JW, we took the later one.
Gale
USA - Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 18:03:28 (MDT)

the BEER just wont mix with the med if I did I would be with the bages it havent had one in a lot of years & Jonney Walker black label take care.
Art
USA - Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 16:42:16 (MDT)

Hi flight, Any one one on 8:00 A.M. Tour of Budweiser Brewery?
J. W. Wilson
Kinston, N. C. USA - Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 16:34:47 (MDT)

What is the total inches on that colored map?
Jim (dustoff)
Shiloh, IL USA - Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 06:47:14 (MDT)

Alvis, "When it's 110 in New York, it's 72 in Los Angeles. When it's 40 below in New York, it's 72 in Los Angeles. There are millions of interesting people in New York. There are 72 in Los Angeles"- Neil Simon
Animal
Puna, HI USA - Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 00:24:09 (MDT)

Good afternoon from the UK. We had a very busy weekend last weekend at the Trucks and Troops Show at Beaulieu, the home of the National Motor Museum. Myself, Phil, Bradley, Rob, Jo and Nina with a few others to help we spoke non stop all weekend about 509 and all you guys, so you were with us on your Veterans Day. Tomorrow morning Phil and I fly over to Newby Hall near Ripon in north Yorkshire for another weekend showing the old girl off and talking to the public about her and of course you guys. Will put some more pictures up on the yahoo site soon. Take care from all of us.
Simon Johnson <simon_johnson@talktalk.net>
Mellor, 509 county UK - Friday, May 30, 2008 at 08:13:05 (MDT)

Alvis, the birch like trees are eucalyptus.
Wes <griff90880@msn.com>
USA - Friday, May 30, 2008 at 07:09:01 (MDT)

Los Angles,Calafornia,land of strange trees. One looks like an eight,or ten, foot tree,but when it branches out,it hs catus like,or Yucca, spiked leaves.The pine trees,are fairly short,branching out soon after leaving the ground,with the branches being almost as big as the trunk,and a soft,sort of fuzzy type, needle leaf.And, the are only about 20 foot tall,looking all wind blown.then,there is the tree that kinda looks like a birch tree, well the bark anyway,then its entirel different.Even the bushes are different.The mountians,which hould be in ea view,are obscured by smog,with the mountians sometimes disappearing entirely.The people drive like they are in the Indy 500 race,at all hours of the day. All that being said,the folks are friendly and likeable,with this area of California being sunshine,warm,and gorgeous.
alvis
USA - Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 14:57:36 (MDT)

RE: George Hain...Bruno, Fred S.. Of all the things I was a wittness to before and since and all the awful things I saw flying MAST and medevac after Nam that incident and the aftermath is the one that is forever burned into my brain. I can still see it as if it happened today. Joe Larson were "elected" by the CO to pick up the pieces. I know we were very drunk shortly after we finished. Take care!
Snapper
USA - Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 14:53:41 (MDT)

HI every one well work all day monday in the yard but tuesday was a lot better had the little guy he was a little sick then went to wal mart well he look & sead ball so went over to see them he reach out to get one then he looked at me with a big smile on his face so reach in got one gave it to him you could hear him all over the store he could lay on top of it & roll on it that night had to take it to bed with him when he woak up he looked for it went to ihop to eat had some waffel yes the ball was in the truck he sead ball then it was time to take him home Tammy caled & ask if I had something that would take the smell out of her car sead yes got some other things she asked if I had headed out to Griffen got there first thing took Josh out & he just stud there I ask him what do you want ball got all the things she asked for went to her car open the door it was like a out house took the back seat out I do not know what was groing there ask Tammy how long has it smeld like that & I sead you dont know you got like it did not smell then it got real bad then I started to loose it held it in then took my Partner & Tammy out to eat then could not hold it in Tammy tell that lazy sucker to get off his dead ass & clean this car BUT I forget he cant wipe his but with out help & they lost there air cond. had to open all the window in the house asked me if I had a fan monday no but I still got that sealing fan I thort the land lord going to put some new one in she sead not so far that so called church they go to has them woman think that woman should do every thing a man tell them & I sead should bow down to a man when he sead somthing & I told her your MOTHER would bow down to me & that after she put me on the floor first & that the only time O that how come Josh is sick all this time for brad he does not want help him self so it not that I havent tried I have A lot he want some one to due it for him I praid for him but GOD sead he need to help him self first then GOD will help him well have a good time at STLouis I think I am going to drive to Rhode Island after June & if I can find Ray & Gail house stop in & see them pluse a nother VET from the NAVY from WW11 how was on one of the SUB my dad was on I went on a SUB on top of the water & it felt like I was traped I do not know how they do it I went it tunnel over in nam did not bother me well I think because I did not car if I came home to FEB of 71 then I had some one to come home to now it like that again BUT one thing all the thing me & GLENDA did for 36 years & a GRANDSOM got to live a long time to show JOSH how to do thing to help his MOTHER out he pick op thimgs when his mother clean the house he get the broom & try to sweep the floor he be a big help for her when he get older the dum but it that house dont do eany thing to help her well take care out.
Art
USA - Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 07:16:16 (MDT)

Welcome home Morgan!...Am sitting in Fontana (LA)California.Smitty,spent time in beautiful Wyoming,but not near Sheridan.Spent 2days in Salt Lake city..what a great looking country around there.
alvis
USA - Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 06:44:57 (MDT)

What, oh, hi Mark! Must've dozed off!
Dave Powers
USA - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 16:01:56 (MDT)

Wow....everybody still sleeping in from the holiday?
Mark
USA - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 08:18:40 (MDT)

George Hain,...... Jeff S.(Snapper) and I were on the flight line that day. Curt Frank and I were getting 664 ready for a PE. George had just come back from R&R in Hawaii, like night before this happen.....
Fred Skaggs
Somewhere In, NJ USA - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 18:13:38 (MDT)

The Maine Troop Greeters have their own web site. It's something that some vets started doing during the gulf war, and just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Veterans, pacifists, religeous groups....... political statements are the only thing not welcomed! They have quite a photo gallery, too.
Kim
Rome, Me USA - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 16:04:08 (MDT)

DAMN!!!George Anton Hain was killed on my Birthday 10-22-70. I was in Ft Eustis,VA. I had just completed 67N school & was in the detail platoon pulling KP-pots & pans. Right around noon the orderly room clerk came in to the mess hall & said Sanchez, I've got orders for to clear Ft Eustis. You're going to Ft Hood Tx.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 09:33:36 (MDT)

A slow hand salute to all our 129th brothers and to all our veterans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. And a snappy salute to my son, Army Cadet 1st Sergeant James Wolf.
Bill Wolf
USA - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 08:59:28 (MDT)

Welcome home & thanx to all of our Iraqi Freedom vets. Pray all of the Bite&Strikers have a safe Memorial Day. Never Forget THEM! Clear
Lenny
USA - Monday, May 26, 2008 at 06:02:28 (MDT)

Bruno, part of the reason I put my web page up is just for the problem you and the rest of us have. Faces and details get real fuzzy after 40 years. click on my name below or copy and paste and it will take you to the page with Shaw, Strother, and Stamper on it. If you haven't seen my pages before it has the info on our guys and it has some pictures, and as it turns out I have all three. I am always looking for pictures or better pictures than the ones I have. http://members.tripod.com/~Donald_6/129thmiakia3.htm Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 20:07:49 (MDT)

Hi Morgan I know you are proud of your SON & he just as proude of you for what you did in Nam you did it for him & he did it for you to keep this COUNTRY FREE.
Art
USA - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 19:24:26 (MDT)

Thanks to all you guys for your Welcome Home words to my son from his tour in Iraq. He was just telling me today about how, when they were going over, the plane had to make a fuel stop in Bangor, Maine. He said that they all appreciated very much all the older Veterans of Maine who were there to welcome them. They stood on either side of the guys and gals to shake their hands and wish them well on their tour in Iraq. It was said that they were doing this every time planes landed! So thanks to you guys up there in Maine who are doing quite a great work in supporting our troops in a very unstable time - we all remember what our trips to Nam felt like! Not a very pleasant time.
Gerald Morgan, 129th - '66
USA - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 19:00:56 (MDT)

