Alex.....Please hold the four XL shirts for me. I'll pick them up in Lousville. I hope you got the order last month or so from one of the U.S.A.I.D. people here that I truned on to the site. He was home for a visit and showed his father and brother the site and were so impressed they wanted shirts. See you all in June....... Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince , Haiti - Monday, April 30, 2001 at 11:42:33 (MDT)
Mat, Good to see you back on line. I don't think you remember me buying the foot locker of control line airplane parts from "Duck Butter" when he left. I remember flying behind the motor pool and a P-38 on cables go into a pallet of junk. The dam thing had so much pull it not only had to be on cables (not string) you couldn't stay on a point and the space was so tight I lost it. I later built RC free flight gliders. I lost one that went through the west pass when the tower radios interfered. I also had one go down in the ROC compound which was almost shot up before I got Tops' Jeep to retreave it. The Koreans thought it was a guided bomb. It was during the time of flying behind the motor pool that I found the parts I needed to make the shower I built in the hall of my hooch. I made a lot of money selling hot showers after long days of flying and returning to no water on in the compound. I hope to have my box of photos returned prior to the trip to Coldwater and if so will leave them with Mark. There a several of flying at the motor pool. Looking foward to June........ Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Monday, April 30, 2001 at 08:56:34 (MDT)
Flight: Well 7 weeks away from LZ Louisville!!!!!! The excitement is building!! Like to thank Rainer for contacting Stu Weiss who was a 129th in 66. Alot social numbers I received the clerk typist keyed in the wrong socials. But, I have found a few from my old orders with their old home of address on them.Then went to the white pages. Found one out of four . Not too bad. The T-shirts I am having deleted from the web page. Do to a small quanity left. Also ,the increase in the cost of the shirts and silkscreen, plus shipping. I will have the remaining shirts in Louisville. The shirts went fast. But slowed to just recently. To give them at cost I would have to order another 150. In last 2 years we went through over 200 shirts. And I hope everyone wears them as proudly as I do. I regret doing this. It was a real honor to have the opportunity of serving my 129th brothers. My inventory consist of 10 large, 4 XL, and 6XXL. I also appreciate the hard work the guys did with the hat pins, window stickers and etc. Also would like to thank Mark and the rest of you for a real welcome home. The one we never got. Thanks Alex 129th 65-68 and proud of it!!!!
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn USA - Monday, April 30, 2001 at 08:01:17 (MDT)
Dan, Yes Newt was a great guy, had a lot of fun towards the end of my tour building U-control planes. I even took one of his planes home (a beautiful P-40). Remember crashing my favorite just days befor I was to leave, seems I ran the control lines out a little too far and when I brought it down to the deck for a high speed run, this pallet of wire for the perimiter fence jumped out and turned it into little tiny pieces. Got a new e-mail address, so Cups drop me a line. Tails clear left Matt Casey
Matthew Casey <Mcasey1947@cs.com>
Denver, CO USA - Sunday, April 29, 2001 at 23:03:04 (MDT)
Spring has finally sprung. About four weeks late... Thinking about trinkets for the pop a top.. What ever happened to the ASAP bell in the Cobra pilots area? As I recall, it was a fire extinguisher with a mallet hanging by it. I rang it one night, when I got back from Long Binh, and found that our Mike models had been replaced by AH-1G's. I ended up getting into a fight with one of the new pilots..SOOOOO MACHO....The fun of being young. kim
kim La Voie <kimlav@megalink.net>
livermore, me USA - Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 13:52:58 (MDT)
Dan, You are right about Newt. I thought that pic was familiar, I'm sure he was there in the early part of 68. I'll tell you one thing guys, this site has sure cleaned out some of the "cobwebs" from this old mind. Gale
Gale Beard 67-68 <beardatpaige1@cs.com>
Clinton, In USA - Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at 22:11:19 (MDT)
Mat Casey, I was looking at your photos on the web page and saw a photo of Newton. The same SP6 or SP7 that was our tech inspector in 1968. He must have extented. I have a photo of him that I submitted. We called him Newt. Nice Guy, it would be great to hear from him. Mark, belated birthday!! Lane Army Heliport May - Oct 1968
Dhertlein <dhertlein@ci.renton.wa.us>
Renton, WA USA - Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at 13:41:31 (MDT)
Hello Mark and the rest of the 129th er's. Have not been in contact for quite a while. Busy with work, family. Mark, you are incredible! Bless you and the ground you walk on!! I promise that I will drag my old stuff out and send some trinkets to Pop-A-Top watering hole. Suitable for display in a family establishment, of course. Everyone take care. Mike Miles Bulldogs 70-71
Mike Miles
Easton, MD USA - Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at 10:29:57 (MDT)
Mark I am sorry that I will miss the covoy, me and the wife are going the day before, so we will meet up in Louisville See all of you then. I went through Ft. Lewis three times and the only thing I remember about the steak dinner was the line at the milk machine, it never stopped. Rainer
Rainer Bauer <bauerrv@aol.com>
USA - Monday, April 23, 2001 at 19:21:55 (MDT)
Flight: Just wanted everyone to know they can print the regerstration form for the reunion from the VHCMA homepage. Thanks Alex PS pass on the info!! Don't have a good email list!
