Fred! Where are you going? And who/what is this "different drummer?" We're here for you, you're part of us. So let us know what's going on? Gently
Gentlyj <Gentlyj@hotmail.com>
USA - Friday, November 30, 2001 at 06:58:45 (MST)
Hey Fred! What did you hear from Pecknold? He was my gunner on 495 when I got shot. I'd love to hear from him. Can't really remember much about what happened - old age? Like to hear his side. Keep in touch, Freddy. Love hearing from you. Ron
Ron DeBates <rebate@mcn.net>
Big Timber, MT USA - Thursday, November 29, 2001 at 21:20:26 (MST)
Whoa, it`s been so peaceful on the site, that`s a good thing. James Pecknold,it was so good to hear from you, keep rollin down the road with your head held high my brother. I`m gonna be droppin out of the flight and catch that drummer with the diffrent beat and start walkin forward again. It`s much to hard to walk backwards. It`s a wonderful world you have here Brothers, I`m honored to have pass through it. It`s nice to be important but more important to be nice. Love ya all!!! Southbound a down bustin a Bong Son Bomber for my brothers in the 129th Peace and Love, Fred
Skaggs <ac459429@earthlink.net>
Raleigh, NC USA - Thursday, November 29, 2001 at 19:57:02 (MST)
Has anyone yet to make contact with pilot named ..Gabby? I hope this letter finds u all,and yours,well and happy.May I wish each and ever one of you happy holidays.Mark and dee,a special thanks and wishes to you and yours.thank you for this special place,hidden deep in my life.may god bless your grandkids.
its funny,i cant remember thankgiving at anson,but do remember xmas.I was at tuy hoa on RON with gabby.We were supporting mac v advisors somewhere inland from there.We flew over a very scary place,one could see vehical tracksand what loked to be training areas.Its where we lost that helicopter,and gabby lost his wings.remember someone shootings at us with auto ak-47.Sure hope that fellow made it thru the war.Kinda strange feeling that way,but i do.i regress,pardon me.To all comrads in arms,may each and every one of u have a very good hloiday season.
fred alvis <ghoastrider1@aol.com>
indy, in USA - Sunday, November 25, 2001 at 09:57:12 (MST)
Thanksgiving blessings to each and every one of you. Special thanks to Mark and Dee for bringing us all together - whether in person or through the magic of cyberspace. You've truly enriched our lives. Have a great holiday and spoil those grand babies a ton for us all! Be well - be safe - be free. Ron and Jamie DeBates
Ron DeBates <rebate@mcn.net>
Big Timber, MT USA - Thursday, November 22, 2001 at 11:02:57 (MST)
A HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR 129TH FAMILY. ONE AND ALL. BERNIE, SO GOOD TO SEE YOU, FRED S., THANKS FOR THE CAll, YOU TOO RON P.. RICK E. I WILL CALL YOU SOON. ROBBIE R. I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!!! "FLAME", SO GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!!!!.....YA'ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY. WE ARE HEADING TO OUR DAUGHTERS HOUSE AND THE GRANDSONS WILL BE THERE. THEN THEY ARE CONING HOME FOR THE A NIGHT OVER AT PAPA'S HOUSE. I AM EXCITED.........TAKE CARE ALL, AND PEACE BE WITH YOU. WE LOVE YOU..........LETS GO LARRY..........'257' INBOUND....ALWAYS A BROTHER AND SISTER......MARK AND DEE
Mark & Dee Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
USA - Thursday, November 22, 2001 at 08:57:13 (MST)
A little or alot be thankful for what ya got-especially for each other
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!! From the Schmiedts
Darwin Schmiedt--Flames <schmitty@santel.net>
woonsocket, SD USA - Thursday, November 22, 2001 at 07:32:48 (MST)
Gently (Boy can't wait to meet you)Alex,Liz and Mark,along with the rest of the Flight, HAPPY THANKSGIVING and HAVE A SAFE ONE, From the crew of "THE 426".
Bernie Hernandez
Ogden, Ut USA - Wednesday, November 21, 2001 at 10:24:28 (MST)
Cups-Paul's picture can be found at the virtual wall-it was my pleasure. Make sure you read the "Remembrance".
Yes, Alex...more and more wannabe's.