Morgan; a hearty welcome home to your son, as Kim said i hope his transition is an ok one.Seems like this one reminds me of another. Someone said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over & over & expecting different results. I support our troops to my death but i hate War. This is said in Memoriam of ALL those who have paid the ultimate price in all wars. God has you in the hollow of his hand. And for the still suffering. God bless you.>>>>>>>>>>>>>> be safe>>>> until June>>> Smitty
jim westwang71-72
Sheridan, wyoming USA - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 09:42:16 (MDT)

Fred Alvis: If you were at Nike. You were within 7 minutes of the house. We live off 385 ( Bill Morris Pky) at 385 & Forrest Hill Irene. I'm Friday call me if you are in the area. Well it's a time of remebernce!! Liz and I are going to the West tennesse Vetearns cemetry to place flowers on Charlie Rain's grave. And, take time to remember all our 129th Brothers and Veterans whom gave it all. A few weeks and reunion time. Can't wait. As Gently has posted that there is money available in the Christmas fund for the reunion. Any one needing healp contact Gently. She is our 129th Angel. Always trying to look over us. These reunions are a place of healing. So make every attempt to be there. We are losing our Vietnam Brother rather fast. Always A Brother!! Gerald: Once again Liz and I are glad your son has returned safely.
Alex
Collierville, TN USA - Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 07:19:09 (MDT)

Morgan......................WELCOME HOME your son from me.........
Mark
USA - Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 21:16:16 (MDT)

Endless war...... it DOES drag on, and on, and on. Regardless, I have nothing but total respect for all who follow orders, and serve. Congratulations on your son's return. I hope a successful transition to stateside life.
Kim
USA - Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 19:27:01 (MDT)

Morgan we proud of your SON if it wasent for him & other like him they are giving thouse people over there hope & US TWO & A BIG THANKS FROM THIS Grunt
Art
USA - Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 12:20:47 (MDT)

Morgan, give your son a well deserved "WELCOME HOME" from all of us! Hoooahhh!!! Bill
Bill Wolf
USA - Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 09:08:22 (MDT)

thats great Morgan...and the timming is perfect.
alvis
USA - Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 05:51:15 (MDT)

I want to let all my 129th brothers know that my son has just returned from a tour in Iraq. We are all very happy for his safe return from this endless war.
Morgan
USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 21:27:40 (MDT)

Everyone have a safe Memorial Day! Be sure to get your 2008 VHCMA Registrations in ASAP! Will bring copies of "Bite & Strike" for anyone that wants them ($25 each at the reunion). Always a Brother, Bill
Bill Wolf
USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 12:59:24 (MDT)

flight,have a great memorial day.I shall be "pulling pitch" ,firt thing in the morn,see you at the reunion.
alvis
USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 07:54:22 (MDT)

Big "D", That's exactly how it was done. However the 1st day 426 went in, Bill Shilleto & 1st lt Jones were the "drivers". They apparently weren't briefed "not" to go/fly in the pass. 426 was inside the pass I "know" we took fire because they even lobed some mortar round @ us. I saw the hits right below us. Bill did a 180 @ got our butts out of there. That's when he went around on the north side of the pass. Once on the west side of the pass, right down on the deck. Followed Ql 19 east & popped up. Just like you said. I don't recall which sorty, but this one time it was overcast. Bill had to do the overhead & this one time over torqued 426-it had just come out of the hanger for the 100hr . This other sorty, Bill "popped up" right over the LZ, the two ROK's & us dropped of the C rats , Bill did the left pedal,thing, cyclic forward & right as we left a mortar round hit the LZ. I saw it hit. At the time I didn't know, one of "our" snakes was flying cover. They saw it too. Talk about Luck & timing. If'in that mortar gunner had stuck the round in the tube just a little earlier-Adios 426. Anyway Thanks for the comeback Dennis. My respects to all of the "drivers". Great bunch of guys. Clear Left- dawg 426 is Otta here & "R-T-B"
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 07:50:40 (MDT)

Lt Shaw & WO C. Strother & SP David Stamper - Slow Hand Salute. There faces are now a blur. But I still remember them.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 07:15:59 (MDT)

Tom...rest. Know you are in our prayers. L-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 06:52:02 (MDT)

Tom...rest. Know you are in our prayers. L-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 06:51:57 (MDT)

In April 1967, the 129th AHC, the "Bite and Strike," was assigned the mission to support the Tiger Division at Qui Nhon. As a result, the 129th moved from Khanh Duong to Lane AAF. During the 129th's first month flying for the Tigers, its men flew 12,908 sorties, to that point, an all time record for the company. This was a good combo. The Tiger Division quickly earned a reputation for being one bunch of tough cookies. The 129th pilots and gunners liked that, creating a business card that read, "You call, We kill," with the message, "Call us for death and destruction night or day." One of the first issues the 129th and Tigers had to deal with was providing the Tigers greater gunship support. The Koreans were reluctant to call for such support because of language problems, and some concern about gunship accuracy. To get by this, the 129th carried a ROK interpreter aboard. The 129th also demonstrated the accuracy of their fire to alleviate ROK concerns about fratricide. The 129th also found that the Koreans operated their three regiments in a large area, occupying semi-permanent areas, maneuvering at mostly platoon and company levels, mostly by ground. Together, the Tigers and 129th worked out plans to conduct assault operations by air, moving these forces around more quickly to more areas of hostile activity. Here are a few photos. http://www.talkingproud.us/International061406Tiger.html Need money to get to the re-union????? Let me know!!!! L-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, May 23, 2008 at 06:50:18 (MDT)

Jim, no Kinko's out in the sticks here. Dennis, I hope I Haven't misled you. the only Huey flying I have ever dome has been in the states and in the last 5 years. I never did make it to Vietnam. The Marines wouldn't let me off of Okinawa in 70
Mark
USA - Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 22:01:51 (MDT)

Mark, Glad you enjoyed the ride. Those memories do hang in there don't they brother? I would love the maps. If you do color copies I would be glad to send you the cost of it. I'll pay for Bruno and me. Bernie also if he wants them. 265 Highwood Lane Bradford, Pa. 16701
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 09:28:16 (MDT)

Alex,I stayed there untill tuesday morning.Even was out to Nike,off Bill Moyers Parkway,out past German town road. I too went to the VA yesterday.Had an appt. at 1:30 Pm,saw the Doc at 4:30pm.Had an x-ray done lat time in town.Doc aid it was useless,I needed an MRI.Next time I am home is for the reunion.Not sure how I am going to work the VA into next "time at home".I have to go out for 4 weeks this time to get enough "time at home" to attend.Going to ask about a trip to North Dakota,so I have all 50 states under my belt.Mark,perhaps bringing some maps to the reunion is an idea worth considering.
alvis
USA - Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 05:47:51 (MDT)

Mark,Kinko.s Copy center has large color copiers.Or Office Depot.
jim (dustoff)
Shiloh, USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 21:41:01 (MDT)

About those maps. I have a colored copy but have never been able to find a machine big enough to make a color copy so the ones I send are black and white.
Mark
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 19:49:24 (MDT)

Bruno and Dennis. Or anybody else as far as that goes. I have the map of Binh Khe, year 1970, (The one with the pass) and An Tuc, year 1969,( the one with the An Khe base on it) if you would like a copy of them. I also have the one with Lane on. In the past I have sent many of these maps out to others. Just send me a mailing address and I will get them to you. I just recently sent one out that had Phu Cat on it because a airforce guy that was there wanted one. That's on the one with Lane.....
Mark
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 19:47:56 (MDT)

WOW Dennis, I was able to fly along with you as you told that resupply story.......Thanks.......
Mark
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 19:18:08 (MDT)

Alvis tried calling you a few times on saturday. But, you don't have voice mail set up yet to recieve calls. Next trip in call my cell 901-487-0374. Olive Branch Mississippi is about 20 mintues from here. Airport rd. is about an hour. Well left the hospital a little while ago. Had a Bone scan done. The nurse did a full body scan after finding out I was a Vietnam Vet. All they could tell me was. I had quite a few hot spots. Which included both feet. Also, knee,back and neck areas. Hope to hear from the doctor tommorrow. But, I will be in St. Louis. in a few weeks. Always A Brother!!! Will be great seeing everyone!!
Alex
Collierville, TN USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 14:36:45 (MDT)

