GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD Morning 129th!!!!!!!!.......................Couple of things I wopuld like to pass on to you about the Home Page. There have been some new pictures posted under the " TRAVELING WALL LINK " on the first page. The are of the WALL and some of the 129th guys that were here for the opening and the 129th mini at our house. Please take a look at them and see where your donations went. As I said before, THE WALL was a huge success while it stayed here in our town. and all can feel proud for even just the smallest of help that they gave. ............I witnessed the Young enough to be carried in a car seat, I witnessed the old enough to need assistence, I witnessed the mentally and physically handicap, and on the last day the WALL was here,I witnessed a blind man, walk the walk and rub his hand the complete distance of the WALL......and then all that fit in between came also.................I cant say enough about how proud the names felt while thay strayed here in Coldwater..........................ALSO......you can see a new "AWARD" on the front page of the 129th that we have received from the Ohio POW/MIA group. I think it looks great on the Page......Tomorrow my wife and I will link up with the Chained Eagles of Ohio and be in a local parade to bring reconition to the POW/MIA Issue. The Chained Eagles is a local based motorcycle group that is dedicated to the POW/MIA issue...............so good to see some old newbies check into the web page.........we are 158 strong now.....................THANKS to each and every one of you for just being out there for me. You are the voice of my brother,.........................always a brother to you...............................................Mark ( Pop-A-TopII )
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Saturday, September 30, 2000 at 09:57:00 (MDT)
Fred Alvis, Yes, its me but I think the dates are a lttle mixed up. Send Me an E-mail as your e-mail address is not on this. Nice to hear from you"""""" Smitty (Jim Westwang)
James Westwang <Westwang@cyberhighway.net>
Sheridan,, Wy USA - Friday, September 29, 2000 at 06:24:20 (MDT)
Whoa dudes. This is the 1st time on a computer,today. I was with 129 1n 1970.I went down with GABBY [PILOT) RIGHT AFTER X-MAS.wESTWANG- IS THAT YOU -YOU WENT ON RR HOME AND i NEVER SAW YOU AGAIN.i WAS THE GUY THE HAD THE MONKEY KILLED BY DOGS,SPENT X-MAS ON TDY IN TUA HOA. tO MUCH TO SAY AND SO LITTLE NOW-HOW.LOVE TO HERE FROM SOMEBODY i WAS WITH. oH YEA i WAS TRANSFERRED TOTHE GOASTRIDERS (nIEN hOA) 1N JAN 71 (I THINK)
fred alvis
Indy, in USA - Thursday, September 28, 2000 at 20:16:40 (MDT)
My dear family of the 129th, So many stories to tell of the week. Happy ones, sad ones. Long ones , short ones. Talked to the young, talk to the old. Have been living at the WALL......reminds me of days when I was young, and I would anticipate relations coming for a stay. They arrived last Friday and now tomorrow they will pack up and leave. It will be sad when the pull off and we wave goodbye. I will miss the names on the WALL. I wish they could stay here forever. But I know that they have other relation to visit. It has been a VERY great week for them, and us, to have them come and stay here. I have walked the walk a hundred times. Each time my sense of pride and courage grew. I watered their plants daily. Cleaned the walk in front of their resident. Made sure that every flag is straight, and that ones that came looking for one name in particular found their panel and line. I will surly miss the names. I want Larry to stay so bad, but I know he has a job to do, and that he must move on with his comrades to bring thoughts to many more over the years. I will let him go.......I have made new friends through the WALL's stay.........and reunited with old ones..........I have walked the walk with Vets that have called me and said that they could not do it alone. They ask me if I would walk it with them. I took the call every time. I will never be the same again as I was before the WALL showed up. My world has changed. My thoughts have changed. My courage has changed. My heart has grown larger. My well being has changed. My life has changed. I have changed. I will miss the names when they leave tomorrow......I kissed Larry on the WALL tonight, and gave him a salute goodbye. I will wish him well tomorrow when he leaves, for I know he has yet another mission to tend to. I made sure that the