I pray you all have a blessed Thanksgiving-with gentle thoughts-Gently
Gently <Gen tlyj@aol.com>
USA - Monday, November 19, 2001 at 11:30:05 (MST)
Flight: Sorry to have been absent for a while. But, have alot going on laletly. Glad to see the many old names here along with a few new ones. To the new 129th a big WELCOME HOME. Been trying to catch up on the flight log. Veterans Day has come and gone. But, I noticed two things one good and the other not so good. First the bad. There is alot of homeless looking guy's standing on the streets holding signs stating PLEASE NEED MOMEY I AM A VIETNAM COMBAT VET!!! I confronted one. After a few mintues of conversation I realized he was a phony. It's sad people are using us as a money maker. But, on a good note . Here lately no matter where I have gone. Young and old have come up to me to say Thanks for being one of our country's vetearns. Well Have a busy work week ahead. So my computer time is very limited. My Wife Liz and I want to wish all our 129th families a wonderful Thanksgiving. And a moment of prayer for our lost BROTHERS WHOM GAVE IT ALL. AND TO OUR BROTHERS WHOM WILL SPEND THEIR THANKSGIVING IN THE HOSPITALS. Thanks Alex Fernwalt 65/68 129th forever!!!!!
Alex Fernwalt <afernwal@midsouth.rr.com>
Memphis, Tn. USA - Monday, November 19, 2001 at 08:39:29 (MST)
Mark, at the end of my story I meant to put your name Not Larry's. I started wondering if i had done that a half hour after i submitted that and sure enough i had. So Mark and Dee that's how it should have been written. Just goes to show you who was probably guiding my fingers on the keyboard.
robbie <hobbes@kodak.com>
Rochester, ny USA - Monday, November 19, 2001 at 06:55:18 (MST)
Mark, Every day that i wake up i am grateful to Larry. He taught me everything i know (knew) about crewing a ship. If I hadn't followed his examples, i could very well have died on that mountain during that resupply mission when we crashed on top and started rolling down the hill. If i hadn't unfastened my seatbelt everytime we were on a short final I might very well have died that day. To me Larry is a Hero. He was my mentor and i followed his example to a "T" except for breakfast. Larry used to bring a can of beer with him to the flight line every morning. He said it was to keep him sharp when he did his pre flight. I think of Larry every day since I met you and you gave me that bracelet to wear. I put it on every day before i go out the door, and I can still see his smiling face looking back at me from the other side of the ship. I'm sure I would never have forgotten him even if i hadn't met you, but now I have two Jackson Brothers that I will never forget. I wish you could have known my brother. Thank you for listening to me blubber that whole story to you in Louisville. I never felt so emotional about his death until i told you that story. Just let me finish by saying that i feel that all of my brothers who died in that stinking war were my Hero's, but Larry was the closest one to me and I hope he is still watching out for me. I'm sure he's watching you and yours Mark. I saw your msg about wanting a hero story about Larry from me when i got to work this morning. I will end this now before someone comes in my office and sees me crying. I love you Larry and you also Dee.
robbie <hobbes@kodak.com>
Rochester, ny USA - Monday, November 19, 2001 at 06:14:10 (MST)
.............129th guys that knew my brother Larry............Robbie Robinson???????????....or any others...tell me a hero story about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........please......................
Mark
USA - Sunday, November 18, 2001 at 23:02:40 (MST)
................would love to have a fireside chat with you all tonight...............but.........I am not myself tonight.......................goes with the mission..............not only this one, but the one of life also............ya'all take care. A day does not go by, where I do not think of all of you, and the 129th. 6 years ago, we were nothing, NOW, we are a family. Pleae help me keep it together. At times in my life, like this very insint, you are the only family I have.........God Bless ya all........
CLICK,CLICK..............................Pop-A-TopII........let's go home Larry........
Mark Jackson
USA - Sunday, November 18, 2001 at 21:51:53 (MST)
Jim Kramer, this is Frank Loveday, I was Cobra Plt. Sgt. at the time
CWO Martin Vanden Eyckel went down. He was with CWO William C Dunlap,
Sp.5 William D Sanderlin & Sp.5 Michael H Shanley. They were on a RON
flight at the Tiger strip the night they went down. Any other info I can
help you with contact me at bluecobra@dav.net.
Frank Loveday <bluecobra@dav.net.>
Bastrop, La USA - Friday, November 16, 2001 at 21:54:25 (MST)
Hi all....Reading through the V-Day comments...brings a few thoughts to mind. One, there's a story about a young boy who was walking with a bucket full of crabs. A man stopped him and asked what he was doing. The boy replied that he was taking the crabs to the market place to sell. The man commented that he should have a lid on the bucket, or the crabs would escape. The boy answerred," you don't need a cover . As soon as one crab gets near the top, the others will pull it back down, they just can't stand to see another one get ahead"......I try to use that, to keep perspective, especially when I see and hear the media, praising every one from postal clerks, to M.O.H. winners, as hero's!