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
memphis, Tn. USA - Monday, April 23, 2001 at 12:18:10 (MDT)
if u dont like smiles,hugs,good company,great people and some things from back then that WILL catch your eye,then bye all means,dont go to pop a top.Mark,Dee...........thank you so much for the greeting and to help fill the lonliness in an old has beens heart.Pop a tops a great place people,those of you who can should stop bye and say hello to some damn good people.Anyone out there have an honary 129th member form? Really it doesnt matter,he is a brother but would good on the wall and mean much to mark and dee ty u again guys
fred alvis <fredfrostyjr@aol.com>
indy, in USA - Sunday, April 22, 2001 at 21:41:39 (MDT)
Good eveinin' 129th family......Hope all is well as can be with you all. All is tic toc, tic toc here! Life in general...................................... ............Let me tell you a pleasent surprise that happened to me today, a fact of "TIMEING" just to prove that my brother Larry still works in my life, and is on my right shoulder, and with all of you ,at all times..................the day was spent sleeping in. Had a great crowd in the Pop-A-Top last night. My wife, Dee, and I usually spend a few hours on Sunday cleaning up the mess from the night befor. We are always closed on Sunday. After cleaning the joint up, we headed home for a nap and then out to eat a steak. Finished the meal and went to Wal-Mart to pick up some Round/up to spray around the Pop-A-Top to kill the Dandy Lions.............was going to stop at the Pop-A-Top befor going home, but decided to just head Home. I told Dee that I would spray the weeds tomorrow. Was home for a short, and then decided to go and spray the weeds after all. Dee said she would go along and wrap silverwear for the lunch crowd tomorrow. Dee is always been one to pitch in and give a helping hand where ever I have needed one!!!!!!.....she is my life saver actually...................anyways................was up at the Pop-A-Top spraying the weeds when a local patron of mine pulls up. Wants to know if I was open, needed a beer. I had to tell him NO, we was closed on Sundays...........He was getting back into his car, and another car pulls into the parking lot. I am a thinkin', Crap, gotta tell this guy that we is closed too. I noticed that he has Indiana plates on his car, so I am a figurin' that this guy is a fer piece from home and needs a beer, or something to eat, and I am going to have to tell him that we are closed!..............He walks up, blue jeans, beard half way down his chest, looking the age of a Viet Vet era. Mind mind wonders for a short, and I say, sorry brother, we are closed for the day. The gentleman says to me, thats OK, just drove over from INDY to meet you. I am from the 129th. Low and behold, it is Fred Alvis of the 129th. He has checked into the Flight Log Book a few times. Said his wife was in NYC and he was just sitting at home in INDY and thought to himself, I am driving to Coldwater. Mind you know, Dee and I are never up at the Pop-A-Top at this time of the day on a Sunday."TIMING"......."LARRY" working in my life once more. For me to be at the Pop-A-Top at this time and for Fred to pull in.......gotta be Larry working with me. I invited Fred in and we sat at the bar and had a cold one together and talk Nam and Larry for about 45 minutes. I tried to get him to stay in town at our house for the night instead of driving all the way back home, but he blew out, as fast as he blew in. It was all my pleasure, and an HONOR to set with Fred and look into his eyes for a short. I got to shake his hand, give him a hug, and hear his voice, and as I always say in here. "YOUR VOICES", are the VOICE of Larry to me. FRED, I know you are not back to INDY yet, but I know you will check in here and read this. THANK YOU BROTHER for showing up today., and LARRY, THANKS for bringing Fred to me today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......damb guys...............I am overwheled with emotions tonight.......things like "TODAY" don't happen unless there is a reason. FRED!!!....I hope it was as good for you to meet Dee and I today, as it was for us to meet you!!!!!!!!!!............You my brother, have been a shot of JP4 in my life to get me refueled for more of this 129th mission I will fly for the rest of my life. Fred said that he will be in Louisville also this year. So the rest of you can meet him there also............WHOOOOOOOOOOOO....what a story huh???....got windy . SORRY....................DAVE POWERS...I have some friends that stop in that are of the 173th AHC. The "HERD".....I showed them your carving of the "SHORT TIMER". They are interested in commissioning you to make some for the "HERD"...Would you be ineterested in something like that????????????????????????????......Gale Beard!!!....4 wheels are better then one:-))))....you look kinda funny ridin' a unicilcle...Yuck,yuck!!!!!!!!.....me thinks that the Cracker Barrel on I65 will be the POC for the 129th on our way to LZ Louisville!....sound good to the rest of you all that are planing to make the gig from the local AO?????????????......BTW.....Fred Alvis lives close to INDY also, so we hopfully will hook up with him there also!!!!!!........SMITTY, Jim W........Fred says he recalls you................the "CHICKEN PLATE" will be in Louisville. You can take that fact to the bank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....and as Gale said....THANKS for all the work you do with the VETS........God Bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!.........The Guard Tower talk and the talk of all of you guys first day home is really great reading!!!!!!!!!!!......keep the stories coming!!!!!!!......I know it helps all of you to get that stuff out of the backs of your minds and in the open. At the same time, it does me good to read them!!!!!!.....Larry!!!!!......Kim and Dave....the talk of the Claymores in awesome reading...........makes my mind wonder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...FENCHIE????????...you gonna be in Louiseville?????????????????????..........OKAY THEN.......I think I am done yackin' for the night.......THANKS FOR THE TIME and space.......hope you dont mind LOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG,,postings by me.........is the ony time I can get on is now.......and try to respond to each and every post. If I left one out, sorry.,take care gang....as I told FRED today........Please remember, that is this lil' burg of Coldwater, there will always be somebody that cares about you all and the 129th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...........................always a brother,.................Mark
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ POP-A-TOP, USA - Sunday, April 22, 2001 at 19:37:48 (MDT)
Kim, I don't know of any email addresses for the families of the 7 guys killed. If I find out, I will post it here. Thanks.