Bruno, I can still remember flying resupply for that outpost at the top of the pass on the south side. I (and most) would fly way around the north side down towards An Khe and hit the deck going back to the east towards the pass balls to the wall. Before dropping down I can still see the white hot light of mortar rounds hitting and knowing that I am going to try and squeeze between them. Approaching below the level of the outpost then doing a pop up and settling in over that large dead tree. The crew would throw things out as we hovered through and then a left petal turn dropping off the side to the road and out the way you came in from. I remember one time dropping off the side and seeing about 20 or so body bags with Koreans below along the road.
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 12:19:39 (MDT)

Dennis Faucher. Thanks. I had looked & looked @ that particular map I don't know how many times. Because of the name change, I wasn't sure if it was the FSB or not. Because of t he geograhical location, i had a gut feeling that LZ Diamondhead was the only logical site. Now the puzzle is not as cloudy. Thanks Big "D". Everyone -be careful out there. Dawg 426 is clear left & otta here.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:26:34 (MDT)

this was the answer when I asked what units were in the An Khe pass when the bird went down.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 06:58:15 (MDT)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jae-sung Chung: Hi, Alvis, The Armored Regiment of the ROK Tiger Infantry Division was the main unit that participated in the An Khe Pass operation accompanied by the regiment's armored cavalry company. In addition to this, 8th infantry company from the 1st regiment of the Tiger Division was specially augmented to support the operation. Unfortunately, this company was known to have faced with severe combats leaving much of casualties. Hope this information has been useful. Thanks. -[05/18-20:50]- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jae-sung Chung: I tried to directly leave some words in your 129th website. However, I couldn't find a proper section to enter. Should you still feel necessary that i better directly upload the reply there, please let me know how to do. I remember i did once, but I forgot. -[05/18
alvis
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 06:57:01 (MDT)

am sitting at home now..for 3 days,whew.Whoever is looking for the hairpin turn in the An Khe..2 pictures are in the yahoo site,under my photos. The nare also posted on the 509 site,under Alvis photos. Phil/Simon told me they may send me some more 129th patches.For those NOT attending the reunion,I will mail you a patch if requested.Any left over will go to the reunion,129th room..They are free but will have a donation cup there..proceeds going to( and only to) the 129th,X-mas fund.
alvis
USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 06:37:47 (MDT)

Mark, I believe you are right on!!.. Where those long buildings(?) are located was where the runway/taxi strip/parking area for the Chinooks was located. Those clouds in the way arenh't helping anything but what you can see is a lot better... Later brother.... Kal...>>>
Kal 67/68
Saint Joseph, MI USA - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 06:24:30 (MDT)

I was just at Google earth and to my surprise the AO immediately north of LANE is now in good resolution. I am pretty sure that the northern part of Lane where the 196th ( Flippers ) Chinooks can be seen. Kal, check that out and see what you think. I am hoping that soon they will have LANE at a good resolution. Where the 129th was at is just below the good resolution Dang.......close. If they do get that part to show up good then the mountain that the "257" hit will be visible also. It is just a mile and a half southwest of Lane.....
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 19:55:09 (MDT)

Bruno and Dennis, Do you have Google Earth? That AO of the hair pin at the Pass can be seen but not with a good resolution. But none the less the hair pin is visible. Check it out. As a matter of fact in Google earth the Pass in Pin marked.
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 19:46:49 (MDT)

Kim, I thought you fit in well when you were at that reunion. I'm sorry that you feel that way. The are no leaders of the present day 129th. Just old certifiably crazy people and have every right to be and have government papers to prove it. ;-)))).........would be nice to see you again. And I know,I know, I still owe you a walkin' stick..........
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 19:39:31 (MDT)

I tried to send well wishes to Tom Pedersen but his email address must have changed and the contact page has the same one I had for him so... If anyone has his curreny address please post or send it to me. TNX.. Larry, good to see you post and see that you will be in St Louie!!.. C U There.. Boy, only a dozen registrations so far, suprise.. I'd have thought there would have been a lot more than that.. Only a month to go now.. C U in St Louie!!.. Kal...>>>
Kal Bergstrom 67/68 <n8auu (at) email dot com>
Saint Joseph, MI USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 17:59:19 (MDT)

Trouble with hanging a helicopter twenty feet in the air is that it's not easy to keep up with mother nature! 915 is looking a little ragged, weather worn, lonely. I travel through Bangor several times a year, and make it a point to stop in on occasion..... I haven't been to a reunion since Louisville, guess I just don't fit in. Of course, I never did very well at 'follow the leader'. I'd rather go my own way, and refuse to apologise for my beliefs, regardless of the wisdom of the crowd...... Dave, I'll try and keep my eyes open for tail #'s when I'm travelling around.
Kim
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 17:52:15 (MDT)

For those of you who knew Tom Pederson, he had open heart surgery 10 May but is home and healing. Think of him in your prayers. Larry
Larry W Lackey <larrylackey@bellsouth.net>
Warner Robins , GA USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 16:59:34 (MDT)

Well for better or worse I will be at the reunion so tighten up your jock-straps or whatever you wear!!! We're not getting any younger are we. Fred--need to hear some of your poems!
Larry W Lackey <larrylackey@bellsouth.net>
Warner Robins , GA USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 16:40:54 (MDT)

I decided to check out 509 on their site listed at the bottom of our home page. I had not noticed this site until I scrolled down. Observation skills apparently not what they once were. Many of you may have already checked this out, but for the ones who have not: It joined the 129th in July 72 until Feb 73. 108 flights and 559 hours flown.
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 14:40:22 (MDT)

BRUNO, I got onto Rays maps. If you look at the Binh Khe map, 3rd Bn. was the old LZ Diamond. As you have already figured out you guys crashed just above the hair pin at the Pass on the west side of the pass and south side of QL 19.
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 13:09:56 (MDT)

Would love to know the history of 509 and its time in the 129th. Gary Woodward had told me about 915 being in Bangor, Maine. Since David Stamper, Bob Guffy, Rick Heath and I were on the last flt, I want to go to Maine someday. It would be interesting if the Cole Museum has the history of 915. Gary may have told them. BRUNO, I'll check the maps and get back with you.
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:55:43 (MDT)

Kim, I am lamenting the fact that my old H-Model #635 has apparently dropped off the face of the earth (or was it pushed off the deck of an aircraft carrier?). Darrell Ramos and I crewed H-Model #214 together. The Gold Book seems to be lacking a few records... too bad.
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:49:47 (MDT)

C'mon guys....get those registrations in! It won't be the same iffen we don't have our own 129th room. Gale
Gale
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 08:33:02 (MDT)

Just another reminder: 2008 REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT! VHCMA has only received 12 129th'ers reunion registrations. Tom, the Executive Director, desperately needs the rest of you to send your in ASAP in order to get a food count for Friday and Saturday. We also need to show we have enough attending that we get a 129th room! So, please, send in your registration asap!! See you all there! Bill
Bill Wolf
USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 08:14:44 (MDT)

Dennis, Sorry buddy. It's "Rays Map Room".It's got a list of Military Region II Maps. Just scroll to the An Khe one. It's got maps East & west of the pass. It's got one of Lane too. Thanks fot the come back. Let me know. Clear left- Dawg 426 out.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 07:36:58 (MDT)

Ah yes...632, I did know her well!!! Dave, 915, a slick that was in the 129th when we were there, is in Bangor, Maine, sitting on a pylon at the Cole Land transportation Museum. I got to climb around on the Iron Butterfly when she was in Bangor with the ANG, before she was sold to a guy in Florida, who retrofitted her........Simon, that was a nice story about the effect a huey has on anyone who loves helicopters.... Darrell Ramos, nice to see your post.
Kim
USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 17:56:30 (MDT)

Dennis Faucher, I also looked for A/C #509 and found nothing. I have had similar experiences looking for data on #635, i.e. battle damage report. Although she is listed on the "Helicopters" page, it appears that some data from the reports are missing. It would be cool to find most of those old warbirds, and where they are now. Phil Connolly's is a great story. I also especially liked hearing about the one (tail #632) in Monroe County, Michigan at the Vietnam Memorial there. Kim La Voie, I know you knew that bird, as probably did Gary "Baron" Carlson. Howdy to everybody!
Dave Powers
USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 13:59:29 (MDT)