I honestly feel that if the community really wants to honor me, or, any other veteran, they can put a few chairs on the parade route, so we can sit and watch, while the community members march past! I DID ENOUGH OF THAT MONKEY ON A STICK MARCHING ROUTINE TO LAST A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!! it is good that people are standing and telling their kids to be quiet when the National Anthem is played. We lost our Post Commander, the other day. He was a Viet vet, permanently disabled, service connected. The guy was up country with some friends, and he got out of his vehicle, on a dirt road, ( this IS Maine!) and another guy didn't see him through the dust. Trapper John Newcomb, USMC, Porkchop hill,68....R.I.P. It's good to know that Bob Mace is getting his purple heart. A Belated happy birthday to Chesty Puller........Kim
Kim La Voie <kimlav@megalink.net>
Livermore, Me USA - Friday, November 16, 2001 at 15:49:11 (MST)
Is ti fon to be a Veteran? Wich war were you in. Thank you for saving our country.We are 3rd grade.
Austin Westfall
USA - Friday, November 16, 2001 at 08:54:43 (MST)
Dear vetrans I am sorry that some of your friends or budys did
Meghan Davis
USA - Friday, November 16, 2001 at 08:19:33 (MST)
hi guys, found your excellent site and am looking for anyone who was with/remembers Marty Vanden Eyckel in 69. He went down Dec 2,69 on a nite LRRP extraction in a B model #959. Would like to communicate to get info for his kids/grandkids who I am close with. Any help or his buddies names is appreciated. 2 clicks.
Jim Kramer 70-31 <jimk@newnorth.net>
eagle river, wi USA - Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 21:39:05 (MST)
Gentley....Its Paul Mickle Nolen. Died 04.14.71. He was with the 129th. He is on panel 04W Line 124. Thanks...Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 14:35:01 (MST)
Cups, with a little more research it appears that Joseph Paul Nolan, Jr. of Illinois is our man. 101st Abn Div.-crashed on land-Thua Thein, 5/17/72. Now my friend, you need to go to the "virtualwall" and post a text memorial to our friend. I will take care of the photo, but the words should be yours. I look forward to reading them. This man was certainly a hero-looks like he was KIA the day after he was derosed. Only God understands. Gently
Genlty <Gentlyj@aol.com>
USA - Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 14:10:19 (MST)
Cups-is his middle name Paul and is he from IL? I searched under all branches of service and the only "Paul" I could find was this gentleman from
Illinois. His KIA date is 5/72. Does that sound like him? If not, find out alittle more for me. Glad to do this for you and Paul, Cups. Gently
Gentlyj <gentlyj@aol.com>
USA - Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 13:59:43 (MST)
Gently....If you get the chance can you put Paul Nolan on the site. I would but there's no Kinko's here. There is a picture of him in the Gallery, Bill Hewit group 5, 3rd frame down. The details of his death can be found at no-quarter.org and they give the panel number on the wall also. Thanks......Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 11:12:20 (MST)
It's another day and more news. I went to Kinko's last night to put several photo's on the Virtual Wall project of "Place a Face to a Name" for our Milwaukee Gold Star Mothers(Mothers who lost sons in Vietnam). It's very easy with step by step instructions and a staff that is very eager to help. All you need is the photo and the name of the loved one. The computer program does the rest. It searches for the name and when the correct name appears you're ready to go. I can't encourage you enough to contact anyone and everyone who might be interested in participating in this project. you don't even have to be a computer wiz-the steps are easy to follow. Any picture will work, whether it's a military photo, one taken while you were in Nam, or as a family member, perhaps one of a memorable time. If you have any questions contact me-I'm here for you. With gentle thoughts, Gently
Gently <Gentlyj@hotmail.com>
USA - Thursday, November 15, 2001 at 06:59:56 (MST)
Morning!! The "Virtual Wall", in conjunction with Kinko's Printing Services,is attempting to get a photo of every name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall on their website. Take the photo to any Kinko's for scanning and Kinko's will forward the photo. No cost!! In the near future when you click on the name of one of our dear "Wall" Veterans, a photo will appear.
Please inform all links and family members of this project, "Put a Face to a Name", so that we can make sure all 58,000+ have a photo to go with their name. You can visit the "Virtual Wall" website or call any Kinko's for more info. But hurry.