WALL is secure tonight and then came home to rest up for my closing speech at 4:30 tomorrow night. I will cry during the speech. I would have to say over 45,000 have walked the walk and visited our artifacts museum that we set up. An accomplishment that the surrounding area can be proud of. We truly did the names on the WALL proud. They told me so....my next project will be to establish my own business and be successful at it. Then some of my WALL committee members and I are already looking at raising funds for a permanent Memorial for Vets of all wars in the local area. We will accomplish this also. I know we will............... Skids are off the ground here, and suspect that I will be in flight for the rest of my life. So many things I want to do. Not only for myself, but for the Vets......where has my head been all these years?.......why was I not so positive about things until now?..............gosh........what a difference a day makes!!!!!!...............I will not waste another one! ............................commander and chief, of my life...... always, a brother, of a brother, related to the cost of FREEDOM, and your very good friend, Pop-A-TopII
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Thursday, September 21, 2000 at 22:35:36 (MDT)
Hi to everyone,.... Great to see that the wall in Coldwater went off so well, I was there with you in spirit... I went to Sturgis & the 2000 was wild & I saw a lot of vets there... For Mike Miles.. Seems I remember the name & I looked in the database & finally found Gary W. Feldt Sp/5 67n2f which has to be him. I think when I met with those other guys in vegas, maybe festus had a picture of him. festus has a hell of a lot of pictures. Judith, glad to hear from you & all. I am still thinking of making the run to the Big wall. I saw where one of the stopping places was carefree Indiana, about 75 mi. from where Lurch lives but then he has come up MIA?? Maybe I will be lucky enough to be able to stop in Coldwater. Don't know, still planning & scheming, the time off is a problem as it is so far from Wy. to DC but I'll figure something out. I hope all are well, safe, & passing it on to your kids. Remember Vets VOTE!! Very stressful at the VA lately. One of our telephone operaters shot herself yesterday. Very sad. Well enough of that. Mark!!!!!!!! You got it done like you always do & i'm very proud to be just a little piece of it. Yours, smitty
James Westwang <westwang@cyberhighway.net>
Sheridan, Wy USA - Tuesday, September 19, 2000 at 19:17:49 (MDT)
Talk about type-o's. I just read my message that I sent it to Ron. I MEANT MARK!! Let me try this again . . . MARK Jackson, you are our 'point-of-light'. Thank you for being there for all of us. (Ron, you are there for us too!) Mike (the world's worst typest) Miles
Mike Miles
USA - Tuesday, September 19, 2000 at 08:43:51 (MDT)
Flight: Well made back from LZ Coldwater,Ohio. It was a long trip there and back,about 11 hours each way. But, the emotion and brotherhood displayed was overwhelming. I thank Mark Jackson for the invite to the Moving Wall. There were many highlites this past weekend. Meeting Rainer Bauer after 35 years, also Kal Berstroom was my POL officer at Lane Field in 68. Small world. Ron Paye and his bike. Words can't describe the painting on the bike. You'll have to see it for yourself. Also, Bud Rainey,Ray Smiley, and Pete Rhone. My pleasure of seeing you all. It was great seeing the reunions of the brothers after all these years past. Not to forget a real highlite when I got meet Larry and Mark's Mom. I would like to thank once again for all who donated to the moving wall. The city of coldwater did a great job of laying sidewalks,flag pole. Itlook great. Another moving moment when the 129th place a reef at the wall and we all signed a 129th T-Shirt and placed it in the center of the reef. We visited all of our 129th brothers on the wall. I am glad to have the opportunity to share in Mark's dream coming to his hometown of Coldwater. Thanks Mark. Takecare My Brothers. Alex
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn USA - Tuesday, September 19, 2000 at 07:25:23 (MDT)
Does anybody out there remember Gary Felt, crew chief? He was there in 1970 and 1971. I might be spelling his name wrong.
Mike Miles
USA - Tuesday, September 19, 2000 at 05:15:25 (MDT)
Ron: We always know what you are saying, type-o's and all! You are a major "Point of Light" in our lives. Thank you for being there for us.