Mike Teutschman <mike.teutschman@PSS.boeing.com>
Lynnwood, WA USA - Friday, April 20, 2001 at 16:01:03 (MDT)
I remember coming back from a resupply mission in early 1970 and finding a note on my bunk to report to the orderly room and talk to the 1st Sgt. My father had a heart attack and I was to gather all of my things and fly to Cam Rahn Bay the next day. I spent the rest of that day getting my personal bleongings and stuffing them in my duffle bag and saying goodbye to everyone. We were having a hard time getting people to fly at that time (I can remember having WO's and some captains flying gunner for me) so i had to crew my own ship down to the Bay. I got on a Flying Tiger and flew to Washington State. When i got home my Father was still in the hosptal, but had recovered from his heart attack. I spent some time at home, and then received orders to report to Ft. Hood Texas where i spent the remainder of my time in the 2nd Armored Division. When i inquired as to why a 67N20 was assigned to an 8 inch gun unit, the response i got was if i went back to Nam, i would be right back in helicopters. So, like i said i spent the rest of my time in the Army at Ft. Hood. 1/2 of the time i was handing out tools in the motor pool, and the other 1/2 i spent on KP because i had an attitude problem. I was certainly glad to get out.
Robbie <hobbes@kodak.com>
Rochester, NY USA - Thursday, April 19, 2001 at 06:24:47 (MDT)
Kim... Yep, the Claymores were actually hooked up! I was on guard duty one night, and there was a guy a few towers downline who decided to see for himself if they were actually armed. He hit the clacker and "BOOM!" off it went. I remember walking by the area the next day and seeing Top out there with his fists resting on his hips and watching that guy restring Concertina wire where there was a big hole in the old wire... made me laugh!
Dave Powers <powers@montrose.net>
Montrose, CO USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 20:53:02 (MDT)
I had the luxury of going back to the big PX 2 times. My Dad passed while I was over there. When I got to Oakland they gave us a certificate for a steak at a place 4 Miles away. Thanks a lot. I kept it a long time I don’t know where that stuff goes.. The Guy sitting next to me on the bus was grinning ear to ear. He had a tall gun case he was holding. He said that he had gotten all the paperwork to get a chicom single shot sniper rifle back with him. Then he unzipped the case and along with a tall piece of bamboo there was the most beautiful AK 47 . Hand carved wood, and pearl inlay, it would make me grin also. Gear up..
Frenchie <frenchie-745@mindspring.com>
Hot lanta, Ga USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 20:41:39 (MDT)
Ya, Mike. That country just seems to keep taking Americans. theirs is definitely a noble cause, though. Is there an e-mail where one can send condolences? I'm not sure if it's this site, or if it's an anniversary of sorts, but, there's a tremendous amount of forgotten(repressed) memories, that are coming out. Smitty, the dogs never bothered me, I just wanted to get up in the air to get away from the snakes! I know that the 61st side got probed a few times in 71, but, for us, I could never understand the purpose of spending the night looking at the crematorium. Hell, a couple hundred more yards, and we could have hooked up with the ROK compound! It was nice of the guys to lower the things so we wouldn't get hurt too bad when we fell out. Why didn't someone put plexiglass on a couple sides to keep out the rain? there were some mighty looooonnnnnggg nights spent, huddled in a poncho, listening to the wonderful musical selections on AFVN Radio, broadcast from `high atop vung chua mountain' I think it was a grand total of three different songs, from midnight to six am. how long can a minute last? Did anyone ever blow the claymores? Always wondered if the things would actually fire. Kim
Kim LaVoie <kimlav@megalink.net>
Livermore, Me USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 17:47:32 (MDT)
Interesting to read about everyones homecoming. I flew from CamRanh Bay to SeaTac on a commercial airline. Landed, got on a bus to Ft Lewis, did paperwork, new class A uniform, (no steak dinner)back on the bus to SeaTac and caught a flight to L.A. (Apr 68). No one said a word to me. Sure felt alone. I was glad to see the support for the 24 returning from China, and had some of the same feels you all did, but what bothers me even more, was 7 American servicemen who died in a Russian helicopter crash in Vietnam while searching for our lost brothers who are still missing in Nam. To me they are heros and seems they got little or no coverage in the news. What about their families, they need our support even more....those 7 are coming home in a body bag, not to a heros welcome in front of the TV and news media. These 7 are the latest casualities of the Vietnam War. I was in Vietnam in 1999 and met members of the 55th Joint Task Force - Full Accouting. One of the cases they were working on was Jerry Elliott, MIA Jan 21, 68. Jerry's sister and I went there hoping to get an answer as to what happened to him. The team was great and we learned a lot about their mission. They work hard under tough conditions. They fly in Russian Helos, maintained and flown by Vietnamese. Can't even have our own equipment and personnel. The Helos were always breaking down. I hope you all will pray for the teams searching for our POW/MIA's.....
