÿin
Southeast ÿAsia ÿduring the Vietnam era. ÿFor several ÿyears ÿno
qualifying ÿremains ÿwere ÿdiscovered so a ÿmemorial ÿplaque ÿwas
placed in the Amphitheater's Memorial Display Room. ÿOn Memorial
Day 1984, however, ÿthe Unknown Serviceman from that conflict was
placed "In Honored Glory" alongside his fellow countrymen.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 51
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
To ÿhonor ÿthese men, ÿsymbolic of all Americans who gave their
lives ÿin all wars, ÿan Army honor guard, ÿThe 3rd United ÿStates
Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.
"Date Too Significant to Change"
A ÿlaw ÿpassed in 1968 ÿchanged the national ÿcommemoration ÿof
Veterans ÿDay ÿto the fourth Monday in October. ÿIt soon ÿbecame
apparent, ÿhowever, that November 11 was a matter of historic and
patriotic ÿsignificance ÿto ÿa ÿgreat ÿnumber ÿof ÿour ÿcitizens.
Congress, therefore, enacted legislation (Public Law 94-97) which
returned the observance of ÿthis ÿspecial ÿday to its traditional
date beginning in 1978.
"Once Belonged to Robert E. Lee"
Focal ÿpoint ÿfor ÿceremonies conducted ÿby ÿthe ÿVeterans ÿDay
National ÿCommittee ÿcontinues ÿto ÿbe ÿthe ÿArlington ÿÿMemorial
Amphitheater built around the ÿTomb of the ÿUnknowns at Arlington
National ÿCemetery. ÿÿThe ÿsite, ÿestablished in 1864 ÿÿand ÿnow
operated by the Department of Defense, lies on property that once
belonged to General Robert E. Lee.
At 11 ÿa.m. on Veterans Day a combined color guard representing
all military services honors the ÿUnknowns ÿby executing "Present
Arms" ÿÿat ÿthe Tomb. ÿThe Nation's tribute to its war ÿdead ÿis
symbolized ÿby the laying of a Presidential wreath. ÿÿThe bugler
sounds ÿ"Taps." ÿThe balance of the ceremony, ÿwhich includes ÿa
brief address, takes place at the Amphitheater.
Veterans ÿDay ÿceremonies ÿat Arlington and ÿelsewhere ÿin ÿthe
Nation ÿare coordinated by the President's Veterans Day ÿNational
Committee. ÿChaired by the ÿSecretary, ÿÿDepartment of Veterans
Affairs, ÿÿthe ÿgroup has an executive committee ÿwhich ÿincludes
representatives ÿof ÿeighteen ÿnational ÿveterans ÿÿorganizations
chartered ÿby Congress. ÿThe remaining ÿmembers ÿrepresent other
national veterans service associations.
The governor of each State and the U.S. ÿTerritories appoints a
Veterans Day chairperson who, ÿin ÿcooperation ÿwith the National
Committee, ÿplans, ÿarranges ÿand promotes appropriate ceremonies
within his or her jurisdiction.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 52
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Veterans Day Notes
Submitted by Larry Grim
Grimace BBS - Arnold, MD
(410) 544-1297
Do You Know?
Veterans Day
When did the armistice for World War I take effect?
Nov. 11, 1918
What was the original name of Veterans Day?
Armistice Day
Since what year has Armistice Day, and later Veterans Day, been
officially proclaimed?
1926
When did the name Armistice Day change to Veterans Day?
1954
What is Veterans Day known as in Canada?
Remembrance Day
When did Veterans Day revert to Nov. 11 after public opinion
forced changing the Monday holiday law?
1978
Who was U.S president for the interment of a World War I soldier
at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery?
Warren G. Harding (Nov. 11, 1921)
Worth Repeating
Veterans Day
"We, as a people, have set aside today as a national day of
recognition and special tribute to all veterans -- past and
present -- for their dedication, sacrifice and exceptional
service to their country." -- Gen. Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army
"America owes an immense debt of gratitude to its veterans for
the sacrifices they have made in behalf of liberty...for holding
high the torch of freedom today." --Robert S. McNamara, U.S.
Defense Secretary
"Our armies, hurriedly raised and hastily trained, met a veteran
army, and by courage, discipline and skill always defeated him."
-- Gen. John J. Pershing, U.S. Army
"The war showed us the strength of great nations acting together
for high purposes." --Woodrow Wilson, U.S. president
"Though our hopes are tempered by the need for vigilance which
today's Armed Forces so ably provide, the dream of that first
Armistice Day remains." --Dick Cheney, U.S. Defense Secretary
NAM VET Newsletter Page 53
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The Story of America's Favorite Song
By Michael Drury
July 1993 Readers Digest
Condensed from Woman's Day
Input by Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
WHY SHE WROTE AMERICA'S FAVORITE SONG
Katharine Lee Bates's words never fail to bring a lump to ÿthe
throat and a surge to the heart.
An eerie quiet fell over the battlefield near the French city ÿof
Verdun. ÿIt was November 11, ÿ1918, ÿand the guns were abruptly
silent. Some of the soldiers sank to the ground; ÿothers stared
into ÿspace. ÿSome began to shake. ÿThe Great War was finished,
but the men could not take it in.
On ÿa ÿlittle rise a group of American ÿsoldiers ÿbegan ÿsinging
softly. ÿÿHearing them, ÿthe others seemed to come alive ÿagain.
They ÿsprang to their feet and joined in the song, ÿÿwith ÿtears
running down their cheeks.
What ÿthey ÿsang was a jubilant hymn that begins O ÿBEAUTIFUL FOR
SPACIOUS SKIES, ÿFOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN .... ÿIt had been sung
in ÿits present form for only a dozen years or so, ÿÿyet ÿalready
almost ÿall Americans knew at least the first verse. ÿIt ÿwas ÿa
song ÿthat spoke to a people and of a people - and it still does,
so ÿimmediately ÿthat few of us can remember having ÿlearned ÿit.
Where did it come from? Who wrote it?
The words were written 100 ÿyears ago this month by Katharine Lee
Bates, a professor of English at Wellesley College, a ÿschool for
women ÿnear Boston. ÿOf all the stories told about "America ÿthe
Beautiful," the one concerning the soldiers at Verdun was Bates's
favorite. ÿÿShe said so in a letter to her brother in 1926, ÿtwo
years ÿbefore she died at age 69. ÿIt was a large admission ÿfor
her to make. A reticent New England Victorian, she seldom talked
about the poem in the years immediately after she had written it.
Besieged ÿby questions when the poem appeared in print ÿin ÿ1895,
Bates finally published a leaflet recounting the bare facts. ÿIn
her diary on the day the poem was first published, ÿthere is only
the ÿmerest mention of it. ÿNor did she ever complain ÿthat ÿshe
made ÿno ÿmoney from it other than the few dollars her ÿpublisher
may have paid her.
These are the facts: In July 1893 ÿBates went with several other
professors ÿto ÿteach ÿa three-week summer ÿsession ÿat ÿColorado
College in Colorado Springs. ÿThe railroads were proud of ÿtheir
new "facilities for ladies," ÿbut the seats were bolt upright and
"facilities" ÿÿmeant a nonsmoking car with a kind of outhouse ÿat
one end. ÿIt took a day and a half just to get to Chicago, where
the party stopped to visit the World's Fair that open that ÿyear.
The ÿfair ÿwas called "The White City" ÿbecause of ÿits ÿgleaming
alabaster ÿbuildings, ÿwhich held exhibits depicting a vision ÿof
America's future. Still marveling at the displays, Bates and the
NAM VET Newsletter Page 54
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
others proceeded to Colorado.
To ÿKatharine ÿBates's ÿNew ÿEngland eyes, ÿthe ÿRockies ÿwere ÿa
staggering sight; ÿmore than a sight, ÿa ÿfelt presence - purple,
brown, ÿgreen, ÿmidnight blue under the moon, ÿgold in the rising
sun. In addition, ÿthe vastness of the prairies full of ripening
grain, ÿÿthe intellectual excitement of the great fair, ÿand ÿthe
sense ÿof calling she brought to her teaching - all combined into
an almost explosive understanding of the American idea.
At the end of their stay, the professors went to the top of Pikes
Peak ÿin a wagon drawn by horses and, ÿon the steepest part, ÿÿby
mules. ÿÿÿThere, ÿÿÿ14,000 ÿÿfeet ÿinto ÿthe ÿsky ÿ- ÿand ÿÿyet,
characteristically, ÿÿwith ÿher feet still firmly on the earth ÿ-
Bates ÿconceived ÿthe ÿpoem that became ÿknown ÿas ÿ"America ÿthe
Beautiful." At the hotel that evening, she wrote it down.
Two years passed before she came across the penciled lines in her
Colorado ÿnotebook. ÿShe sent the poem to THE ÿCONGREGATIONALIST
magazine, ÿwhich published it, ÿfittingly, on July 4, ÿ1895. ÿIt
attracted immediate attention.
Requests ÿto use the words with various melodies poured in. ÿÿIn
Canada the refrain was sung, ÿ"O Canada, ÿO Canada!" ÿin place of
"America! America!" To the south it became "Me Mejico!"
When ÿBates found that people were setting the poem to music ÿand
miscopying some words, she recast her poem slightly. She changed
"Above ÿthe ÿenameled plain" ÿto "Above the fruited ÿplain" ÿÿand
"halcyon ÿskies" ÿÿto "spacious skies." ÿShe also rewrote ÿthis
original ending of the first stanza:
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till souls wax fair
as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!
Afterward ÿshe gave her permission for free and universal use ÿof
the revision on condition that it not be altered.
The ÿsecond edition was published on November 19, ÿ1904, ÿby ÿthe
Boston EVENING TRANSCRIPT. Some years later, after an additional
revision to the third stanza, the poem was set to music Samuel A.
Ward had written for the ancient hymn "Materna."
Why ÿwas ÿBates so modest about her masterpiece? ÿThe clues ÿare
difficult ÿto read. ÿShe published many volumes of poetry - much
of ÿit impassioned and not at all in keeping with her ÿschoolmarm
appearance. Photos taken during the flapper era show her looking
a little like Queen Victoria, ÿstill clad in black dresses with a
touch of lace. But she was prettier than the Queen, and her eyes
were ÿmerry. ÿShe had a warm sense of humor and ÿloved ÿanimals.
Her ÿpets ÿincluded ÿa crotchety old parrot ÿnamed ÿPolonius ÿand
several ÿdogs. ÿÿShe ÿbelieved in women's minds and ÿworth. ÿÿA
clergyman's daughter, she was religious but not pious.
Where, ÿÿÿthen, ÿÿwas ÿthe ÿkey ÿto ÿher ÿmingled ÿÿreserve ÿÿand
openhandedness about the poem? ÿOne answer: ÿshe wrote the poem
but perhaps felt she did not own it, ÿany more than she owned the
United States. Katharine Lee Bates was first and last a teacher,
NAM VET Newsletter Page 55
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
a guide who wakes others to their own powers. She was content to
stand ÿaside ÿand let every one of us, ÿin the ÿgenerations ÿthat
would come after her, ÿhave his or her own encounter with America
the beautiful - as a song, as a country, as a dream.
America The Beautiful
by
Katharine Lee Bates
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with
brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their
Country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with
brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
NAM VET Newsletter Page 56
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Additions & Changes to The Wall
Submitted by Sarge Hultgren
Freedom's Choice:CBCS/VETLink_#18 - Lynn, MA
(617) 593-2605
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
Spring 1993
Additions:
NAME JAMES J BYSZEK NAME DONALD D MAKI
RANK PFC RANK A03
SERVICE ARMY SERVICE NAVY
DOB 22 MAR 48 DOB 26 JUL 48
DOC 01 JUL 70 DOC 25 OCT 67
CITY N BROOKFIELD CITY HUTCHINSON
STATE MA STATE MN
PANEL 12W PANEL 28E
LINE 67 LINE 92
SYMBOL KIA SYMBOL KIA
NAME CHARLES L COLLEPS NAME MICHAEL J ROWCROFT
RANK SGT RANK SPEC
SERVICE ARMY SERVICE ARMY
DOB 30 JAN 47 DOB 19 FEB 49
DOC 17 JUN 68 DOC 27 AUG 69
CITY HUTCHINS CITY ROOSEVELT
STATE TX STATE NY
PANEL 56W PANEL 44W
LINE 30 LINE 16
SYMBOL KIA SYMBOL KIA
NAME RUBERT G HUMPHREYS NAME MATEO SABOG
RANK PVT RANK MSG
SERVICE ARMY SERVICE ARMY
DOB 05 JAN 48 DOB 21 NOV 22
DOC 20 AUG 70 DOC 26 MAR 70
CITY PADUCAH CITY WAIPAHU
STATE KY STATE HI
PANEL 7W PANEL 12W
LINE 25 LINE 49
SYMBOL KIA SYMBOL BNR
NAME DONALD E KRAMER NAME FRANK S CRIMSON
RANK SGT (`CROSS')
SERVICE ARMY
DOB 21 OCT 44
DOC 28 OCT 66*
CITY KENTON
STATE OH
PANEL 12E
LINE 42
SYMBOL KIA
Re-Inscriptions:**
NAME GERARD V PARMENTIER NAME LASZLO RABEL
RANK MSG RANK SSGT
SERVICE ARMY SERVICE ARMY
DOB 27 OCT 27 DOB 21 SEP 39
NAM VET Newsletter Page 57
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
DOC 16 MAY 67 DOC 13 NOV 68
CITY PROVIDENCE CITY MINNEAPOLIS
STATE RI STATE MN
PANEL 21E PANEL 38W
LINE 39 LINE 5
Status Changes:
NAME WAYNE C ALLEN NAME FRED T SCHRECKENGOST
RANK SFC RANK SSGT
SERVICE ARMY SERVICE MARINE CORPS
DOB 17 MAR 48 DOB 30 MAR 38
DOC 10 JAN 70 DOC 07 JUN 64
CITY TEWKSBURY CITY E. PALESTINE
STATE MA STATE OH
PANEL 14W PANEL 1E
LINE 22 LINE 54
NAME NICHOLAS M CARPENTER NAME PETER W SHERMAN
RANK LCDR RANK CAPT
SERVICE NAVY SERVICE NAVY
DOB 30 JUL 42 DOB 04 AUG 29
DOC 24 JUN 68 DOC 10 JUN 67
CITY CINCINNATI CITY BAY VILLAGE
STATE OH STATE OH
PANEL 55W PANEL 21E
LINE 26 LINE 84
NAME ROBERT L GREER NAME JOSEPH F TRUJILLO
RANK SGT RANK GSGT
SERVICE MARINE CORPS SERVICE MARINE CORPS
DOB 28 APR 44 DOB 29 JUL 46
DOC 07 JUN 64 DOC 03 SEP 66
CITY PLEASANT HILL CITY DEMING
STATE CA STATE NM
PANEL 1E PANEL 10E
LINE 54 LINE 67
NAME VERNON Z JOHNS NAME HOWARD K WILLIAMS
RANK SFC RANK LTC
SERVICE ARMY SERVICE AIR FORCE
DOB 23 DEC 42 DOB 25 OCT 36
DOC 3 FEB 68 DOC 18 MAR 68
CITY BALTIMORE CITY STEUBENVILLE
STATE MD STATE OH
PANEL 37E PANEL 45E
LINE 5 LINE 32
* Kramer's name may be shifted to a date in early September 66;
this information had not yet been received from the family
when locations were first determined and weights selected for
stencils based on information from DOD. If the stencil weight
fits, the name will be inscribed on 10e, line 68.
** Locations for Parmentier and Rabel have not yet been confirmed
at the site.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 58
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Forgotten - again?
=================================================================
A MESSAGE FROM: THE OTHER P.O.W.
Submitted by William Caldwell
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
The VOICE of INCARCERATED VETERANS Jan./Feb., 1993
A National Newsletter Sponsored by
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 75 USP-Division
P.O. Box 1000, Leavenworth KS 66048
Volume 2, Issue 1
Our bottom line: ÿWe want to know, ÿonce and for all, ÿwhether or
not the very real and pertinent issue of P.T.S.D. (post-traumatic
stress disorder) will be recognized by the U.S. government.
We survived the battles of Vietnam with uncertainty, harboring
doubts ÿand ÿconcern about our governments true role. ÿÿWe ÿwill
undoubtedly ÿsurvive this ordeal. ÿHowever, ÿour collective ÿand
sincere ÿwish is to simply KNOW. ÿPrivations and ÿstruggles ÿare
infinitely ÿeasier ÿto abide when you know just where you ÿstand.