Would whoever sent me the photo of Tom Shaw on top of the helicopter either take it to Kinko's for the project or send it to me via slow mail-but quickly: Judith Singer, 2228 N. 115th Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Actually, send it to me either way. It's always nice to see him looking at me. Love you guys! Now let's get to work...we've got a project to complete...Gently
Gentlyj <Gentlyj@hotmail.com>
USA - Wednesday, November 14, 2001 at 09:08:57 (MST)
Hey All-----Did my Veterans Day celebrating today. Attended two ceremonies, one in Huron and one at our little local school. The one in Huron featured a WWII vet receiving his high school diploma that he was unable to acquire because of his early service during WWII. We also had in attendance a Medal Of Honor holder. He is from a small town near by and received it during our little war. The main speaker was Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. His remarks stirred patriotic emotions in all that were there. Patriotic songs and many students from surrounding towns made it quite a ceremony. Our local school honored our vets with patriotic readings and songs. The local vets who submitted pictures were honored with a slide program. As with many of you, I too have mixed emotions about our late recognition and the loose use of the word "hero". At some point, I have to move on. Always remember, but move on, or I will become lost in the torment of the past. I attended the events of the day with my head held high with a good feeling of my service to my country. I wore my 129th Cap and many took note of it which also made me proud. Cups----It has been warm up here on the tundra. Warm enough to get the horse and buggy out for a drive. The world takes on a whole new meaning when looking over the back end of a horse and smelling those fresh horse farts.-----------------Thinking of all on this my Veteran Day. Take Care All-------------Flame
Darwin Schmiedt--Flame <schmitty@santel.net>
woonsocket, south dakota USA - Monday, November 12, 2001 at 18:00:40 (MST)
I recieved that from Frank Reilly one of our brothers from the gunners net and VHCMA. Thannks to him I just relayed it. Be carefulout there. Oh! I went to the vets parade today it was great. The Iron Butterfly Bulldog 431
Rick England <bd431@mindspring.com>
USA - Monday, November 12, 2001 at 17:17:55 (MST)
Hope everyone had as good a veterans day as possible. This is late because I am working Midnight-8am at the VA & kind of get days/nights mixed up. Thanks to Rick & keith for the words. I need them. Since Sept 11, We have kinda been filling up with vets who are overwhelmed with it & may you rest assured I am doing my best to help with it. Got a note from "the Shadow", Alton Page, the other day & it was great to hear from him. GOD thank you ALL for being here for me!!!!!!!!!!!!! it seems extra tough lately.
Jim
Jim Westwang <westwang@fiberpipe.net>
Seridan, Wy USA - Monday, November 12, 2001 at 15:12:50 (MST)
Rick, thank you for the beautiful words. I will cherish them and quote from them. Our parade in Milwaukee was wonderful! Tears and pride were all over the place. And yes, perhaps a little resentment on the part of our Vietnam Veterans, because it has taken so long to be thanked and "Welcomed home." But I talked to a WWII Veteran and he,though acknowledged in a positive light for "his war" many years ago, has felt forgotten for a long long time. So Rick, your words mean that much more. I always ask men if they're Veterans. It probably seems strange to them that I ask that, but I don't ever want to pass up an opportunity to say "Thank You," and to let them know that they are not forgotten.
And Lurch..."The Twitches"...when my Vietnam Veteran has his all I can do is try to hold him, to gently rub his back and tell him he's home...he's safe, he's ok. Sometimes I feel he hears me...usually he doesn't. He's too far away, alone, in a place I can not imagine. The war continues. But when he is back from his hell, he is out in the community doing whatever he can to help the next Veteran..and I am right by his side. The ups and downs are wearing...sad...aggrevating and heart wrenching. And sadly, understandable. I love you guys. Gently
Gently <Gentlyj@hotmail.com>
USA - Monday, November 12, 2001 at 07:13:57 (MST)
Hello Flight! Well, another Veteran's Day has come and gone. The years flow by rushing towards the ever elusive future. For the longest time after I returned from my time with the 129th AHC, I seldom acknowledged my veteran status. As we all know far too well it was a different time and America was a substantially different place back when we first returned to "The World." Here in Southwestern Indiana flags fly everywhere! It seems that at least half of the vehicles I pass on the road are festooned in some fashion with the "Red - White - & Blue." Its popular to be patriotic and to support our country's leaders since the tragedies of September 11, 2001. The men and women of our armed forces receive praise and prayers simply for being in the military -- it seems it really doesn't matter whether they have done anything or not. I believe Americans should support those in uniform; however, I must admit that all this nationalistic fervor stirs something deep within me. I hate pettiness, but I probably am being somewhat petty or perhaps it is more a feeling of jealousy. I guess I still want to hear more appreciation for those of us who served at a time when patriotism was not so much in vogue. I don't like what I feel. I do not even fully understand what it is that I feel. Anyway, another Veterans Day has past and I hope it was a good one for all the "Bulldogs & Cobras" out there.