Thanks Mark... nice job!
Dave Powers
USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 13:29:31 (MDT)

BRUNO, How do I get to Ray's map site?
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 12:44:19 (MDT)

Awwh Gently, you know we luv ya!! Just for the record tho..you're 1 week early. I'll be 66 on May 27th. Smitty, I think those new BP machines at the VA need calibrated. The nurse took my 1st pressure on the machine and it was 160/78. We waited ten minutes and she did it manually and it was 124/78.......they sent me home.I'm gonna request manually for now on. Of course, for the last two weeks I've walking 2+ miles(fast walk) a day, cut back on fatty foods, cut back on alcohol, cut back on sex..........oops, forget that last one! Ain't gonna happen!Hehheehehee. Anyway, I've lost 'bout 6 lbs so that all helped and I skipped the coffee this morn. Heck, I might make 67.
Gale
USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:53:32 (MDT)

Dawg gone you Gale! You always mess up my getting to know the new guys! Just for that ....Happy Birthday tomorrow!!!! he he Love you-Gently
Gently
USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 09:38:46 (MDT)

Good afternoon to you all. Just thought I'd tell you a true story about the effect that 509 has on people. Last week Phil and Neil had to do their annual type rating for the old girl. Neil flew first being put through his paces at Blackpool airport making a fair amount of noise, except for the engine off sections of the flying. On his return Phil jumped in and Neil headed off to the control tower to watch the proceedings. Whilst he was flying a few noise complaints had been received by those living nearby. Never ceases to amaze me that if you want peace and quiet you don't buy a house by an airport/airfield, anyway more calls continued to come in as Phil too was put through his paces. The best call of all was a guy who phoned to ask when the Huey was going to stop flying. To which he was asked if it was too noisy for him. The guy immediately said that it certainly was not a complaint. The controller then said that the Huey would be on the ground at about 8.45 as the airfield closed at 9. The guy on the other end thanked him for the information as he had got a three year old who was stood at his bedroom window refusing to go to bed until the Huey had stopped flying!! What impeccable taste that three year old has. Stay safe. 509 crew
Simon Johnson <simon_johnson@talktalk.net>
Mellor, 509 County UK - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 09:17:31 (MDT)

Hey you all just a short note from the "stickman" to let you all know Vickey and I survived the mother day storms. I am excited to be able to attend the reunion this year. Vickey, Dakota and myself will be driving to St Louis this year. I thought I would share a little side trip that I have planned, in case anyone might be interested. 90 miles or so west of St Louis is the small town of Mexico Mo. home of Zenith aircraft. Zenith will be hosting a open hangar fly in on sat.They have a web site you can check out. They are not million dollar aircraft, but they sure fly like a million bucks. I have a CH701, N129JA dedicated to all the flyboys from the 129th. Got to go and cut grass on the strip today. I love gumping, take care the "stickman" is outta here. One for all, all for one 1st flt. 71/72
Jim Oliver <jsticks@g-net.net>
Pembroke, GA USA - Monday, May 19, 2008 at 08:11:45 (MDT)

Dave Powers, the info you reqeusted in now in the MEMORY page under James's "info".......love to all.........
Mark
USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 21:24:14 (MDT)

I would like to share the following email sent to me from a friend.. Just to give you something to gnaw on for the next few days... a buddy and I went to Glacier Helicopter in Olympia at the airport. They are in the biz of rebuilding old Hueys and making a civilian version out of them and passing all FCC permit issues. UH Choppers are only licensed to fly cargo and not people.but of course, no one told the Army about this. The Army doesn't give a rip, but even as a second hand machine, legally the law states that no passengers can ride along if they do not have an FAA certified seat belt attached to a FAA certified seat, attached to a UH chopper with FAA bolts and nuts. But these people figured out how to do it. They bring in a Hulk from the dry lands of the south west where Army bone yards are. Usually it is a "H" model, with the 1400 hsp engine.All the B's, C's and D's are well past "gone". They are non existent. They strip the bird down and gut it out, and as they rebuild it, they check every part they can re-use for wear and paint it according to the customer's paint scheme.Some hulks come back as fire fighting machines. If the blades are like 1/2 life or better, they leave them on, after they go through the mast, hinge points, nuts, keepers and all that other stuff that I don't have a clue about. I'm not real sure about the engine, but I imagine they have to rebuild it to make it air worthy. Nothing they put back on the new chopper is or should be questionable, by anyone. I was kicking tires, I mean skids, just wondering how much it would cost to pick up a Vietnam ere machine and fly it to different club or association meetings, and luckily, I had enough bull --- well you know, to get through the whole process, as the guy who does this is a ga-zillionaire and doesn't have a lot of time for looky-lews. Anyway, in the cargo bay, there is enough seating for like 12 people. He puts like 2 or three web seats bolted to the floor, on legs, being the cockpit, like where the crew chief would sit. Then, on the back wall he can sit like 6 people across and then he puts like 2 seats in each hell hole, where the gunners sat. All the seating is like black meshed seating with no cushions in them. Now I was never even close to Vietnam, but minus the bullet holes, this machine looked pretty close to what you must have worked with. Even the pilot seats have some armor protection and the cushions on the seats were not cushions but just the same webbing as all the other seats. Pretty dog gone cool. And boy, those things are big. One would need a hanger door 14 feet tall about 16 feet wide to push this 60 foot monster through. I was guessing like 40-45 feet long, but I was way off. So guess how much? Say for instance a MD 500 like they used on Magnum PI sells for $350,000 used, probably $800,000 new, guess what this reconditioned H model came to? $200K. Nope. $400k. Nope. $800,000, plus tax. Yes. whew. After I regained conciseness, my buddy made some excuses for the urine on the floor and picked me up and hauled me out of there. Still. You couldn't touch a Bell Jet Ranger with all the avionics and a CD player for less than $1.2 million -ish. and they don't have much nostalgia at all. Just think of your buddies if you showed up in one of those 1-H's, wearing a size Medium set of coveralls and sporting a olive green crash helmet with an intercom mike on it. Yeah. I figured you needed something like that to think about for the rest of the week. You could sell the house, the cars, your liver , so that would get you half way there, you could work until you are 90 years old.... and .... and....and there would be plenty of room for you, Marie and Anna and baby to move into the H model, so you really wouldn't need a house at all.... Well. You've got a lot to think about .
Dan Hertlein
Lake Tapps, WA USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 19:26:57 (MDT)

Gale, no caffiene before you go, have a tranquilizer, take it before you go. That deal about she is your primary no ifs & or butts is Bullshit. See the patient rep first & if you get no satisfaction there, the director. You have rights in your care. As you go into the VA (Front) there should be a patient bill of rights posted. There is at ours. I had input into my dr. if no action ( congressional aide) usually found in indy whatever your affiliation. in this election year, they should jump through their ass to help you>>>>from the front lines this has been Smitty>> Bulldog 67-17147 whiskey 1 req hover departure>> out
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 19:12:21 (MDT)

Hi Joe! The reunion is in St Louis; June 18-22. Hope you can make it. Hey Smitty, what's the answer to "white coat syndrome for BP?" I'm going back to the VA in the morning. My primary care is making drive there just for a BP check (80 miles round trip). I take it regularly at home and it's 130/75 or 144/80. She has me on two meds now. When I get to the VA it's always high. It starts out about 180/90 & drops to about 166/80. She says that my BP kit is probably wrong. She informed me last time that I had to come back in two weeks and that she is my primary care....no if's, and's or but's. It's no damned wonder my BP is high. How difficult is it to change stations? Now my BP is up!! Gale
Gale Beard
USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 18:56:58 (MDT)

