Volume 2, Number 7 4 July 1988 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | NN NN AAAA MM MM VV VV EEEEEEEE TTTTTTTT | | NNN NN AA AA MMM MMM VV VV EE TT | | NN N NN AA AA MM M M MM VV VV EE TT | | NN NNN AAAAAA MM M MM VV VV EEEEE TT | | NN NN AA AA MM MM VV VV EE TT | | NN NN AA AA MM MM VV VV EE TT | | NN NN AA AA MM MM VV VV EE TT | | NN NN AA AA MM MM VV VV EE TT | | NN NN AA AA MM MM VVVV EEEEEEEE TT | | | | The World's First Electronically Distributed Newsletter | | By, Of, and For Vietnam Veterans | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Todd Looney Assistant Editor: G. Joseph Peck Nam Vet is a special newsletter dedicated to Vietnam Veterans around the world, and provided electronically as a service to participants in the International Vietnam Veterans' Echo Conference (IVVEC) available on many FidoNet (tm) bulletin boards in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Canada. Not all of the articles appearing in NAM VET are written by participants in the IVVEC, but the NAM VET is very much an electronic newsletter by, of, and for Vietnam veterans, their friends, wives and lovers. Articles from veterans or anyone else wishing to express themselves about Viet Nam or related experiences are invited to submit their writings for publication to the Vietnam Veterans Valhalla (143/27), the VETlink #1 (321/203), or to any node carrying the IVVEC whose sysop can forward your work from there. NAM VET is published monthly by the Vietnam Veterans Valhalla. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the NAM VET, it's staff or volunteers. The newsletter is made up of articles and other newsletters as well as other sources. We are not responsible for the content of this information nor are any of the above mentioned parties. Duplication and/or distribution is permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact Todd Looney at (408) 947-7668. Volume 2, Number 7 4 July 1988 INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! Table of Contents 1. EDITORIALS ............................................... 1 Tippin' Down the Tightrope ............................... 1 "Clipper" ................................................ 3 2. VETERAN SERVICES ......................................... 5 MIA-POW EchoConference ................................... 5 A Gathering of Vets ...................................... 6 VA Forms ................................................. 7 Mini-Wall Schedule ....................................... 13 3. MEMORIES ................................................. 14 The Lady ................................................. 14 A Little Man Part III .................................... 15 4. GENERAL ARTICLES ......................................... 16 Study May Boost Agent Orange Benefits Bills .............. 16 Agent Orange Survivors Association ....................... 18 Back to the Bush! ........................................ 19 Special Report from Vietnam .............................. 22 Red, White, and Blue ..................................... 23 Prisoner of War Medal .................................... 24 Obtaining Military Records ............................... 26 Suicide .................................................. 29 New Veterans Memorial .................................... 31 5. WOMEN VETERANS ............................................32 Women Vietnam Veterans' Statue ........................... 32 5. WANTED ................................................... 33 Amerasian Registry ....................................... 33 International Vietnam Veterans' EchoConference Nodelist ... 34 Free WALL Rubbings ....................................... 40 6. NAM VET NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM ..................... 42 NamNews 2-07 Page 1 4 Jul 1988 ================================================================= EDITORIALS ================================================================= Tippin' Down the Tightrope Nancy and I were being held against our will by the TV one afternoon when a contestant on Jeopardy was challenged to identify the location of "Sweetbreads" on an animal. The contestant was given credit for a correct response when he answered, "the brain". This of course came as quite a surprise to me so I said, "I didn't know that!" And then Nancy says to me, "The brain??? I didn't know that either ... I thought the sweetbreads were the `naughty bits'!" Then she paused a minute and says, "Aw, I knew that..." "You did not", I shot back, "you just now said you didn't know...I didn't know and you didn't know!" "Yeah", she says with a twinkle in her eye, "but I didn't know less than you didn't!" And people wonder why I get these headaches... * * * "The most comprehensive study ever done of the physical and mental health of Vietnam veterans has concluded that they have been no less successful in adjusting to employment, marriage, and civilian life than veterans who never served in that war." Thus Spake The L.A. Times I don't mind tellin' ya' when I opened the San Jose Mercury News on May 12th and read the L.A. Times' quote about the new Center for Disease Control study on Vietnam vets, suddenly all the pieces started falling into place. Just as I had suspected, everything that the Valhalla had been doing for the past 2 years was nothing more than a mass hallucination. "No less successful in adjusting?", I thought to myself. "Where are they coming from?" I started packing up my desk right away - I knew the other staff members were gonna' read this and I didn't want to get caught up in the stampede! In fact, I was half way out the door, headin' down to the shelters to give them the good news, when Dave, the Valhalla's distinguished Office Manager, came into the room. Looking somewhat befuddled, what with me headin' out the door and all, he says, "Whoa there fella', where ya' headin'?" "Haven't you heard the news?" I said, handing him the morning paper, "it appears that the war wasn't so bad for us after all!" And grabbing up my box said, "`scuse me, I'm just gonna put this in my car..." "Not so fast Todd-san," he said, grabbing my arm while staring intensely at the article, "not so fast..." After a few minutes he released my arm, motioned towards the desk and said, "Put the box down, crazed one." NamNews 2-07 Page 2 4 Jul 1988 "But Dave", I pleaded, It's a *C.D.C.* study and they *did* give us the definitive answer about Agent Orange..." "Right, right" he smiles and then suddenly breaking serious says, "put the damn box down!" "Ya' know Dave, I fully anticipate *another* C.D.C. study that will show that service in Vietnam was actually *healthier* for us due to the daily lead supplement which was so readily available..." "Todd...", he said. (I guessed that surviving due to lead ingestion was a tad bit iffy...) "ENOUGH!", he screams at me, "Have-you-lost-your-mind?" And I mean *there's* a rhetorical question if ever I heard one, but I humor him anyway with one of my patented `Peck-esque diatribes about, "Well yes Dave, as a matter of fact I *did*, but I'm happy to report that I've recovered most of the more functional parts and have been working diligently for the past few years to regain a more constructive direction..." And no sooner had I gotten those words out, when up drives a brand new, shiny, silver-grey Mercedes 450SL. To our astonishment, out steps one of our longtime clients, Rocky Recondo, two tours, recon, 101st Airborne, whose major therapeutic breakthrough up to this point has been to move past grunting and ascending all the way up to effusive spurts of the "F" word. The Rock strides up to the door in an immaculate 3- piece suit, takes off his silver shades and says, "I say, I'll be the male offspring of a female canine...if isn't the good Doctor and that zany madcap Office Manager. Basher of a newsletter ol' chap!" "Basher of a newsletter???" My jaw was on the floor. "I see you've read the news", Rocky mused, pointing to the paper on the desk. "Yeah", I replied, exchanging glances with Dave and moving into a position to drop kick Rocky in case he went off. "We were just discussing it." "Well, I must say", he intoned, straightening his tie, "after reading that I felt...well...