Mike Teutschman <mike.teutschman@PSS.boeing.com>
Lynnwood, WA USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 15:12:59 (MDT)
Hope everybody had a nice easter and happy birthday to you Mark. Notice that my e-mail has changed. Looking foward to seeing everybody that is going to the reunion. Be careful out there.
Rick England <bd431@mindspring.com>
Wittmann, Az USA - Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 12:43:35 (MDT)
You guys bringing up the guard towers makes me grin. When I was there 67-68 the towers had to be lowered. We were losing too many men; they were getting stoned and falling out of them breaking their bones. So an order came down to shorten them to 10 feet.
Joe Johnson <jrj@e-universe.com>
Morongo Valley, Ca. USA - Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 14:34:23 (MDT)
Thanks Jim, It sounds to me like the VA is fortunate to have some one like you associated with them.Keep up the good work. I'm also thankful to Mark for having this site available to blow off a little steam once in a while---it does help. Gale
Gale Beard 67-68 <beardatpaige1@cs.com>
Clinton, In USA - Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 07:14:41 (MDT)
To Gale Beard & some of the rest of y'all, I first went to the Nam in 1969 & was with the 120th AHC at Long bihn Proper. there is also a Long Bihn Plantation attached, very big place. I was in this co. when Larry Jackson was Killed as I have told Mark before. I was med-evaced to the states late in that year, 2 weeks at the 24th evac, 2 weeks at the Army Hospital in Yakota, Japan, The 4 months at Fitzsimmons in Denver. I remember getting to Travis AFB in California on a stretcher from a c-141. We were there a little. (couple days & while I was there, a lady from the VFW Auxiliary pressed a bronze medallion/key chain into my hand. It had the VFW Cross of Malta & said "welcome home, your country is grateful". When we went to get back on the plane, the protesters were there, calling us names, all the good shit you can think of. I was still 18 years old. I was becoming very confused but told myself & them " Screw them". That's some of how I got to the 129th in 71-72. I figured I owed more. Probably still do. Next week I am going to escort a patient to Alabama. Tuscaloosa to be exact but I will probably spend an overnight in Birmingham so if anyone is around there, would love to talk a bit. The Chicken-Plate that I remember wearing some hours at a time was heavy & Hot as Hell. Not quite so bad when flying but the place was POL. When fueling,it was like being in HELL, standing on Hot PSP with the swirling heat from the hot-end of that Lycoming, the ambient heat in the Nam, Nomex on & if I had it on-- that chicken plate,flight helmet,gloves & everything. I remember wishing i was at Dairy-Queen & realizing this sure as hell wasn't it! As I became more confused, I began to have nightmares as i'm sure most of you probably did & still do. The smells still set me off. JP-4, some oriental cooking & some of that stuff. I remember the Dogs on the perimeter & volunteering to get in a tower bunker cause i knew Dogs couldn't climg a ladder. So I guess I am saying it don't make a fart in a Wyoming whirlwind what kind of welcome those guys on the plane from China got. We know the sacrifice. You are all the best & don't forget it. I have almost lost sight of that a few times & died in the process.We have a sign in front of our VA that says "The Price of Freedom is Visible Here".It sets in Marble. We have another on our unit that says " God will not judge you by the Medals or Awards you carry but by the scars you bear". I believe them both. You all have the scars.... Physical & emotional. Please sign the Chicken-Plate. it will kind of have to do until we can get a Tail-rotor set-up. My best to you all at Easter, Smitty
Jim westwang <westwang@fiberpipe.net>
Sheridan, Wy USA - Monday, April 16, 2001 at 19:33:57 (MDT)
Mark, I'll probably hook up with you on I-65 on the 21st, if you don't mind me being on 4 wheels. I plan on being at the "Pop a Top" before then and we'll discuss it over a few cool ones. Happy Birthday Bro and I'm glad to hear that you and your family had a nice Easter. Gale
Gale Beard <beardatpaige1@cs.com>
Clinton, IN USA - Monday, April 16, 2001 at 15:11:44 (MDT)
Flight: Well glad to see all the commo! Mark going to try and stop at Pop-A-TopII on the way home in June. Will be looking for a cold beer!!! "Liz" will be the driver that day!! Still working on a few projects with Charlie Rains of the VHCMA. Also to the guy's who have shirt orders. I sent the last orders out today. As of today over 200 shirts have been shipped. Found a vet who selling model hueys made of metal. Have one ordered hope it's as nice as the picture. On the inquire of a WO parks. Don't have him on the personnel roster that I have for july 31 1966. Major Ronald merrit is on it. I have requested more personnel rosters from St.Louis. for different periods from 1965 thru 1968. If I can get this info then I will Press on and get the remaining years. Just want to thank Mark and everyone of you for making this page what it is. And am looking forward to seeing all of you in Louisville. If you live close enough. Then try to make it. I guarentee you won't be disappointed. Take care Bro's. Alex