Smitty Na and I were in Mynmar in Feb and Jan, in the north Shan state next to China. No water there but lots of fighting over "O" country. Very hard are locals and heavy military persence. Martial law in affect. We were unable to get to the country side---too hostile. we stayed in the capital cith Kentung, not much of a city but it had 20 batalions of burmese around it. They arn't admitting it but China has been after that turf sence the Nam era. The good news we were able to hook up with some kin. Its a long story see ya this summer with the rest of the story. I will call ahead. ------------ a reunion??? wher is the reunion, and when? GOOD DAY TO ALL-------JOE
Joe <cobra073@yahoo.com>
- Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 17:52:15 (MDT)

2008 REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT! VHCMA has only received 12 129th'ers reunion registrations. Tom, the Executive Director, desperately needs the rest of you to send your in ASAP in order to get a food count for Friday and Saturday. We also need to show we have enough attending that we get a 129th room! So, please, send in your registration asap!! See you all there! Bill
Bill Wolf
USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 11:51:46 (MDT)

well crap.Bad starter issues.Cant crank untill at least 3 am.
alvis
USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10:08:35 (MDT)

I am. Pulling out in a few.
alvis
USA - Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 06:08:20 (MDT)

sorry fred----thought you said you were parked---wouldn't want you to ignore your driving.
Gary Woodward
Memphis, USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 19:16:51 (MDT)

that for shore it takes both hands & two eye & a good clear head there time to talk & there time to & not much of that Alvis I tried it I like to be home & there a LOT OF RUBBER NECKING OUT THERE & A lot of thing you would not beleave so keep it between the lines & the dirty side down & I see you one day
Art
USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 17:48:08 (MDT)

Gary I dont give out my cell phone number cause there are times I absolutely cannot be distracted,much less talking on the phone.Please understand that.you guys,there is alot more to it than kicking back,with the radio and cruise control on.Just this morning, here in Memphis,two big truck wrecks..one east bound was cause a SUV bounced off a bridge wall,then under a big truck.SUV folks are dead.About the same time,west bound run off the road and lays it over.Stuff happens that quick..just like in helicopters..it can kill you very easy.
alvis
USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 17:06:47 (MDT)

Freddy, thx for putting that there. Too many tours, not the right help>>>>Smitty>>> Joe, would love to see you & Na again. We live in Sheridan,Wy. 200 mi east of deadwood I think i gave all the info to you but home # (307) 672 8704, People would love to see you at the reunion. I thought about Na & myninmar & if she has family there hope they are ok>> Jim & Linda
jim westwang 71-72
Sheridan, wyoming USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 17:04:48 (MDT)

Freddy, all of us can remember when this stuff happened with us Nam vets,heck, it still happens.Thats why I get so angr when Hillary pushes for nationial health care...take a look at the VA system..its a national disgrace.What really gets me angry is when they argue about supporting the veterans sstem and what a great job they have done. Its all balderdash.
alvis
USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 16:59:20 (MDT)

Marine Who Died After Cross-State Chase Wrote of War Stress....By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN (Associated Press Writer) From Associated Press May 17, 2008 11:17 AM EDT........TUCSON, Ariz. - Last month, Marine Staff Sgt. Travis N. "T-Bo" Twiggs went to the White House with a group of Iraq war veterans called the Wounded Warriors Regiment and met the president. Twiggs had been through four tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan and months of therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in which he said he was on up to 12 different medications. "He said, `Sir, I've served over there many times, and I would serve for you any time,' and he grabbed the president and gave him a big hug," said Kellee Twiggs, his widow. About two weeks later, Travis Twiggs went absent without leave from his job in Quantico, Va. He and his brother drove to the Grand Canyon, where their car was found hanging in a tree in what appeared to be a failed attempt to drive into the chasm. The brothers carjacked a vehicle at the park Monday. Two days later they were at a southwestern Arizona border checkpoint, and took off when they were asked to pull into a secondary inspection area, Border Patrol spokesman Michael Bernacke said. Eighty miles later, the car was on the Tohono O'odham reservation, its tires wrecked by spike strips. As tribal police and Border Patrol agents closed in, Twiggs, 36, apparently fatally shot his 38-year-old brother, Willard J. "Will" Twiggs, then killed himself. Pinal County Sheriff's spokesman Mike Minter said no motive has been established. But Kellee Twiggs said the decorated Marine would still be alive if the military had given him enough help. "All this violent behavior, him killing his brother, that was not my husband. If the PTSD would have been handled in a correct manner, none of this would have happened," she said in a telephone interview from Stafford, Va. Travis Twiggs, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993 and held the combat action ribbon, wrote about his efforts to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder in the January issue of the Marine Corps Gazette. The symptoms would disappear when he began each tour, he said, but came back stronger than ever when he came home. He wrote that his life began to "spiral downward" after the tour in which two Marines from his platoon died. "I cannot describe what a leader feels when he does not bring everyone home," he wrote. "To make matters even worse, I arrived at the welcome home site only to find that those two Marines' families were waiting to greet me as well. I remember thinking, 'Why are they here?'" Weeks later, Twiggs "saw a physician's assistant who said that was the severest case of PTSD she'd seen in her life," his widow said. He began receiving treatment, but the Marine wrote that he mixed his medications with alcohol and that his symptoms didn't go away until he started his final tour in Iraq. When he came home, "All of my symptoms were back, and now I was in the process of destroying my family," he wrote. "My only regrets are how I let my command down after they had put so much trust in me and how I let my family down by pushing them away." Kellee Twiggs said her husband was "very, very different, angry, agitated, isolated and so forth," upon his return. "He was just doing crazy things." She said her husband was treated in the psychiatric ward of Bethesda Naval Medical Center and then sent to a Veterans Administration facility for four months. Most recently, Travis Twiggs was assigned to the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory at Quantico, a job he said helped him "get my life back on track." "Every day is a better day now," he wrote in the Marine Corps Gazette. "...Looking back, I don't believe anyone is to blame for my craziness, but I do think we can do better." Twiggs urged others suffering from similar problems to seek help. "PTSD is not a weakness. It is a normal reaction to a very violent situation," he wrote. Kellee Twiggs said she can't understand why her husband was not sent to a specialized PTSD clinic in New Jersey. "They let him out. He was OK for a while and then it all started over again," she said. A spokesman at Quantico, 1st Lt. Brian Donnelly, said the Corps is committed to providing full medical, psychological and social support to anyone with a combat-related injury, including PTSD. "Our leaders are trained to be alert for signs of PTSD in their Marines and to provide a supportive climate in which Marines can feel comfortable seeking help," Donnelly said. One lingering mystery in Twiggs' case is his older brother. Kellee Twiggs said she thinks the Louisiana man joined her husband in driving west "because T-Bo was hurting so bad and for so long that Will's life was a little in chaos." "For them to both drive off into the Grand Canyon, they both apparently wanted to end their lives," she said. Kellee Twiggs said "something needs to be fixed" in treating soldiers coming home from combat with PTSD. "These boys and girls coming back, they need help, things need to be changed, and they don't need to be made to feel weak for asking for help," she said.
Fred Skaggs
Somewhere In, NJ USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10:56:43 (MDT)

SMITTY ---SUMMER IS NEARING AND I EXPECT TO BE ROLLING THROUGH WYO. AND THE BLACK HILLS AGAIN. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE YOU AND YOUR WIFE, I AM SURE I WILL BE GOING BACK TO CADALACK JACK'S IN DEAD WOOD, LOVED THE POKER THERE. NA AND I HAD A GOOD RUN AFTER SEEING YOU WE GOT AS FAR AS NORTH EAST CANADA. WE RAKED UP 14K ON THE BIKE, HAD NO PROBLEMS OTHER THAN WAREING OUT TIRES. WE SAW GUSS IN MIN. AND DON J. IN OKLA. GREAT TO SEE THEM HOPE TO RUN INTO A FEW MORE OF THE GUYS THIS SUMMER. GREETINGS TO ALL THE REST OF THE BROS. JOE
JOE JOHNSON <cobra073@yahoo.com>
MORONGO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA USA - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 09:30:13 (MDT)

Fred-------Just landed at Memphis Int. at 5:50 PM-----been in the Carolina's all week this time ---------------------IF I HAD YOUR PHONE NUMBER I WOULD CALL !!!!!---HINT-HINT===---Call me at-481-8802----I had the other # disconnected.......
Gary Woodward
Memphis, USA - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 18:01:07 (MDT)