*cleansed*. In actuality, I've often felt that service in Southeast Asia was most healthy due to the lead supplement...". "Here for an appointment today, Rock?" I asked, cutting him off abruptly so as not to set Dave off. "Oh heavens no", he said fluffing his coif, "no more therapy for *me* thanks, I'm off to play the Grahnd Piahno...Ta'!" And with that, he slipped on his shades, hopped into his Mercedes and was gone in a cloud of dust. "Grahnd Piahno???" Asked Dave. "Really Dave", I said, "I've gotta get goin' - I've been offered a permanent Sinequan concession at Carly Simon concerts and..." "Now LOOK", screamed Dave slamming his fist on the desk, "we haven't even *seen* the study yet...I've got to see the methodology. For all *we* know they only studied non-combatants! You *know* the C.D.C.'s known for their lack of thoroughness. They may be just opening their mouth in order to change feet again." Dave sighs heavily and sits on the corner of my desk, picking a previous C.D.C. study up off my blotter. "According to *this* study, Vietnam combat vets have a distinct hearing loss NamNews 2-07 Page 3 4 Jul 1988 and a lower sperm count and you *know* John just fathered a 2nd child." Just then John, one of our illustrious counsellors, came through the door, and Dave says, "Watch...hey John, what do you think of the new C.D.C. study?" And John says - "WHAT?" "That's it", Dave says grabbing my box, "we're outta' here...think there's anymore concessions out there?" "No", I smiled, "but I hear the CIA's looking for help in Panama and I know you used to live there. Know anything about drugs?" "Nope." "Well, I guess the CIA's out of the question! Maybe you could work on the C.D.C." "You mean work *for* the C.D.C. don't you?" "No Dave", I said correcting him, "I had it right the first time." Just then he says to me, "Hey wait...you can't go...you've got a newsletter to put out...a bulletin board to run, vets to help..." And sure enough, he's right. So here it comes gang, but I really must make it short. If this Carly Simon thing falls through I could always go to work for the CIA...if you know what I mean. On with the show... ----------------------------------------------------------------- G. Joseph Peck VETLink #1 321/203 Pittsfield, Massachusetts Twilight. Just like it was then. Clipper took aim. Breathing... Sight picture... Sight alignment... squ-e-e-z-e the trigger... This time, rather than a figure in the distance suddenly toppling over after he'd felt the kick of his rifle and its surge of raw, unleashed power, he saw the rusty beer can - 300 yards away - suddenly become shards of metal reflecting the dying sunlight. 3 tours in 'Nam; 13 years; 47 jobs; 2 wives, and 4 kids ago, he was that young soldier eagerly looking forward to sharing his experiences with his dad and all the other veterans at his hometown veterans' club. He could still feel the anticipated pride as he'd imagined the red, white, and blue of Old Glory waving in the breeze in his own front yard. In his worst nightmares, he'd never dreamt of what awaited him when he got off the plane. "Yeah, a long time ago," he mused, "A long time ago I thought I was doing something important, something that this country would be grateful for. I never thought I'd have all that trouble first NamNews 2-07 Page 4 4 Jul 1988 GETTING a job then KEEPING it... never thought I'd react the way I did to what people said to me, called me. Sarah couldn't live with me any more. Terrified her when I'd have my nightmares. Kids were scared to death of me. The VA even labelled me "Paranoid-Schizophrenic" - medicated the hell out of me. Thought for sure I WAS crazy *until* I met others like me at the Vet Center who were goin' through the same kind of hell. Painful steps - but I made it back. PTSD. Another wife; more kids; a better future. Makin' enough now to pay the rent, buy some food. So what if my father got his college education paid for with a living allowance, a house with no down and payments he could afford, and employers that ADVERTISED for veterans. Don't mean nuthin' - I had to start ALL over again... like I was nobody." Gritting his teeth, he took deadly, accurate aim at the fast- moving chipmunk - a tiny speck running up the side of a distant tree. "B-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g... Sight picture... Sight alignment... s-q-u-e-e-z-e the trigger..." Only a wet spot remained on the tree trunk... He'd earned his name again. "Since Julie came by my side," he grinned, "Things have gotten better. Kids aren't as afraid of me, we go hunting and fishing, and I see LIFE ahead of me - instead of all the death behind me. Sure, I know everything seemed to be working together to isolate me, cause me to withdraw further and further into myself. By denying me opportunities and keeping me away from them, they were making me old long before my time." Picking up the spent rounds, habitually policing his area for any traces that he'd been there, Clipper, 38 years old and Director of the Town's Homeless Veterans' Shelter, readied himself for his return trip and the press conference where, in behalf of his brother/sister Vietnam veterans, living and gone to that great Firebase-in-the-sky, he'd receive a 3-million-dollar donation from some actress for the States' Homeless and Underemployed veterans. "What goes around comes around, d*mnit! Won't take one name off of that black wall in Washington, DC. Don't mean nuthin'. Breathin'... sight picture... sight alignment... squ-e-e-z-e the trigger... when the lady says she's sorry, she gotta remember there's a lot more veterans in a lot more cities that been hurt by what she's done..." Till next month... Show a brother or sister veteran that YOU care. G. Joseph Peck VETLink #1 321/203 Pittsfield, MA NamNews 2-07 Page 5 4 Jul 1988 ================================================================= VETERAN SERVICES ================================================================= MIA-POW EchoConference By: Glenn Toothman, 387/800 The NCOA, myself, Todd Looney (Vietnam Veterans Valhalla, 143/27), and G. Joseph Peck (VetLink #1, 321/203) are proud to announce a new Echo on the system. The MIA-POW. The primary function of the MIA-POW Echo is for all to post information they have, feelings, opinions, and any pertinent data available. Washington DC is on-line and will be looking at the Echo to correct any misinformation that is now being relayed to you. Any rumors should be posted, so any misinformation can be set right and the unscrupulous persons who are making a living off the sentiments of the persons who are dedicated to the MIA-POW issues. Let us not let these persons profit from our brothers/sisters who are not here to defend themselves. This Echo (MIA-POW) information was released last Friday (24 June 1988) to the Washington press people, when the President honored the ex-POW's with the new PW medal, by the NCOA National Capitol Office. One other notification will be forthcoming in the NCOA Journal, distribution in excess of 150,000 addresses, persons active duty, reserve, retired, separated, veterans, and families. This should be out during the next printing of the Journal (Aug. issue). If you are interested in carrying the Echo please contact one of us for the feed. We are very serious about this issue, and concerned that all the information be published about our friends who are still not home, for whatever reason. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-07 Page 6 4 Jul 1988 A Gathering of Vets The following is an update of the First Falls City Stand Down As things stand now, there will be a gathering of Veterans in Falls City, TX. on 22,23,24 July 88. The gathering is a Stand Down, and as such there is no structured program for it.... It is what a stand down is for, just to relax and get together with your friends, fellow veterans, you can meet old friends, make new ones... There is no charge for the stand down, however there will be a collection can for donations to offset the cost of the gathering. Karnes County Veterans will be showing off the plans for the new Veterans Memorial for Karnes County,and asking for help in any sense to get it constructed. To date there are going to be Vets from the surrounding area, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth/Dallas. All are welcome to attend. There will also be present at least one family of a MIA and some families of KIA's. These people need our support both emotionally and physically. Many want to know if anyone knew their loved ones. (the family of Sammy Hoff MIA, and LCPL Kenneth L. Remmers KIA will be present, these have been confirmed attendees) If anyone is interested in attending, the Stand Down is to be held in Falls City, TX (approx. 45mi SE of San Antonio). Take US 181 south from San Antonio, go through Floresville, and Poth. The Next town is Falls City, as you come into town, take the second street to the right, travel up through the two stop signs, and you will see some mobile homes, look to your left and you will see the park area we have for the stand down. The area is a tree shaded park, and within approx. 