Please let us KNOW.
The ÿfacts: ÿIn 1980, ÿP.T.S.D. ÿwas accorded recognition as a
severe ÿmental disorder in the DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL ÿMANUAL
OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS (D.S.M. III), the veritable "Bible" of
the American Psychiatric Association. ÿFederal and state ÿprison
officials have made ultra-conservative gestures at addressing the
problem, e.g., "rap" sessions, administration of pacifying drugs,
pseudo-professional counseling, ÿand "lip-service". ÿIn the free
world, ÿthere has evolved a medically-sound format that's ÿproven
effective ÿin ÿthe ÿtreatment of P.T.S.D. ÿThe ÿU.S. ÿÿArmy ÿhas
publicly acknowledged the disorder and the viable treatment. The
Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice have not.
Our ÿquestion: ÿWhy is it that some branches of government can
recognize ÿand ÿaddress ÿan issue/problem, ÿwhile ÿothers ÿignore
needed changes.
The Bush, Reagan, Carter and Ford Administrations made efforts
to ÿput the Vietnam War behind us. ÿNixon's "peace ÿwith ÿhonor"
Paris ÿPeace ÿAccords ÿbetrayed every service man, ÿÿand ÿmade ÿa
mockery of those killed in action, P.O.W.'s and M.I.A.'s.
Nixon was pardoned for crimes committed while in office ÿbefore
he ÿwas even indicted. ÿAmnesty was granted to draft evaders ÿby
Carter. ÿÿ"Watergate ÿconspirator's" ÿsentences ÿwere ÿcommuted.
Pardons were granted to "Iran-Contra" conspirators by Bush on his
way out of the Oval Office door.
Bush saw fit to "normalize" relations with Vietnam, Russia and
China. ÿÿHave ÿthe ÿM.I.A.'s and ÿP.O.W.'s ÿbeen ÿsatisfactorily
accounted for? ÿWhy the urgency to formally normalize relations?
Money! ÿÿMoney ÿis ÿthe motivating force ÿfor ÿcommerce ÿbetween
NAM VET Newsletter Page 59
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
nations - not good will.
Study grants for P.T.S.D. have resulted in effective treatment
of ÿP.T.S.D. ÿin Vietnam veterans and other victims of ÿtraumatic
events. ÿÿMoney has been appropriated for the building ÿof ÿV.A.
outreach ÿcenters. ÿÿYet, ÿÿneglected veterans ÿare ÿstill ÿleft
homeless and untreated.
We ÿneed the combined efforts of recently-developed methods of
treating ÿP.S.T.D. ÿÿand ÿa ÿcoalition ÿof ÿpsychological ÿhealth
professionals ÿ(volunteer or, ÿif need be, ÿdrafted by ÿthe ÿU.S.
Public Health Service) to treat and counsel combat veterans.
Vietnam veterans with P.T.S.D. languish in our jails, prisons,
V.A. ÿÿHospitals and state insane asylums. ÿAll are ÿvictims ÿof
horrors ÿunprecedented ÿin history. ÿThe betrayal ÿby ÿpolitical
leaders of young men and women who served with courage, ÿbravery,
valor ÿand distinction is a shame and an insult. ÿWe served ÿour
country ÿby ÿfighting ÿcommunist aggression. ÿWe deserve ÿto ÿbe
healed ÿof the emotional wounds caused by that war, ÿwounds ÿthat
led, directly or indirectly, to our imprisonment.
P.T.S.D. ÿis treatable. ÿSo why are incarcerated veterans not
being treated?
If ÿthe government sees fit to normalize relations with former
communist foes, ÿwhy not allow veterans to be "normalized" ÿÿback
into ÿthe mainstream of the society whose rights and freedoms ÿwe
risked so much to protect and serve?
Indeed, ÿthis should be part of the "healing process". If the
U.S. ÿÿCourts ÿcontinue ÿto disallow a documented ÿillness ÿas ÿa
mitigation ÿfactor, ÿand the current and ÿfuture ÿadministrations
fail ÿto ÿgrant clemency for imprisoned veterans who suffer ÿfrom
P.T.S.D., ÿthen, ÿat least those incarcerated must be effectively
treated ÿwhile behind bars, ÿso that reentry into society will be
more meaningful. Let the healing begin!
The ÿÿVietnam ÿVeterans ÿof ÿAmerica ÿChapter ÿÿ#75, ÿÿÿU.S.P.
Leavenworth, ÿÿKansas, ÿÿpetitioned ÿBush ÿfor ÿClemency ÿfor ÿ16
incarcerated combat veterans with diagnosed P.T.S.D. ÿthrough the
Office of Pardon, prior to the election.
We ÿalso ÿpetition ÿall loyal Americans and the ÿfamilies ÿand
friends of P.O.W.'s and M.I.A.'s to demand clemency for the other
P.O.W.'s ÿand ÿM.I.A.'s ÿin ÿU.S. ÿÿjails, ÿÿprisons ÿand ÿmental
institutions. ÿDemand that they be placed in Community Treatment
Centers. ÿÿV.A. ÿand other programs qualified to treat ÿveterans
with P.T.S.D.
by William E. Caldwell 32280-138
NAM VET Newsletter Page 60
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Clemency Petition
Submitted by Bill Caldwell
VVA Chapter #75 in Leavenworth Kansas
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
Very ÿfew, ÿÿif any, ÿprisons have any kind of PTSD ÿprogram ÿfor
veterans. ÿÿThose ÿthat do have programs are not always ÿrun ÿby
people who know what they are doing, ÿthus making them ÿvirtually
useless. ÿÿMany wardens deny any kind of self-help ÿprogram ÿthe
veteran inmates try to organize, ÿcalling it an excuse to form ÿa
"gang that may disrupt the prison system".
Mr. ÿCaldwell has given permission for this petition to be copied
and circulated anywhere it will help this cause.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
INCARCERATED
VIETNAM VETERANS
PETITION
FOR
CLEMENCY
Mr. President:
We ÿthe undersigned support this "Petition for Clemency," ÿÿfor
all ÿincarcerated ÿVietnam Veterans that have been ÿdiagnosed ÿas
having Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, "P.T.S.D."
There ÿare over 175,000 ÿVietnam Veterans in Federal and ÿState
Prisons with P.T.S.D.
We request that you Grant Clemency to these men and women, ÿand
make available treatment for P.T.S.D.
These ÿVeterans ÿdeserve ÿyour intervention and ÿleadership ÿto
correct ÿthe ÿinjustice ÿof being incarcerated ÿfor ÿa ÿtreatable
mental disorder caused by their war experiences.
The Courts do not yet fully recognize P.T.S.D. ÿas a mitigating
factor in the defense of criminal proceedings.
We ÿask ÿfor your compassion to help the mental ÿand ÿemotional
casualties of the Vietnam War.
Thank You,
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter # 75
Support Base
631 N. Stephanie Street
Box 195
Henderson, Nv. 89014
NAM VET Newsletter Page 61
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
One Prisoner's Experience...
Veterans Still Call for Healing
By Ron Humphrey
"Inside Journal", March-April 1993
Submitted by Francis Smith of Danbury, IL.
VETLink #13 Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
One Prisoner's Experience...
Veterans Still Call for Healing
By Ron Humphrey
"Andres Garcia"
"Elwood E. Rumbaugh"
"Richard Vande Geer"
A hush. In the distance, an unseen bugler sounds taps. ÿTens of
thousands ÿof ÿVietnam vets, ÿcaps off, ÿeyes ÿmoist, ÿÿstand ÿin
silence. ÿÿIt ÿis Veteran's Day, ÿ1992 ÿat the ÿVietnam ÿVeterans
Memorial.
For ÿfive ÿdays ÿand ÿnights, ÿrelays of ÿreaders ÿ- ÿincluding
President ÿBush ÿ- call aloud the 58,183 ÿnames carved ÿinto ÿthe
black granite. When the day is over, a Medal of Honor is found at
the Wall. Healing.
* * * * *
September ÿ21, ÿ1968. ÿDr. ÿKenneth Swan, ÿan Army ÿsurgeon ÿin
Vietnam, ÿÿgoes to work on a helicopter door gunner struck ÿby ÿa
Viet Cong rocket. ÿThe gunner is covered with mud. ÿOne leg hangs
by ÿa thin strip of skin; ÿthe other is nearly as mangled. ÿÿBoth
arms are broken, ÿa ÿfinger is missing, ÿand he is bleeding ÿfrom
both eyes. "I couldn't believe the man was still alive," Dr. Swan
later wrote. ÿ"I didn't want him to be alive. I ÿdecided to do my
best and let God decide if he lived or died."
For 21 years Dr. Swan lived with the self doubt of saving a man
who ÿwould ÿhave so little to live for. ÿ"Maybe I did ÿthe ÿwrong
thing," he thought.
In 1991, Dr. Swan tracked down his patient, Kenneth McGarity of
Georgia. ÿÿMcGarity was blind, ÿin a wheelchair, ÿÿand ÿsuffering
terrible flashbacks from his experience. ÿYet he was also married
with ÿtwo children! ÿAnd he played the piano and ÿtrumpet, ÿÿwent
scuba ÿdiving, ÿand had completed college classes. ÿ"You did ÿthe
right ÿthing, ÿÿDoc," ÿsaid the blind man. ÿ"Even in ÿmy ÿdarkest
moments of pain there was never a time I wanted to die."
After the visit by Dr. Swan, ÿthe flashbacks and nightmares for
McGarity went away. So did Dr. Swan's self doubts. Healing.
* * * * *
During ÿÿa ÿseminar ÿat ÿTennessee's ÿTurney ÿCenter, ÿÿÿPrison
Fellowship State Director Jeff Lowry asks the participants if any
NAM VET Newsletter Page 62
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
served in Vietnam. ÿFive hands go up. ÿThe others form a gauntlet
the length of the prison chapel. ÿAs the Vietnam vets slowly walk
down ÿthe ÿaisle ÿthey ÿreceive from each man a bear ÿhug ÿand ÿa
whispered, "Welcome home." Healing.
* * * * *
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity
under heaven; ÿa ÿtime to be born and a time to die, ÿa ÿtime ÿto
plant and a time to uproot, ÿa ÿtime to kill and a time to heal."
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-3
* * * * *
In the 21 ÿyears since I left active duty in 'Nam, ÿI've longed
for ÿthe ÿday when I could forget the spitting and ÿname ÿcalling
that so many returning servicemen endured. ÿHealing often happens
best ÿwhen we find others who have shared our experiences. ÿÿI've
found ÿencouraging ÿprogress ÿin ÿthe free world to ÿpass ÿon ÿto
incarcerated veterans.
"It's ÿnow ÿokay ÿto say you served in ÿVietnam." ÿÿThat's ÿthe
message ÿI ÿheard ÿwhile attending the ÿ1992 ÿÿannual ÿleadership
conference of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). It has taken
many years for the 3.5 million Vietnam-era veterans to admit they
were in Vietnam.
Healing for the estimated 175,000 incarcerated Vietnam vets has
now become a prime target for the VVA.
I participated in a workshop led by John Woods, ÿa ÿVietnam-era
vet with four prison commitments behind him. ÿHe opened by asking
for ÿa show of hands of those in the room who had served time ÿin
prison. Nearly every hand was raised.
Woods ÿdescribed his one-man, ÿtriple-threat mission ÿto ÿbring
hope to incarcerated Vietnam veterans:
* He is working with state and federal legislators to allow PTSD,
the ÿstress ÿsyndrome, ÿto be considered a mitigating ÿfactor ÿin
sentencing convicted vets.
* He is lobbying legislators and corrections officials to support
substance abuse treatment for incarcerated vets.
* ÿÿAnd he participates in clemency hearings for the ÿnearly ÿ200
Vietnam vets on Death row across America.
Many ÿstates ÿare ÿnow looking at the idea of ÿmoving ÿselected
Vietnam ÿveterans ÿout ÿof ÿregular ÿprisons ÿand ÿinto ÿÿspecial
treatment centers. The vets would receive intensive treatment for
PTSD and substance abuse while serving their sentences. The lower
cost of such confinement is catching the attention of legislators
and corrections officials.
At ÿthe federal level, ÿthe Bureau of Prisons is in the process
of ÿdesignating ÿsix ÿexisting facilities, ÿone in ÿeach ÿof ÿits
geographical regions, as a treatment center with preferred status
for selected Vietnam veterans.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 63
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Woods ÿtold ÿhow only one Death Row Vietnam ÿveteran ÿhas ÿbeen
executed so far, while 19 others have received clemency.
He ÿclaims ÿa Vietnam vet is more likely to be convicted ÿin ÿa
case ÿinvolving violence than a non-vet would. ÿJuries, ÿhe says,
have been known to convict Vietnam vets simply because they ÿwere
"capable" ÿof committing a violent crime. ÿAnd he cites instances
where judges gave a vet a longer sentence for the same crime as a
non-vet. ÿA ÿBureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin issued in 1979
confirms this trend. "We are considered dangerous," Woods says.
The VVA convention noted upcoming changes at the Department ÿof
Veterans ÿAffairs (VA) ÿunder the Clinton administration. ÿCareer
employees who are Vietnam veterans are moving upward into policy-
making positions. ÿThe new head of the VA, ÿJesse Brown, ÿand his
deputy, ÿÿHershel Gober, ÿwere both wounded in Vietnam. ÿAnd Vice
President Al Gore is a Vietnam vet.
Healing has been a long time coming for those of us who ÿserved
in 'Nam. ÿIt comes too late for the tens of thousands of ÿVietnam
vets ÿwho have taken their own lives. ÿAnd it's largely too ÿlate
for those already buried with long prison sentences. ÿBut it is a
beginning - a ray of hope where there was none.
To ÿcontact ÿJohn Woods: ÿVietnam Veterans of ÿAmerica, ÿÿInc.,
National Incarcerated Veterans Liaison, ÿP.O. Box 181539, Dallas,
TX 75218.
Ron Humphrey served in Vietnam (COORDS, ÿVinh Long, ÿÿ1969-71),
and in a federal prison (FCI Danbury, 1982-89).
NAM VET Newsletter Page 64
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
By the Numbers...
"Inside Journal", March-April 1993
Submitted by Francis Smith of Danbury, IL.
VETLink #13 Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
* An estimated 20 percent of America's state and federal
prisoners today are veterans. Nearly 90 percent of those are
Vietnam vets. That's 175,000 to 200,000 prisoners.
* 430,000 veterans are on probation or parole.
* Nearly 200 Vietnam vets are on Death Row.
* For the non-vet prisoner, 44 percent are incarcerated for
crimes relating to substance abuse. For vets, the rate is 80
percent.
* 48 percent of former prisoners who are not veterans return to
prison during their lifetime. 65 percent of former prisoners
who are veterans return to prison within one year of their
release.
* Veterans tend to receive longer sentences than non-veterans.
Long-term prisons, therefore, have higher percentages of
veterans.
* An estimated 250,000 veterans are homeless. Many of them
served time in prison.
* One can now find prisoners who served in Desert Storm.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 65
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
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XXXXX XXXXX.::::::::::::::.XXXXX INCARCERATED XXXX
XXXXX XXXXX --------- XXXXX \ \ \ \ \ \ \XXXX
XXXXX .XXXXX W W I I XXXXX. VETERANS \ \XXXX
XXXXX ::XXXXX --------- XXXXX::. \ \ \ \ XXXX
XXXXX :::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::. XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX K O R E A XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX V I E T N A M XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX::::::::::::::::XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX::::::::::::::::XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX::' `::XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX:: ::XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX `..........''`XXXXX:::: XXXX
XXXXX ::::XXXXX .:(O) . (O):. XXXXX:::' XXXX
XXXXX ::' XXXXX .. XXXXX:: XXXX
XXXXX .:' XXXXX . .. XXXXX: XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX . .. ` XXXXX XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX ' '.. ` XXXXX. XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX" ' ` XXXXX . XXXX
XXXXX ``. XXXXX ' . . . ` XXXXX '. ........., XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX'' ..''.'''. XXXXX .' '.XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX" ':.:'' XXXXX .'' .:::'XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX:.. .:XXXXX.'' .::::' .XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX '.. ..:' XXXXX ..:' . .:::'XXXX
XXXXX ....::'XXXXX ':::::;' XXXXX .:''. .:::' XXXX
XXXXX .:::::' XXXXX .: XXXXX :'. ..:... XXXX
XXXXX.::' :: XXXXX: PREPARED TO XXXXX .'' ''.. XXXX
XXXXX::' :: XXXXX`: FIGHT XXXXX.' '.XXXX
XXXXX' :: XXXXX ``. XXXXX XXXX
XXXXX '' XXXXX PREPARED TO XXXXX XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX DIE ...'XXXXX XXXX
XXXXX :: XXXXX `...' XXXXX XXXX
XXXXX `..' XXXXX .' XXXXX XXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX /\ .' .' XXXX
XXXXX /\ \ . . XXXX
XXXXX / \ \...' `. .' XXXX
XXXXX / NOT PREPARED TO BE DESERTED XXXX
XXXXX / .'.' . .`.' XXXX
XXXXX / ~ | : : : . XXXX
XXXXX / |`. : : . .__________ XXXX
XXXXX / ~ ~ ||.` ` : || \ / XXXX
XXXXX / WRITE OR VISIT AN INCARCERATED VETERAN SOON ! XXXX
XXXXX / ~ || . .'. / / XXXX
XXXXX/ ~ ~ ~|| ||/ / XXXX
XXXXX ~ ~ ~ || || / XXXX
XXXXX || || / XXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX \_________XXXXX________|| XgjpX XXXX
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX
NAM VET Newsletter Page 66
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
TET REMEMBERED
By Dennis Merriman
The VOICE of INCARCERATED VETERANS
May/June 1993
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
Twenty-five years ago last night I had a pleasant dream.