I wanted to attempt to share a poem that I wrote last year. I believe it has something to do with the things I have felt during these past several weeks. Because of the way our webpage formats everything into one big paragraph, it is difficult to show line breaks. For this reason I will use this symbol "||" to indicate line breaks in my poem.
For now, I use the title "The Twitching" for this lines which go as follows: I struggle to hold my thoughts intact||as my mind races away, driven from me||by forces unseen. The now, under attack||from days long past and the memory||of bloodlust awakening the desire to act||on my need to extract life from our enemy.||And then, the flashes come and the twitching||starts. Deep within my gut, the trembling||tears at my psyche, questioning my being||alive when so many breathe no longer.||Guilt soaks my soul as I remember||how the taking of life made us feel stronger.||It is too late once the twitching starts.||And I have a need for those who sent me there to know||all that is taken from one who must go||to those dark places where the twitching starts.|| ------ Wish I had some more cheerful thoughts to pass on today, but I do not feel very cheerful. However, I am thankful that while I was in "those dark places" that I was fortunate enough to serve with the men of the 129th AHC. Lurch, out.
Keith "Lurch" Weisheit <rkweisheit@aol.com>
Evansville, IN USA - Monday, November 12, 2001 at 01:03:13 (MST)
GREETINGS 129TH FAMILY!!!!....A VERY, VERY, WARM HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO YOU ALL. HOPE THIS FINDS YOU ALL IN GREAT SPIRITS. THE ONES THAT LIVE ABOVE ARE SURLY SMILING DOWN APONE ALL OF US TODAY. WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND ENJOY FREEDOMS THAT WE SHOULD NEVER, EVER TAKE FOR GRANTED.........I AM PROUD SET HERE TONIGHT AND BE ABLE TO TALK TO YOU. THIS VERY FREDDOM ALONE HAS BEEN GIVIN TO ME BY YOU ALL. I THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!!!...
......I HAVE BEEN A LIL' AWOL AGAIN FROM HERE. DAMB BAR BUSINESS SURE DOES KEEP ME HOPIN'
WAS INVITED TO A FEW SCHOOLS FRIDAY TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP TO THE VIETNAM WAR, AND OF COURSE I ALWAYS MENTION THE WONDERFUL 129TH FAMILY THAT WE HAVE NOW.........
RICK E.!!!!!!!!.THE WORDS YOU SENT BELOW ARE SO TRUE......I AM GOING TO PRINT IT OUT AND PLACE IT AT THE POP-A-TOP TOMORROW...............IT IS , AS ALWAYS, GREAT TO SEE ALL THE COMO IN HERE.........BERNIE, SO GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN AND GLAD TO KNOW THAT YOU STILL READ THE PAGE.........RON DEBATES...THAT IS GREAT NEWS ABOUT BOB MACE......TELL HIM SEMPER FI FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!....FRED ALVIS.....HOP-E ALL IS WORKIN' OUT OK FOR YA BROTHER. WILL BE HONORED TO SEE YOU AT THE POP-A-TOP AGAIN. THIS TRIP YOU CAN STAY OVER NIGHT....
......GENTLY.........SO GOOD TO SEE YOUR WORDS...SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!ALES F.....KEEP THAT CHIN OF YOURS UP BROTHER......WE ARE WITH YOU WITH PRAYERS FOR TOMMY........MATT CASEY......DID NOT MOVE FORWARD ON THE 129TH HAT DEAL.....GOT TO DAMB BUSY BACK HOME HERE.......ALEX.....DO YOU HAVE A LEAD ON THAT GUY THAT WAS MAKING THOSE CAPS AT THE REUNION IN LOUISVILLE???.IF SO....SEND IT TO ME AND I WILL WORK ON IT........SORRY ABOUT THAT MATT!!!!!!!.........LURCH!!!.GREAT TO SEE YA HERE AGAIN........GALE AND CUPS AND ALL YOU GUYS.......SO GRAND TO SEE THE COMO IN HERE.....TAKE CARE MY FRIENDS............THE YOUNGEST DAUGHTER MOVED OUT OF THE HOUSE TODAY TO HEAD OFF FOR COLLEGE.....WE ARE AN EMPTY NEST NOW.....KINDA QUITE HERE TONIGHT.......HEY DEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....LETS GET NAKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YA!!!!!!!!!!HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......"257"...TURNING INBOUND TO THE BEACON AND CLIMBING TO 6,000 FT.....................HAPPY VETS DAY TO ALL..............................UNTIL WE ALL MEET AGAIN............MARK AND DEE
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 18:01:29 (MST)
What is a Veteran ?
Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged
scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the evidence inside them:
a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps
another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of
adversity. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept
America safe wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking.
What is a vet?