HI Flight how it going Alvis & it still stands when you get to LA Grange ga. again we can have some coffie & some chow to & if you have lay ovet you got a place to sack out at will be glad to see a Brother OK.
Art
USA - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 14:11:25 (MDT)

Sitting in Memphis till sunday morn.Simon and I talked on the phone.Seems Phil has built an "agrocultral barn" ,out back of his place.Hmm,strange how its just big enough to fit a Huey in.wink wink.Alex, Gary,perhaps we can all 3 get together for some coffee.Bruno. perhap the info you seek can be found on the ROK site.Ask them,the do have a story and pictures form/of that battle.
alvis
USA - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 13:16:43 (MDT)

Good morning flight, I am just getting ready to get the deal closed on the sites for Kokomo so just looking at three for the moment. Also went to the VA a couple days ago for another EMG which was wrong again, but this time the doctor did change the order to check my neck. They came back that it was really messed up and will send me to a Neuro Surgeon. They missed my back again, but guess I have to go one direction at a time. Just hoping to be better by the time Kokomo gets here. All have a good day.
Ken Strong Jr. 72-73
Lafayette, IN USA - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 08:12:26 (MDT)

The web site is, because of what all of you are. Mr brothers and sisters. A blessing. Thanks Art.........see you in St. Louie............
Mark
USA - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 19:26:12 (MDT)

HI every one Mark we have the best web site there is & if it wasent for you it would have not happen & I thank you I cant think of words to say how much I can thank you I had three time in NAM & your site I go to every DAY & have the best BROTHER they help each other out when they need eany kind of help & there there for each other it GOOD TIMES & BAD TIMES & I SAY AGAIN THANK YOU.
Art
USA - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 07:59:11 (MDT)

Bless you, Mark! I appreciate all you've done for us here in this place. I am so glad we were able to get photos of James Young. I feel a large piece of the 129th puzzle has been fit into place. Smitty, I've got a photo of Darrell Ramos I'll send you... maybe he has a bell-ringning face, eh?
Dave Powers
USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 22:38:49 (MDT)

Dave Powers that photo and info you sent me should be up on the 129th web page soon. Thanks for sending it...............
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 19:38:01 (MDT)

WELCOME HOME Darrell and back to the 129th. THANKS for your service. You can rest and assurd and be comforted in knowing that all of us want to very much hear all about your time in Vietnam. As the PURPOSE page says this is a place for healing and it has happened. Do you want your CONTACT in in the CONTACTS section? Send what ever info you want and we will get it up.........take care and God bless, always a brother........
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 19:34:47 (MDT)

HI Flight I just talk to Ray & heard Gale haching her head off & Ray dont sound good eather they in bed I hope they get better quick & the doc called me & told me the old ticker will be for a long time & know if they can find out how come I get so bad head pain & how come every thing spines around so bad & got to lay down or fall down on my but & cant move for 5or 10 min. but thes doc I go are good the best one. O went & got gas 396 a galen but two days befor it was 384 I going to get me a HORSE it will be cheaper to feed him than the gas tank & if that dont work I get me a jack ass like the one that want to be are leader they cant stop cuting each other a new but hole they promes you every thing & dont count on it you got a better chance of holding one hand under your but & the other out in the air & see witch one fills up first. have you seen the new bill to help vet re finace there home but there only one thing wrong with it if the bank dont want to give you the money you are not going to get it. I dont know about all of you but all my & Glenda had a hard time & the credet score not high enouf for themif it was about 800 then we can do it I told him how do I look like the Jedd Clampet I havent got a oil well in my back yard if I did the oil compenty would say it no good but we taket off your hands for a few $ 100.00 dollars. wellIam out of here all clear
Art
USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 19:05:59 (MDT)

Darrell Ramos. Welcome home. Dennis, Thanks for the "comeBack". I know e were re-suppling east of the pass. But If'in you Go to Ray's map page site. Could you check it out & more or less tell me where 3rd BN was? Guys I was gonna keep it to myself. But it is just such a great site to see. Yesterday afternoon appx 2 pm cst, Iwas on my way to Wal Mart to make a purchase. I heard "this" sound & looked up -- a P-51D & Spitfire. They were make a left turn. The Spitfire was on the R/h wing. What a picture for the mind.The "Merlin" engine sound. Anyway anybody else can clue me in on more or less where the 3rd Battalion area was on Rays Map Page. I remember the FSB was east of the pass. Help me out guys. Bill Shilletto if'in you're out there let me Know. Dawg 426 is OTTA HERE.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, TX USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 09:32:36 (MDT)

Bruno, I don't know where 426 was resuppling out of. For the Pass I would think 3rd Battalion. I was flying up around LZ Crystal that day. Claud and I just kept tabs on each other during the day. God bless you brother.
Dennis Faucher <dennis_faucher@hotmail.com>
USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 08:25:35 (MDT)

goodmorning Flight: Well Lz St. Louis is getting close. Looking forward to seeing everyone once again. Still having problems with my feet. Whatever was in my left foot is in my right foot. Hope to get back into the doctor's this week. Got to get some relief from the pain. Talked to Ray. He has a bunch of test coming up also. But, like me he will be at the reunion. We will have new faces there this year. Maybe next year we can get some of us on the rftw. Of, coarse I would have to drive my truck. Don't have the balance to ride a bike. Always A Brother!! Welcome Home to our new Brothers of the 129th. Simon go to see you post.
Alex <afernwal@comcast.net>
Collierville, TN USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 07:26:00 (MDT)

Darrell, I cant place you but should, we were there at the same time, welcome home man, flew a lot with Fred Alvis as gunner, several others, Bill shillito, Alton Page, Greg Henkel & so on. This place can help you get better a little >>> Jim Westwang 71-72
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 04:53:49 (MDT)

Morning Flight. Not posted for a while. Darrell it's great that you have found the site. They are a great bunch and welcomed us into their fold. The re-unions are well worth the effort and you'll get so much out of it. It was an honour and a privelige to meet so many last summer. We are now gearing up for the season with 509. The first public appearance of 'Miss Jo' is this Sunday, weather permitting, at Lytham Hall. Yes THE Lytham Hall where we sprung our surprise on Mark, Fred and Ron last year. It is as a thank you for all their help pulling the wool over the trios eyes. Should be fun and will ease us into what could be a very busy summer for us all. As from this Sunday we have three full weekends on the trot taking her out and about to shows. You're always in our thoughts as we go light on the skids and head out beating the proverbial out the of the Lancashire sky. Stay safe. Simon and the rest of 509's crew.
Simon Johnson <simon_johnson@talktalk.net>
Mellor, 509 county UK - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 04:38:28 (MDT)

evening flight. sorry it has taken me so long but I finally got the picture of JAMES MICHAEL YOUNG posted to my page. he is the last one on page 3. now all I have to do is get all the guys in the right order. WELCOME HOME Darrell. Later, Don
Don Miller
Valley Farms, AZ USA - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 22:22:24 (MDT)

Darrell Ramos! Yup, that's me. Good to see you post here. Remember the rotor head hydraulic leaks on that old bird? We had the "slickest" tail boom in the company, at least the top half of it. We flew her red X'ed plenty of times. No, I've lived in Colorado forever. Check the "Contacts" page for my e-mail addresses. I have photos for you! Welcome home, Brother!
Dave Powers
USA - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 17:09:02 (MDT)

Web site you can follow the "Wounded Warrior" Runners.(u.s.MultisportAthleticevents.com) and also make a donation.
Jim (dustoff ) <jimu006@yahoo.com>
Shiloh, IL USA - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 09:28:30 (MDT)

5 WEEKS?? Holy cow, I better get packed!I can't believe how fast it comes around. Darrell, welcome home brother. Your life just changed when you found this site! Then..........it will change again when you meet "Gently"! Heehheheeehee...I love it. Gale
Gale 67-68
Clinton, In US of A - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 08:27:47 (MDT)