I dreamed I was at home again, and it was really neat.
Everyone was laughing. My folks gave me a hug.
My little brother smiled and saluted, and my wife gave me her
love.
Suddenly it was interrupted. Reality was on display.
It was the spring of '68. I was at a place called Hue.
Flares were up, tracers flying. Gave it all we had.
No food - no sleep; Never thought of pulling back.
Fight by night - supply by day; Hold your position - never run.
Watch your buddy - pray to God; The offensive had begun.
Pant leg torn - leg bleeding; I can't even walk.
My ears are still ringing. "Can you help me, Doc?"
The divorce papers came. I was at the end of my rope.
Everything I had fought for vanished. I was angered -
without hope.
I gave 'em my two weeks notice. They laughed - threw it away.
I said, "You don't quite understand." And found another way.
Awarded a bad piece of paper; At T.I. I begged them to compare -
A one-way ticket to Hawaii was $2 cheaper than O'Hare.
My mind was a total disaster. I never wanted to see home.
I slept in the jungle - walked on the beach;
I just wanted to be left alone.
Alone I began to realize that life would never be the same.
"It don't mean nothin' anyway," I'll play their stupid game.
I wandered across the U.S.A. I didn't have a home.
My folks had moved to some other place, and my wife and kids were
gone.
I showed up on Dad's doorstep. They gave me a room of my own.
They pretended like I'd never left, and they never welcomed me
home.
At home I was just a disgrace. I couldn't even talk.
I tried to forget my brothers, and how we walked the walk.
"Get a job and move out!" echoed my father and mother.
"You're becoming a very bad influence on your little brother."
I moved out - got a job. Moved to the city and got married.
Gave life to 5 precious children; Forgot the past I had buried.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 67
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
I denied I was even a vet. Hair grew long, and a beard.
Bunkered up - set my perimeters and never said a word.
Then, little by little, day by day, things began to change.
I was slipping out of control; hurting others with my rage.
Everyone tripped my wires. I knew I couldn't stay.
My wife and kids were deathly afraid, so I ran away.
In a brand new state. I was going to be smart.
A brand new girlfriend, and a brand new start.
We moved to the country, then got married and discovered
that we fought every time that we looked at each other.
My survival instinct was out of control.
She was too scared to leave and had nowhere to go.
She stayed at home alone, her marriage trying hard to mend.
She cleaned, cooked and prayed. God became her only friend.
When she asked how long I'd been in Nam, I knew she'd broken
through.
"Who said I was?" I screamed, and I really came unglued.
She put her arms around me; Said it's going to be O.K.
She'd heard about this P.T.S.D. stuff on the radio today.
"You can get help", she said, then continued to say,
"All you have to do is visit your local V.A."
"It's a matter of trust," I said. I took her hand,
and tried to explain my past to her, hoping she'd understand.
"I love my country dearly. I'd fight to the death for this land,
but never again will I put my trust in my government and Uncle
Sam."
"Deep inside I am disgraced, ashamed; full of resentment and
hurt.
I came home a loser and got kicked around like dirt."
"Our President and his puppets hid papers and they lied.
They left my brothers in cages, and said that they all died."
"I got some bad papers, and they pretended to be concerned.
When I lowered myself to ask for help, they said the papers
burned."
"I hide too many feelings. I isolate and deny,
but I do love you with all my heart, and I will until I die."
Another nightmare just last night. Again I was at Hue.
Twenty-five years of yesterdays Never seem to go away.
Reprinted, with permission
NAM VET Newsletter Page 68
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Uncle Sam and NamVet wants YOU to know
=================================================================
Veterans Service Directory
Submitted by Jason Mendes
THE POW/MIA BBS/VETLink #42 - Passic, NJ
(909) 787-8383
VETERANS SERVICE DIRECTORY August 4, 1993
The ÿfollowing ÿlist ÿof telephone numbers ÿwas ÿtaken ÿfrom ÿthe
Vietnam Veterans of America monthly newsletter.
AGENT ORANGE
Agent Orange Class Assistance Program (AOCAP).....202-289-6173
Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program..............800-225-4712
AMERASIANS
Department of Health and Human Services Office of
Refugee Resettlement.............................202-401-9246
Department of State Bureau for Refugee Programs...202-647-7360
ARCHIVES
The Defense Manpower Center.......................703-696-5796
Naval Historical Center...........................202-433-4131
Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University Library....806-742-3758
Vietnam War collection, Connelly Library,
La Salle University..............................215-951-1285
William Joiner Center.............................617-287-5850
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF VIETNAM VETERANS
The Access Group (information on technology services and devices,
etc. for disabled children - AOCAP grant......800-821-8580
404-888-0505
Association of Birth Defects......................407-629-1466
Immune Deficiency Foundation......................301-461-3127
Keeping in Touch Electronic Pen Pal Program for
disabled youth (KITnet), contact: Dondra Lopez
(AOCAP grant)....................................800-669-1508
National Information System for Vietnam Veterans
and their Families...............................800-922-9234
in South Carolina................................803-922-1107
Team of Advocates for Special Kids (assistance in
seeking needed educational, medical, or support services -
AOCAP grant)......................................800-733-TASK
in Southern California............................714-533-TASK
Wilderness Inquiry (outdoor adventures for people
of all ages and ability levels - AOCAP grant).....800-728-0719
in the Twin Cities, MN............................612-379-3858
NAM VET Newsletter Page 69
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES
Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs..............202-224-9126
House Committee on Veterans Affairs...............202-225-3527
Bipartisan Veterans Health-Care Coalition
contact: Stewart Lewack, Office of Rep.
Peter DeFazio...........................202-225-6416
Rural Health - Care Coalition
Rural Veterans' Health Task Force, Rep.
Timothy Penny, Chairmen..........................202-225-2472
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Office of the Secretary...........................202-535-8619
Office of the Inspector General...................202-233-2636
Hotline.........................................800-488-8244
Office of the General Counsel.....................202-233-8113
Office of Chief Benefits Director.................202-535-7920
Office of the National Cemetery System............202-535-7810
Arlington National Cemetery.......................703-475-0856
Benefits..........................................202-872-1151
Board of Veterans Appeals.........................202-233-3001
Central Office....................................202-233-4000
Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline...................800-368-5899
DC Metropolitan area...........................202-233-5394
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act................202-233-3616
Government Life Insurance.........................800-669-8477
Personnel Locator.................................202-233-4000
Public Information................................202-233-2741
Publications Information..........................202-233-3056
Radiation Help-line...............................800-827-0365
Veterans Benefits Administration - Veterans
Services Division................................800-827-1000
Veterans Health Administration....................202-535-7010
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Department of Defence.............................703-545-6700
Department of Labor
Office of Veterans Employment and Training......202-523-9116
Office of Veterans Employment, Reemployment,
and Training (OVERT)...........................202-523-9110
Department of State
Office of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia Affairs...202-647-3133
Office of Management and Budget-Veterans Affairs..202-395-4500
Office of Personnel Management....................202-606-1000
Small Business Administration - Office of Veterans
Affairs..........................................202-205-6773
HOMELESS
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Interagency Council on the Homeless..............202-708-0417
National Coalition for the Homeless...............202-265-2371
HUMANITARIAN
NAM VET Newsletter Page 70
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
American Red Cross................................202-639-3586
Army Emergency Relief.............................703-960-3982
National Marrow Donor Program.....................800-654-1247
Operation Smile...................................804-625-0375
INCARCERATED
Federal Bureau of Prisons.........................202-307-3250
LOCATOR AND REUNION SERVICES
Army Worldwide Locator............................317-542-4211
Navy Times Locator Services.......................703-750-8636
Service Reunions..................................
Vietnam Vet International Locator, The Vietnam War Data
Resource and Electronic Library..................310-373-9792
Modem Line.......................................310-373-6597
MINORITY VETERANS
Black Veterans for Social Justice.................718-935-1116
POW/MIA
Defence Intelligence Agency - Special Office for
POW/MIA..........................................703-697-2498
Department of State Office of Vietnam, Laos,
and Cambodia Affairs - POW/MIA Matters...........202-647-3132
National League of Families of American Prisoners
and missing in Southeast Asia....................202-223-6846
24-hour update hotline...........................202-659-0133
VVA National POW/MIA Committee....................202-628-2700
505-268-1101
PTSD
Arthur Blank, Jr., M.D., Director Counseling
Service Department of Veterans Affairs...........202-535-75544
National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science
Division; Boston VA Medical Center...............617-232-9500
ext. 3227
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (includes
"In Touch" program - locating families/friends of
those on the Wall)...............................703-525-1107
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund....................202-393-0090
VVA
First Omni Credit Card............................800-441-8026
800-338-VETS
Message!Check.....................................206-324-7792
VVA Legal Services................................202-797-8366
NAM VET Newsletter Page 71
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
VVA Product Sales.................................510-601-0136
Toll Free.......................................800-626-8387
VVA CHAPTER-RELATED PROJECTS
Reflections Print (VVA Chapter 172)...............301-777-7001
Return Trip Committee (to Vietnam), contact Diana
Wilson...........................................216-699-6436
Fax............................................216-628-5289
WOMEN VETERANS
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project..................202-328-7253
Women in Military Service for America Memorial
Foundation.......................................703-533-1155
OTHER
National Conference of Vietnam Veteran Ministers..508-222-7313
Point Man Ministries..............................517-831-5215
USO...............................................202-783-8121
Veterans Day National Committee...................202-233-2444
Vietnam Veterans Ensemble Theatre Company(VETCO)..212-869-6090
NAM VET Newsletter Page 72
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
"Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor"
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Office of Public Affairs - News Service
Washington DC 20420 (202) 233-2741
Input by: G. Joseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor East
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
(Following ÿare ÿrepresentative ÿquestions answered daily ÿby ÿVA
counselors. Full information is available at any VA office.)
Q-- I ÿheard ÿon the news that the National Academy ÿof ÿSciences
(NAS) ÿsaid exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides may
cause ÿconditions not previously recognized by the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) ÿfor disability payments. ÿWhat are
those conditions?
A-- VA ÿalready ÿrecognizes soft-tissue ÿsarcoma, ÿÿnon-Hodgkin's
lymphoma and chloracne, ÿand has been paying compensation ÿto
Vietnam ÿveterans ÿfor these conditions. ÿBased on ÿthe ÿNAS
study, ÿÿVA ÿSecretary ÿJesse Brown has ÿannounced ÿHodgkin's
disease and porphyria cutanea tarda will be recognized by ÿVA
for disability payments based on Vietnam service and presumed
exposure ÿto ÿAgent Orange and other ÿherbicides. ÿÿHowever,
payments ÿfor ÿthose ÿconditions cannot be made ÿuntil ÿfinal
publication of regulations in the Federal Register. ÿThat is
expected to occur by the end of the year.
Q-- I believe I may have health problems related to being exposed
to ÿAgent Orange when I was in Vietnam. ÿCan VA assist me in
determining my current health status.
A-- All ÿVA ÿmedical ÿcenters provide a ÿspecial ÿexamination ÿto
assist ÿVietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange ÿin
determining their current health status. To date, ÿmore than
226,000 ÿÿveterans ÿhave ÿparticipated in ÿthe ÿAgent ÿOrange
Registry ÿexamination program. ÿIn addition to the ÿregistry
examination, you may be entitled to priority health care at a
VA ÿhealth-care ÿfacility ÿfor ÿhealth ÿconditions ÿÿpossibly
related ÿto ÿyour ÿservice in Vietnam and exposure ÿto ÿAgent
Orange. ÿÿContact your nearest VA medical center to schedule
an examination.
Q-- My ÿhusband, ÿÿwho ÿwas a veteran, ÿÿdied ÿbefore ÿour ÿfirst
anniversary. ÿAm I entitled to any kind of widows' ÿbenefits
from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)?
A-- Generally, ÿto qualify for death benefits, a surviving spouse
must have been married to a veteran at least one year or ÿfor
any period if they had a child. ÿHowever, ÿthe marriage date
requirement ÿvaries depending on the benefit involved. ÿÿYou
should ÿÿapply ÿfor ÿbenefits ÿso ÿa ÿdetermination ÿÿas ÿÿto
eligibility can be made. Call the VA regional office nearest
you at 1-800-827-1000 for assistance.
Q-- Will the VA pay me an allowance if I have my spouse, who is a
NAM VET Newsletter Page 73
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
veteran, buried in a state-owned cemetery, even if he was not
receiving compensation or pension benefits at the time of his
death?
A-- No, ÿÿbut if your husband had qualifying service and ÿhe ÿwas
buried ÿfree of charge in a section of a state-owned cemetery
reserved ÿsolely for veterans, ÿVA may be able to pay a ÿ$150
plot allowance directly to the state. ÿFor further ÿdetails,
contact the VA Regional Office nearest you at 1-800-827-1000.
Q-- I am a World War I veteran and read in the newspaper recently
that ÿthe ÿDepartment ÿof ÿVeterans ÿAffairs ÿ(VA) ÿÿwill ÿbe
distributing medals to World War I veterans. ÿCould you tell
me about the medal and how I can receive one?
A-- Designed ÿby ÿthe ÿU.S. ÿÿArmy Institute ÿof ÿHeraldry, ÿÿthe
commemorative ÿmedal is a replica of the World War I ÿVictory
Medal that was awarded to U.S. ÿservicemen who served in "the
war to end all wars." ÿThe newer medal is sponsored by ÿthe
Chicago-based ÿMcCormick ÿTribune ÿFoundation ÿand ÿis ÿbeing
presented ÿto ÿveterans under the auspices of the VA and ÿthe
Department ÿof Defense. ÿVA Secretary Jesse Brown ÿpresented
the first of the medals at a ceremony August 30 ÿin ÿWheaton,
Ill., ÿÿat the annual national convention of the Veterans ÿof
World War I of the U.S.A. VA hopes to distribute all of the
medals by Veterans Day on November 11, ÿthe 75th ÿanniversary
of the Armistice that ended World War I.
The medal is intended for every living U.S. ÿveteran of the
war, ÿestimated by VA at about 30,000. ÿWorld War I veterans
or their representatives must apply for the medal.
An ÿapplication can be obtained by calling VA toll-free ÿat
1-800-827-1000.
Q-- My ÿex-husband ÿis receiving VA compensation benefits and ÿis
claiming ÿour ÿthree children as dependents. ÿÿHowever, ÿÿhe
provides me with no financial support for our children. ÿCan
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) help me?
A-- Yes. ÿYou can apply for an apportionment of the VA ÿbenefits
your ex-husband is receiving for dependent children he claims
but are in your custody. Call the nearest VA Regional Office
at ÿ1-800-827-1000 ÿand ask a Veterans Benefits Counselor ÿto
help you with that application.
Q-- I am a veteran who receives VA compensation and medical ÿcare
at ÿboth ÿa ÿVA ÿoutpatient ÿclinic and ÿVA ÿhospital ÿfor ÿa
nonservice-connected ÿcondition. ÿÿCan ÿVA ÿbill ÿmy ÿhealth
insurance company for reimbursement for such care?