50 meters from the San Antonio River. I have invited personnel from the Vet Centers, in San Antonio, and have an open invitation to all veteran organizations, to show what they have for the vets. They may solicit membership, to date Alamo Area Vietnam Veterans (a chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America), the NCOA, and the VFW have said they will attend. Any other veterans organization may attend and is more than welcome. NamNews 2-07 Page 7 4 Jul 1988 Here are the forms that will guide your dealings with the Veterans Administration, and followed by other agency forms of interest to veterans: VETERANS ADMINISTRATION FORMS (NOTE: only current forms should be used. check with the VA or a service officer for current revision date.) 572 Request for Change of Address 1-9 Appeal to Board of Veterans Appeals 10-10 Application for Medical Benefits 10-10d Application for Medical Benefits for Dependents or Survivors 10-10m Application for Medical Benefits Medical Certificate and History 10-10r Application for Readmission to Hospital or Domiciliary 10-583 Claim for Payment of Cost of Unauthorized Medical Services 10-1394 Application for Adaptive Equipment-Motor Vehicle 10-7079 Request for Outpatient Medical Services 21-121 Application for Burial Allowance and Accrued Amounts, Payable as Reimbursement 21-509 State of Dependency 21-524 Statement of Person Claiming to have Stood in Relation of Parent 21-526 Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension 21-526e Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension at Separation from Service 21-527 Income-Net Worth and Employment Statement 21-530 Application for Burial Allowance 21-534 Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or Death Pension by Widow or Child 21-535 Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Parents 21-551 Application for Accrued Benefits by Veteran's NamNews 2-07 Page 8 4 Jul 1988 Widow (Widower), Child, or Dependent Parent 21-601 Application for Reimbursement for Accrued Amounts Due a Deceased Beneficiary 21-609 Application for Amounts Due Estate of Person Entitled to Benefits 21-614 Application for Accrued Amounts of Veteran's Benefits Payable to Widow, Widower, Child or Dependent Parents 21-651 Election of Compensation or Pension in Lieu of Retired Pay or Waiver of Retired Pay to Secure Compensation or Pension from VA 21-674 Request for Approval of School Attendance 21-686c Declaration of Marital Status 21-1775 Statement of Disappearance 21-2680 Examination of Housebound Status or Need for Regular Aid and Attendance 21-4100 Statement of Income and Net Worth 21-4103 Information from Remarried Widow/er 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim 21-4142 Authorization for Release of Information 21-4165 Pension Claim Questionnaire for Farm Income 21-4183 Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by Child 21-4185 Report of Income from Property or Business 21-4502 Application for Automobile or other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment 21-4555 Veteran's Initial Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing 21-6897 Statement of Income and Net Worth-Disability 21-6898 Application for Amounts on Deposit for Deceased Veterans 21-8416 Request for Information Concerning Medical, Legal, or Other Expenses 21-8416a Request for Information Concerning Family Unusual Medical Expenses NamNews 2-07 Page 9 4 Jul 1988 21-8678 Application for Annual Clothing Allowance 21-8796 Statement of Termination of Marital Relationship 21-8834 Application for Reimbursement for Headstone or Marker Expenses 22-1990 Veteran's Application for Program of Education or Training 22-1990a Servicemen's Application for Program of Education or Training 22-1990t Application and Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance 22-1995 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training 22-5490 Application for Educational Assistance (Son or Daughter) 22-5490w Application for Educational Assistance (Spouse, Surviving Spouse) 22-5495 Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (Son or Daughter) 22-5495w Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (Spouse, Surviving Spouse) 22-8725 Application for Educational Loan 23-22 Appointment of Service Organization as Claimant's Representative 26-1802 Application for Home Loan Guaranty or Insurance 26-1802b Application for Home Loan Guaranty Refinancing Loan 26-1817 Application for Determination of Basic Eligibility -- Unremarried Surviving Spouse NamNews 2-07 Page 10 4 Jul 1988 26-1880 Request for Determination of Eligibility and Available Loan Guaranty Entitlement 26-6381 Application for Release from Personal Liability to the Government on a Home Loan 26-6382 Statement of Purchaser or Owner Assuming Seller's Loan 26-8641 Application for Guaranty of Loan to Purchase Mobile Home and/or Lot 28-1900 Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation 28-8861 Request for Medical Service 29-336 Designation of Beneficiary and Optional Settlement 29-352 Application for Reinstatement (Medical) (USGLI & NSLI) 29-352a Supplement to Insurance Medical Application 29-353 Application for Reinstatement 29-353a Application for Reinstatement (nonmedical, age 50 and under) 29-357 Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits 29-358 Application for Conversion 29-1546 Application for Cash Surrender Value 29-1547 Application for Policy--Government Life Insurance 29-1606 Application for Total Disability Income Provision (Medical) 29-4125 Claim for One Sum Payment (All policy prefixes) 29-4125a Claim for Monthly Payments (NSLI) 29-4125k Claim for Monthly Payments (USGLI) 29-4125-1 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- Policy Prefix V only) 29-4125-2 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- Policy Prefix W only) 29-4125-3 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- Policy Prefixes J, JR, and JS only) 29-4125-4 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- NamNews 2-07 Page 11 4 Jul 1988 Policy Prefix RS only) 29-4125-5 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- Policy Prefix K only) 29-4125-6 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- Policy Prefix H only) 29-4125-7 Table for Monthly Payments (Options 2, 3 and 4-- Policy Prefix RH only) 29-4364 Application for National Service Life Insurance (Medical) (RH) 29-8283 Claim for Death Benefits (SGLI & VGLI) 29-8285 Request for Insurance (SGLI) 29-8286 Servicemen's Group Life Insurance Election 29-8485 Application for Ordinary Life Insurance 29-8485a Application for SGLI (Retired) Reservists) 29-8713 Application for VGLI (Submitted within 120 days after separation) 29-8714-2 Application for VGLI (Submitted within one year following 120 days after separation) 40-133 Application for Headstone or Marker 60-2008 Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes 60-3288 Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Claimant's Records DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FORMS DD-3 Application for Gold Star Lapel Button DD-149 Application for Correction of Military or Naval Record DD-293 Application for Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States DD-1172 Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card DD-1881 Survivor Benefit Plan Election Certificate -- By Existing Retiree (P.L. 92-425) DD-1883 Survivor Benefit Plan Election Certificate NamNews 2-07 Page 12 4 Jul 1988 (P.L. 92-425) DD-1884 Survivor Benefit Plan Application for Annuity (P.L. 92-425) DD-1881 Survivor Benefit Plan Minimum Income Claim (P.L. 92-425) MISCELLANEOUS FORMS OF OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BC-600 Application for Search of Census Records GSA-6751 Order for Photocopies Concerning Veteran (Records of Veterans Who Served in the U.S. or Confederate Armed Forces prior to WW I) HA-501 Request for Hearing--Social Security Administration HA-520 Request for Review of Hearing Examiner's Action-- Social Security Administration POD-3575 Change of Address Order (Post Office) SSA-1696 Appointment of Representative, Social Security Administration SSA-561 Request for Reconsideration--Social Security Administration SF-15 Claim for 10-point Veteran Preference SF-180 Request Pertaining to Military Records SF-233 Power of Attorney by Individual to a Bank for the Collection of Checks Drawn on the Treasurer of the United States NamNews 2-07 Page 13 4 Jul 1988 Mini-Wall Schedule Schedule "A", 1988 Jul 09-----15.....St. Petersburg, Florida 24-----31.....Orlando, Florida Aug 04-----10.....Louisville, Kentucky 15-----21.....Carlisle, Pennsylvania 26-Sep 01.....Dunkirk, New York Sep 08-----14.....Elmhurst, Illinois 24-Oct 01.....Sioux Falls, South Dakota Oct 07-----13.....Norfolk, Nebraska 17-----23.....Cleveland, Ohio 26-Nov 01.....Toledo, Ohio Nov 07-----13.....Jasper, Alabama Schedule "B", 1988 Jul 02-----07.....Winnetka, Illinois 09-----15.....St. Peters, Missouri 17-----24.....Evansville, Indiana 27-Aug 02.....Flint, Michigan Aug 05-----11.....Des Moines, Iowa 14-----20.....Omaha, Nebraska 24-----30.....Loveland, Colorado Sep 03-----09.....Los Angeles, California 13-----19.....Porterville, California Oct 03-----09.....Salem, Oregon Nov 07-----13.....Riverside, California NamNews 2-07 Page 14 4 Jul 1988 ================================================================= MEMORIES ================================================================= The Lady... There's never a place, where I don't see her face, or sense her warm, gentle touch... I owe her so much. The lady, my friend, my lover, my wife, all these things she'd be... just to save my life. Day after day, for all of a year, she managed to teach us how to deal with the fear. I remember the pain I saw in her eyes... each time they brought in those dying GI's... I'd wonder where she cried? In every new place, I search for her face... I look for those eyes in pain... every once in awhile, I'll see that smile... and it nearly drives me insane. How do I know, how do I tell her, how much she's meant to me...? What better place for us to see her face, than near us, in Washington D.C. by- Jim Moore Copyrighted, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Vietnam '66-'67 NamNews 2-07 Page 15 4 Jul 1988 A Little Man Part III by Lefty Frizzell RVN 1969-1972 Well, I have had a couple of weeks