Mike Miles
Easton, MD USA - Tuesday, September 19, 2000 at 04:57:40 (MDT)
..................BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....I SHOULD OF PROOF READ THAT LAST MESSAGE BEFORE I SENT IT........SORRY FOR THE TYPEO'S...........AS YOU CAN SEE....I AM STILL EXCITED ABOUT A LOT THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND.................LOVE TO ALL...........AND GOD BLESS...............MARK
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
USA - Monday, September 18, 2000 at 21:03:54 (MDT)
.........WAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOO...129th family............the opening for the Mving WALL here in Coldwater was a sucess.And the 129th MIni that we had at our has was also a sucess.............you all should have heard the buzz of stories of old time around our picnic table in the garage:-))))...it was a beautiful sight for me to see all the guys yackin' their heads off.......all went well................ROLL CARE for the mini here was............Rainer and his wife Dianna Buaer, Charles "Bud" Rainey, and his wife Debbie, Kal Berstrom and his wife Shirley, Ray Smiley and his wife Virginia, Pete Rhome and his wife TJ, Ron Paye, and Alex Fernwalt...... as I said......the guys never shut up the whole time they were here..........and the better halves said that they had never heard their husbands talk so much, of laugh so much...........my heart was warmed......we spand the years of 65 to 73......not bad!!!!......Thanks to all that came.........it was Christmas Morning for me:-)))))...........Moving WALL has been open for 3 days now...we estimated that at least 20,000 have come to view it..............The WALL will remain open until Friday, then, yours truley will be the closing ceremonies speaker......I got a real kick ass speech that autta make some cry. Including myself:-))))....silly me......I can be such a sap sometimes:-) ....I was aks to speak to the local 5th graders today about my relationship to Vietnam. Youngest group I have ever talked to. I kept them in check for a complete hour...........and had lots of Q and A time afterwards.............thanks again to all that helped make the Moving WALL a sucess here.......as soon as our web master gets home form his honey moon I will send him more pix of the WALL sight to be posted on the web page................Brothers and sisters.......we did the KIA's proud over here.....they have one of the most beauitful WALL sights that mnay have ever seen.............you were a part of that..........Thanks..................always, a brother, of a brother, related to the cost of FREEDOM................be safe..........................Mark
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Monday, September 18, 2000 at 20:59:44 (MDT)
Hello brothers and sisters: Been a long time. Met another 129th Nam vet...Gil Hernandez. He was camping with me at a War Memorial here in Wi and Ron Paye drove his beautiful bike in to join us. That's when I found out he was with the 129th!!! Tom Shaw, you work in strange ways!!!! Anyway, I think alot of things were stirred up with Gil after meeting Ron(Cobra 34) and I hope that some day soon he visits this site. Meanwhile, thanks to all of you I was able to give himn a t-shirt, pin, and patch from the 129th. Praise the Lord! Hope his name rings a bell. E mail me if it does, I'll pass it on. Great work on "The Wall" Mark-as Eric Clapton says, "We must be strong to carry on," and you are and you do. love you. You are always on my mind. Gently
Gently J <Gentlyj@aol.com>
Milwaukee, USA - Thursday, September 14, 2000 at 18:02:57 (MDT)
Flight: Well Just heard from Bruce Boyer Wo1 with the 129th 66-67. He wants to make the Louisville reunion in June 2001. It was great hearing from Him. Hope we can find more pilots from the 129th. Well 2 days and a wake up. Then Friday morning heading for Coldwater and the moving wall. So if you see a Red S-10 Blazer with the Huey on the front heading north on interstate 40 to 65 to 71 to 75 lay down on your horn. This flight is to LZ Coldwater. I hope as many from the Ohio,Kentucky,Indiana areas can make opening Sat.afternoon. I am meeting Rainer Bauer Saturday. Haven't seen him since 1966. So all who can attend I will see you there. I have to leave Sunday Morning heading back to Memphis,Tenn. It is going to be a fast long trip but, worth every second of it. Being in Coldwater sharing Mark's Dream of having the Moving Wall there! In closing my Brother and Sister's I thanks all of you that have donated to the Moving Wall. And to thank Mark for this homepage. And most of all my wife Liz who encouraged me to getinvoled with the VHCMA ASSO. And to find my Brothers of the 129th. Alex 65-68
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 09:40:46 (MDT)
....ANONYMOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR POST....................Peace be with you.