Welcome Home and to the 129th site Darrell!! As Bill said, each of us have found a home here and having supressed the VN thoughts for so long made it even harder to attend our first reunion. My first one was in Louisville, KY about 7 years ago and I have only missed one since. I hope to make them all as it is really refreshing to the mind and makes the familey feeling come to life. We, as a group have done quite a few things together and the comorodery of the bunch has grown to a familey like atmosphere verses just a friendly one. This home page has gone from a little hunting expadition into a great gathering and finding of long lost familey members, an we are glad that you have found us and hope that you can join us in our group treck thru life. We are getting together again in June in St Louis for the VHCMA reunion in which we have our own little gathering and believe me it is well worth the trip. Hope you can join us and we can all renew friendships and continue the great comerodity of the group. Hey... C U in Saint Louie in about 5 weeks....Love and brotherhood.. Kal...>>>
Kal Bergstrom 78/68 <n8auu (at) email dot com>
Saint Joseph, MI USA - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 08:08:46 (MDT)

Darrell - Welcome Aboard!! I hope you will consider coming to the 08 Reunion in St Louis in June. The 129th will have a room there and you'll have a good time. I remember when I signed up for my first reunion (thanks to Mark). I wasn't sure I could handle it emotionally as I hadn't had anything to do with Vietnam since I was there. In fact, I told my wife about a week before the reunion that I didn't think I could go. She "made" me go and I had a blast. Will always try to make them each year. Again, Welcome Home Darrell! Bill
Bill Wolf
USA - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 07:12:32 (MDT)

Welcome to the site Darrell
Gary Woodward
Memphis, tn USA - Monday, May 12, 2008 at 05:48:21 (MDT)

I was crew chief on 214 from prox April 71-July 71. No that's wrong that's just the time I was awarded my air medal for.Sorry this is difficult for me.NOTE DAVE POWERS ARE YOU FROM THE MONTEREY AREA IN CA. GODS GRACE WERE YOU THE GUNNER ON 214.Iwas there 18 months none of my family understands or wants to.I have to stop for now all respects brothers.
Darrell Ramos <mountainboy4ever@gmail>
Pittsburg, Ca USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 21:22:24 (MDT)

You guys on the road run into 2 runners,running accross the USA,coast to coast,plan to arr.at the Wall on 4 July.Running to raise funds for The Wounded Warrior Foundation. They help returning troops who were injured or Handicapped in Combat in the Middle-east. 75yr old former Marine and his Son who is 44yrs old.TOM Knoll and Warren Knoll.Please plow the road for them.
Jim (dustoff )
Shiloh, IL USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 17:58:25 (MDT)

Larry Lackee..hope all is well down your way,you too Art..een the weather channel, way to man tornadoes blew thru there...Sitting in Toronto, Canada.Rainy,46 degrees.Hope all ladies had a great Mothers day.
alvis
USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 17:10:05 (MDT)

HI Flight just talk to Ray they had a good time Gale got wet & got a bad cold she going to see a doc tommorw Still cant find out Tom Mark got me the phone number I called they did not have eany one by that name I am praying for him he a Brother Well I know all the mum are having a GOOD DAT today I planted a tree for Glenda she wanted a red maple& everyh year I do it again if GOD willing & in July 27 will be a hard day for me last july I got her a birthday card there was one problem it sead happy 60 but it was here 59 she laft & told me I am 59 so I told her save it for next year wont half to get you one I a day late & buck short & I told her no I am not I got you & I never be short went to nam did not care had no one if I came home on my back no problem but in feb. 71 I had some one how wanted me the first time in my life I was one of those kid they lafted at an pick on I was slow learning & glenda found out that & she hung in there with me but there was not a thing I could not fix or get help to do it I lay in bed at night & think of all the thing we did that what keep me going & GOD had plans for me A good looking SOUTHEN GIRL that stud by me in good time & bad time she forght the VA. to she got me whot I shoud have got a long time ago & all nam VET should have got & not fight for it she sead you guy did what you were told to do but when it came time for are gov to do what they should have did but they maid it so hard that some of us took the eazy way out I tried 5 time & she told a doc off big time I have never seen Glenda so mad that day in the va I am going to get every thing I can get out of them they & SOME.
Art
USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 14:51:56 (MDT)

I stand corrected. No worries here mate!
Gale
USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 14:46:48 (MDT)

Gale, we have been doing it both nites, its a VHCMA thing not just 129th so if we are running late with our friday nite gathering, ill have to look into asking chris white to do it with Tom or something. No worries mate as Susan would say>>>>> Smitty>>> Mark, I Love you. Happy Mothers Day All> getting ready to cook steaks for them>>> Smitty
jim westwang 71-72
Sheridan, wy USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 12:11:15 (MDT)

They don't usually have it on Friday night do they Jim? That's our 129th gathering. Gale
Gale
USA - Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 09:51:54 (MDT)

Folks, thought i would let you know that Doc Reynolds called me & he will not be making the reunion this year & asked if i would, with the asst of Tom Frankenfeld & possibly Chris White, Have the Memorial Poker Tournement both Thurs & Friday Night bout 9pm or so. Texas Hold-em, no limit. benefits the vhcma well. I will be soliciting there so if your interested find me there. Has been a good time for folks in the past>>>>> Smitty
jim westwang 71-72
sheridan, wy USA - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 22:45:53 (MDT)

Art I Google Baylor Hospital in Ft. Worth and here is what I came up with.....Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth........1400 Eighth Avenue.......Fort Worth, TX 76104 (817) 926-2544
Mark
USA - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 21:25:21 (MDT)

HI every one I got a nam vet Brother he was in a bad bike wreck he was doing 65 or 70 mph when it happen & he cone clouse to losing a eye but he going to a hospital in FT Worth TX. the place name is Baylor he got cancer in his throught & I like to get the phone number of the hospital can som one help me out & pray for Tom OK
Art
USA - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 17:28:22 (MDT)

Hi everyone, just been talking to Fred, he is in Kentucky heading for Canada. He says Hi to all and suggested I come in here and tell you all about this scam. This morning I received a very authentic email supposedly from the IRS. It gave a link to click on and then asked that you enter all your personal info, bank a/c #'s etc, to help make sure that your get your economic stimulus payment. Yeh right!! It is a scam. The IRS do not send emails!! Please be careful and please, also tell all your friends and family.
Sue Alvis <essanjee@hotmail.com>
USA - Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 08:02:25 (MDT)

Bill You should of see Louisville Well maybe not Never mind
Don McCort
USA - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 15:18:07 (MDT)

Wet T-Shirt Contest for us guys, Gently????!!!! Last time I did that, Greenpeace tried to drag me back to sea!!!!!
Bill Wolf
USA - Friday, May 09, 2008 at 15:11:27 (MDT)

Way Kool Gale
Mark
USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 21:12:30 (MDT)

Gentlt & Vicky, Bring on the cold water!! hehheheh.... I hope everyone had a great day today. It is the 129th day of 2008. Is that kool or what?
Gale
USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 19:41:35 (MDT)

Be carful Baron. Stop in Ohio if you get close. Vickey and Gently,you are giving away swetshirts in a contest?
Mark
USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 19:27:14 (MDT)

Pulling pitch at 06:00 for L.A. tomerrow morning for my 5th RFTW. Hope to see some along the way, if not see you in St Louie. BARON
Pete Nolen <cobrabaron@cox.net>
maurice, La. USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 19:06:54 (MDT)

Oooh! Me too, Gently....
Vickey
USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 17:17:52 (MDT)

Got the resgistration papers in for the re-union. Loking forward to the wet t-shirt contest you guys are going to be in. :>))) L-Gently
gentlyjs
USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 12:43:40 (MDT)

Thanks Fred and Don!
Dave Powers
USA - Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 08:14:37 (MDT)

well cut the grass today cleaned the copet on the stars then thort I take a shower & found somthing new just above my nee 6 more lumps some about 1/4 inch hi now I like them Doc figer out how to cut themout there all together about a 1/2 a part in a bout the size of a soft ball & when they cut one out they cut about 1 1/2 in. deep that will leav one big hole in my leg my back still has a hole in it from the last one they cut out I am geting a case of the BUT & that the one you sit on. Here how meney time I got cut on 1 both hands 2my but hole 3 my log int 3 my gaul brater 4 anot on my leg 5 both eye 6 2on my back now 6 more my body going to look like the crader on the moon & I theank that guy that shot his toe off in 68 & all most killed me would have ben beter if it hit me insted of my camer then I would go throw all this crap I just dont know.
Art
USA - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 21:11:56 (MDT)