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn USA - Monday, April 16, 2001 at 09:32:29 (MDT)
......this the return e-mail addy for the Dave Keough below...dkeo@MIT.EDU.......anybody recall the Wobbly Mr. Parks he speaks of???? always a brother,.....Mark
MARK JACKSON
USA - Sunday, April 15, 2001 at 20:15:10 (MDT)
......also want to post this.....can anybody help Dave out here??????.......... Happy Easter Mark . Mark I have over the years been looking for a friend of mine with the 129th Assault Helicopter co located a few miles north of Cam Rahn Bay . At APO 96377 . He was a pilot on a UH1 A 1966 -1967 . Shot down in 67 . (Everyone got out) Everyone doing cover fire and he was taking pictures to send home to mom :) His name is Warrant Officer Parks , He was under the command of Major CE Ronald H Merritt . Have you ever known this guy or know of him ? Any info would be welcome . Thanks Dave Keough
Mark Jackson
USA - Sunday, April 15, 2001 at 20:10:58 (MDT)
WEll, well, well well well well wellllllllllll.......lookie who is checkin' into the Flight Log Book.......Yep...ats right....its me!!!!!!!!!!!!!......Sorry for being so AWOL for so long......I always read the commo in here daily but thats about all the time I have.....the rest of the day is spent up at the Pop-A-Top and sleeping........Great to see all the talk in here though......it warms my heart that you all have a place to talk and that I played a small part in making it happen for you........Well, well,well,well,well,well, wellllllllll, Guess who tuned 50 today...........ha,ha,:-))))))..YUP...that would be me!!!!!!Everybody sing happy b/day to me now!!!!!....better yet.....I would rather hear the Beatles vision of Birthday.....da,da,da,da,da, da,dadant...YOU SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....actualy gang.........50 feels good, and just damb glad I made it this far:-))).....LORD knows I tried just about all the vices I could to help cut life short. Sept suicide.......couldn't do that.....I think it would hurt to much, and I'm a puss when it comes to pain:-)))).......besides, I like Living to much.......Speaking of the LORD.....hope all had a great Easter today............I sure did. All the kids were home and the 2 grandsons..........talk about living......I am like a king on his throne when they all are here!!!!!!!................DOWN TO THE BUSINESS OF MEETING UP HERE AT THE POP-A-TOP BEFOR WE HEAD OUT TO LOUISEVILLE FOR THE 129TH MINI IN JUNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..... THIS IS THE MISSION............I want to leave from the Pop-A-Top sometime on Thursday, June 21st. Say around 1200 noon. To the best of my knowledge, Pete Rhome and Robbie Robinson of the 129th will be rolling into Coldwater the 20th and crashin' here. My sugestion would be to all others that want to make the ride as a UNIT, be it on 4 wheels , or two,......also to be here by the 20th. I have seen lots of commo in here of ones that plan to attend. I hope the number stays as high as the ones that are talking about it in here. Info on the Hotel and schedule about the activites during the VHCMA reuion can be found on the front page of the 129th.............ATTENTION ALL HOOSIERS, AND NEAR BY HOOSIERS,,,,,for those other then Hoosiers and Ohio folks, that would be Indiana brothers and sisters........I just got off the phone with our brother from the 129th, Ron Pay, from INDY......he said the best place to meet up with you folks over there would be the 1st exit on I65 south of INDY.........There is a CRACKER BARRAL resturant at that exit.......sounds like a good place to meet up with the ones from over there.....Gale Beard, Lurch, Rainer, and anybody from over that way......does that sound like a good idea to you????....if we were to leave the Pop-A-Top around 12:00 noon, we should be over there around 2:30PM....PLAN "B" would be to have all of you meet over here at the Pop-A-Top on the 21st, or come a day early on the 20th, ( I can find you a Hotel near by )...and then all of us leave from here>>>>>>>>>>You guys tell me what you think and we can discuss it in here!!!!!!...either way works for me..............and in the long run, we will all be together down in Louisville anyways............JIM WESTWANG....1st...sorry to hear that you can not make the trip...but understand brother!!!...did I mention in here, that I will be taking the CHICKEN PLATE that you sent me down from the wall in the Pop-A-Top and wearing it all the way down to Louisville. Doing this for two reasons. #1; to get the feeling of what you men and Larry had to wear for 14 hours a day at a time in the Nam. #2. I have already bought a silver marker to have all the Hiss and Pissers that show up in Louisville to sign it!!!!!!!!!!!......FLAME.....hope it works out where you can give Cups the ride in the CADDY from here.....CUPS...if you fly into to DAYTON, Ohio...let me know when. I will make arrangments to meet you at the airport somehow. LIke I said, it's only an hour away from here!!!!.. RED STRIPE???..is that a beer???....how about the sub of Jack Danials,he,he,he,he!!!!!......KIM......hope you can make it to the POP-A-Top to sign in man......what an HONOR it would be to have any of you all here!!!!!!!!!........How about a ,BIG hand for ALEX FERWALT. He helps orginize the Gig in Louisville, and like he said, we should try and get a head count of just how many of us 129th