to settle down and give it a lot of thought. I was remembering the Reverend back when we were boys in Junior High School. He was involved with the Debate and Speech Classes. He was the Class President...Joe College with the heart of gold and fifty cents in his pocket...One of his favorite books to quote was "Stars in My Crown" by Joe David Brown. In the book, there was a man.....during some freak of nature....some horrible action....this man was on hand to see his home destroyed....his entire family perish in a fire....every time that someone would ask how he was doing, he would reply, "Once I had everything, now I have nothing..." This went on for a pretty long time....and then one day the man was found dead. At his funeral, everyone is sitting around crying, miserable....and the preacher walks up to the podium, opens his bible.....looks at the congregation, and says, "Today, we are gathered here to bury a man.... A man who now has everything......" I guess that the same can now be said for Mr. Ellis....no matter how little he had last week....I buried a man who now has everything...... NamNews 2-07 Page 16 4 Jul 1988 ================================================================= GENERAL ARTICLES ================================================================= Study May Boost Agent Orange Benefits Bills by Rick Maze, Times Staff Writer (Air Force Times, June 13, 1988) Washington--Proposals to provide veterans disability benefits to service members exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange could gain momentum from research showing a significantly higher rate for one kind of cancer among Vietnam veterans. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has been studying the incidence of certain types of cancer among veterans to determine whether exposure to the defoliant during the Vietnam War may have been the cause. Only in the last six months has the CDC research staff concentrated on lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes, as possibly associated with Agent Orange exposure. In a May 20 letter to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, CDC officials said that a new review of medical records found that non- Hodgkin's lymphoma has occurred at a higher rate among military members who served in Vietnam than among veterans who were not assigned to Vietnam. James O. Mason, an assistant CDC director, cautioned it will take researcher three months to review enough records for a statistically valid comparison. The House and Senate veterans committees are weighing several bills that would provide disability and death benefits from the Veterans Administration to service members exposed to Agent Orange. The Veterans Administration opposes the legislation. It would entitle automatically veterans with Agent Orange-based claims to VA benefits unless the government proves that an illness was not service-related. Currently, veterans with Agent Orange claims must prove that an illness was caused by the defoliant. Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, ranking Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said CDC's findings "add substantially" to other scientific evidence that shows a link between exposure to the herbicide and incidences of certain diseases. A study released by the Veterans Administration last fall showed that Marines who served in Vietnam suffered from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at more than twice the rate of other veterans. A link also had been shown by a 1986 study by the National Cancer Institute of cancer rates among Kansas farm workers who used a herbicide similar to Agent Orange. NamNews 2-07 Page 17 4 Jul 1988 Lack of a clear scientific link between Agent Orange exposure and the incidence of disease has led the Veterans Administration to turn down claims for disability and death benefits. Between 1962 and 1971, more than 3.5 million acres of land in Southeast Asia were sprayed with the Agent Orange defoliant to clear away jungle growth. Meanwhile: Wall Street Journal, June 9, 1988. "What's News--Worldwide:" The Veterans Administration said there is a "growing scientific consensus" that cancer and other illnesses among Vietnam veterans can't be blamed conclusively on exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange. The VA findings were disclosed at a House panel's hearings on compensation based on veterans' exposure to the chemical. NamNews 2-07 Page 18 4 Jul 1988 Agent Orange Survivors From the "Canadian Vietnam Veterans" Newsletter #3, Vol. 2 July 1988 A new national association of survivors of the victims of Agent Orange has been formed. The association National Association of Agent Orange Survivors (NAAOS) is dedicated to the responsible, legal and moral resolution of the use and effects of Agent Orange and other toxic herbicides used during the war in Vietnam. Their goal is to bring Vietnam veterans and their families together for support. They are looking for fair and equitable compensation laws for veterans and their survivors, continued research, particularly targeting birth defects and long term disabilities among the children of Vietnam veterans, and realistic treatment at VA facilities for those veterans. The association is also concerned about fair and realistic use of monies from the Agent Orange Class Action Suit. They are seeking state coordinators in each state and are also seeking voluntary contributions the operational activities if the Association. For further information, please contact the National Association of AGent Orange Survivors, P.O. Box 822, Oaks, PA. 19456. NamNews 2-07 Page 19 4 Jul 1988 BACK TO THE BUSH! by Todd Looney, Sysop Vietnam Veterans' Valhalla 143/27, San Jose, CA. The Vietnam Veterans' Valhalla in San Jose, California has been working to put together a trip for interested parties back to Vietnam. We've really been pleased with the responses we've received since our last article announcing this once-in-a- lifetime trip back to Vietnam. You don't necessarily have to be a Vietnam veteran to go with us, everyone is invited! We expect to have a group of about fifty people. We are now accepting deposits for those who want to get their reservations in early. We have scheduled this event to depart from San Francisco, California on Saturday, January 21, 1989. We will be gone fourteen days and return on Saturday, February 4, 1989. The itinerary has been established already as listed below, but there is still room for change so if you have an idea, let us know, we'll try to work it in if it is at all possible. Things are starting to really look up for the "Back to the Bush" trip to back to Vietnam! All the amenities are includes as follows: Round trip air fare All hotels and lodging Three meals per day All transportation (Rail/Bus/Boat/Plane) Daily sightseeing tours of your choice (there are many tours available in every city, or you are free to go off on your own!) Cultural performances sponsored by the Vietnamese government Vietnamese and Cambodian visas (yes, you can take a sightseeing tour into Cambodia!) English-speaking tour guides and interpreters in every city All you have to furnish is your body, your international passport, and have your inoculations up to date (ouch!). Here's what we have planned for you: Day 1 Depart San Francisco via Japan Airlines Day 2 Arrive Hong Kong (Overnight stay because we will arrive too late to depart for SE Asia that evening. There will be a breakfast in Hong Kong before we leave) Day 3 Depart Hong Kong for Bangkok, Thailand (We will need to stay two nights in Bangkok to get all of our visas issued so you will have plenty of time for a little R&R!) Day 5 Depart Bangkok, Thailand for Hanoi, Vietnam NamNews 2-07 Page 20 4 Jul 1988 (We will stay two days in Hanoi) Day 7 Depart Hanoi for Hue City (We will stay two days in Hue City) Day 9 Depart Hue City for Da Nang (We will stay two days in Da Nang) Day 11 Depart Da Nag for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (We will stay two days in Ho Chi Minh City) Day 13 Depart Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for Bangkok, Thailand (We must stay overnight in Bangkok again to "check out") Day 14 Depart Bangkok, Thailand for Hong Kong and San Francisco, California, USA! (Itinerary subject to change) That's what We have so far! We will keep everyone apprised of any changes as they become available. The whole trip, everything listed above (all transportation, lodging, food, and daily entertainment) will only cost $2,000.00 each (try and do that on your own, we are getting some great group discounts!) We are still making every attempt to get this price cut down even more. The more tickets sold, the less the price will be for everyone so don't wait until the last minute! Start saving now, sign-ups are starting this month! All deposits are refundable, but certain restrictions will apply with regard to withdrawal less than 30 days prior scheduled departure date. Don't put off saving . This is a trip of a lifetime! To do this by yourself would bankrupt you so take advantage of this group discount! For further information contact: Vietnam Veterans' Valhalla 28 Cecil Avenue, Suite 179 San Jose, California 95128 Attn: Todd Looney or