He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two
gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of
fuel.
He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose
overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic
scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.
She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep
sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.
He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't
come back AT ALL.
He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has
saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang
members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.
He is the carrier pilot landing on a rolling, pitching, heaving flight deck
during rain squall in the pitch-black night of the Tonkin Gulf.
He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals
with a prosthetic hand.
He is the career quartermaster (Army Supply Corps) who watches the ribbons
and medals pass him by.
He is the Navy SEAL who humps endless miles of burning sand for three days
with no sleep or food and very little water to designate targets for laser
guided bombs or swims through a disease infested swamp and crawls over
poisonous snakes under the cover of darkness to conduct intelligence on a
foreign government hostile to our own and our cherished way of life.
He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose
presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory
of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the
battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.
He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and
aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes
all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares
come.
He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who
offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country,
and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice
theirs.
He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is
nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest,
greatest nation ever known.
So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just
lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases
it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were
awarded.
Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".
Sunday, November 11th is Veterans' Day... but the country has already
forgotten why the day is celebrated. What can be said to the muted
dead...have we, the living, forgotten so much?
Frank Riely sent this to me and others thought you might like it.
Rick England <bd431@mindspring.com>
Wittmann, AZ USA - Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 17:32:48 (MST)
Sorry I missed your call Mark. Good to hear from you all! Wish we could be together at this time, but we have to continue with our lives. Some need it and some don't reconize it . Gently how are you doing good to hear from you. Frenchie how are you doing with your situation. Bill Whelan need to hear from you. Roddis whats happening with you?
We need to remember our brothers now and then, no matter what happened. Don't mean a thing bullshit it does. Be careful out there.
Rick England
Bulldog 431
Iron Butterfly
623 388 2628
Rick England <bd431@mindspring.com>
Wittmann, Az USA - Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 17:21:49 (MST)
All I can say today is thank you for serving our nation.
Melody Pershall <melsbells211@yahoo.com>
Amarillo, TX USA - Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 16:31:10 (MST)
Happy vetrans day to everyone. I hope this day finds all of you in good health and better sirits! I don't write often but I check in regularly and apprecate those who do write. Ron Paye I want you to know how much our brife confersation at the reuion helped me. I don't feel as guilty about having such an easy tour. I still cry when I let myself think about it but it is better. Thank You from the bottom of my heart!!!
BEST WISHES ON THIS DAY AND EVERYDAY TO ALL OF YOU
YOUR BROTHER BILLY COCKEREL
Billy Cockerel <IronChop@msn.com >
Louisville, Ky USA - Sunday, November 11, 2001 at 10:27:49 (MST)
Good Morning Flight! I had a long phone call from Bob Mace (Florida) last week. He sent this letter and asked me to share it with everyone. Prior to joining the 129th, Bob was in the Marine Corp. Being the birthday of the Marine Corp, it gives me pleasure to share this on Bob's behalf with you. It comes from the Dept of the Navy; HQ US Marine Corp. Letter dated 22Oct01.
"Dear Mr. Mace: This repsonds to your inquiry, to Board for correction of Naval Records, Washington, DC, which was forwarded to us for reply concerning a Purple Heart for your service in the US Marine Corp. Upon review of your service records and the information provided, it has been determined that you are entitled to the Purple Heart for a blast concussion injury received in action against the enemy on October 1, 1966, in Vietnam. The Purple Heart and Certificate are being sent to the Inspector-Instructor, HQ and Service Batallion, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, 2910 Roberts Ave, Tallahassee, FL for presentation. You will be contacted in the near future regarding a ceremony. It was a pleasure to be of service and I regret the long delay in your being recognized for your service to our Nation and Corp."
It was signed by the head of the Military Awards Branch. Pretty cool, huh? Congrats Bob, and thanks for including the 129th in your special moment. Bob can still be reached at (850)689-3097. Good Job!
A Purple Heart Memorial for Montana recipients is being dedicated in Billings, MT tomorrow (11th). I'm proud to have my name on it, so know how much it means for Bob and his family to get his.
Gently - We won't be marching in a parade, but our little Legion post hosts a community Veteran's Day Dinner. We're serving the best prime rib around, and the guys are just as proud to do it (fundraiser for our Post/Club) as the community is receptive to support it. We'll be thinking of you all. God's blessings on everyone. Ron and Jamie DeBates
Ron DeBates <rebate@mcn.net>
Big Timber, MT USA - Saturday, November 10, 2001 at 06:32:23 (MST)
the last name is spelled Alvis.Just went thru another devorice.Will see you at pop a top when i get a chance.loved the place
fredalvis <ghoastrider1@aol.com>
indianapolis, in USA - Friday, November 09, 2001 at 19:31:25 (MST)
Gentlemen,My heros,My Veterans: As I bask in my freedoms I thank you. I will march in the Veterans Day parade for you Saturday, but I'd like to hear that you marched in one also. Please consider doing so and recieving the accolades you deserve.