will be there to see just how big a room we may need........tell ya what gang.....we may be the largest unit there this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......would that not be GREAT!!!!!!!...........:-)))))...BILL RODDIS>>>>>>....did you see where Rick England said he still had the videos that you sent me and that I sent out to him???........hope ya get them back...........I play the copies that I have up at the Pop-A-Top often.....you should see how the people stop and watch them!!!!!!!!!....thanks for sending them to me!!!!!!.....and BILL..........the addy for the Pop-A-Top is 107, south 2nd street........shoot pal, just get anywhere in Coldwater, and ask anybody were the Pop-A-Top is and they will tell you.......we are the first building south of the Post Office on main street!!!!!.....Look for the sign that, by the way, is done in the colors of the 129th patch. RED, BLUE ,and YELLOW!!!!....also have the POW/MIA sticker on the sign........YO.....BULLDOG 265 ROBBIE.........looking forward to seeing you again brother.......have a nice trip to the Petes and then down here to the Pop-A-Top......just a lil' BIO about Robbie for the rest.....he flew with my brother Larry for 2 months as his doorgunner, and then took over as the CE for the 265, "THE JUDGE" which was Larry's 1st ship in Nam...........Robbie, I love ya brother!!!!!!!!!!!...BOB H......glad you like the 394th patch on the page..............and to the rest, like Bob says and Jim say....GET THE TEST DONE!!!!!...........FRED ALVIS...........GReat story about the RAT you caught..........and YES brother send me your flight pants if you would like to........I will find a place in the Pop-A-Top for them!!!!!.....107 south 2nd street, Coldwater, Ohio. 45828....and FRED......I see you live in INDY????...are you planing on making the gig in Louiseville???...maybe you can make it here, or meet us at the CRacker Barral on I65....got some other 129thers round INDY...check them out when you have the time brother. Ron Paye, Gale Beard.............DAVE POWERS......Thank you so much for the short timer carving....as I told you....it is at the POP-A-Top and all like it!!!!......take that hunting trip you spoke of.....sounds like a great deal to me. I am not a hunter, but would love to just go out with you sometime and set in the wilderness!!!!!!...............ya know flight, been seeing a lot of talk about "YOUR" return home from the NAM and how it went for you.,........bumms me out to read this.........why did the country treat you this way????......as you men were coming home, I was spending duty in the USMC on Okinanwa. 71/72. I feel guilty about not crossing the East China Sea and helping out.....dont want no sympathy, just something that eats at me......duty on OKI was cheese compared to what you men indured.........I love you guys;-((((((((((........."YOUR" "FLASH BACKS" in here.....are words that Larry would be telling me...as I have often said, "YOU" are the voice of my brother. Never stop talking to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TOM SHANAHAN.......Good to see some commo from you brother:-)))).....good to know that some that do not post often, still read the Flight Log Book.......stay active in here guys.......it is a daily dose of strength for me. I am a stronger man as of now, because of what I have learned from you all!!!!!.....................OK......I think I have blabbed enough for the night.....FEELS REAL GOOD to come in here and talk.....does me wonders!!!!!!!!!.......I love you all and rest assured, a day does not go by where I do not think of all of you and I never fail to stop in the Flight Log Book and see what you are all saying...........Stay safe out there and be careful, THANKS FOR BEING OUT THERE,see ya soon........ALWAYS A BROTHER..........MARK
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
USA - Sunday, April 15, 2001 at 18:35:58 (MDT)
Flight, I also got my Steak at Ft. Lewis and then flew to Terre Haute where I took a Bus to my home town. I remember a couple of young girls on the bus made me very nervous. They never said a word to me, but, I just knew that they hated me. I stopped the bus at the edge of town, got off and walked down the alleys about 5 blocks to my house. All of you 129ther's and familes have a nice Easter. Gale
Gale Beard <beardatpaige1@cs.com>
Clinton, In USA - Sunday, April 15, 2001 at 10:31:58 (MDT)
Don't remember much about the flight to McChord from Nam. Do remember getting to SEATAC and being somewhat confused by the bright lights and colors and some people saying not nice things. Bought a ticket to LA, got there, got into my Corvair, reached for the shoulder belts behind my head that weren't there........ and realized that I should probably not be driving quite yet. Tens of thousands over those years transitioned from combat to home almost as fast as ruby slippers could have taken them there and about as much preparation.
Tom Shanahan <Shanahan00@home.com>
Phoenix, AZ USA - Saturday, April 14, 2001 at 21:47:33 (MDT)
Kim, I remember getting that "Welcome Home" steak at a mess hall in Ft. Lewis, Washington... the very same mess hall where I'd served a steak to a returning vet the year before! What goes around, comes around, eh?... When I made it back home, family and friends didn't much want to hear about my experiences either.