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 06:40:49 (MDT)
This is for the Brave Crew of UH-1H 67-17257. They GAVE IT ALL that we might be free & are true Heroes. CW2 Desantis, Stephen A. WO1 Sawran, Richard A. SP4 Jackson, Lawrence D. PFC Hargarve, Stephen L. High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high unsurpassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941 To their families, friends, those whow flew with them & you of the 129th AHC. My undying Respect
Anonymous
USA, USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 06:14:01 (MDT)
Mornin' Flight.............Katharine........yes I did get the check that you sent and will make a presentation to the committee this Thursday with all the checks that came from the 129th. Thanks to all that gave. Rest assured that every penny has been earmarked for the WALL.. You can see some pix of the WALL sight being built from the link titled the same on the front page of the 129th. ..........I will be interviewed later today at a local radio station about the WALL coming......also have lots of last minute details to work out and will be spending most of my time at the sight doing final preps there...............the 129th will be well represented at opening day. There are at least 5 129th man that will be bunking at our house in the next few days to help celebrate the opening of the WALL.....I know the rest of you will be present in spirit.......happy Birthday Michael..............one more thing gang...the young man that sets up our page for us is getting married this Saterday...wish him and his bride well if you can...he can be reached at the "CARBON CREATIONS" icon off the front page............good luck David and Kat....always a brother.......Mark
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 05:58:25 (MDT)
Just wanted to let everyone know that I come here often to check in to see if any one has any more information on Michael H Shanley. Today I was reading Mark's comments on his brother Larry and realized it is also someone else's birthday who flew with the 129th. Michael is 55 today. Mark, I wish you peace. I wish I could come to the wall and see Michael again but, that is impossible to do. Mark did you receive the check in Michael' memory in time to give it with the rest of the 129th donation? Take care 129th.
Katharine Marsee <fricabeunme@msn.com>
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 05:39:50 (MDT)
...31 years ago today, Larry turned 21. 31 years ago today, Larry turned forever young. 31 years ago, rain fell from the sky, 31 years later, tears fall from his eye.......Larry's ship went down during a rain storm over there.......weather???..may have been one cause of the crash....I have always had an affection with the rain. Wrote songs about it, love to listen to it, love to just set and watch it. Love to walk out in it and face it and let it touch my face. It is a reminder to me of what is gone. The rain drops on my face feel like Larry's finger tips touching me................. ..................31 yeas later, it is raining here now............ -- MARK JACKSON (POP-A-TOPII) PROUD BROTHER OF LARRY JACKSON (THE ORIGINAL POP-A-TOP) OF THE 129TH ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY BINH DINH PROVINCE,AN SON, IICORPS,SOUTH VIET NAM DECEMBER,19 1968..TILL KIA..SEPTEMBER,12 1969 ...............TO BE CONTINUED FOR EVER...............
Pop-A-TopII <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at 03:17:45 (MDT)
Hi Flight, been lurking in the back ground , but wanted you to know I’m still alive and well. Mark I hope the check gets to you in time. Been very busy, we lost our data base in cams. so we have been fat fingering over 6,000 tasks into the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron, to get it back in order. Run What You Brung Frenchie
Bill French <frenchie-745@mindspring.com>
Hot Lanta, Ga USA - Monday, September 11, 2000 at 21:25:03 (MDT)
Evenin' flight,............some new pictures of the construction of the traveling WALL that is coming to Coldwater, Oh has been posted on the front page of the 129th home page. Under the link of "WATCH THE WALL BEING BUILT"........check them out when you have time..............thanks to all that have made this dream of mine come true......always your brother....forever and ever........................Mark
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Monday, September 11, 2000 at 19:11:36 (MDT)
Flight: Well the Big Red Blazer is getting ready for a fast flight to Coldwater,Ohio. Huey license on the front and Tenn Vietnam License plate on the rear. Plus the 129th window sticker to be seen by all. Hope to see the 129th well represented. I appreciate all who donated to the moving wall. take care my brothers . See you all in Coldwater!!! Alex
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn USA - Friday, September 08, 2000 at 14:54:56 (MDT)
Hey Flight I hope everybodies LaborDay was safe and joyfull.Iwould also like to thank everyone that has contributed to the Moving Wall,hope that everyone that is able to go to Coldwater,OH. to the Wall will. THANKS AGAIN. Also does anyone know what has happened to LURCH possible AWOL/MIA sure miss his commo. as well as everyone else's commo.Let's keep it up HISS &PISSER'S Don COBRA 632 1971
Don McCort <mccortfmly@aol.com>
Seminole, FL USA - Friday, September 08, 2000 at 10:25:35 (MDT)