And to our Marine brothers........Happy 253rd on Saturday the 10th!!!!!!!!Semper FI. Gently
Gently <Gentlyj@hotmail.com>
USA - Thursday, November 08, 2001 at 12:35:28 (MST)
Good Morning Flight, I found this web-site a few months ago, so I ask my mother if she had saved my Viet-Nam scrapbooks? She sent them to me and I found something I had forgot about from so long ago. It was a poem or essay by a Army pilot and it inspired a young 19 year old kid. I want to share this with my brothers and sisters of the 129th family. Being that Vets day is near, I wanted to share this with you all. I AM ARMY AVIATION: My Olive green chest has donned a host of great names:Kelly, Rosbeck, Dempsey, Holloway and a multitude of others that have etched my worn and weary smile on history`s mirror. From a humble beginning, I have climbed to the summit. I have seen my family mature in the hottest of cold wars and have mixed my blood, sweat and tears with the brackish paddies of Nam Can and the crytal blue of Dong Ha. Thus,I have paid the price of involvement, earn my badge of courage and come of age. On my durable wing I have leisurely soared through the thin humid skies over Ia Drang and my rotor wash has uncovered" Charlie" in the mangroves of Ca Mau. From Soc Trang, Blackhorse,and LANE, I have flown and have sent my tracers slicing through the Asian dusk and dawn....stabbing at the elusive shadows that menace freedom. My rockets have given relief to mt brothers-in-arms and brought smoke, flames and death to our enemies. With keen vision and through my ingenuity I have found my enemy....the tyrant, the oppressor, who would deny his fellow man`s rights.I have guided the awesome terror of my cousins` shells to fix the fleeting, faceless guerilla. On my back the Queen of Battle showed the fury of her long rifle. Together, through swamp and jungle, we have putsued, engaged and won. The battle for democracy will go on until free men everywhere have won the age old conflict with forces of oppression, the shadows of darkness, the face of hate. Whether at home or on foreign shores, I will be there....keeping my faith in God and Country....BECAUSE...........I AM ARMY AVIATION This was written in 1970 by Major Larry E. Joyce, Infantry, U.S. Army. After 31 years this still give me a sense of " Job Well Done" and Self Esteem that was lost for a while. Thank You for giving me the honor of sharing this with some brothers and sisters who care.....Fred Skaggs (Bulldog 664)
Fred Isaac Skaggs <ac459429@earthlink.net>
Raleigh, N.C. USA - Thursday, November 08, 2001 at 08:42:10 (MST)
Flight: Well I appolgize for being a little down. But, seeing a fellow brother lying there just got next to me. Also, making me realize our lives can change in a second. I hope we and our spouses can keep us informed if something should happen. We all are family, whether we are 129th or any Vietnam Vet. Families need that support from friends. Tommy got moved a little closer to home. But, won't be able to go home until he can eat without a feeding tube. He will have very little use of his left side and will be in a wheelchair. He is still determined to make it to Phoenix for the VHCMA reunion. If anyone wants to write,send a card or email his addresses are Tommy T. Mangum tot.m@watervalley.net and P.O. Box 421 Batesville,Ms. 38606 I know they would appreciate hearing from you all. Rainer was good to talk to you. Hope you can get your disabilty going. Got another personnel roster in. This was for the period in early 1967. I will try again to get some of the other years. Well Brothers and Sisters Take care and have a safe Veterans Day. I will be working myself. But, Take a few seconds to remember our lost Brothers and Sisters whom gave it all. And to our Vets in the hospitals around the country and world. And of to all of you!!! Alex Fernwalt 129th 65-68 , VP of the VHCMA
Alex Fernwalt <afernwal@midsouth.rr.com>
Memphis, Tn USA - Wednesday, November 07, 2001 at 09:46:43 (MST)
Good aternoon Brothers and Sisters!!! Well glad to see everyone is back to normal. And a beautiful day here in sunny Memphis.Tn. Gently thank you for the letter to Tommy Magnum. His wife Ophelia shared it with Liz. Tommy was finally told that when never walk again and wouldn't have very little use of his left side. I always was a cold person. Not caring about anyone or anything. I never talked about vietnam or associated with vietnam veterans. Then in 91 the VHCMA found me. I didn't know what to expect. But, I was contacted by EXC.Dir. Charlie Rains whom is presently on active duty as a command sargent major and my wife Liz I joined the VHCMA and with there help found alot of Verterans whom had the same experiences as I did. They were all the different helicopter units some whom we flew with on some ca's. Then, Came Mark Jackson!! A man that stands 10' tall with a heart to match. With his deication to Larry with the 129th web site was born. And we are slowly finding our brothers. I guess what I been trying to say. After all these years of having no feeelings for anyone or anything. You have showed me it alright to care,laugh andcry. And I want to thank the members of the VHCMA ,You all of the 129th and my wife Liz. Life is so short. We don't know what tommorrow brings. But, I do know that I have been blessed with a wonderful family that includes each and ever one of you. Thanks Alex