Dave Powers <powers@montrose.net>
Montrose, CO USA - Saturday, April 14, 2001 at 06:49:00 (MDT)
Right on, Gale. By the time I got home, it was; land at Travis, hop to Oakland, get a steak dinner, get the paperwork done, get on a plane in Frisco, and get to hell home!No wind down, no nothing! Of course, by 72, no one even cared where any of us had been. I remember sitting in a parking lot in town, and having one of my bud's pull up and ask, " where were you last week end, man,, you missed one hell of a party!" All I could think was, welcome home, sucker! In retrospect, I WISH SOME ONE HAD BOOED ME OR CALLED ME NAMES, at least there would have been some acknowlegement of being there, and leaving friends behind. Dave, I was in the tower with a guy named Higgenbottom, who was sleeping when the ammo dump blew, he was up in a flash, and wanted to start firing up the Korean compound! Luckily, we realized that the commotion was coming from a distance. It could have gotten interesting! I do wonder if the P-3 crew should have kept flying, or ditched the thing. There's an awful lot of electronics in there. Kim
Kim La Voie <kimlav@megalink.net>
Livermore, Me USA - Friday, April 13, 2001 at 14:44:27 (MDT)
Flight: File this one under "Wrong place, Wrong time". It was a warm and balmy night, summer of 68. 4th of July. Had to pull guard duty. It was about midnight...board to death! Hay, I've got an Idea...let's light up the FOURTH of July with a flare or two...nice show for a few minutes...Then to my delight, flares, tracers and comotion between the edge of the Korean compound and the bottom of the Materhorn. Farrr-out they are lighting up the FOURTH too...nice touch those tracers. Reality check! Do these folks observe the FOURTH?? This aint Kansas Dorothy...I had better get my patriotic but under cover!!!!
Bill Roddis <piopub@mcn.org>
Ft. Bragg, CA USA - Thursday, April 12, 2001 at 11:49:40 (MDT)
Well, Our troops are released by China and I'm glad that no one was killed or injured. They spend "12 days" on an island not far from VietNam and come home to a " Heros' Welcome"? Where was the public when "We" needed them so long ago? Excuse me for sounding so resentful, but, it's like pouring salt in open wound. Agree with me or not, at least I know that I can express my self on this site. Gale 129th 67-68
Gale Beard <beardatpaige1@cs.com>
Clinton, In US of A - Thursday, April 12, 2001 at 07:13:55 (MDT)
Kim, yep I remember pulling guard duty overlooking the Korean compound, too. Also, the flares! It was a little hard to control those little things, as I recall. The other day I was thinking about the ammo dump blowing up on the Lane side of the mountain near Qui Nhon. I think it happened twice during my tour. We sat outside our hootches on lawn chairs with a beer and watched the "show".
Dave Powers <powers@montrose.net>
Montrose, CO USA - Thursday, April 12, 2001 at 07:02:40 (MDT)
Hi flight. It's hard to believe, 30 years ago, I was probably pulling guard duty, sitting in one of those towers, overlooking the Korean crematorium, sending up flares, out of boredom. I can still smell that place, can still remember firing one of those things on a windy night, and having it blow into the Cobra's ammo dump! I just sat there, nearly shitting myself, waiting for the big boom! Instead of our little stockpile, the one that went up was the big one, over in Qui Non. What fun it was! Dave. if y'all need snow, we got some the other day, more coming tomorrow. We're supposed to begin our softball season this Saturday. There's still three feet of the stuff on the ground! Kim
Kim La Voie <kimlav@megalink.net>
Livermore, Me USA - Wednesday, April 11, 2001 at 20:49:49 (MDT)
Good Morning, Flight! Matt Casey - Did you get a little snow last night? I heard DIA was closed because of a blizzard. A little snow here... just springtime in the Rockies!
Dave Powers <powers@montrose.net>
Montrose, CO USA - Wednesday, April 11, 2001 at 07:18:47 (MDT)
Flight: Just checking in. Been busy with work and more work. The days are getting closer till the reunion. The excitement grow every day. Looking forward to seeing all whom will be attending. Sound like a great group for the 129th. Mark sorry I missed you the other day. I had a few mintues and thought I would call. Dee said that everything was going great. Glad to hear you were taking Sundays off. Have to rest sometime. Rick: Glad to hear you be making the the reunion! Is your wife coming with you this year? Well will close. Take care and see you all in June!! ALEX
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn. USA - Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 13:47:08 (MDT)
Just where is the pop a top?I still have my flight pants if ur insterested in having them.Does anyone remember when i caught a rat,tied it to a smoke,threw it out the door from a couple of thousand feet,then tried to hit it on the way down?a Air force spotter plane (push pull type)got in the way and almost hit it with tracers.Was with a grunt 60 mg,i put toghther from spare parts i got out of tua hoa.Gabby was ac commander i think>
fred alvis <fredfrostyjr@aol.com>
indianapolis, in USA - Saturday, April 07, 2001 at 08:25:42 (MDT)
Hi folks; neat to hear the stuff, I built a little wood bar up in my hootch & did waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much drinking et al up there, but we had to do something & play a lot of spades. Bill 602p is a HOAX folks. I have checked it out several ways. Bob H. Nice to hear from you!!!! was a little concerned. Flight: once again, he is right!! do the tests even if you don't want to. Yours. Smitty VA RN
Jim westwang <westwang@fiberpipe.net>
Sheridan, wy USA - Wednesday, April 04, 2001 at 19:00:59 (MDT)