I have a story. I only served with the 129th for five months from early March 1968 to mid August of that year. I found the 129th web site today and read the history of 1968. At the time I was in the second platoon. W1 Roth lived in the hooch next to mine. I remember well the day he was wounded because it was my first contact with mortality in my young life. I was a new guy with only a couple of months in country. The second platoon leader at that time was Capt. Hines. The years have blotted my memory and I can't remember Roth's first name. I remember him as a quiet thoughtful young man who lived in the hooch next to mine. My hoochmate was Frank Buckman (Buckey)and Buckey shared the cockpit with Roth that day. I say shared because neither of them were Aircraft Comanders at the time. Our policy at the time was to fly two senior PI's together sharing PC time until they were "blessed" with PC orders. Buckey told me the story later that day. They were tail end charley in a single ship LZ extraction, taking the last ROC's out. According to Buckey, Roth was in the left seat and just prior to pulling pitch a bad guy popped out of a spider whole to the right rear of the aircraft and emptied a magazine through the right cargo door of the aircraft. One round found Roth's leg and in that instant the instrument panel and Buckey were doused with Roth's blood. Buckey pulled in an arm load of pitch and they split most rickey tickey! Buckey, as might be expected was very upset about the incedent. Later that day, or maybe the next I was tasked to "sanitize" and pack Roth's gear. It was a weard experience. Roth was a guy I had drunk with and talked with over a couple of months. I was fond of him because he was a regular guy. He did his job and he did it well but he had not yet been hardened by the war. I guess the most poinient moment occured when I was in his hooch packing his gear. Someone had brought his flight helmet up and thrown it on his bunk. I picked it up and noted the inscription on the back, it read "What's It All About Alfie?" a reference to a popular motion picture of the time and a clever play on words. It was a question that each one of us asked, if only to our selves. I never saw Roth again after that day, but I hope he stayed that sensitive and introspective guy I knew for those few months when we were soldiers and young in 1968. In August I was infused into the 4th Bn 4th Inf Div. Gambler Guns, and I had more encounters with my mortality, but W1 Roth was the first guy that I knew and liked that was a WIA. Ps. I was the first guy on hand for the birth ofWwobbly 1. I remember the ear splitting screams issued by Shamrock and running out of my hooch, flashlight in hand. Nobody knew that Shamrock was knocked up. WHo knew??? CW 4 Jack Hustwit PAARNG
Jack Hustwit <jhustwit@aol.com>
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Thursday, September 07, 2000 at 22:31:55 (MDT)
Served with the 129th from March 68 to August 68
Jack Hustwit <jhustwit@aol.com>
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Thursday, September 07, 2000 at 21:22:47 (MDT)
Good Day Flight................there has been a new link added to the 1st page of the 129th Home Page that contains photos of the on going construction progress of the Vietnam Traveling WALL that will open up here in T minus 14 days and counting. The link is titled "WATCH THE WALL BEING BUILT" I just wanted the greatest unit that served in Nam to see this, and also wanted the ones who contributed to help make this dream become a reality see where their donations have gone............Thanks to all of you in the 129th that served so long ago, and a special thanks to the ones that have donated. I will put a dead line on when I will present the donations to the comittee from the 129th on September 12th ( the day Larry died ). Then I will make a presentaion on behalf of the 129th and I will have all contributers names listed at the WALL also. If you wish to donate, please do so that the checks will be here before the 12th. This is not an attempt to ask for funds, it is just giving you the opportunity to help......................more pictures of the WALL sight will be added in a few days, and I will continue to post photos even during the week that the WALL will be open.......................................................it is going to be a very bitter sweet time for me......but finally, finally, I feel like I am bringing Larry HOME!!!!.......................thanks brothers and sisters...................................your brother..............Pop-A-TopII...............Mark
Mark Jackson <fourfour@bright.net>
LZ HOME, USA - Tuesday, September 05, 2000 at 09:32:16 (MDT)
Flight: Well hope everyone that is close or Ohio will make it in for the moving wall. I would like to see the 129th well represented. Still trying to confirm a few days off. So I can be there for the opening on saturday sept. 16th. Hope to find out something before long. It would be a 12 hour drive. Glenn Pearmain met a WO from the 129th he was there with Glenn and I in 1966-1967. Bruce Boyer. You never know where you will find someone from the 129th. Still have Shirts for the newguys finding the site. Well off to play work. Have a safe labor day. And I appreciate all who sent donations to Mark for the moving wall. Mark has done alot for all of us. Thanks again Flight. Alex
Alex Fernwalt <alfern@bellsouth.net>
Memphis, Tn USA - Sunday, September 03, 2000 at 09:37:02 (MDT)
Mark Jackson, I consider it an honor to send you a few $ for the "Wall" visit to your community, checks in the mail. Thanks for this site and keep up the good work. Lou
Paul "Lou" Tenhet <pqt2@trilobyte.net>
Tooele, UT USA - Friday, September 01, 2000 at 00:39:03 (MDT)