A-- Yes. All veterans applying for medical care at a VA facility
are ÿasked if they have medical insurance. ÿVA is authorized
by ÿlaw to bill insurance companies for the cost ÿof ÿmedical
care ÿfurnished ÿto ÿveterans, ÿÿincluding ÿservice-connected
veterans, ÿÿfor non-service connected conditions ÿcovered ÿby
health insurance policies.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 74
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Q-- Does ÿÿthe ÿDepartment ÿof ÿVeterans ÿAffairs ÿ(VA) ÿÿhave ÿa
publication that defines the benefits I may be entitled to as
a veteran?
A-- Yes. ÿÿEach ÿyear, ÿÿVA publishes a book ÿentitled ÿ"Federal
Benefits for Veterans and Dependents." ÿThis year's 105-page
handbook ÿdescribes ÿthese benefits, ÿsuch as ÿmedical ÿcare,
education, disability compensation, pension, ÿlife insurance,
home ÿloan ÿguaranty, ÿvocational rehabilitation ÿand ÿburial
assistance. ÿÿIt ÿexplains requirements for eligibility ÿand
outlines ÿclaims procedures. ÿIt includes a directory of all
VA ÿoffices, ÿmedical centers, ÿand other VA facilities, ÿall
listed by state. ÿFor copies, ÿrequest GPO stock number 051-
000-00-200-8 ÿÿfrom ÿthe Superintendent of ÿDocuments, ÿÿU.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, and enclose
a ÿcheck or money order for $3.25 ÿper copy. ÿTo order ÿwith
VISA or Mastercard, call (202) 783-3238.
Q-- Does VA have publications on its home loan guaranty programs?
A-- The pamphlets - entitled "Pointers for Veteran Homeowners,"
"To the Home-Buying Veteran," "VA Guaranteed Home Loans," and
"VA ÿDirect Home Loans for Native Americans Living on ÿTrust
Lands" ÿ- can be requested by calling the nearest VA regional
office at 1-800-827-1000.
Q-- What ÿis ÿthe ÿbest ÿway for me to find ÿout ÿhow ÿto ÿget ÿa
headstone from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)?
A-- VA has established a single, ÿnationwide, toll-free telephone
number to make it easier to veterans and their dependents ÿto
inquire about the veterans headstone and gravemarker program.
The number, 1-800-697-6947, connects callers to VA's National
Cemetery ÿSystem's Office of Memorial Programs in Washington,
D.C., Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (ET).
Q-- What ÿis the average time for processing and receipt ÿof ÿthe
various ÿgrave ÿmarkers ÿfrom ÿthe VA's ÿOffice ÿof ÿMemorial
Programs (OMP)?
A-- Generally, ÿÿit takes approximately 60 ÿdays from receipt ÿof
application ÿ(VA Form 40-1330) ÿto delivery of a headstone or
marker ÿto its destination. ÿOMP processes the applications,
on ÿaverage, ÿin 16 ÿdays. ÿThe contractors have 30 ÿdays ÿto
manufacture the headstone or marker. ÿThe remaining 14 ÿdays
are for delivery.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 75
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
On The Lighter Side
=================================================================
Shipboard Life
Submitted by George Sanders
Millers Crossing - Slidell, LA
(504) 649-7388
How to simulate shipboard life at home!
1. ÿWhen commencing this simulation, remember to lock all friends
and ÿfamily ÿoutside, ÿcommunicating only with letters that ÿyour
neighbor will hold for a month before delivering, ÿlosing one out
of every five sent.
2. ÿSurround yourself with 140 ÿpeople you would not choose to be
with. Good candidates for your fellow crew members are people who
chain smoke, fart loudly and often, snore like a steam locomotive
on an uphill grade, and people who use expletives in their normal
speech like children who use sugar on cereal.
3. ÿÿUnplug ÿall ÿtelevisions ÿand radios ÿto ÿcut ÿyourself ÿoff
completely from the outside world, ÿbut have your neighbor ÿbring
you ÿlast months issues of the Navy Times, ÿThe Retired ÿOfficer,
Time, Newsweek, and Playboy (with the pictures cut out).
4. ÿMonitor all operating household appliances hourly, ÿrecording
vital ÿparameters (plugged in, ÿlight comes on as door is opened,
etc...). ÿIf appliance is not used, ÿlog as "Secured". ÿMake line
drawings of all piping and electrical circuits.
5. ÿÿDo ÿnot flush toilets for the first three days. ÿÿThis ÿwill
simulate the smell of over 40 ÿpeople using it. After that, flush
normally, ÿÿbut allow to overflow at least once daily. ÿAt ÿleast
every ÿfive ÿdays, ÿÿpost a sign stating "The ÿsewage ÿsystem ÿis
secured until further notice". ÿIt is OK to forget to remove ÿthe
sign. Take no more than one shower per day, using only one gallon
of water to simulate a "Sea Shower".
6. Wear only approved uniform clothing or coveralls in designated
areas. ÿNo T-Shirts or non-uniform attire allowed. ÿOnce a month,
ignoring ÿthe weather, ÿclean and press one uniform, ÿgo outside,
and stand still for 45 ÿminutes. ÿThen go back inside and ÿchange
into your normal work uniform.
7. ÿCut your hair weekly, making it shorter each time, ÿuntil you
are ÿeither bald or look like you tangled with a demented ÿsheep-
shearer.
8. ÿWork in 18 hour cycles, sleeping only four hours at a time to
ensure that your body doesn't know or care if it is day or night.
At random intervals, ÿannounce that you will add or subtract ÿone
hour from the apparent time.
9. ÿListen to your favorite cassette at least six times a day for
two ÿweeks, ÿthen play music that causes you nausea until you are
glad to get back to your favorite tape.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 76
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
10. Cut a single bed in half lengthwise, and enclose three sides.
Add ÿa roof that prevents you from sitting in any ÿposition. ÿÿ16
inches is a good height. ÿReplace the mattress with a steal plate
and ÿcover ÿit with three inches of foam to fully ÿduplicate ÿthe
feel ÿof a shipboard bunk. ÿPlace a small dead animal at the foot
of ÿthe ÿbed ÿto simulate the cumulative smell of ÿthe ÿother ÿ39
occupants of your berthing area.
11. ÿSet your alarm clock to go off at the 'snooze' ÿsetting ÿfor
your ÿfour ÿhours of sleep. ÿThis will mimic the alarms ÿof ÿyour
fellow watch-standers getting up at odd times. If possible, place
your bed on a table with mis-matched legs to simulate the rocking
of the vessel.
12. ÿPrepare all food while blindfolded, ÿusing all of the spices
you can grope for. Add salt. Remove the blindfold and then eat as
fast ÿas humanly possible. ÿAdd more salt. ÿIf the food does ÿnot
stick to an inverted plate when cold, ÿthen add more animal ÿfat.
Enthusiastically beat the plate against the side of the trash can
when disposing of left overs.
13. ÿÿPeriodically, ÿshut off power at the main breaker ÿand ÿrun
around screaming "FIRE IN THE ENGINE ROOM" until you break out in
a heavy sweat or lose your voice. Then restore power.
14. ÿÿBuy a gas mask and store your old socks in it. ÿRemove ÿthe
socks ÿand ÿscrub ÿthe inside with steel ÿwool ÿuntil ÿeverything
appears ÿfoggy. ÿÿWear ÿthe mask every five ÿdays ÿwhile ÿrunning
through the basement.
15. ÿStudy the owners manual for all appliances in the ÿdwelling.
At ÿregular intervals, ÿtake each one apart and then put it ÿback
together ÿagain. ÿÿThen test operate it at the extreme ÿlevel ÿof
tolerance.
16. ÿÿRemove all plants, ÿpictures, ÿand decorations. ÿPaint ÿall
furnishing ÿnavaho ÿwhite, ÿWardroom green, ÿor ÿmachinery ÿgrey.
Stencil all walls, ÿceilings, floors, doors, windows, pipes, ÿand
electric outlets with long strings of letters and numbers.
17. ÿÿTo ensure a clean and happy environment, ÿclean the ÿentire
building ÿfrom ÿtop ÿto bottom. ÿWhenever possible, ÿÿrepeat ÿthe
process. When finished, inspect your work, criticizing as much as
possible. ÿNever be satisfied with a good effort and ÿcontinually
pick on your job performance.
18. ÿOnce a day plug in your TV to watch a movie that you ÿwalked
out ÿon three years ago. ÿThen watch tapes of "Thats ÿIncredible"
for two hours.
19. ÿSince you have no doctor, ÿstock up on Band-Aids, ÿAntacids,
Cough Syrup, Aspirin, Condoms, and Suppositories. These will cure
most disease known to man.
20. ÿÿPrepare ÿyourself for any emergency that may cause ÿyou ÿto
"Abandon Ship" ÿknowing that the biker gang you hired to simulate
hungry ÿsharks will cut off your arms and legs. ÿStudy "First Aid
for ÿBleeding" ÿÿand the fire extinguisher manual until ÿyou ÿcan
quote from the both verbatim.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 77
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
21. ÿEvery three weeks or so, ÿgo to the nearest slums, ÿÿwearing
your ÿbest ÿclothes. ÿEnter the raunchiest bar you can ÿfind ÿand
order ÿthe most expensive beer. ÿDrink as much as you can in four
hours, ÿÿthen ÿhire a cab to take you home by the ÿlongest ÿroute
possible. ÿTip the driver even though he doubled the fare. ÿLock
yourself in your dwelling for the next three weeks.
22. ÿÿTo ÿbe ÿtruly effective, ÿthis simulation must ÿrun ÿfor ÿa
continuous ÿ90 ÿdays. ÿThe exact date for the simulation must ÿbe
randomly ÿchanged ÿat least 7 times. ÿThis is done ÿto ÿkeep ÿyou
guessing when you can resume a normal life, ÿand in hopes that it
might screw up any plans you may have made.
This ÿguide ÿwas ÿdesigned to assist those who would ÿlike, ÿÿbut
haven't ÿhad the opportunity to enjoy an extended period of ÿtime
aboard a Coast Guard Cutter.....
NAM VET Newsletter Page 78
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Veterans in Action
=================================================================
Vietnam Vet takes "lessons of the bush" to work
Haz-Mats of the Human Kind
Massachusetts Institute of Fire Dept. Instructors Bulletin
Vol. 12, No. 7 - Sept. 23, 1992
By Wes Williams - A Vietnam Veteran
Input by Gjoseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 BBS - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
Attitudes are like a pendulum, first one way then the other.
The seasoned veteran fire fighter from downtown, ÿ20 years on the
line ÿon one of the most busy Pump Companies, ÿfinally decided to
study for the exam. ÿHe made it to Lt., ÿone of the first to ÿbe
promoted on that list. ÿA ÿshort time later came Capt. ÿand soon
after ÿBattalion Chief. ÿHe spent his remaining time in the area
car ÿduring the seventies, ÿa ÿtime of arson for profit and ÿdarn
hard times for the fire fighters in general. ÿEquipment was old.
It's ÿsaid that some of the most frequently used ÿequipment, ÿÿat
times, ÿwas a burst hose jacket. ÿI ÿnever asked him why he made
the commitment to become an officer, ÿbut he made one of the best
in the business. ÿI ÿdo remember his parting remark to me during
his rip roaring retirement party, "Never let the B&%#$@#s get you
down!"
We ÿhear much today of Vietnam Syndrome, ÿPost Traumatic ÿStress,
and ÿpoor ÿmorale ÿstimulated ÿin ÿthe ÿaustere ÿtimes ÿof ÿpost-
Proposition two and a half. Years without a raise, depletions in
manning through attrition in personnel or lay offs, ÿrumblings of
loss or decreases in medical benefits, all contribute to a deeper
difficulty ÿinside the hearts and souls of the gang that puts ÿit
all on the line each time they roll out on a call. ÿMaintaining
stick-to-it-iveness ÿand ÿto ÿkeep on keeping on ÿare ÿwhat ÿFire
Departments ÿare about. ÿDoing it in the face of the adversities
that ÿpresent themselves at each and every fire is not ÿthe ÿhard
part, that comes with every job. Doing it when nobody else seems
to care is a test of the deepest mettle we can muster.
The ÿgeneral consensus of the in-country troops of ÿVietnam ÿwas,
"Don't mean nuthin'," ÿor "If you can't fix it, %^&#$ it!" That
feeling ÿis too easy to give in to. ÿIt's like a festering wound
that, ÿÿunattended, ÿÿwill ÿcause ÿa ÿloss ÿof ÿa ÿlimb ÿor ÿÿthe
deterioration ÿof a neighborhood that dominoes into the fall of a
community. ÿWhen keeping the apparatus clean is a difficult job,
you ÿare already in the middle of it. ÿWhen getting a sponge ÿor
chamois ÿthrough channels is a harder job than the cleaning, ÿthe
feeling ÿcan climb through the ranks like Bubonic Plague. ÿWhen
energy conservation means 40 Watt light bulbs, you know where you
are.
The ÿdisease ÿpresents ÿitself ÿin little ÿways, ÿÿall ÿminor ÿin
consequence ÿunless ÿlooked at as a whole. ÿFrom the ÿmanner ÿin
which ÿthe telephone is answered to the method of treatment for a
civilian ÿasking ÿdirections, ÿit can display disdain ÿopenly ÿor
subtly. ÿÿThe transition back into a structured, ÿknowledgeable,
NAM VET Newsletter Page 79
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
respectful, ÿand cooperative process is many times more difficult
than ÿmaintaining one. ÿStart it with simple example. ÿKeep the
wrong from getting a toe hold. Be someone who cares and be proud
that you do.
Recently ÿI drilled a pump company that is well known for some of
their antagonistic troops. It began in the normal way, ÿlay a 4"
line there, ÿhydra-assist valve on the hydrant, portable deck gun
over ÿthere. ÿÿThey ÿkept busy until one of the ÿmore ÿoutspoken
people ÿsaid, ÿ"Hey Cap, ÿwhat are we doin'? ÿWe never did ÿthis
before." ÿI ÿreplied, "Learning something, I ÿhope," ÿand then
explained the process. ÿWe spent two hours, ÿstarting with basic
pump ÿoperations to master stream appliances, ÿrelief valve, ÿand
relay set up. When it started, it was loose, and cooperation was
not ÿas ÿgood ÿas it should have been. ÿWhen we ÿfinished, ÿÿall
members ÿwere ÿa team. ÿAt the pump panel, ÿthey had a ÿlist ÿof
QUALITY ÿhypothetical questions. ÿAll were answered, ÿÿand ÿsome
pleased ÿme at the technical expertise they ÿshowed, ÿÿespecially
after ÿhaving ÿbeen forgetful in understanding some rudiments ÿin
the beginning.
I ÿbumped into one of that crew about a week later. ÿHe actually
thanked ÿme for the instruction he had received at ÿthe ÿprevious
drill. He said that he caught a worker a day after the drill and
had the pump set up just as we had done the day before. He liked
how easy the job had gone. It was also one of his first fires on
that particular make of pump. Now that's an attitude!
At ÿone ÿof the local high school graduations this ÿsummer, ÿÿthe
speaker ÿremarked ÿabout one of the shortest speeches on ÿrecord.
Quoted ÿwas Winston Churchill, ÿand the time was near the end ÿof
the ÿSecond ÿWorld ÿWar ÿat Oxford ÿor ÿCambridge. ÿÿHis ÿspeech
consisted of "Never, ÿnever, ÿnever, ÿnever give up," ÿand he sat
down. ÿIf that is all that Winston had to say after the years as
leader of his country, ÿduring some of the most trying of ÿtimes,
I'll go with it.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 80
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Don't drink the water!
=================================================================
VA Adds More Agent Orange-Related Diseases
To Compensation List
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Information Service
Submitted by Larry Grim
Grimace BBS - Arnold, MD.
(410) 544-1297
Evidence ÿlinks three cancers and a skin-and-liver disorder ÿto
Agent Orange, ÿan herbicide used as a jungle defoliant during the
Vietnam ÿWar, ÿaccording to a new Department of Veterans Affairs-
funded study.
In ÿresponse ÿto the findings, ÿVA Secretary Jesse Brown ÿadded
Hodgkin's ÿdisease ÿand ÿa ÿskin-blistering ÿcondition ÿknown ÿas
porphyria cutanea tarda to the three illnesses -- ÿÿnon-Hodgkin's
lymphoma, ÿÿsoft ÿtissue ÿsarcoma and ÿa ÿskin ÿcondition ÿcalled
chloracne ÿ-- ÿpreviously acknowledged as related to ÿservice ÿin
Vietnam. The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine,
an ÿindependent, ÿWashington-based body that advises the ÿfederal
government, conducted the study.