Mark & Friends, Good seeing you have this site well up to speed. Check that new 394th "Da De Tach A Ment Patch." Everything looks neat Mark. Hope your doing well. Bill Roddis. I have some neat Vietnamese music Rick England can have for those movies of your's. Just got it in from Vietnam and it is from 68/69 era. They are letting them play anything these days over yonder in Vietnam. Makes the old folks from the South happy I guess. Remember you had me walking in and out of a little house over yonder over and over and over and over. Then I think you had You, Jon Otte, Bill Whelan, Gould, Frenchie, England, and a bunch of us on one of our famous "Tours De Qui Nhon." I remember your sharp looking area in your hooch. Good music and always the best of booze. You were a man of quality Bill and liked the good things of life even in Vietnam. Thanks' again for the invites over to hear your great music and enjoy those great drinks you always had around. I was an old guy back then compared to most of you that was used to that good life back in the world. Lets' see. Crown Royal was one of them there good drinks if I remember right. He he. Can't remember nothing this morning or yesterday but remember the heck out of the 129thAHC and the area. Later Men. Get Your Finger Waves & PSA Test. Go to the doctor and get those lumps and bumps checked out too. Lane was loaded with Agent Orange just like Roddis's Crop Duster was. Best to You, Bob Heidenreich
Robert J. Heidenreich <bobheid@mindspring.com>
O'Fallon, MO United States - Wednesday, April 04, 2001 at 12:04:10 (MDT)
I sent the previous msg because someone sent it to me. I think this is pure B.S., and if someone can find this bill 602P, would you please let me know. I believe this has been around before and someone keeps changing the price on it. So, what i'm saying is if you receive this msg also, don't believe it until someone shows you the bill. Adios and keep the shiny side up..... Bulldog 265..... Robbie Robinson
Robbie <hobbes@kodak.com>
Rochester, ny USA - Wednesday, April 04, 2001 at 10:29:02 (MDT)
I have something to pass on to everyone. I don't mean to be an alarmist, but this sounds like typical Government B.S. Vote NO on Bill602P > > > > Guess the warnings were true. Federal Bill 602P 5-cents per E-mail > > sent. It figures! No more free E-mail! We knew this was coming!! > > > > Bill 602P will permit the Federal Government to charge a 5-cent charge > > on every delivered E-mail. Please read the following carefully if you > > intend to stay on-line and continue using E-mail. > > > > The last few months have revealed an alarming trend in the Government > > of the United States attempting to quietly push through legislation that > > will affect our use of the Internet. Under proposed legislation, the US > > Postal Service will be attempting to bill E-mail users out of > > "alternative postage fees". > > > > Bill 602P will permit the Federal Government to charge a 5-cent > > surcharge on every e-mail delivered, by billing Internet Service > > Providers at source. The consumer would then be billed in turn by the > > ISP. > > > > Washington DC lawyer Richard Stepp is working without pay to prevent > > this legislation from becoming law. The US Postal Service is claiming > > lost revenue, due to the proliferation of E-mail, is costing nearly > > $230,000,000 in revenue per year. You may have noticed their recent ad > > campaign: "There is nothing like a letter." Since the average person > > received about 10 pieces of E-mail per day in 1998, the cost of the > > typical individual would be an additional 50 cents a day - or over $180 > > per year - above and beyond their regular Internet costs. > > > > Note that this would be money paid directly to the US Postal Service > > for a service they do not even provide. > > > > The whole point of the Internet is democracy and non-interference. You > > are already paying an exorbitant price for snail mail because of > > bureaucratic inefficiency. It currently takes up to 6 days for a letter > > to be delivered from coast to coast. If the US Postal Service is > > allowed to tinker with E-mail, it will mark the end of the "free" > > Internet in the United States. > > > > Congressional representative, Tony Schnell (R) has even suggested a > > "$20-$40 per month surcharge on all Internet service" above and beyond > > the governments proposed E-mail charges. Note that most of the major > > newspapers have ignored the story the only exception being the > > Washingtonian which called the idea of E-mail surcharge "a useful > > concept who's time has come" (March 6th, 1999 Editorial). > > > > Do not sit by and watch your freedom erode away! > > > > Send this E-mail to EVERYONE on your list, and tell all your friends > > and relatives to write their congressional representative and say "NO" > > to Bill 602P. It will only take a few moments of your time and could > > very well be instrumental in killing a bill we do not want.
Robbie <hobbes@kodak.com>
Rochester, ny USA - Wednesday, April 04, 2001 at 10:08:03 (MDT)
You bet brother it was shown last year and will be shown this year. I haven't put the music to it yet, because I just can't do it right away please forgive me I still have the tapes an will send them to you directly if you need them. I have this guy who will do them with a computer and put the certain songs in the place of certain scenes on the tapes. They will be seen this year at the reunion for sure. Especially Fortunate Son where you are in the tape. That also represents the rest of us that was there. Thank you for that. Your brother forever be careful out there.
Rick England <bd431@inficad.com>
Wittmann , Az USA - Monday, April 02, 2001 at 19:20:10 (MDT)
Yo Flight; It's been a while since I checked in. Nice to see all the 129th alumni keeping in touch. I just wondered what happened to those vidios I sent to Mark. Rick did you ever get to see them? I see a request for photos once and a while. I am shure that any members of the class of 68-69 would love to see the vidio because a lot of you guys are in the footage. I won't be able to get to the reunion this summer. Why don't you show the vidio at the get-to-gether, A TOTAL FLASHBACK, add the chicken man sound-track and you would have a total crack-up. Clear left for now. Mr. Bill 68-69
Bill Roddis <piopub@mcn.org>
Fort Bragg, CA USA - Monday, April 02, 2001 at 10:42:35 (MDT)