E-Mail to 143/27, 24 hours a day! ALL DEPOSITS SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF PERSONAL OR CASHIERS' CHECK, OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO "VIETNAM VETERANS' VALHALLA". You can also keep in contact with what is going on in the world of Vietnam veterans, their friends and family by participating in the International Vietnam Veterans' EchoConference. If you are not sure where the local node in your area is, please check the list of IVVEC nodes at the back of this issue of NAM VET. Again, this is not just for veterans, *anyone* can participate! G'day, and show a vet you care! NamNews 2-07 Page 21 4 Jul 1988 Special Report from Vietnam By: Tony Bizjak San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 27, 1988) Joe Crotty has gotten what he came for. The 62-year-old Redding, [California] man [boarded] an Air France flight to Bangkok this afternoon with his 18-year-old Amerasian son, Khuc Thua Si. "I've got him," said the Vietnam War veteran yesterday, still uneasy about being back [in Vietnam]. "All I want is to get the hell out." Crotty had the son by his Vietnamese housekeeper, then had to leave after the war. He came back this week to speed up the paperwork on the case, which has dragged on for years. Also on today's flight will be Wes Anderson, 38, a mechanic from Washington, and Nam Small, 39, a Vietnamese-born housewife from Maine. The three came in a group organized by San Jose Attorney Bruce Burns, 38. Anderson and Small have had to settle for a promise from the Vietnamese that their children's cases will be speeded up. "If she isn't in my house in a couple of months," Anderson vowed last night, "I'm coming back." A fourth parent, Verdun Andres, 69, received government permission on Saturday to stay a week longer until his son receives an official interview for a visa to leave the country. It was one of several surprises from the Vietnamese government during this unusual week. On Thursday, when U.S. consular affairs representative William Fleming arrived at the Ho Chi Minh City Airport to interview refugees, a Vietnamese government protocol officer surprised him by asking him to interview the other three children on the spot to clear their way to leave on today's flight. Fleming refused. The children, he said, must wait until next week when a team of U.S. officials arrives at Ho Chi Minh City for formal interviews. The surprise Vietnamese proposal may have been a public relations move. American officials have insisted all along that they will not give preferential treatment to anyone; they are not pleased with the four parents' trip to Vietnam. "This is an unusual situation," said Nguyen Hung Manh of the Vietnamese External Affairs office. "The parents are here, so we thought we would try." Although Vietnamese officials won't say so, their willingness to allow trip organizer Burns, these parents and members of the press into the country and treat them well seems to spring from something other than humanitarian concern. Interviews with Vietnamese officials, as well as a journalist, a sociologist, and a Communist Party leader this week, made it clear that Vietnam has crying needs of its own. The Vietnamese economy is in deep trouble. Inflation is out of control. A series of draughts has caused what Vietnamese say NamNews 2-07 Page 22 4 Jul 1988 is the worst famine this decade. Government officials claim 7 million people in the north do not have enough to eat. They have asked for internal humanitarian aid. A new prime minister was chosen last week and has not yet made any pronouncements, but other officials continue to say they need to establish trade with the United States and other Western countries to begin saving their economy. The United States does not have diplomatic relationships with Vietnam and allows no trade between the two countries. U.S. officials say the Vietnamese must withdraw it's troops from neighboring Cambodia and work harder to find the remains of American soldiers missing in action. (Vietnam announced recently that it will withdraw 50,000 troops from Cambodia this week). The only continuing face-to-face contact between the two countries is the Amerasian program. It offers the estimated 9,000 to 15,999 Amerasians in Vietnam the chance to move to the United States. "Since we are dealing directly with the American government, we hope we will have some effect on normalizing relations," Nguyen Quong Phong, head of the Amerasian program said on Friday. Even a rapid look at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city with a population of 4 million, quickly discloses this country's economic backwardness. The city has no downtown business centers, its inhabitants ride bicycles or scooters, its shops keep short hours. Many of its young are unemployed. Although the area's main industry is agriculture, farmers still use water buffalo to plow. The electric company is forced to cut power frequently. Only the most advanced businesses have computers. This could change quickly if more commerce were to develop with the West, said sociologist Nguyen Quang Vinh through an interpreter. "Our workers are quick on the uptake. If we can open to the West, it will allow us the contacts with high technology, and our economy no doubt will soon profit. He cited agriculture, handicrafts, ship repair, and fisheries as areas in which Vietnam could do well with help. Nguyen, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Social Sciences in Ho Chi Minh City, anxiously asked an American journalist on Friday whether American sociologists would like to share information with their Vietnamese counterparts. Vietnam is a country that loves independence because it has long had to fight for it against foreign governments, said Vo Nhu Lanh, a journalist with Saigon's Giai Phong newspaper and former leader of the underground student movement in South Vietnam against the United States. "Now, Vietnam si starting to understand," he said, "if we do not become stronger economically, we will lose our independence again." NamNews 2-07 Page 23 4 Jul 1988 RED, WHITE & BLUE Excerpt from June American Legion magazine Scraps of Life By Sen. John McCain From the beginning, the North Vietnamese had kept us in small cells, with only one or two prisoners in each cell. However, during the final years of our imprisonment they moved us into larger rooms, where as many as 30 or 40 men lived together. It was a vast improvement; the new situations enabled each of us to draw on the companionship and strength of our fellow prisoners. This change in conditions was a direct result of public pressure put on the Vietnamese by the American people. In addition to moving us to the new quarters, our captors began to allow us to receive packages and letters from home. Many men received word from their families for the first time in several years. In my cell was a fellow Navy officer, Lt. Cmdr Mike Christian. From various packages, Mike slowly gathered bits and pieces of red and white cloth. Eventually, he accumulated enough of this cloth to suit his purpose. Using a piece of bamboo he had fashioned into a needle, he sewed a United States flag on the inside of his shirt, one of the blue pajama tops we all wore. Thereafter, every night in our cell, Mike would put his shirt on the wall, and we could say the Pledge of Allegiance. While the pledge may no longer be a daily part of our lives, at that time it was the most important ritual of our day. To see the flag of the United States again, and to have the chance to proudly reaffirm our commitment to our country was truly inspiring. Inevitably, the time came when a guard unexpectedly entered the room as we were reciting our pledge. The guards immediately ripped the flag off the wall. They dragged Mike out, and he was beaten brutally for the next several hours. Finally, they threw him back into the cell. Later that night, as we were settling down to sleep on the concrete slabs that were our beds, I looked over at the spot where the guards had left Mike. Under the solitary light hanging from the ceiling, I saw Mike, still bloody, his face swollen beyond recognition, carefully gather bits and pieces of cloth. He was sewing a new American Flag. (Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, was a POW for more than five years.) NamNews 2-07 Page 24 4 Jul 1988 Prisoner of War Medal From an article from "ARMY Echoes" (a newsletter for Army retirees) for those concerned. The Prisoner of War Medal, recently authorized by Congress, is now available for issue to former prisoners of war, as announced by the Secretary of Defense. The medal will be issued at no cost to anyone who was taken prisoner of war and held captive after April 5, 1917. Defense records indicate that about 142,000 service members qualify, from action during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. Former prisoners of war, or their next of kin, may apply for the medal by writing to the military records center of the service of which they were part during their imprisonment. Written requests for issue of the medal or determination of eligibility should be addressed to: Former Army Prisoners of War, US Army Reserve Personnel Center, ATTN: DARP-PAS-EAW, 