Alex Fernwalt <alfernwal@midsouth,rr.com>
Memphis, Tn. USA - Sunday, November 04, 2001 at 10:27:33 (MST)
Great to see all the talk and the return of some missing. But this one is directed at our fearless Brother Mark. Hey there bro as I recall from the reunion (what I can remember) there was a guy there that was selling caps that he would put what ever we wanted on them. And you were going to see about him making up ones for us (129th, ect.) ?????????????????? Well did you have any luck with it???????????????????? Alex Bro I also have a question for you. There were some great poems read at the reunion, and once again I recall that they (the Poems) were going to be put on tape or CD. What ever happend to that??????????? I have tried several people about that but nothing has ever happened????????? Just thought I would ask for all of us, Well gots to go now my brothers and you too sister Gently...........Tails Clear left................Casey
Matt Casey <mcasey1947@cs.com>
Aurora , CO USA - Friday, November 02, 2001 at 21:21:12 (MST)
Guten Tag, flight! I haven't checked in for a while, but that doesn't mean you all aren't in my thoughts. I read of the brief controversy created by Larry "Thor" Thies' inquiry regarding our fellow "Grey Ghost" from the 8th WOC at Wolters. I can appreciate Fred's position and his sentiments. However, I know Larry Thies to be one of the kindest, most supportive, thoughtful, and caring young men that I knew while in the Army.
Larry's reference to our fellow WOC "Hazel Lewis?/Green?" (I'm unsure of his last name as he was in the First Flight while Larry and I were in the Third) brought back to my mind's eye this amazing black man who we had the pleasure of getting to know, albeit not as well as I wish we could have. Both Larry and I were about 6'4' tall and weighed in at around 200-210, but Hazel made us look like the boys that we were. Hazel was a man. He must have been 6'5" or maybe even 6'7", he had to weigh 230-240 - solid as a rock - and he was a highly decorated hero from his first tour or maybe his first two tours in Vietnam. He was something. Bright, funny, and quick-witted -- Hazel packed a smile that lit up a room. He was universally respected throughout Class 70-41. I have thought of him often and like my friend, "Thor", I would love to know what further exploits Hazel experienced in his remarkable military career. It would be a genuine pleasure to see him again. I know Larry Thies well enough to know that he shares my thoughts and feelings regarding this outstanding patriot and soldier. Hazel was a leader, a good man, and an inspirational person -- Hazel also was a black man, but most of all he was an American who proudly served his country! As did my friend, Larry "Thor" Thies!
Lurch, out.
Keith "Lurch" Weisheit <rkweisheit@aol.com>
Evansville, IN USA - Friday, November 02, 2001 at 12:08:43 (MST)
Cups, If I remember right, there were a few of you Bros. that were ready to ride bare back at LZ Louisville and we have the pictures to prove it.
Lordy what a sight!
Gale
Gale Beard 67-68 <beardatpaige1@cs.com>
Clinton, In US of A - Friday, November 02, 2001 at 11:03:53 (MST)
Gently....Bernie....Sigh me up. Sounds like my type of race. I haven't ridden bareback in a while but I'll make a race of it. Cups
Jim Masencup <JimAntilleanM@netscape.net>
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Friday, November 02, 2001 at 10:49:49 (MST)
Amen, Alex. Fred and Larry, please come back to us.
I got a phone call from Bernie Hernandez(from our beloved '426) the other night...how can a guy living in Utah have a southern drawl!! He sounded great, busy with grandchildren and horses. He has invited all of us to his place after the re-union to ride his race horses in the Fourth of July 2002 Utah Derby...it's a $30,000 purse and if you win as the rider he'll share the purse with you 50/50...what a guy! Did I mention that the race is held at a nudist colony race track? Any takers? I have his telephone number if you want to start making arrangements.
My turn to call you Bernie.
With gentle thoughts-Gently
Genlty <Gentlyj@aol.com>
USA - Friday, November 02, 2001 at 07:00:07 (MST)