"This ÿstudy confirms earlier VA decisions on the health ÿrisks
of Vietnam service," ÿBrown said after the report's release. ÿ"It
also gives us new information that I believe will help to further
resolve ÿthe ÿlingering concerns of Vietnam ÿveterans ÿand ÿtheir
families. While VA has been providing health care to veterans for
conditions ÿthey believe may be related to Vietnam service, ÿthis
decision means that we can now add two conditions to our existing
list for compensation purposes.
"I ÿhave ordered that we move as quickly as possible to develop
and ÿpublish ÿregulations ÿon ÿHodgkin's ÿdisease ÿand ÿporphyria
cutanea tarda so that we can begin paying benefits to veterans or
their survivors," ÿBrown continued. ÿ"I have also asked that, ÿas
soon ÿas ÿfinal rules are published, ÿa ÿreview be undertaken ÿto
identify and reopen claims of Vietnam veterans who may have these
two conditions."
Veterans in this category who haven't filed compensation claims
can ÿget assistance from VA once the final rule is published, ÿhe
said. ÿÿThe ÿregistry ÿprogram identifies ÿVietnam ÿveterans ÿwho
believe ÿthey ÿmay have health problems related to ÿAgent ÿOrange
exposure.
Many Vietnam veterans face continuing uncertainty about whether
a ÿmyriad ÿof ÿdiseases and health effects ÿare ÿassociated ÿwith
exposure ÿto ÿherbicides used during the war, ÿthe report ÿnoted.
"Some ÿof these veterans and their families feel their ÿpain ÿand
suffering ÿhave ÿbeen ignored and their questions have ÿnot ÿbeen
adequately addressed," it states.
VA's ÿlatest statistics show the department had ÿ40,097 ÿÿAgent
Orange-related claims on file as of July 13. This includes claims
for ÿdisability compensation and death claims. ÿCompensation ÿhas
NAM VET Newsletter Page 81
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
been ÿpaid in 553 ÿcases, ÿalthough not all are related to ÿAgent
Orange ÿexposure. ÿÿSome ÿ29,000 ÿclaims are pending due ÿto ÿthe
provisions ÿof a lawsuit and Public Law 102-4, ÿthe ÿ1991 ÿÿAgent
Orange Act.
Congress ÿauthorized ÿthe $995,000 ÿstudy, ÿVeterans and ÿAgent
Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam, in the act.
The ÿlawmakers' ÿÿaim ÿwas to resolve more than ÿtwo ÿdecades ÿof
controversy ÿsurrounding diseases and health ÿeffects ÿassociated
with exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam.
The ÿterm ÿAgent ÿOrange ÿis derived ÿfrom ÿthe ÿorange-striped
barrels the defoliant was shipped in.
"More ÿthan 19 ÿmillion gallons of herbicides were sprayed over
South ÿVietnam between 1962 ÿand 1971 ÿbefore reports ÿof ÿhealth
effects ÿin laboratory animals ended herbicide ÿspraying," ÿÿsaid
Harold ÿFallon, ÿÿdean of the University of Alabama's ÿSchool ÿof
Medicine ÿand chairman of the study committee. ÿ"Most large-scale
spraying ÿtook place from the air, ÿbut a considerable amount ÿof
spraying ÿwas ÿalso ÿdone from boats and ground vehicles ÿand ÿby
soldiers carrying back-mounted equipment."
The ÿreport ÿsaid veterans as a group had ÿsubstantially ÿlower
exposure ÿto ÿherbicides and dioxins than did ÿfarm ÿand ÿfactory
workers. However, Fallon said, "Veterans who were participants in
Operation Ranch Hand -- the extensive spraying of some 19 million
gallons ÿof herbicides over 3.6 ÿmillion acres of ÿSouth ÿVietnam
from ÿairplanes -- ÿare an exception to this pattern ÿbecause ÿof
their direct involvement in the spraying missions."
Fallon ÿsaid ÿfurther ÿstudies ÿshould be done ÿon ÿRanch ÿHand
veterans, ÿÿArmy Chemical Corps personnel and others who ÿhandled
herbicides ÿto ÿdetermine if they're experiencing adverse ÿhealth
effects from exposure to the chemicals.
He ÿalso ÿnoted ÿthat some former ground troops ÿwho ÿwere ÿnot
directly ÿinvolved in the spraying may have been exposed to ÿhigh
levels of herbicides.
The ÿ16-member ÿcommittee, ÿÿdrawn from ÿuniversities ÿand ÿthe
private ÿsector, ÿÿconcluded that new ÿstudies ÿpiecing ÿtogether
different ÿtypes of information could help determine how much the
risk of disease increases in veterans exposed to such ÿherbicides
as Agent Orange. ÿCommittee members were leading, ÿwell-respected
authorities ÿin their scientific fields, ÿincluding ÿoccupational
and environmental medicine, toxicology, epidemiology, ÿpathology,
clinical oncology, psychology, neurology and biostatistics.
They found "limited or suggestive evidence" ÿof an ÿassociation
between ÿexposure ÿto herbicides used in Vietnam and ÿrespiratory
cancers, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma.
The ÿscientific data for most cancers and other diseases, ÿsuch
as adverse neurological and reproductive effects, were inadequate
or insufficient to determine whether an association exists, ÿÿthe
report ÿsaid. ÿÿThe committee found no ÿassociation ÿbetween ÿthe
herbicides ÿÿor ÿdioxin ÿand ÿthe ÿoccurrence ÿof ÿskin ÿÿcancer,
gastrointestinal tumors (colon, ÿrectal, stomach and pancreatic),
bladder cancer and brain tumors.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 82
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The ÿtwo-inch-thick report resulted from a review of more ÿthan
6,000 ÿÿabstracts ÿof ÿscientific and medical ÿarticles, ÿÿand ÿa
detailed analysis of 230 epidemiologic studies.
Vietnam veterans who believe they have health problems ÿrelated
to their exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam should
contact ÿthe nearest VA regional office or call ÿVA's ÿnationwide
toll-free number, 1-800-827-1000.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 83
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
New Agent Orange Decision
Printed at RENO VA GOV 27 Jul 93 xx:xx [#863027]
Submitted by Steven Byars
LasVegas Net BBS - Las Vegas, NV.
(702) 565-5271
VA TO AWARD COMPENSATION FOR AGENT ORANGE-RELATED ILLNESSES
Washington ÿ-- ÿÿSecretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown ÿtoday
announced that Vietnam veterans suffering from Hodgkin's ÿdisease
and porphyria cutanea tarda (a liver disorder) ÿwill be added ÿto
those ÿnow entitled to disability payments based on their service
in ÿVietnam ÿand ÿpresumed ÿexposure to Agent ÿOrange ÿand ÿother
herbicides.
Browns ÿdecision follows today's release of a National ÿAcademy
of ÿSciences ÿ(NAS) ÿÿstudy NAS conducted for the ÿDepartment ÿof
Veterans ÿAffairs at the direction of Congress. ÿBrown said ÿthat
his ÿdecision ÿfollowed consultation with the White ÿHouse, ÿÿand
reflects ÿthe President's concern and support for ÿthose ÿVietnam
veterans whose health may have been affected by military service.
The ÿNAS ÿstudy concluded that sufficient evidence exists of ÿa
association ÿbetween herbicide exposure and soft-tissue ÿsarcoma,
non-Hodgkin's ÿÿlymphoma, ÿÿHodgkin's ÿdisease, ÿÿchloracne ÿÿand
porphyria ÿcutanea ÿtarda. ÿÿVA ÿalready ÿrecognizes ÿsoft-tissue
sarcoma, ÿnon-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chloracne, ÿand has been pay
compensation to Vietnam veterans for these conditions.
Said ÿBrown, ÿ"This study confirms earlier VA decisions on ÿthe
health ÿrisks ÿof ÿVietnam service. ÿBut it ÿalso ÿgives ÿus ÿnew
information ÿthat ÿI ÿbelieve will help to ÿfurther ÿresolve ÿthe
lingering concerns of Vietnam veterans and their families. ÿWhile
VA ÿhas ÿbeen ÿproviding ÿhealth care ÿto ÿVietnam ÿveterans ÿfor
conditions ÿthey believe may be related to Vietnam service, ÿthis
decision means that we can now add two conditions to our existing
list for compensation purposes.
"I ÿhave ordered that we move as quickly as possible to develop
and ÿpublish ÿregulations ÿon ÿHodgkin's ÿdisease ÿand ÿporphyria
cutanea tarda so that we can begin paying benefits to veterans or
their survivors. ÿI have also asked that, ÿas soon as final rules
are ÿpublished, ÿa ÿreview be undertaken to identify and ÿre-open
claims of Vietnam veterans who may have these two conditions," he
added.
Brown ÿalso ÿdirected ÿVA to review its Agent ÿOrange ÿRegistry
physical ÿexamination files to identify Vietnam veterans ÿwith ÿa
diagnosis ÿof Hodgkin's disease or porphyria cutanea ÿtarda. ÿÿIf
these ÿveterans have not yet filed compensation claims, ÿVA ÿwill
assist ÿthem ÿin doing so once the final rule is published. ÿÿThe
Agent ÿOrange ÿRegistry Program identifies Vietnam ÿveterans ÿwho
believe ÿthey ÿmay have health problems related to ÿAgent ÿOrange
exposure.
NAS ÿalso ÿrecommended that new studies be ÿconducted ÿto ÿhelp
determine ÿthe increased risks of disease among Vietnam ÿveterans
who ÿwere ÿexposed ÿto Agent Orange ÿand ÿother ÿherbicides. ÿÿIn
accepting ÿthis recommendation, ÿBrown said, ÿ"NAS has given us a
NAM VET Newsletter Page 84
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
framework ÿon ÿwhich ÿto conduct further research. ÿÿWe ÿneed ÿto
continue the search for answers to those questions still heavy on
the minds of Vietnam veterans and their families."
The ÿNAS study, ÿmandated by Public Law 102-4 ÿin ÿ1991, ÿÿcost
$995,000 ÿÿand ÿincluded ÿa review and ÿevaluation ÿof ÿavailable
scientific literature on the association between various diseases
and herbicide exposure.
NAS reviewed more than 6,000 abstracts of scientific or medical
articles ÿand ÿconducted detailed analysis of 230 ÿÿepidemiologic
studies. ÿÿWhile NAS determined that Vietnam veterans as a ÿgroup
were exposed to herbicides at lower doses and for shorter periods
than ÿmany ÿof ÿthe other segments of ÿthe ÿpopulation ÿwho ÿwere
subjects ÿof studies NAS reviewed, ÿsuch as farmers ÿand ÿfactory
workers, ÿÿNAS concluded that its findings are still relevant ÿto
Vietnam veterans.
NAS ÿalso determined that there was only limited or ÿsuggestive
evidence ÿÿof ÿan ÿassociation ÿbetween ÿherbicide ÿexposure ÿand
respiratory cancers (lung, larynx, trachea), ÿprostate cancer and
multiple myeloma. ÿIn addition, ÿNAS categorized other conditions
based ÿon either inadequate evidence or finding no association at
all. ÿBrown said that VA would be reviewing the findings in these
three ÿcategories as well as the studies on which they were based
to ÿdetermine if decisions can be reached on ÿservice-connection.
He has established a VA panel of experts which will consult ÿwith
veterans groups and other interested parties.
Because ÿof the NAS findings, ÿVA is reviewing an ÿas-yet-to-be
published ÿfinal regulation that would have allowed ÿcompensation
for ÿperipheral ÿneuropathy ÿand ÿdenied ÿcompensation ÿfor ÿlung
cancer. ÿThe lung cancer decision specified that, at the time the
regulation ÿwas developed, ÿscientific and medical evidence found
no significant statistical association between herbicide exposure
and lung cancer. VA also is considering a revision to an existing
regulation linking non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to Vietnam service. The
revised rule would link this disease to herbicide exposure, as is
currently the case with soft-tissue sarcoma and chloracne.
Vietnam veterans who believe they have health problems that may
be ÿrelated ÿto their exposure to Agent Orange while ÿserving ÿin
Vietnam ÿshould ÿcontact the nearest VA ÿregional ÿoffice. ÿÿVA's
nationwide toll-free number is 1-800-827-1000. ###
AGENT ORANGE AND RELATED ISSUES July 1993
THE VIETNAM CONFLICT
9.2 ÿmillion military personnel served on active duty ÿduring
the Vietnam Era (8/5/64 through 5/7/75)
An ÿestimated 3.1 ÿmillion veterans served in ÿthe ÿSoutheast
Asia ÿTheater (Vietnam, ÿLaos, ÿCambodia, ÿflight crews based ÿin
Thailand, and sailors on the South China Sea)
An estimated 2.6 ÿmillion personnel served within the borders
of South Vietnam
NAM VET Newsletter Page 85
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
AGENT ORANGE
Agent Orange was a herbicide used in Vietnam to defoliate trees
and ÿremove cover for the enemy. ÿAgent Orange spraying ÿmissions
were ÿconducted in Vietnam between January 1965 ÿand April ÿ1970.
Shipped ÿin orange-striped barrels, ÿAgent Orange was a ÿreddish-
brown liquid containing ÿtwo ÿherbicides: ÿÿ2, ÿ4, ÿÿ5-trichloro-
phenoxyacetic acid (2, ÿ4, ÿ5-T) ÿand 2, ÿ4-dichlorophenoxyaceti
acid ÿ(2, ÿ4-D). ÿOne of the herbicides -- ÿ2, ÿ4, ÿ5-T ÿ-- ÿÿwas
contaminated in the manufacturing process with 2, 3, 7, ÿ8-tetra-
chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, ÿÿalso known as TCDD or, ÿmore ÿcommonly,
dioxin.
Various ÿÿchemical ÿherbicides ÿwere ÿsprayed ÿin ÿVietnam ÿÿat
different ÿtimes -- ÿduring different years as well as ÿdifferent
seasons ÿbecause ÿof the variety of vegetation and ÿenvironmental
conditions.
The ÿhistory of herbicides for military use dates to World ÿWar
II. During the early part of the war, interest arose in chemicals
that ÿcould ÿbe used for crop destruction. ÿÿTwo ÿchemicals ÿwere
developed as a result of those early efforts -- 2, 4, D and 2, 4,
5-T. ÿÿAlthough neither chemical was used in World War ÿII, ÿÿthe
value ÿof ÿtheir ÿuse ÿin weed and ÿbrush ÿcontrol ÿprograms ÿwas
recognized, ÿand both chemicals have been used widely ÿthroughout
the world since the 1940s by farmers, foresters and homeowners.
VA RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT AGENT ORANGE
The ÿDepartment ÿof Veterans Affairs has been involved ÿin ÿthe
search for answers about Agent Orange since 1978:
VA ÿdeveloped ÿthe ÿAgent ÿOrange ÿRegistry ÿand ÿExamination
Program ÿin 1978 ÿto identify Vietnam veterans who are ÿconcerned
about Agent Orange exposure. As of June 30, 1993, 226,422 Vietnam
veterans ÿhave ÿbeen ÿprovided examinations ÿunder ÿthe ÿregistry
Program. ÿVA maintains a computerized registry of data from these
examinations.
Public Law 97-72, ÿsigned in November 1981, ÿauthorized VA to
provide free medical treatment, ÿon a priority basis, to veterans
for health problems that may be related to Agent Orange exposure.
VA ÿpresumes ÿthat ÿveterans ÿwho served within ÿthe ÿborders ÿof
Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange.
VA's ÿÿAdvisory ÿCommittee ÿon ÿHealth-Related ÿÿEffects ÿÿof
Herbicides was established in 1979 ÿto resolve issues surrounding
the possible health effects of herbicides on Vietnam veterans. VA
also established the Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards,
consisting of non-VA experts in dioxin and radiation exposure ÿas
well ÿas ÿseveral lay members, ÿto advise the ÿSecretary ÿon ÿthe
results ÿof ÿAgent ÿOrange-related ÿresearch, ÿÿand ÿÿregulatory,
administrative ÿand ÿlegislative initiatives. ÿÿWith ÿpassage ÿof
Public Law 102-4, which mandated the National Academy of Sciences
study, ÿÿthe ÿcommittee ÿhas not ÿbeen ÿreviewing ÿdioxin-related
studies.