9700 Page Boulevard, S. Louis, MO 63132-5200. Application forms are available from the military services or a variety of Veterans organizations and other public service agencies. A toll-free number, 800-873-3768, has been established to take requests for application about the medal. Requests for the medal must include basic personal information so the records center can verify the applicant's former POW status and character of service while imprisoned. Information should include: Full Name Service Number Social Security Number VA claim number Date and place of birth Branch of Service Unit of assignment when captured Dates of confinement and release as a POW A personal letter containing the necessary information will also be accepted from those applicants who do not use the official form. To qualify, an individual must have been taken prisoner during an armed conflict, i.e., World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam Wars and must have rendered honorable service during the period of captivity. The medal may be awarded posthumously to the legal next of kin. However, the next of kin of those who are listed as missing in action, but for whom there is no evidence of captivity as a POW are not eligible. The law creating the medal indicates it may be awarded to anyone who "...was taken prisoner and held captive while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party." NamNews 2-07 Page 25 4 Jul 1988 In addition to writing directly to their military records center, applicants may submit their requests through a third party, such as a veterans organization or public official, who will agree to receive the medal and present it to the requester. The DD Form 2510, Feb 88, Prisoner of War (POW) Medal application/information is used to process applications. THIS INFORMATION WAS TAKEN FROM THE MAY/JUNE ISSUE OF ARMY ECHOES (Vol XXXII, Issue 3). We hope that this helps and informs those concerned. NamNews 2-07 Page 26 4 Jul 1988 Obtaining Military Records Subject: Information for all veterans regarding records and requesting records from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. From: Mark S. Camp, Archives Specialist GS-7 DISCLAIMER - This file is intended to be a general information file only. The information which I am providing should in no way be construed to be the exact operating policy of the National Personnel Records Center, or of the National Archives and Records Administration. *********************************************** 1. When requesting military service or medical records, you should make the request on a Standard Form 180. This form can be obtained from the VA and from various veterans' organizations. If you cannot obtain one, leave a message to me either in the Vet's Forum or in EMAIL. Leave me your name and complete mailing address and I will send you the form. When completing the Form 180, complete as much information as possible, AND BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR NAME. The Privacy Act prohibits the release of information without an authorized signature. The address for sending the form is: National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records 9700 Page Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63132 2. If you request records by means of a letter, be sure to include the following information: Full name (name served under) Date of birth Service number Social Security number Branch of service Dates of service Place of enlistment Place of discharge State specifically what documents you are requesting BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR NAME AND DATE THE LETTER. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES ON ALL REQUESTS ARE VALID FOR ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE REQUEST. 3. If you served in a National Guard unit and want records from that period of service, you should request them from the State Adjutant General of the state where your unit was located. NPRC does not maintain state records. NamNews 2-07 Page 27 4 Jul 1988 4. Most vets were issued 2 documents when discharged - a DD-214 and a discharge certificate. Many vets will ask for a copy of their discharge when they really want their DD-214, so be sure to request the proper document. The DD-214 (or its earlier equivalent such as a 553, is the document needed for benefits purposes. 5. Records of deceased vets are issued only to immediate next-of-kin. If you are a next-of-kin, you need to also submit proof of the veteran's death, such as photocopy of the death certificate, as well as stating your relationship to the veteran. 6. If you want dependent medical records, you should send a request to: National Personnel Records Center Civilian Personnel Records 111 Winnebago Street St. Louis, Missouri 63118 Be sure to include the sponsor's service number or SSN as well as the type of treatment (outpatient or inpatient) and the approximate dates of treatment. Requests for records of a dependent who is now over 21 years old requires that person's signature in addition to the signature of the person making the request. X-rays are only released to qualified physicians. 7. You may request you medals and other awards from the center. NPRC issues USN/USMC/USCG/UASF medals. The Army Personnel Center, also at 9700 Page issues Army medals. The Army paperwork is handled by NPRC, but the actual ARMY medals are issued from the supply center in Philadelphia. It could take a few months to receive the medals, especially since the Center receives several thousand requests each month for them. If you only request medals, that is all you will get. Therefore, if you also want copies of citations, meritorious masts (usually not kept as part of the record), ship awards such as the "E" award, you should specifically state that you want any and all medals and other awards. 8. The 1973 fire destroyed 80% of Army records prior to and including the Korean War. Also, Air Force records of vets whose last names begin with A - H were also destroyed. If you are among those vets who served in this period (WWI, WWII, Korea), you should provide as much information as possible when requesting records such as: units served with any hospitalizations places of enlistment and discharge COPIES OF DD-214 and DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE if you have them. If you are requesting medals, you should include a copy of your DD-214 which shows the awards you received. This aids greatly NamNews 2-07 Page 28 4 Jul 1988 in trying to establish your entitlements. 9. As of 14 February 1986, the Center's backlog of requests was at about 30,000 cases. Recent budget limitations have placed a freeze on hiring. Thus, technicians who answer your requests are swamped. Do not be upset if you do not get a response before 4 weeks elapses. 10. Many vets want to file disability, pension, or hospitalization claims with the VA. They make the mistake of writing the Center for medical records. The VA will only re-request the same records from us, even though you provide them with the same records. Therefore, you will speed up the process of your claim by going to the VA first and just letting them request the necessary records. 11. The Center does NOT take telephone requests from individuals due to the Privacy Act. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any specific questions, leave me a message and I will try to get an answer for you. REMEMBER - the Privacy Act prohibits me from giving out specific information about specific records without the written authorization of the requester. Mark S. Camp 74216,2176 former SSGT, USMC 7/71 - 11/77 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-07 Page 29 4 Jul 1988 SUICIDE *****WARNING***** SUICIDE AND/OR POTENTIAL SUICIDE IS A GENUINE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE IS INTENDED TO BE A GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT BY A LAY PERSON OR SUBSTITUTE FOR TREATMENT BY QUALIFIED PSYCHIATRIC, PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC, MEDICAL, OR POLICE PROFESSIONALS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON SUICIDE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ASKED. **************************** The following is a summary of work done by Edwin Shneidman a famous researcher on the subject of suicide. For more complete information you may consult E.S. Shneidman, at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024 and/or an article by him, "Aphorisms of Suicide and Some Implications for Psychotherapy", AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY, 38, 319-328. Suicide can basically be seen as a form of disordered and distorted thinking in which an individual believes that his/her choices narrow to two options: the end of pain or the continuance of an unsatisfactory level of pain. The obvious disadvantage to suicide is that it is final. However, from the victim's point of view suicide can be rational and effective in accomplishing his/her goal. The goal has little or nothing to do with dying or killing of oneself. Its main focus is the STOPPING OR CESSATION of unbearable pain, psychic and/or physical. Unfortunately this also terminates life. Suicidal pain, that is pain which often leads