Dave, Alvis, I got the pic's thanks guys. I'll try to have one posted soon. Later, Don
Don Miller
USA - Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 01:38:23 (MDT)

The greatiest play in baseball history < www.dark-earth.net/data/monday_flag.wvx >
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 21:27:52 (MDT)

HI every one you know that if clinton get in she can make bill vice pres & I shore hate to see that low life back in there it was bad the first time what would he giv other country this time she shoud do like that horse did but that horse is worth more than she is.
Art
USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 21:27:49 (MDT)

Flight I am happy to say that here in Indiana we will get our old ads on TV now. Right now Mrs Clinton is live on my TV and I need a brake starting in the morning. I voted today and had never had to wait in line for so long till now so it maybe an interesting election this November. You all have a good week..
Ken Strong Jr.
Lafayette, IN USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 20:44:02 (MDT)

That is ironic Freddy Boy. BTW Freddy,you coming to the reunion this year? Ifin' ya aint, ya otta.
Mark
USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 20:22:11 (MDT)

Well can`t help myself, it`s the "political season"......I think this could be the most important election of my lifetime.....But I did find it amusing, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., told a crowd of supporters Thursday that she is pulling for the filly, Eight Bells, for the upcoming Kentucky Derby. In selecting Eight Bells, Clinton picked the only female horse in the race. Perhaps the most fitting move for the woman vying to be the nation's first woman elected president. Sen. Clinton repeated her desire for the filly to be victorious – saying to a crowd in Jeffersonville, Indiana saying she was sending in her daughter to place her bets. "I hope that everybody will go to the derby on Saturday and place just a little money on the filly for me. ........The "filly" not only finishes second and dies at the end of the race, but the filly lost to "Big Brown". Now, that's funny I don't care who you are and vote for.
Fred Skaggs
Somewhere In, NJ USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 15:04:45 (MDT)

Taking off today for another 3 weeks out.Don, I just tried to send you the pics as well as adding you to my mailing list(again).
alvis
USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 07:05:05 (MDT)

Dave, I tried to send you an e-mail at the address you posted but it wouldn't go so send me any pic's you want to hogleg244 AT yahoo. com thanks Don
Don Miller
USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 06:54:35 (MDT)

click on my name below and it will take you to my web page. or copy and paste this : http://donald_6.tripod.com/129thmiakia1.htm I am ALWAYS looking for new or better quality pic's to post on my pages. thanks, Don
Don Miller
valley farms, az USA - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 06:46:30 (MDT)

HI Alvis he my hole life so how are you doing good I hope the gas & desal prices every time I get gas $40 or 50 dollers I think I might get me a pedel tractor take a little longer to get there or if they let me drive my 57 cub lowboy on the road I get there a lot cheaper but no can do it will do 20 mph in third gear now if it had a 5 speed I might get about 25 or30. & puel a trailer with seat init with seat belts coud have some paying rider but bring your own drinks I could make money for the returen trip for gas.
Art
USA - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 20:55:46 (MDT)

sounds like a great day for you Author, and Scooter
alvis
USA - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:59:28 (MDT)

HI every one I was up to a frend house that we in a tractor club toghter & he a member of the VVA he gave me the paper that had the 509 in it would some one like to have it I can scand it to you. we were working on a tractor that was bilt in 1941 a farmall. They had Scooter birth day party sunday I got him a peddle tractor & Tammy worst half or so called BOZO his mother & fother got him a wagon they put it ware he see it first & I put the tractor in the side of the house but you could see it from the porch & for some reasion he look that way haled past the wagon & got on the tractor first well that went over like a lead bubble with them & so there was not sead between them & me & there no love lost I like them about as much as fish SSSS 7 that at the bottom of the ocean. I have a hard time hearing them would hear them better if I had my hearing aids in but make it a point of leaving them home when I go up there because there filed up to there ear & the res it toilet paper& you know what you use that paper for but had a ball with Scooter that day & every thing he see people do he does not forget it his fother need to learn from Scooter.
Art
USA - Monday, May 05, 2008 at 18:43:40 (MDT)

Good Sunday morning, Flight! Fred and Mark, glad you got the photos. As many of you know I've been looking for one of James Young for this web site's "Memory" page, and James' girlfriend shared them with me. Thanks again, Mark Jackson for ALL you've done in making this place a shrine and memorial for us. Don Miller, please e-mail me at davebuckhorngeo.com how I can get these to you... thanks, buddy! Blessings to you all.
Dave Powers
USA - Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 08:33:19 (MDT)

HEY GANG: If you are going to the 08 VHCMA Reunion, PLEASE try to get your registration in as soon as possible so we can make sure we order enough T-Shirts for everyone and enough meals!!! Thanks.Bill
Bill Wolf
USA - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 11:39:00 (MDT)

Dave Powers..I also recieved the photos of Young and will get them on the web site.
Mark
USA - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 08:23:59 (MDT)

Dave Powers..Don Miller has an excellent web site listing,with pictures when he can get them,of our KIAs.I dont have Dons web site or addy in my favorites,on this PC I am now using.The pictures you sent me of James Young(kia juNe 71) might be wanted By Don.Don, chime in here buddy.
alvis
USA - Saturday, May 03, 2008 at 06:01:35 (MDT)

home till tuesday
alvis
USA - Friday, May 02, 2008 at 20:53:14 (MDT)

Happy Anniversay to Ray and Gail today!!! And to Jim and Sue, and pie Gale and Debi....I've been gone along time...so sorry. Joe and I will be at the re-union Don. Thank you for keeping the count:>) I have some decals from last years' re-union that I will bring this year...I think they are the ones from our friends azcross the waters....and whatever else I have. We need some raffle things:>))) Let me know if you have something to donate, well, everyone but Gale that is. he he. Tom Shaw is 60 years old now...but forever young and handsome. Bernie and Bruno...you going to make St. Louis? Welcome FNG:>)) You're home here. Gary, a book for me please, whichever has Tom Shaw's photos in it. I love the photos!!! Anyone talk to that strange Ron Paye lately? ANYONE NEED MONEY TO GET TO THE RE-UNION???? DON'T LET A LACK OF FUNDS BE THE REASON YOU'RE NOT GOING..WE HAVE SOME MONEY TO HELP YOU GET THERE, AND IT'S ALWAYS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. Just let me know.
Gently
USA - Friday, May 02, 2008 at 10:32:38 (MDT)

Happy Wedding Anniversary Ray and Gale:>)))))). I know you're in Alaska and I'm praying you are having a great time!! C.P.:>((( L-Gently
Gently
USA - Friday, May 02, 2008 at 09:52:01 (MDT)

Hi All This is Glenn Pearmain BullDog 496 65 66 I well be at the reunion this year it has been to long I just hope I see as meany Old Friends There Im looking Forward to My Visit My Phone number is 801-621-2774 Im back in Utah agin Still a Cowboy & Loving it Wish I could ride my horse back no gass that way & i moved My Saddle Shop to Ogden also Call any time See ya there Brothers
Glenn Pearmain <aabad508@yahoo.com>
Ogden , Ut USA - Thursday, May 01, 2008 at 23:46:51 (MDT)

just left Springhill Tn (nashville),sitting in Detroit.As I was walking around the GM wharehouse there,I ran across their "returns "area. Now get this..brand new,waiting to be assambled Saturn Ion engine blocks(bare). 6 to a level,4 levels high,per skid,6 skids wide,9 skids deep..all broken.some with just a tiny corner broken off.jeeze.Saturn is no longer made there,they are gearing up for a new chevy SUV.The load I have is going into Canada,but made in Belgium,stamped GM Canada.
alvis
USA - Thursday, May 01, 2008 at 12:27:17 (MDT)

Dennis F. Good morning. I've been try to "find out" where 426 was loading up to re-supply the ROK firebase. Do you recall? Or for that matter does anyone out there remember? Let me Know.
Bruno E Sanchez
Laredo, Tx USA - Thursday, May 01, 2008 at 09:02:57 (MDT)