VA has conducted and published numerous studies on the health
of Vietnam veterans, associated either with herbicide exposure or
the ÿVietnam experience. ÿSix other studies are in varying stages
of completion.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 86
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) ÿconducted a study for
the Department of Veterans Affairs, at the direction of Congress,
to ÿreview ÿand evaluate available scientific literature ÿon ÿthe
association between various diseases and herbicide exposure. ÿNAS
reviewed ÿmore ÿthan 6,000 ÿabstracts of ÿscientific ÿor ÿmedical
articles ÿand conducted detailed analysis of ÿ230 ÿÿepidemiologic
studies. ÿÿNAS determined that sufficient evidence exists ÿof ÿan
association ÿbetween ÿherbicide exposure and ÿsoft-tissue, ÿÿnon-
Hodgkin's lymphoma, ÿHodgkin's disease, ÿchloracne and ÿporphyria
cutanea tarda (a liver disorder).
Prior ÿto ÿthe completion of the NAS study, ÿVA ÿhad ÿalready
recognized ÿsoft-tissue ÿsarcoma, ÿÿnon-Hodgkin's ÿlymphoma ÿÿand
chloracne ÿas ÿbeing linked to Agent Orange exposure ÿor ÿVietnam
service, ÿand has been paying compensation to veterans for ÿthese
conditions.
Based on the results of the NAS study, VA is adding Hodgkin's
disease ÿand porphyria cutanea tarda to the list of ÿdiseases ÿVA
recognizes ÿas being linked to exposure to Agent Orange and other
herbicides.
VA will being developing regulations on Hodgkin's disease and
porphyria cutanea tarda. The Agent Orange Act (Public Law 102-4),
which mandated the $995,000 NAS study, ÿgives VA until the latter
part of February 1994 ÿto publish final regulations. At that time
VA ÿcan ÿbegin awarding disability compensation to ÿveterans ÿwho
have these conditions.
As of July 13, ÿ1993, 40,097 ÿAgent Orange-related claims had
been ÿfiled with VA. ÿThis figure includes claims for ÿdisability
compensation and death claims. ÿCompensation has been paid in 553
cases, ÿalthough not all related to Agent Orange exposure. ÿÿSome
29,000 ÿÿclaims are pending, ÿdue to the provisions of a ÿlawsuit
settlement and Public Law 102-4.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 87
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program
Submitted by Richard Ritz
Amiga Probe - Meriden, CT.
(203) 235-4422
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
In re "Agent Orange" Product Liability Litigation
MDL No. ÿ381 ÿ(JBW) ÿOrder Modifying Payment Provisions of ÿthe
Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program.
By opinion and order dated July 5, ÿ1988, the Court established
the Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program (the "Payment ÿProgram")
to ÿdistribute a portion of the proceeds of the settlement in the
"Agent ÿOrange" ÿproduct liability litigation. ÿSee In re ÿAgent
Orange ÿProduct ÿLiability ÿLitigation, ÿÿ689 ÿÿF. ÿÿSupp. ÿÿ1250
(E.D.N.Y.). ÿÿUnder ÿthe ÿguidelines adopted by the ÿCourt, ÿÿthe
Payment ÿProgram ÿis ÿto ÿdistribute ÿcash ÿpayments ÿto ÿcertain
disabled Vietnam veterans and survivors of Vietnam veterans. ÿAt
the time the Payment Program was established, ÿthe Court directed
that benefit awards be paid to eligible disabled veterans in ÿthe
form ÿof annual installment payments over the life of the Payment
Program, ÿrather than single lump sum payments. ÿThe installment
payment ÿmechanism was adopted in part to maximize ÿearnings ÿfor
the ÿbenefit ÿof ÿthe ÿclass ÿand in ÿpart ÿto ÿhelp ÿassure ÿthe
availability ÿof funds for individuals filing claims in the later
years of the Program. ÿAs of April 30, 1993, ÿa ÿtotal of 25,750
disabled ÿveterans have been made $98 ÿmillion.* ÿThese disabled
veterans have been awarded an additional $33.2 million, ÿwhich is
scheduled ÿto be paid out in installments over the course of ÿthe
next 18 months.
In ÿestablishing ÿthe ÿPayment ÿProgram, ÿÿthe ÿCourt ÿretained
authority ÿÿto ÿmodify ÿthe ÿclaim ÿpayment ÿÿprovisions ÿÿshould
circumstances ÿwarrant. ÿThe Court has now determined ÿthat ÿthe
benefits ÿÿawards ÿto ÿeligible ÿdisabled ÿveterans ÿÿshould ÿÿbe
distributed ÿin ÿthe form of a single lump ÿsum ÿpayment. ÿÿThis
modification ÿwill ÿresult ÿin the ÿaccelerated ÿdistribution ÿof
approximately $33 ÿmillion previously scheduled for ÿdistribution
in ÿinstallments. ÿFor several reasons, ÿsuch a modification ÿis
appropriate at this time. ÿFirst, due to falling interest rates,
the ÿearnings received by the Settlement Fund have ÿdecreased ÿin
comparison to prior years. ÿAs earnings decrease, the benefit to
the ÿclass of retaining and investing Settlement Fund ÿmonies ÿis
decreased. ÿFurther, ÿbecause the earnings have decreased, ÿÿand
because ÿthe ÿPayment Program is scheduled to cease ÿdistribution
activities at the end of 1994, the Fund will not lose significant
earnings ÿÿby ÿÿaccelerating ÿthe ÿpayout ÿof ÿmonies. ÿÿÿSecond,
accelerated ÿdistribution of the Settlement Fund ÿwill ÿeliminate
the ÿneed to verify eligibility for installments and will thereby
result in lower administrative costs. ÿThird, ÿas noted, ÿone of
the original purposes of annual rather than lump sum payments was
to ÿconserve fund assets to ensure, ÿas much as ÿpossible, ÿÿthat
money ÿwould be available for disabled veterans submitting claims
in ÿthe final years of the Payment Program's operation. ÿAs only
some ÿ18 ÿmonths remain before the Payment Program ceases ÿactive
operation in December 1994, however, this concern now weighs less
heavily.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 88
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Lastly, ÿa ÿnumber of disabled veterans have written the ÿCourt
requesting ÿlump sum payment of their awards. ÿTheir ÿsituations
are ÿheart-rending ÿand ÿthere is a great ÿneed ÿfor ÿthe ÿmoney.
Immediate ÿlump sum distribution of their benefit awards can have
a ÿsignificant ÿimpact on the quality of their lives. ÿTo ÿgrant
such ÿrequests on a case-by-case basis, ÿhowever, ÿis ÿunfair ÿto
those ÿwho ÿdo not ask for special consideration from the ÿCourt.
The ÿbetter approach, ÿespecially when considered with the Fund's
lowered ÿearnings and the savings in administrative costs, ÿis to
provide ÿfor ÿlump ÿsum payment of benefit awards ÿto ÿall ÿaward
recipients.
Accordingly, ÿÿbenefit ÿawards ÿshall be paid to ÿall ÿeligible
disabled veterans in the form of lump sum payments. Veterans who
have ÿalready received a portion of their benefit awards shall be
paid ÿthe ÿoutstanding ÿbalance of each award ÿin ÿone ÿlump ÿsum
payment. Future applicants who are determined to be eligible for
a ÿdisability ÿaward shall receive their award in a ÿsingle ÿlump
sum. ÿÿAs previously directed, ÿclass members must apply to ÿthe
Payment Program by December 31, 1994, in order to be eligible for
a payment.
The ÿClaims Administrator of the Payment Program shall take all
appropriate ÿsteps ÿto implement these modifications as ÿsoon ÿas
practicable. ÿÿLump ÿsum payments shall be distributed no ÿlater
than November 1993.
There ÿis a risk that as a result of this action and ÿincreased
claims ÿthere ÿwill be a shortfall of funds. ÿThis will ÿrequire
either ÿÿearlier ÿtermination ÿof ÿthe ÿProgram ÿthan ÿoriginally
planned, ÿÿor ÿa ÿreduction ÿin the amounts ÿpaid ÿto ÿindividual
claimants. In view, however, of the lagging economy and the need
of ÿmany veterans for added help, ÿthe Court has determined ÿthat
this risk is worth taking as a benefit to the veteran's community
and the national economy.
SO ORDERED
Jack B. Weinstein Senior United States District Judge
Date: June 10, 1993
*In addition, the Payment Program has distributed $22.7 million
to ÿ9,715 ÿeligible survivors as of April 30, ÿ1993. ÿThe ÿAgent
Orange ÿClass Assistance Program, ÿwhich distributes ÿa ÿseparate
portion of the Settlement Fund assets has, ÿof May 30, 1993, paid
approximately ÿÿ$37.2 ÿÿÿmillion ÿin ÿthe ÿform ÿof ÿÿgrants ÿÿto
organizations ÿproviding ÿservices to Vietnam veterans and ÿtheir
families.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 10, 1993
NAM VET Newsletter Page 89
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program (Part 2)
Submitted by Richard Ritz
Amiga Probe - Meriden, CT.
(203) 235-4422
United ÿStates District Court Orders Accelerated Distribution ÿof
Agent Orange Settlement Fund Assets
Contact: Deborah E. Greenspan (202) 371-1110
Brooklyn, ÿÿNew ÿYork--Agent ÿOrange Special ÿMaster ÿDeborah ÿE.
Greenspan ÿannounced that United States District Court Judge Jack
B. ÿÿÿWeinstein ÿtoday ÿordered ÿthe ÿentity ÿadministering ÿÿthe
distribution of a portion of the Agent Orange Settlement Fund ÿto
accelerate ÿÿthe ÿdistribution ÿof ÿSettlement ÿFund ÿmonies ÿÿby
providing ÿlump ÿsum payments to eligible claimants. ÿThe ÿAgent
Orange ÿSettlement Fund was created in 1984 ÿwhen seven ÿchemical
companies ÿagreed ÿto ÿsettle a class action lawsuit ÿbrought ÿby
Vietnam veterans and their family members. ÿThe veterans claimed
that various herbicides, ÿincluding the herbicide known as "Agent
Orange", ÿÿmanufactured ÿby the companies had caused ÿinjury ÿand
death ÿamong the veterans. ÿThe distribution of ÿthe ÿSettlement
Fund assets began in 1989, after the conclusion of all appeals.
The ÿSettlement Fund assets are distributed to eligible Vietnam
veterans ÿand ÿsurvivors of Vietnam veterans ÿthrough ÿthe ÿAgent
Orange Veteran Payment Program. The Agent Orange Veteran Payment
Program ÿinitially received $170 ÿmillion of the Settlement ÿFund
assets ($10 ÿmillion being held in escrow) to distribute and has,
of May 1993, ÿdistributed approximately $120 ÿmillion to eligible
veterans and survivors. Since its inception, the Payment Program
has distributed compensation to eligible disabled veterans in the
form ÿof annual installment payments. ÿThe Payment Program ÿ(and
the ÿdistribution ÿof ÿinstallment payments) ÿÿare ÿscheduled ÿto
conclude on December 31, ÿ1994. ÿThe order issued today ÿdirects
that ÿall outstanding amounts due to be paid eligible veterans in
installments over the next 18 months be paid in a single lump sum
distribution.
The ÿCourt ÿexpects ÿthat approximately $33 ÿÿmillion ÿwill ÿbe
distributed ÿto eligible veterans during the course of ÿthe ÿnext
few ÿmonths ÿas ÿa ÿresult of this ÿorder. ÿÿThe ÿCourt's ÿorder
directing ÿthe accelerated distribution of funds ÿindicates ÿthat
the decision was prompted by several factors: ÿthe Court noted in
particular ÿthat ÿthe decrease in earnings on fund ÿassets ÿmakes
continued retention and investment of the assets less ÿbeneficial
and ÿÿthat ÿthe ÿveterans, ÿÿmany ÿof ÿwhom ÿare ÿsuffering ÿfrom
debilitating diseases, ÿhave expressed and exhibited a great need
to obtain the available funds now.
The ÿÿCourt ÿhas ÿexpressly ÿnoted ÿthat ÿby ÿaccelerating ÿthe
distribution ÿÿof ÿcompensation ÿand ÿthereby ÿÿdepleting ÿÿfunds
available ÿfor ÿinvestment, ÿthere is a risk that there ÿwill ÿbe
insufficient funds available should future claimants against ÿthe
Program be greater than expected. Should there be a shortfall of
funds, ÿÿthe ÿCourt has indicated that the Payment Program ÿmight
cease ÿoperations ÿsooner ÿthan currently scheduled ÿor, ÿÿas ÿan
alternative, amounts paid to future claimants might be reduced.
The ÿCourt has concluded, ÿhowever, ÿthat the risk of decreased
NAM VET Newsletter Page 90
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
payments ÿis ÿworth taking in light of the great benefit ÿto ÿthe
veteran community of distributing these monies now to the ÿpeople
who have expressed such great need.
NOTE: ONLY FILE CLAMS IF YOU NEED TO.
WE WILL RUN OUT OF MONEY, ÿWE ARE TRYING TO HELP A LOT NOT JUST
A FEW.
SOME OF THE PEOPLE TRYING TO HELP HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO GET THE
RIGHT PEOPLE THE RIGHT HELP. ÿIF YOU HAVE A CLAM THAT WAS DENIED
YEARS AGO PLEASE HAVE THEM REFILE.
CALL VIETNAM VETERANS AGENT ORANGE VICTIMS, INC.
P.O.BOX 2465
DARIEN, CT 06820-0465
203-656-0003
1-800-521-0198
FAX 203-656-1957
ASK FOR PHIL CRAFT
AGENT ORANGE GRANTEE:
FAMILY SERVICE OF CENT. CT.
Meriden, Connecticut 06450-6410
203-235-7923
JIM GAVIN M.S.W.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 91
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
_ ______ _______ __ _ _______
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. _ . _ . .
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- - - - . - - - - .-
- . . . - - -.
- . . . . . . . -.
-. . . . U S . - -.
- . . . . - . . - -.
- . . . - - . . -.
- . .. V I E T N A M V E T E R A N . _ -
- . . . _ _ _ . _-_ . - -
- . - - -_- -_-xxx _ -. . - .-.
- . . . . - XXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXx -. - .- .
- . . XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-. .--.
- .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -.- -
-.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -. -.
-. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .g -.
-. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .- j.
.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . p
.-. XXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXX .- -
-. XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX -.- -
-- XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX --
- XXXXXXXXX X'`XXX XXXXXXX Y
Y XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX
XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX
XXX XX X XXX XX XX
XXXX XX
XXX XX XX XX XXXX
XXX]XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX[ XX XX XXX
XXXXXXXXXX
" I t ' s o n l y t e e n a g e a c n e ! "
-Robert Nimmo-
NAM VET Newsletter Page 92
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
The End of an Era
By Packrat
Freedom's Choice:CBCS/VETLink_#18 - Lynn, MA
(617) 593-2605
The End of an Era
-------------------
19 Years
19 years ago the US Government proclaimed the end of the Viet
Nam Era.
19 Years
19 years, the average age of an enlisted person serving in
Viet Nam.
19 Years
19 years of living in hell, for some many more.
19 years
19 years of saying,"Was that a truck backfire I hear ?, or,
Was it the report from CHARLIES' rifle, killing a friend that
was near."
19 years
19 years of saying to oneself, Am I going to make it thru
today, and can I make it thru the tomorrows yet to come.
19 years
19 years of not knowing if my MIA/POW Bro is alive or not,
and if alive will I ever see him again.
19 years
Yes, 19 years ago the Government proclaimed the end of an era.
Yet, WE know IT IS NOT !
----------------------------------------------------------------
The above thoughts are ones that come to me as I read this echo.
----------------------------------------------------------------
To Sarge and Gjoe,
to Joyce and Mike O',
to Mike D. and Scott S.
and all of the rest
3 things left to say
Thanks,
Welcome Home, and
I wasn't there, but, I Care
... like those on the WALL, you will not be forgotten
Reprinted with Permission
NAM VET Newsletter Page 93
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
=================================================================
Breaking Squelch
=================================================================
NamVet Article Submission Guidelines
We ÿdon't ÿwant contributing to YOUR NamVet to be a ÿ"job" ÿÿbut,
rather, ÿa ÿfun thing to do which will share YOUR experiences ÿor
something YOU'VE learned with so many others. ÿHere, though, are
the ÿactual specifications for those of us who like to cross ÿthe
tees and dot the eyes...