to suicide, is often the result of unmet or frustrated needs. Examples of these needs are: acceptance, achievement, dignity, recognition, being liked. Thus it is not so much that suicidal individuals want to die as they want to get away from suffering. The primary goal is to get an individual to a safe environment where s/he can be treated by professionals trained to handle suicide in a controlled setting. The best and most usual setting for this is the hospital emergency room. Individuals who are suicidal should be carefully watched with respect to lethal actions and/or intent and to the extent they feel disturbed about things. Sometimes an individual can be made to feel less disturbed when others will reduce the pressures of living for him/her, do what the person wants done (this is no time to be `tough' and teach a person to stand on his/her own two feet and pull himself up by the bootstraps---suicidal people do not see themselves as having boots), meet requests or needs which seem to put a person in a dependent position, i.e. making them food, getting them something to drink, etc. NamNews 2-07 Page 30 4 Jul 1988 Such individuals can also be helped through talking designed to help them to see that a wider set of choices are open to them than just the two mentioned above. Helping the individual write a list of his/her options and then through conversation rank order these options has been known to be helpful. This will expand the range of thinking of an individual. Suicidal people need to be listened to. They want others to pay attention to them and to give them an opportunity to talk. The longer they talk, the longer they are alive. Suicidal people desire others to help them change a world they see as very painful to them. DO NOT BELIEVE THE OLD WIVES TALE THAT PEOPLE WHO TALK ABOUT SUICIDE DON'T DO IT. Let professionals make these sort of judgments. Help your friend or relative by getting him/her to a qualified professional. NamNews 2-07 Page 31 4 Jul 1988 New Veterans Memorial A new Veterans Memorial is in the process of being instituted in Karnes County, Texas. The veterans in this small farming/ranching community are taking it upon themselves to honor all the fallen men/women in the Karnes County area. The Memorial consists of three obelisks the one on the left lists the names of the Veterans who fell during World War I, World War II, and Korea. The middle obelisk is the dedication area, and the obelisk on the right lists OUR Brothers and/or Sisters from Karnes County who fell in Viet Nam. There are a few problems that the readers of this may be able to assist with. 1. There is a problem with the persons in the Texas Historical Society, they say that we CANNOT put up a monument higher than three feet high. I am currently in the process of investigating if the problem exists locally or from the state. If anyone has knowledge or inroads to the Texas Historical Society, please assist us in getting the proper information so we may petition the proper authorities to give us permission to erect this memorial to our fallen brethren. 2. There will be information available at the Falls City Stand Down (22-23-24 July 88 in Falls City, TX), however we need ideas for fundraisers to pay this off (there are approximately half the funds raised at the current time). The cost of the memorial is approximately $5,000. 3. How do we get the word out to other veterans who are not "hi-tech" and have access to these systems for information?? If any one has any answers to these"problem areas" please leave message traffic to me and I will ensure the proper persons get informed. Thank You. Glenn Toothman 387/800 NamNews 2-07 Page 32 4 Jul 1988 ================================================================= WOMEN VETERANS ================================================================= Women Vietnam Veterans' Statue The legislation to include the Womens Statue at the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has passed the Senate Subcommittee and is awaiting introduction to the Senate Floor (You know what I mean!) Movement on this measure begins on the House of Representatives side on June 21st and according to Diane Evans, one of the Project Directors, Loretta Swit of M.A.S.H. fame will be there. WOMEN'S WELLNESS CLINIC, at the Palo Alto VA will be offering as it's July selection, `Care for the Caregivers', presented by Nancy Delaney, MSW. The topic for August is `Coping With Difficult People', presented by John Wax, Chief of Social Work Service. The Wellness Clinic is open to all women veterans, female employees, and Significant Others. The classes meet on the 1st Friday of each month. For more info call Ann Thrailkill (Ext 5866), Rose Gray (Ext 5817), or Evelyn Shinoda (5828). Congress authorized a memorial last year to make up for our nations oversight in acknowledging the contributions of women in the military from the birth of our country to the present. For more information please contact B.G. Wilma Vaught, The Women in Military Service for America Foundation, Suite 203, 1717 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. Did you know that an estimated 250,000 women were involved in the war in Vietnam and Stateside. The poster-petitions will be here in early July... NamNews 2-07 Page 33 4 Jul 1988 ================================================================= WANTED ================================================================= Amerasian Registry From the "Canadian Vietnam Veterans" Newsletter #3, Vol. 2, July 1988 DID YOU KNOW........ That of the Amerasian children, believed in number close to 20,000, fathered by U.S. Servicemen during the war in Vietnam, there are still approximately 12,000 living in Vietnam? Any U.S. veteran who have children in Vietnam and whose addresses are presently known, or who want to find their child in Vietnam, please contact: The Amerasian Registry Bruce W. Burns, Attorney at Law 95 South Market Street Suite 300 San Jose, California 95113 408-292-6683 Donations to help bring these children home may be sent to the above address. Editors note: Bruce Burns and Jim Baker (of the San Jose Vietnam Veterans Outreach Center) have really put their hearts and souls into making this work. They could *really* use your help, please look into your hearts on this one. NamNews 2-07 Page 34 4 Jul 1988 As of 4 JuLY 88 these are the net/nodes that are currently listed as receiving the International Vietnam Veterans Echo. If your local BBS is not listed, please send a message to Joe Peck 321/203 (1-413-443-6313) or leave a message in the IVVEC/IWVEC. NET/ MAX NODE BBS NAME City/State/Country Phone BAUD ================================================================ 632/350 Yarra Valley BBS Melbourne Austr AU 61-3-848-331 1200 114/113 Corwin's Keep Tempe AZ 1-602-894-1470 2400 114/13 Corwin's Keep Tempe AZ 1-602-894-1470 2400 153/123 DAETECH Burnaby BC 1-604-420-2641 9600 153/135 DAETECH 2 Burnaby BC 1-604-420-9485 2400 153/501 Valley Hub Clearbrook BC 1-604-850-0021 2400 153/133 Hot Line Data Network Langley BC 1-604-533-0421 2400 220/20 Old Frog's Almanac Nanaimo BC 1-604-758-3072 2400 103/507 Philosopher's Log Anaheim CA 1-714-535-1258 9600 200/100 The Board Room Belmont Shores CA 1-213-498-6425 2400 161/502 Wildcat Benicia CA 1-707-746-5820 2400 161/66 Generic BBS Citrus Heights CA 1-916-722-3659 2400 203/66 Generic BBS Citrus Heights CA 1-916-722-3659 2400 161/1 Nerd's Nook Concord CA 1-415-672-2504 9600 202/401 jabberWOCky Escondido CA 1-619-743-9935 2400 161/34 Now and Zen OPUS Fair Oaks CA 1-916-962-1952 9600 161/56 Nat'l Family Forum Freemont, CA 1-415-651-4147 2400 161/7 Mover Mouse BBS Fremont, CA 1-415-883-1644 2400 200/200 CSULB Long Beach, CA 1-213-494-8737 1200 NamNews 2-07 Page 35 4 Jul 1988 161/39 Nightline Mather AFB, CA 1-916-362-1755 2400 161/509 Enterprize Pinole, CA 1-415-758-1650 2400 161/11 The Byte Boutique Sacramento CA 1-916-483-8032 2400 161/5 River City II OPUS Sacramento, CA 1-916-646-9678 9600 161/943 Eagle's Nest Sacramento, CA 1-916-334-2822 9600 10/215 Silver BBS San Diego, CA 1-619-226-4502 2400 125/31 Echo Coord San Francisco CA 1-415-621-5206 9600 143/22 P-CAD's Board San Jose, CA 1-408-279-4908 2400 143/27 Vietnam Veterans Valhalla San Jose CA 1-408-293-7894 2400 143/86 Cat's Tail BBS S T O P San Mateo CA 1-415-349-8245 2400 125/78 Living Sober BBS San Mateo, CA 1-415-342-2859 2400 125/12 The Grape Vine Santa Rosa, CA 1-707-546-4938 2400 125/7 Survival Forum Santa Rosa, CA 1-707-545-0746 2400 103/501 Mount Silverthorn Tustin, CA 1-714-544-3369 2400 104/28 Pinecliff BBS Boulder, CO 1-303-444-7073 2400 128/13 COSUG-Colorado's User Clrdo Spg CO 1-404-548-0726 2400 128/16 Firenet Leader Colorado Spring CO 1-303-591-9600 2400 104/739 The Phoenix Parker, CO 1-303-841-9570 2400 104/51 P2 B2 South Denver, CO 1-303-329-3337 2400 141/488 Alice's Restaurant Branford CT 1-203-488-1115 2400 141/250 Wilton Woods Wilton, CT 1-203=762-8481 9600 135/27 Bitsy's Place Miami Beach FL 1-305-865-0495 1200 135/35 The Way Out BBS Miami, FL 1-305-665-3283 1200 363/9 Wit's End Orlanda, FL 1-305-894-0807 1200 363/10 Midas Touch Orlando, FL 1-305-648-1133 1200 366/38 Jolly Green Giant Shalimar, FL 1-904-651-3875 9600 18/43 Athens Echo Athens, GA 1-404-546-7857 9600 NamNews 2-07 Page 36 4 Jul 1988 370/10 OnLine OPUS Athens, GA 1-404-548-0726 2400 370/5 Athens Forum Athens, GA 1-404-546-7857 9600 12/7 HPCUA Honolulu HI 1-808-422-8406 9600 12/1 Aura Net Honolulu, HI 1-808-533-0190 2400 115/761 ICS/TRIX 1 OPUS Chicago, IL 1-312-761-7887 2400 115/529 Elk Grove Repeater Elk Grove Vlg IL 1-312-529-1586 2400 115/20 North Shore BBS Evanston, IL 1-312-491-2611 2400 115/429 Chicago Business Evanston, IL 1-312-491-2611 2400 11/109 Peoria OPUS Net Peoria, IL 1-309-691-5416 2400 11/202 The SouthSide BBS Indianapolis, IN 1-317-882-9330 1200 227/1 Michiana TechLine Mishawaka, IN 1-219-258-0286 9600 227/150 The SX Project Whiting IN 1-219-659-2711 2400 108/90 DATANET Information Syste Erlanger KY 1-606-727-3638 2400 108/50 The ZOO BBS Independence, KY 1-606-283-2040 2400 321/109 Pioneer Valley PCUG-1 Amherst, MA 1-413-256-1037 9600 321/201 Mountain Top Dalton, MA 1-413-684-2886 2400 321/202 Jones' Nose Great Barringto MA 1-413-243-0034 9600 321/203 VETLink #1 Pittsfield, MA 1-413-443-6313 2400 109/722 Ronnie's Roadies BBS Camp Springs MD 1-301-736-0135 1200 109/648 Falcon's Rock College Park, MD 1-301-345-7459 2400 13/29 Berkshire Board Essex, MD 1-301-574-1984 9600 13/33 Avi-Technic Lutherville, MD 1-301-252-0717 9600 13/30 The Futurists BBS Perry Hall, MD 1-301-529-0716 9600 261/628 Liberty Hall Reisterstown, MD 1-301-833-8933 2400 NamNews 2-07 Page 37 4 Jul 1988 261/628.1 Systemhouse Link Reisterstown, MD 1-301-833-8933 2400 109/717 The Tin Badge BBS Silver Spring, MD 1-301-589-2016 1200 1/214 Region 14 Echo Coor Minneapolis, MN 1-612-377-3398 2400 1/314 Software Dist Minneapolis, MN 1-612-377-3469 2400 282/1 Midwest Echo Star Minneapolis, MN 1-612-377-3469 9600 151/20 Metro Link Charlotte, NC 1-704-541-8626 2400 151/60 VMC-BBS Lewisville, NC 1-919-945-4850 2400 151/100 NC Central Raleigh, NC 1-919-851-8460 9600 151/1000 REDCON Raleigh, NC 1-919-859-3353 2400 143/99 Friend's BBS Omaha, NE 1-402-896-2669 2400 132/101 BBS Source Archive Nashua, NH 1-603-888-8179 2400 150/803 Jersey Vertex Moorestown, NJ 1-609-869-0139 2400 15/4 NASW New Mexico Las Cruces, NM 1-505-646-2868 2400 381/401 Border Connection Santa Fe NM 1-505-678-1318 2400 107/105 NY Transfer Staten Island, NY 1-718-442-1056 2400 108/105 Global Time Systems Cincinnati, OH 1-606-341-7910 2400 157/1 Auer Register Cleveland, OH 1-216-883-0578 2400 110/20 EDS Data Dayton, OH 1-513-455-2431 2400 157/501 The PC-Key BBS Girard OH 1-216-545-9205 2400 385/4 Info-Net Lawton, OK 1-405-357-6181 2400 385/6 Bink's Barn Lawton, OK 1-405-357-2473 2400 147/14 Dark Star TBBS Oklahoma City, OK 1-405-691-0863 9600 148/120 Genetic Research Vat Toronto ON 1-416-480-0551 2400 11/700 FCAU IBM Net Toronto, ON 1-416-427-0682 9600 221/156 Waterloo CBCS PUBLIC Waterloo, ON 1-519-746-5020 9600 221/157 Waterloo CBCS Echomail Waterloo, ON Unpublished 9600 105/16 Net 105 EchoMail Hub Portland, OR 1-503-761-3003 2400 NamNews 2-07 Page 38 4 Jul 1988 105/61 Shotgun OPUS Portland, OR 1-503-760-4521 2400 157/506 Beacon Hill OPUS Transfer, PA 1-412-962-9514 2400 362/1 The Mines of Moria Chattanooga, TN 1-615-344-9601 2400 362/501 Coconut Telegraph Chattanooga, TN 1-615-698-4858 2400 18/7 Flash Port Memphis TN 1-901-525-2710 2400 18/6 The Burnout Board Memphis, TN 1-901-353-4563 2400 130/5 CUSSNET UTA Arlington, TX 1-817-273-3966 2400 136/200 The Chai Way II Austin, TX 1-214-358-3738 2400 124/210 Hardwired Dallas TX 1-214-437-4075 9600 124/214 *CHRYSALIS* Dallas TX 1-214-895-9054 2400 124/106 CHAI Way II Dallas, TX 1-214-250-3323 9600 124/110 Flying Dutchman Dallas, TX 1-214-642-3436 9600 124/117 NCC-1701 Node 1 Dallas, TX 1-214-240-8821 2400 124/117 NCC-1701 Dallas, TX 1-214-240-8821 2400 124/14 Chrysalis Dallas, TX 1-214-985-9054 2400 124/200 Dallas Outbound Dallas, TX 1-214-437-4075 2400 124/201 Hardweird Dallas, TX 1-204-931-2987 2400 19/5 Micro Application El Paso TX 1-915-594-9738 2400 106/386 Information Center Exchan Houston TX 1-713-872-4429 2400 106/108 Stormy Weather I Houston, TX 1-713-644-4345 9600 106/111 Shutterbug's OPUS Houston, TX 1-713-880-4329 2400 106/113 The Opus Network Houston, TX 1-713-780-4153 2400 106/114 The Fireside Houston, TX 1-713-496-6319 2400 106/357 TMBBS Houston, TX 1-713-497-5433 2400 106/666 Anything Goes OPUS Houston, TX 1-713-997-2624 2400 NamNews 2-07 Page 39 4 Jul 1988 106/132 Fast BBS OPUS Katy, TX 1-713-392-0093 2400 382/1 Crystal Palace Lake Travis, TX 1-512-339-8037 2400 382/14 Corona Del Mar Rockport, TX 1-512-729-7026 9600 381/201 Pro Link San Angelo, TX 1-915-944-2952 2400 387/401 Comp-U-Gen II San Antonio TX 1-512-496-9373 2400 387/601 NCOA International BBS San Antonio TX 1-512-653-0409 2400 387/800 NCOA International BBS San Antonio TX 1-800-365-6262 2400 109/604 ShanErin Alexandria, VA 1-703-941-8291 2400 109/639 The RENEX BBS Woodbridge, VA 1-703-494-8331 2400 343/111 Lessor Puget TB Edmonds, WA 1-206-742-8067 2400 343/9 Everett OPUS Everett, WA 1-206-355-1295 1200 138/4 PTC Net Mount Vernon, WA 1-206-757-5248 2400 1/217 Region 17 Echo Coord Puyallup, WA 1-206-848-5317 2400 138/101 Story Board Puyallup, WA 1-206-848-5317 9600 138/3 Puget Sound Gateway Puyallup, WA 1-206-848-9232 2400 138/49 The Cohort Puyallup, WA 1-206-848-2646 9600 138/35 US HDS Human Service Seattle, WA 1-206-442-8127 2400 138/52 Burrell's Ballpark Tacoma, WA 1-206-752-4672 2400 139/640 Fox Valley Tech Appleton, WI 1-414-735-2513 2400 154/200 PC-Express Greenfield, WI 1-414-327-5300 2400 NamNews 2-07 Page 40 4 Jul 1988 By: Alex Humphrey If you would like a rubbing taken of the name of a relative, friend or loved one from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, you can get it done by writing: Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Inc. 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW Suite 106-108 Washington DC 20016 Attention: Name Rubbing ----------------------------------------------------------------- NamNews 2-07 Page 41 4 Jul 1988 NAM VET NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM The Nam Vet Newsletter is a nonprofit publication available free of charge to anyone wishing to have a copy. It can be obtained in electronic computer format by anyone having access to a computer and modem by dialing up any of the IVVEC hosting bulletin board systems listed in this issue of the Nam Vet. It can also be mailed to you in printed format if you are willing to pay the $1.67 cost for postage and the mailing envelope. If you desire to have the Nam Vet mailed to you in printed format, please complete the subscription form below, clip it out, and mail it to: Nam Vet Newsletter Vietnam Veterans Valhalla 28 Cecil Avenue, Suite 179 San Jose, California 95128 If you send your payment in check or money order, please make it payable to Todd Looney. NAME_____________________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS __________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP __________________________________________________ AMOUNT ENCLOSED ($1.67 per month desired) _______________________ If this subscription is for someone else, to whom shall we credit the gift? ______________________________________ july88 NamNews 2-07 Page 42 4 Jul 1988 O O SOME GAVE ALL ... ! pow mia pow mia - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - pow mia pow mia ! ! O O ! ! ~~~~~ ~ ~ O~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~ O ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ! ! ~~~~ ~ ~~ O ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~O~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ O~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ ! ! ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ O ~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ O ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ O ~_~_~_~_~_ ~ O ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~ O ) O ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ /(O) / O \ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~ / / O \~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ! ! ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ / PRISONER / \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ / / MISSING \~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ! ! ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ / OF /\ \~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ / / \ IN \~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ! ! ~~~ ~~~ ~ / WAR / ~~ \ \ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~ ~ (_________ / ~ ~~ \ ACTION / ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ \ / ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ! ! ~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ \ / ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ! ! ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~ ! ! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ! ! ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ! ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~ SOME STILL GIVE ! ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ! ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ! ! mia pow mia pow - BRING THEM HOME NOW! - mia pow mia pow ! -----------------------------------------------------------------