Each article submitted for publication in NamVet should contain:
a) The Title of the Article.
b) The Author of the Article.
c) The Name of the publication and the Date in which the
contribution appeared.
d) The Name of the person who submitted the article. *
e) The BBS or Post Office Box address of the contributor -
City and State are important. **
f) The telephone number of the BBS where the contributor can
be reached. ***
* In the case of an original submission, omit c) and d);
** FOR PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY PURPOSES, the use of street
addresses and home telephone numbers are discouraged
*** In the case of a non-bbs-using contributor, this can be the
BBS telephone number of the Section Editor.
Each ÿÿarticle ÿsubmitted ÿfor ÿNamVet ÿpublication ÿshould ÿÿbe
submitted in one of the following sample format(s):
*NamVet Article from published source
NAMVET ARTICLE FROM PUBLISHED SOURCE
by XXX (the published author)
XXX (published source)
Submitted by (User)
XX BBS - City, State
(XXX) XXX-XXXX (BBS telephone number)
- or -
*NamVet Article from original author
NAMVET ARTICLE FROM ORIGINAL AUTHOR
by XXX (author)
XX BBS - City, State
(XXX) XXX-XXXX (BBS telephone number)
Articles ÿsubmitted ÿfor publication in NamVet are to be ÿin ÿ65-
character format, ÿflush left margin (i.e., Left Margin 0, ÿRight
Margin 65; ÿLeft Margin 1, Right Margin 66) ÿand NOT be justified
or ÿhave ÿany special text formatting (i.e., ÿunderlining, ÿÿbold
facing, ÿitalics, ÿetc.). ÿGraphic "pictures" - as well as ÿany
articles ÿ- for NamVet are to be in straight-ASCII format ÿonly,
comprised of regular keyboard characters, ÿand can not exceed ÿ65
characters in width nor 58 ÿlines in length. NamVet is circulated
to many veterans having a wide variety of computers and ÿsoftware
processing ÿequipment. ÿThe ASCII-only format assures that ÿyour
graphic picture and/or article will be seen and printable by all.
(The ÿmargin ÿlength ÿof "graphic ÿpictures" ÿÿcan ÿsometimes ÿbe
extended to 70 characters)
NAM VET Newsletter Page 94
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Where "columns" ÿor "lists" are used in a contribution, if at all
possible, ÿÿthe ÿcolumns or lists are to be in two's rather ÿthan
listed singly.
THIS
YOUR VET CENTER MY VET CENTER
VET CENTER'S ADDRESS VET CENTER'S ADDRESS
VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP
VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER
NOT THIS
YOUR VET CENTER
VET CENTER'S ADDRESS
VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP
VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER
MY VET CENTER
VET CENTER'S ADDRESS
VET CENTER'S CITY, STATE & ZIP
VET CENTER'S PHONE NUMBER
Articles submitted for publication in NamVet should be no ÿlonger
than ÿ20,000 ÿ- ÿ40,000 ÿbytes in length unless "serialized" ÿÿ(a
"serialized" ÿÿsubmission is one that is in more than ÿone ÿpart,
each ÿ'part' ÿÿwill have as its heading, ÿthe ÿcontributor, ÿÿthe
source, and any other 'contact the submitter' information).
Please indicate the END of the article (or serialization) ÿby the
journalistic -30- (The -30- is removed in the publication process
but it helps our editors to know that the complete file has ÿbeen
received and that there is no more (of that article) to follow.
REJECTED ARTICLES: ÿTo date, ÿthe PRIMARY reason for rejecting an
article has been the contributors' ÿ_insistence_ that ÿcursewords
not ÿbe ÿedited ÿ"because ÿthey'll change the ÿ_meaning_ ÿof ÿthe
article". The Managing Editor staunchly holds to the following:
Articles ÿsubmitted ÿfor publication in NamVet containing ÿcommon
cursewords ÿÿshall ÿÿbe ÿrejected ÿunless ÿsaid ÿcursewords ÿÿare
asterisked (*) ÿout (for example, ÿsh*t, ÿf*ck, ÿg*dd*mn, ÿetc.).
Although you and many of our readers are oftentimes familiar with
the ÿmeanings behind the words, ÿasterisking them out STILL ÿgets
the ÿmeaning ÿacross ÿand yet preserves the integrity ÿof ÿNamVet
which ÿ*-IS-* ÿÿtransmitted to Junior and Senior ÿHigh ÿSchools;
Colleges and various educational institutions. ÿAsterisking the
cursewords ÿout ÿshows ÿthe ÿreader ÿthat ÿWE ÿ(NamVet ÿÿauthors,
contributors and staff) respect the feelings of our readers.
Some "other" reasons for rejection of an article are:
1. It contains many misspellings
2. It is in a non-ASCII format
3. Margins exceed the 65-character line-length limit
4. It has been justified
5. It is too long and NOT serialized
6. Columns are in single - rather than double-column format
7. It is Anti-Veteran
WHERE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED ARTICLES
You ÿmay submit your article/short story/poem/other item to ÿany
NAM VET Newsletter Page 95
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
of the existing VETLink BBSs. Presently, the VETLink BBSs are:
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA 1-413-443-6313
VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA 1-703-471-8010
VETLink #3 - Popular Bluff, MO 1-314-686-0120
VETLink #5 - Passaic, NJ 1-201-778-1879
VETLink #7 - Portland, OR 1-503-775-1554
VETLink #8 - Hooksett, NH 1-603-485-5945
VETLink #9 - Merrimack, NH 1-603-424-4915
VETLink #11 - Killingly, CT 1-203-779-3173
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM 1-505-523-2811
VETLink #14 - West Haven, CT 1-203-934-9852
VETLink #15 - West Haven, CT 1-203-932-6236
VETLink #16 - Plainville, LA 1-318-449-1012
VETLink #17 - Pembroke, FL 1-305-432-8210
VETLink #18 - Lynn, MA 1-617-593-2605
VETLink #19 - Baltimore, MD 1-410-866-8613
VETLink #20 - Pittsfield, MA 1-413-442-2181
VETLink #21 - Herndon, VA 1-703-471-8563
VETLink #22 - Oakland, CA 1-510-273-7830
VETLink #24 - Lincoln Park, MI 1-313-386-1905
VETLink #26 - Pleasant Grove, AL 1-205-744-0943
VETLink #27 - South Bend, IN 1-219-273-2291
VETLink #28 - Penngrove, CA 1-707-763-8287
VETLink #29 - Valdosta, GA 1-912-242-0496
VETLink #31 - Universal City, TX 1-210-945-9304
VETLink #32 - Jacksonville, FL 1-904-744-9991
VETLink #33 - Yucaipa, CA 1-909-797-1835
VETLink #34 - Oklahoma City, OK 1-405-741-5120
VETLink #35 - Athens, GA 1-706-548-0726
VETLink #36 - Fort Worth, TX 1-817-244-4245
VETLink #37 - Pittsfield, MA 1-413-499-1327
VETLink #39 - Fountain Valley, AZ 1-602-837-7808
VETLink #40 - Williamsburg, VA 1-804-565-3503
VETLink #41 - Shelby, NC 1-704-484-0935
VETLink #42 - Port Monmouth, NJ 1-908-787-8383
VETLink #44 - Eugene, OR 1-503-342-1285
VETLink #45 - Burlington, NC 1-919-227-1113
VETLink #46 - Mexico, ME 1-207-364-7338
VETLink #47 - Lawerence, MA 1-508-686-7706
VETLink #49 - Jacksonville, FL 1-904-353-3807
Each ÿVETLink ÿBBS will review any contributions that ÿhave ÿbeen
uploaded ÿto ÿhis/her BBS and send them either ÿto ÿthe ÿManaging
Editor who will, ÿin turn, send them on to the respective Section
Editor ÿor to the NamVet Section Editor him/herself ÿwho ÿhandles
the particular subject/topic matter.
If ÿYOU ÿwould ÿbe interested in handling a ÿsection ÿof ÿNamVet,
please file request NVET9902.LZH from VETLink #1 BBS.
We hope to see YOUR contribution published in a NamVet soon!
G. Joseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
NAM VET Newsletter Page 96
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
NamVet Distribution Survey Form
NamVet's ÿeditorial ÿstaff would like to know where YOU ÿreceived
this ÿcopy of NamVet. ÿPlease take a few moments to complete and
return this page (or a copy) to us.
NAME_____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS__________________________________________________________
CITY_____________________________________________________________
STATE & ZIP______________________________________________________
Where did you obtain/read the NamVet Newsletter? ________________
_________________________________________________________________
Do you make NamVet available to others? _________________________
If YES: Individual / / Educational / / Vet Groups / /
What do you find most/least helpful about NamVet?________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What other information would you like to see in NamVet? _________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Additional Comments _____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
YOUR poem, letter, article about the veteran Experience - whether
you ÿwere ÿin ÿVietnam, ÿin the military or not - ÿis ÿextremely
welcomed ÿby ÿthe editorial staff of NamVet. ÿWe invite ÿyou ÿto
include one (or many) with your return of this form.
Thank ÿYou ÿfor ÿyour ÿtime and help ÿin ÿmaking ÿNamVet ÿ*-THE-*
electronic newsletter by, ÿfor and about veterans and the ÿissues
that concern them!
Please return replies/articles/poems/etc. to:
Mrs. Joyce Flory
NamVet Distribution Survey
1825 Evelyn - Las Cruces, NM 88001
-or-
Electronic Veterans' Centers of America, Corporation (EVAC)
PO Box 2056 - Pittsfield, MA 01202
NAM VET Newsletter Page 97
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
IVVEC Phonebook
Updated as of November 5, 1993
Compiled by Joyce Flory
VETLink #13 - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
WELCOME HOME!!!!
If ÿÿany ÿÿof ÿthe ÿfollowing ÿinformation ÿis ÿinaccurate ÿÿor
incomplete, ÿÿplease contact me through the VIETNAM_VETS Echo ÿor
NetMail at 1:305/105 (FidoNet), 19:300/100, or 19:1/52 (VETNet).
I ÿwould, ÿÿalso, ÿlike to know if any of these boards are ÿPay
BBS's (pay per hour) or Subscriber BBS's (for extended time, etc.
you ÿmust pay a fee). ÿI ÿfeel you vets have paid enough without
having to pay for vet information, access to the NAM_VET echo, or
to download the NAM_VET newsletter AND have a right to know which
boards charge.
Though ÿI regularly check the listings against the Nodelist ÿto
make sure they have the correct phone number(s), I have no way of
knowing ÿ(short of calling them all - grin) ÿ*if* ÿthey carry the
echo ÿor ÿnot. ÿÿRemember, ÿÿthis list is only ÿas ÿgood ÿas ÿmy
information. ÿÿYour ÿhelp ÿand ÿinformation ÿwould ÿbe ÿÿgreatly
appreciated.
Thank you;
Joyce (K.O.T.L.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AL Pleasant Grove Family Smorgas-Board 205-744-0943-NL !*
(VETLink #26)
AR Fayetteville Ozark Connection 501-521-4734
AR Goshen The Ironhand Troll 501-521-2716
AR Magnolia-DOWN The Data Shop (VETLink #23) 501-234-5064-NL !
AR Strickler Genesis Project 501-267-9600
AZ Hereford The Boonie BBS 602-378-1164
AZ Fountain Valley The Mall (VETLink #39) 602-837-7808-NL !
AZ Phoenix AzCLU BBS 602-650-1180
Mon. thru Fri. - 6pm to 8am; Weekends - 6pm Fri. to 8am Mon.
AZ Phoenix The Messenger 602-547-9513
AZ Phoenix Nat'l Congress For Men BBS 602-840-4752
AZ Phoenix Nighthawk BBS 602-582-1127
AZ Sierra Vista United We Stand, America 602-459-0013
CA Anaheim CA Self-Help Library 714-952-2110
CA Antioch Cheers 510-706-0904
CA Azusa Azusa Pacific BBS 818-969-9170
CA Castro Valley Combat Arms BBS 510-537-1777
CA Clovis Clovis-Net BBS 209-292-3530
CA Davis Dynasoft Node 916-753-8788
CA El Segundo Spider's Web 310-416-9901
CA Hayward G A D M 510-886-1621
CA Los Angeles The Empty Bed Pan 310-478-0451
CA Los Angeles Long_Island RB 310-370-4113
CA Los Angeles SoCalNet EC 818-969-9542
CA Navato Mover Mouse BBS 415-898-2644
CA Oakland LZ/Nightline 510-273-7830-NL !
(VETLink #22)
CA Oakland LZ/Nightline 510-273-7831-NL !
(VETLink #22)
CA Orange Ol' Codger's BBS 714-639-1139
NAM VET Newsletter Page 98
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
CA Petaluma VETLink #28 707-763-8287-NL !
CA Petaluma Starbase 515 707-769-1624
CA Poway SGT ROCK's BBS 619-748-5406
CA Riverside Solid Rock BBS 909-785-9176
CA Sacramento Humanx Commonwealth BBS 916-737-1844
CA Sacramento Now and Zen Opus 916-962-1952
CA Sacramento Frogstar 916-739-8386
CA Sacramento Seanachie 916-481-3552
CA Sacramento Siren 916-482-9976
CA Sacramento Siren 916-486-2963
CA San Diego Aral's Castle 619-692-3236
CA San Diego Rendezvous BBS 619-689-2817
CA San Diego Rendezvous BBS 619-692-0563
CA San Diego San Diego Mail Box BBS 619-278-0114-NL!
APPROVAL PENDING (VETLink #50)
CA San Francisco PC GFX Exchange 415-337-5416
CA San Mateo Skeptic's Board 415-572-0359
CA Santa Rosa Sonoma Online 707-545-0785
CA Vallejo Power Station 707-552-0659
CA Vallejo Power Station 707-552-0462
CA Yucaipa The Zoo (VETLink #33) 909-797-1835-NL !
CN Edmonton, Alab. Druid's Keep 403-476-9554
CN Etobicoke, Ont. CRS Online 416-213-6037
CN Mississuaga, Ont. Canada Remote Systems 416-629-7685
CN Hull, QC Denis BBS 819-778-8873
CN Regina, Sask. Connections BBS 306-352-7541
CN Regina, Sask. Connections BBS 306-777-4437
CN Regina, Sask. Holistic BBS 306-789-9909
CO Aurora Dustoff 303-343-8810
CO Aurora The Silver Hammer 303-367-9701
CO Boulder Pinecliffe HST DS 303-642-0703
CO Colorado Sprgs Electric Locksmith 719-390-9249
CO Littleton InterConnect 303-797-0296
CO Pueblo The DIALOG Board BBS 719-546-3567
CT Branford Alice's Restaurant 203-488-1115
CT Branford Fernwood OS 2 Line 2 203-481-7934
CT Danbury Treasure Island 203-791-8532-NL
CT Killingly Eastconn Echomail 203-779-3173-NL !
(VETLink #11)
CT Killingworth The Hub 203-663-1147
CT Meriden Amiga Probe 203-235-4422
CT Plantsville The Pig Pen 203-628-9346
CT Plantsville The Pig Pen 203-620-0562
CT Putnam Rick's Private Node 203-564-8579
CT Southington DownStairs SC EchoHub 203-621-1930
CT Wallingford The DogHouse 203-269-2843
CT Wallingford Vampire Connection 203-269-8313
CT Wallingford Wyld Stallyn II 203-265-3589
CT West Haven Ascii Neighborhood II 203-934-9852-NL !
(VETLink #14)
CT West Haven Ascii Neighborhood 203-932-6236-NL !
(VETLink #15)
DE Dover DELFIRE BBS 302-739-6757
DE Dover Moron Manor 302-735-8596
DE Felton Andromeda BBS 302-284-3178
DE New Castle Hackers BBS 302-322-8215
FL Clarcona West Orange BBS 407-293-2724
FL Cocoa Mercenary Motel 407-639-0282
FL Davis The Southern Cross BBS 305-424-0666
FL Jacksonville Guiding Light (VETLink #32) 904-744-9991-NL !
NAM VET Newsletter Page 99
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
FL Jacksonville Maranatha (VETLink #49) 904-353-3807-NL !
FL Jacksonville Maranatha (VETLink #49) 904-353-3558-NL !
FL Keystone Hts. The Lion's Den 904-473-4330
FL Kissimmee Micro-Imaging BBS 407-847-5499
FL Kissimmee The Program Exchange 407-870-2735
FL Mary Esther The Bear's Den 904-581-2697
FL Melbourne Flamingo BBS 407-253-0782
FL Melbourne Ocean BBS 407-728-2523
FL Melbourne REACT BBS 407-255-9948
FL Navarre Terrapin Station 904-939-8027
FL Orlando Digital Connection 407-896-0494
FL Orlando Freedom Line BBS 407-423-2111-NL
FL Orlando Gourmet Delight 407-649-4136
FL Orlando Modem to Modem BBS 407-282-0433
FL Orlando Modem to Modem BBS 407-382-7331
FL Orlando UP-EAST BBS 407-273-7849
FL Pembroke Pines Bitsy's Place (VETLink #17) 305-432-8210-NL !
FL St. Petersburg 1 Computers (VETLink #43) 813-527-1556-NL !
FL St. Petersburg 1 Computers <^ DOWN ^> 813-521-3149
FL Sarasota The Four Winds BBS 813-955-7862
FL Sebring ANCESTRY TBBS 813-471-0552
FL Tampa The GIFfer 813-969-1089
FL Tampa The Godfather BBS 813-286-7084
FL Tampa T.A.B.B. 813-961-6242
FL Titusville The Sport of Kings 407-383-7785
FL Venice Venice Recovery 813-492-9592
GA Albany Combat Override BBS 912-883-1421
GA Athens Classic City (VETLink #35) 706-548-0130-NL !
GA Augusta Fort Knox's BBS 706-592-6527
GA Augusta Public's Domain BBS 706-860-5070
GA Valdosta Hot South BBS (VETLink #29) 912-242-0496-NL !
HI Honolulu Coconuts BBS 808-845-7054
IA Cedar Rapids Lighthouse BBS 319-366-1985
IA Des Moines FOG LINE BBS 515-964-7937
IA Des Moines Da Bear's Cave 515-288-3984
IA Des Moines TTGCITN 515-265-0164
IA Sioux City Wolf's Den QuickBBS 717-276-4832
IA Sioux City Wolf's Den QuickBBS 717-252-4670
ID Boise Compulink Northwest 208-375-4073
IL Peoria Express 1 BBS 309-688-0602
IN Ft. Wayne Semper Fi 219-424-4292-NL
IN Ft. Wayne The Starship 219-485-8665
IN Hamilton Hilltop BBS 219-488-3812
IN South Bend Squawk Box (VETLink #27) 219-273-2291-NL !
KY Independence The ZOO 606-586-7508
KS Bucyrus Horse and Hound 913-897-5039
KS Overland Park Laughinstock BBS 913-648-1412
KS Shawnee Mission Computer Specialties 913-642-8983
KS Stilwell COLOSSUS II Systems 913-681-1255
KS Stilwell COLOSSUS II Systems 913-897-6667
KS Wichita The Panther BBS 316-942-1975
LA Baker The Chatter Box 504-775-7825
LA Baton Rouge The Holy Cloakroom BBS 504-927-4509
LA Pineville Louisiana Veterans BBS 318-449-1012-NL !
(VETLink #16)
MA Amherst Pioneer Valley PCUG1 413-256-1037
MA Andover Aeolus BBS 508-474-0328
MA Dalton Field St. BBS (E-N *) 413-684-1938-NL
MA Lawrence Falcon's Nest (VETLink #47) 508-686-7706-NL !
MA Lawrence The Studio 508-794-4637
NAM VET Newsletter Page 100
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
MA Lynn Freedom's Choice:CBCS 617-593-2605-NL !
(VETLink #18)
MA Methuen Midnight Shift! BBS 508-688-5209
MA Peabody LZ Memories 508-977-9756
MA Pittsfield Berkshire Estates 413-499-1327-NL !
(VETLink #37)
MA Pittsfield VETLink #1 413-443-6313-NL !
MA Pittsfield VETLink #20 413-442-2181-NL !
MA Springfield The Spa 413-532-1387
MA Springfield The Spa 413-536-4365
MD Arnold Grimace BBS 410-544-1297
MD Baltimore Jim's Hooch (VETLink #19) 410-866-8613-NL !
MD Reisterstown Liberty Hall 410-833-8933
MD Shady Side-DOWN VETLink #4 301-261-5644-NL
MD Westminster The Gordian Knot 410-876-3337
MD Wheaton PainFrame 301-649-3906
ME Kennebunkport Harbour Lights 207-967-3719
ME Mexico MaineVets (VETLink #46) 207-364-7338-NL !
MI Charlotte MicroNet 517-543-0228
MI Dearborn Bruce's Place 313-562-0051-NL !
MI Cooper Township Kalamazoo Review 616-349-5882-NL !
MI Freeport Pet_Finders_System 616-765-3372
MI Kalamazoo The Graphics Shop - Node 1 616-375-2085
MI Lincoln Park Dante's Inferno 313-386-1905-NL !
(VETLink #24)
MI Redford BILLs BBS 313-535-6306
MI Richland Freq Shop 616-629-4354
MI Taylor The Olympic 1 313-946-4208
MI Taylor The Olympic 2 313-946-5931
MI Woodhaven The Outer Limits I 313-692-4174
MN Arden Hills The City Lights 612-639-8970
MN Robbinsdale U.S. Veterans BBS (E-N) 612-522-2026-NL,SB
MN Winona J Tech BBS 507-454-7386
MO Boliver Wolfhound BBS 417-326-3361
MO Gladstone Sound Advice BBS 816-436-7326
MO Gladstone Sound Advice BBS 816-436-4516
MO House Springs Computers Plus 314-349-9144
MO Joplin Inside OK! BBS 417-624-0000
MO Joplin Inside OK! BBS 417-624-7300
MO Springfield CoConut Palms Hotel 417-887-6048
MO Springfield Hotel Springfield MO. 417-887-8574
MO Springfield Wittenburg Door 417-862-9759
MS Southhaven Picture This 601-342-6071
MS Vicksburg Southern Belle 601-634-1625
NC Burlington NightHawk 919-228-7002
NC Burlington The Grunt's R&R Center 919-227-1113
(VETLink #45)
NC Charlotte Carolina Forum 704-563-5857
NC Charlotte Carolina Forum 704-568-1663
NC Charlotte The Mounties BBS 704-393-7338
NC Charlotte Transporter Room 704-567-9513
NC Fuquay Varin The Dog House 919-552-0443
NC Raleigh InfoSys 919-851-8460
NC Raleigh Shalom-3 919-851-3858
NC Shelby Heilhiem Electronics 704-484-0935-NL !
(VETLink #41)
NC Spring-Lake Federal Post 919-436-2055
NH Derry Our BBS 603-432-5287
NH Hooksett Checkmate BBS (VETLink #8) 603-485-5945-NL !
NH Manchester Computer Solutions 603-641-2017
NAM VET Newsletter Page 101
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
NH Merrimack Outer Limits (VETLink #9) 603-424-4915-NL !
NJ Aberdeen Cheapo Studios BBS 908-566-7052
NJ Barnegat Witch's Brew 609-698-0667
NJ Cherry Hill Space Station II 609-665-0969
NJ Garfield Quill & Inkpot BBS 201-340-1340
NJ Lyndhurst Starship ][ 201-935-1485
NJ Lyndhurst Starship ][ 201-935-7036
NJ Madison Strand BBS 201-822-3658
NJ Medford Pics OnLine 609-753-2540
NJ Montvale Over the Edge BBS 201-573-0719
NJ Oakhusrt Ironhorse BBS 908-531-4238
NJ Passaic VETLink #5 201-778-1879-NL !
NJ Port Monmouth The POW/MIA BBS 908-787-8383-NL !
(VETLink #42)
NJ Sayreville Cop Shop 908-254-8117
NM Las Cruces NASW (E-N) 505-646-2868-NL
NM Las Cruces VETLink #13 505-523-2811-NL !
NM Portales - DOWN Piper's Dream (VETLink #12) 505-359-0668-NL !
NM WSMR The Wolf's Den 505-678-8948
NV Las Vegas Big Joe's BBS 702-459-3924
NV Las Vegas LasVegas Net BBS 702-565-5271
NV Reno A][MUG 702-359-4999
NV Reno Advance System 702-334-3317
NV Reno Advance System 702-334-3308
NY Central Valley Monroe-Woodbury High School 914-928-8660
NY Chili Flower City Central 716-889-2016
NY Johnsonville Steamer One 518-753-7421-NL?
NY Latham The Three L's BBS 518-785-1715
NY Marlboro Acorn I BBS 914-236-3265
NY New York City Thunderdome 212-567-2509
NY Owego NiteWing 607-687-3470-NL?
NY Phoenix Galaxia ! 315-673-9415
NY Poughkeepsie Purple Rose of Cairo 914-473-1697
OH Akron Buckeye Hamshack 216-867-6984
OH Cincinnati Access! BBS 513-921-7623
OH Cincinnati CINTUG TBBS 513-474-2985
OH Cincinnati KIC 513-762-1115
OH Cleveland OHIONet Express 216-842-5911
OH Grove City The OK Corral BBS 614-875-5628
OH Kent BYTES BBS 216-677-4978
OH Ravenna Blue Parrot RBBS 216-296-4446
OH Rocky River Nerd's Nook II 216-356-1772
OK Edmond Coordinator's BBS 405-341-7042
OK Edmond The Far Side QuickBBS 405-341-4720
OK Lawton 357 Magnum 405-536-5032
OK Midwest City Torii Station 405-733-7083
OK Midwest City Waypoint BBS (VETLink #34) 405-741-2533-NL !
OK Mustang The Citadel BBS 405-376-1610
OK Norman The FAMILY TREE 405-321-0642
OK Norman Mann's Solutions 405-447-3211
OK Oklahoma City Aviator's Haven 405-691-0851
OK Oklahoma City MetroCop 405-631-6971
OR Clackamas A.W.O.L. 503-657-5412
OR Eugene Talk Radio Online 503-342-1285-NL !
(VETLink #44)
OR Gold Hill PRIMETime BBS 503-857-2653
OR Portland Combat Arms 503-221-1777
OR Portland Landing Zone (VETLink #7) 503-775-1554-NL !
OR Portland NWCS 503-620-6594
OR Portland NWCS 503-620-5910
NAM VET Newsletter Page 102
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
PA Gladwyne Creative Dynamics 215-725-9134
PA Harrisburg Emergency Services BBS 717-566-3500
PA Ivyland DSC VoiceNet 215-443-5838
PA Ivyland DSC VoiceNet 215-443-9434
PA Johnstown The Family BBS 814-536-7617
PA Newtown The Newtown Express BBS 215-860-6562
PA Newtown The Newtown Express BBS 215-860-9724
PA Philadelphia Klingon Software Labs 215-426-5596
PA Pittsburgh Shadow Zone 412-231-7578
PA West Chester Science Exchange 215-429-5822
PA Whitehall Father and Son BBS 215-439-1175
PA York Animation Station 717-767-4427
SC Fountain Inn Programmers Forum 803-271-1092
TN Bartlett IN QUEUE BBS 901-377-0220
TN Bartlett M.I.A. Missing in America 901-388-3128
TN Bartlett Wits' End BBS 901-377-4855
TN Louisville Stepping Stones 615-977-7359
TN Memphis Data Connection 901-683-5410-NL
TN Memphis Memphis Mail Hub 901-876-3270
TN Memphis Unleaded Sunshine 901-363-5686
TN Millington Buccaneer's Harbor 901-873-3500
TN Millington Fitzpatrick's Fireplace 901-872-1928
TN Millington Havenhawks BBS 901-873-0965
TN Nashville Homestead 615-385-9421
TN Nashville The Unicorn & Dragon 615-385-2260
TX Allen Wheel Trails 214-727-2610
TX Amarillo The Barnyard 806-353-7000
TX Amarillo My House BBS 806-376-7904
TX Austin Austin Connection 512-443-3096
TX Austin Casa de La Luz 512-219-9853-NL
TX Austin Connect America 512-454-9488-PB*
(Silver Xpress Mail System)
TX Austin RiverSide MailBox 512-327-5376
(Vox Vietnam Vet)
TX Bridge City Dream Machine 409-735-7824
TX Bridge City Dream Machine 409-735-6219
TX Corpus Christi BlueWater BBS 512-883-7839
TX Dallas Aaron's Beard 214-557-2642
TX Dallas *Chrysalis* 214-690-9296
TX Dallas *Chrysalis* 817-540-5565
TX El Paso Lost Horizons 915-757-3972
TX Falls City-DOWN Commo Bunker (VETLink #30) 210-780-2060-NL !
TX Fort Worth Revelstone 817-732-1767
TX Fort Worth Bored to Death BBS 817-244-4245-NL !
(VETLink #36)
TX Grand Prairie XANADU 214-647-8125
TX Houston The Animal Kingdom BBS 713-496-7572
TX Houston Cloud Nine BBS 713-856-1828
TX Houston The Fireside 713-496-6319
TX Houston Info Net & Police Net 713-873-0403
TX Houston The Leaders in Control 713-584-1821
TX Houston The Soldier's Bored - OS 2 713-437-2859
TX Katy Executive Washroom 713-347-2558-NL
TX Lake Travis Crystal Palace 512-335-7949
TX Plano Th' Cellar 214-423-7318
TX Richardson Night Lights 214-480-8170
TX Richardson Texas Talk 214-680-4330
TX Rockwall NCC-1701 214-771-3226
TX Texas City Cal-Trek 409-945-8315
TX Tomball Texas Father's BBS 713-376-4767
NAM VET Newsletter Page 103
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
TX Universal City Heidi Search Center 210-659-2305-NL
TX Universal City The Ranch House 210-945-9304-NL !
(VETLink #31)
TX Wichita Falls The Shipyard BBS 817-767-7746
TX Wylie Diamond Lil's Saloon 214-228-9173
VA Chesapeake The Apex 804-436-3125
VA Herndon HBX Veterans Memorial 703-471-8010-NL !
(VETLink #2)
VA Herndon VETLink #21 703-471-8563-NL !
VA Oakton Washington ZEPHYR 703-620-5418
VA Virginia Beach HandiNet B B S 804-496-3320
VA Williamsburg Rainbow's End 804-872-7171
VA Williamsburg Williamsburg PC-Link 804-565-3503-NL !
(VETLink #40)
WA Auburn The Boardwalk 206-941-4531
WA Auburn The Boardwalk 206-941-3124
WA Brownsville The Jimby BBS 206-698-1044-NL
WA Edmonds Puget Sound TBBS 206-743-0162-NL
WA Everett Mark's Point 206-486-2415
WA Everett Silver Lake 206-338-3723
WA Everett Silver Lake Too 206-338-3168
WA Graham The Last Frontier 206-847-8168
WA Kirkland SeaEast PC Exchange 206-822-4615
WA Port Orchard Armor of God BBS 206-871-9241
WA Puyallup The Eagles BBS 206-531-8304
WA Redmond GreyHounds BBS 206-868-4402
WA Seattle The Helix 206-783-6368
WA Spokane Think Tank II 509-244-3511
WA Tumwater Elders' Council BBS 206-357-8992
WI Green Bay The First Step 414-499-0659
WI Menomonee Anonymous BBS 414-251-2580
WI Milwaukee Bikers BBS 414-365-2839
WI Milwaukee Country Computer 414-355-3691
WI Milwaukee Disc Golfer BBS 414-964-5111
WI Milwaukee Good News BBS 414-365-1624
WV Danbar Project Enable 304-759-0729
WV St. Albans The Black Hole BBS 304-727-5711
WV Weirton MindLess One's BBS 304-748-1712
WY Casper Enterprise 307-237-0800
*** MI Adrian Freedom's Ring! <MAIL ONLY> 517-263-4509
*** WA Vancouver Serenity Garden <MAIL ONLY> 206-694-1760
=================================================================
* KEY:
E-N = No IVVEC Echo, but does have the Nam_Vet newsletter
NL = Carries both IVVEC and the Nam_Vet newsletter
PB = Pay BBS (Pay for On-line Time)
SB = Subscription BBS (Flat Fee)
! = VETLink BBS
NAM VET Newsletter Page 104
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
Some Gave ALL ... Some Still Give!!!
O O
O SOME GAVE ALL ...
________O__________________________________O______________
! O O !
! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia !
! O O !
! ~~~~~ ~ ~ O~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ !
! ~~~~ ~ ~~ O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ !
! ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ !
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O) / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ / / O \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ !
! ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ / PRISONER / \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ !
! ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / OF /\ \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ !
! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ / / \ IN \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
! ~~~ ~~~ ~ / WAR / ~~ \ \ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / ~ ~~ \ ACTION / ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~(__________/ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ !
! ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ !
! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ !
! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ /~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ !
! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE
! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ !
! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow !
!__________________________________________________________!
NAM VET Newsletter Page 105
Volume 7, Number 11 November 11, 1993
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